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The "Fourth Trimester":The Postpartum Period After BirthCongratulations!You have given birth! Your healthy baby will be placed on your chest so that you can begin to bond with your baby. Bonding involves touching, caressing, making eye contact, and talking to your new baby. This is good for both you and your baby and is an important way to start your relationship. But remember, if for any reason you are unable to bond with your baby immediately following birth, this is only the first of a lifetime full of opportunities. It's never too late to begin.The Postpartum PeriodThe period following birth is known as the postpartum period. This is a time when you and your partner begin your new roles as parents, and your new life as a family. The postpartum period can be both exhilarating and exhausting. As you and your baby get to know each other, remember that all babies have unique personalities with their own likes and dislikes. But no matter what their moods are, babies need to be hugged, held, stroked, and cuddled. So indulge yourself. And indulge your baby. New babies cannot be spoiled by a lot of attention. Like any new experience, parenting takes some getting used to. Don't expect to be an instant success. Remember, like parents over the entire world, you will learn the ins and outs of parenting through your mistakes and achievements. Continue to "Your Body: What's Happening"   Journey to Parenthood is available as a book in our bookstore. Most recent page update: 2/29/2008
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Childbirth Connection is a national not-for-profit organization founded in 1918 as Maternity Center Association. Our mission is to improve the quality of maternity care through research, education, advocacy and policy. Childbirth Connection promotes safe, effective and satisfying evidence-based maternity care and is a voice for the needs and interests of childbearing families. |
News and Features
New VBAC Guidlines
ACOG has just issued new Guidlines for VBAC. What changed? What continues? We've Moved!
On July 1, 2010, the Childbirth Connection office moved to 260 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10016. All other contact information is unchanged. New Pregnancy Video Library Available
Our new Video Library features links to a wealth of resources for health professionals as well as for women who are planning pregnancy, are pregnant or are new mothers. Visit the Video Library  "2020 Vision" and "Blueprint for Action" Reports Available Learn about Transforming Maternity Care project Read the "2020 Vision" Read the "Blueprint for Action" Read the Consumer Workgroup report Help implement Blueprint recommendations Listen to report release event audio, 1/2010 eNews Sign Up
Help Transform Maternity Care! Rising Maternal Mortality
Updated Maternity Care Statistics Available
US Cochrane Center (USCC)/Consumers United for Evidence-based Healthcare (CUE) Evidence-Based Maternity Care Report Released New Mothers Speak Out National Report Released New Content!
 Journey to Parenthood Full Book Available Online! A family-friendly book covering the trimesters, pregnancy resources, and the latest information on baby's first year of development. Available online (free) and for purchase in the Bookstore. Browse through Journey to Parenthood  Buy this book and learn more
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"It was both easier and harder then I expected. I knew I would be tired and unsure of myself and scared, but I also didn't know just how much I would love my little girl and how much joy she gives me."
Every woman has the right to accept or refuse procedures, drugs, tests and treatments, and to have her choices honored. She has the right to change her mind. (Please note that this established legal right has been challenged in a number of recent cases.)
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