Finding Balance in the Fourth Trimester
One month. That’s how long it took for me to realize that taking care of Kendall meant I also needed to take care of myself. Today marks exactly 8 weeks since our little one arrived, and I’m sitting here reflecting on one of the best decisions I made during early motherhood – returning to my yoga practice and accepting the help I needed to make it happen.
When Kendall turned one month old, I made a choice that felt both necessary and terrifying: I started going back to daily yoga classes. Not because I wanted to “bounce back” or return to some pre-pregnancy version of myself, but because my body was asking – no, demanding – the attention and care it deserved after growing and birthing our beautiful boy.
🤱 The Fourth Trimester Truth
Let’s talk about something that doesn’t get enough attention: the fourth trimester. Those first three months after birth when your body is still recovering, your hormones are doing their own complicated dance, and you’re learning to navigate this entirely new version of yourself.
People focus so much on pregnancy and birth preparation, but the recovery period? That’s where the real work begins. Your core needs rebuilding. Your posture needs attention after months of carrying extra weight. Your mind needs movement to process all the changes. And honestly, your spirit needs something that’s just for you.
I learned quickly that giving to my body wasn’t selfish – it was essential. How could I pour into Kendall if my own cup was empty?
🧘♀️ The Return to My Practice
Those first yoga classes back felt like coming home and visiting a foreign country all at the same time. My body moved differently. What used to be effortless now required patience and modification. But there was something so grounding about flowing through familiar sequences, feeling my breath deepen, and reconnecting with the strength I knew was still there beneath the exhaustion.
The physical benefits were immediate: better posture (crucial after all those feeding sessions), stronger core engagement, and relief from the neck and shoulder tension that comes with constantly looking down at your baby. But the mental benefits? Those were even more profound.
For one hour each day, I could focus entirely on my breath, my movement, my intention. It wasn’t about escaping motherhood – it was about returning to myself so I could be more present for it.
👶 Enter Our Village
Here’s what made this possible: accepting help. When Kendall turned one month, we made the decision to bring a nanny into our family. This wasn’t just about giving me time for yoga – it was about creating a support system that would benefit everyone, especially Kendall.
One month is actually the perfect time for this transition. Kendall was just starting to become more alert and social, ready to bond with another caring adult. Having a nanny meant he could begin building relationships beyond just me, which is so healthy for his development. Plus, it gave me the peace of mind knowing he was in loving, capable hands while I took care of my own needs.
But let me be clear – the nanny wasn’t my first line of support. During those crucial early weeks, my sister-in-law and my sister were my lifelines. They helped with everything from holding Kendall while I showered to bringing meals when cooking felt impossible. They reminded me that asking for help isn’t failing – it’s part of building a strong foundation for my family.
The fourth trimester is not meant to be navigated alone. In many cultures, new mothers are surrounded by women who care for them while they care for their babies. We’ve somehow lost that village mentality, but I was determined to rebuild it, one support person at a time.
🌱 The Ripple Effects
What amazes me is how much my return to yoga has positively impacted my entire routine. I’m more patient during those challenging moments. I sleep better (when Kendall lets me!). I have more energy for my development activities with him and more presence during my feeding times.
And Kendall? He seems to thrive knowing that mommy is taking care of herself. There’s something beautiful about modeling self-care from such an early age. I want him to grow up understanding that taking care of your body and mind isn’t optional – it’s essential.
The nanny has been incredible with him too. Watching Kendall light up when she arrives, seeing him comfortable and content in her care, has reinforced that I made the right choice. She brings fresh energy and new perspectives to his day, and I love hearing about their little adventures together.
🧘♀️ Different Practices for Different Days
My yoga journey post-baby has looked different than before. Some days I need gentle restorative flows that honor where my body is in recovery. Other days I crave the intensity of power yoga or the precision of alignment-focused classes.
I’ve learned to listen to what my body needs each day rather than pushing through a predetermined routine. Recovery isn’t linear, and neither is rebuilding strength and flexibility.
The variety keeps things interesting too – vinyasa for flow and creativity, yin for deep stretching and meditation, HIIT-style classes when I want to feel powerful and strong. Each practice serves a different aspect of my healing and growth.
⛈️ Finding Flow in Every Season
Speaking of different days – as I’m writing this, the rain has started again here in Metro Manila. The rainy season has officially begun, and there’s something so cozy about the sound of raindrops while Kendall naps nearby.
It’s midday now, and I’m already planning my movement for today: a HIIT Pilates Pop class this afternoon to get my heart rate up and build that core strength, followed by a Detox Vinyasa flow this evening to release any tension and center myself for the night ahead.
There’s something poetic about the rain returning just as I’m returning to my practice. Both are natural cycles – the ebb and flow of weather, the ebb and flow of motherhood, the ebb and flow of taking care of ourselves while caring for others.
💕 To the Mommies Reading This
If you’re in your fourth trimester, or planning for it, please hear this: You deserve support. Your body deserves attention. Your recovery matters.
Whether it’s yoga, walking, swimming, or simply sitting in meditation for five minutes – movement and mindfulness aren’t luxuries in early motherhood. They’re necessities.
And please, please ask for help. Accept the meals, say yes to the offers to hold the baby while you rest, consider bringing in professional support if it’s possible for your family. Building my village isn’t admitting weakness – it’s creating the foundation for my strength.
Your baby needs you to be well. And you deserve to feel like yourself again, even as you’re becoming this new version of who you are.
The rain is getting heavier now, and I can hear Kendall stirring from his nap. Time for his bath, then off to sweat and flow and remember that taking care of myself is taking care of him too.
💪 What does self-care look like in your fourth trimester? Share your experiences and support each other in the comments below. 💪
The Diaries of Kimberly 
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