fourth trimester
noun
: the three month period immediately following giving birth in which the mother typically recovers from childbirth and adjusts to caring for her infant
The "fourth trimester" is a catchphrase used to describe the postpartum period, defined as the first 12 weeks after delivery.—Meera Varma Simões
Women and their families experience substantial physiological, social, and emotional changes. … Most women would benefit from much closer follow-up during the fourth trimester.—Ilona T. Goldfarb
especially
: the first three months of an infant's life
The concept of the fourth trimester—the three-month period of adjustment for babies to life outside of the womb—was introduced in the late 1970s and then popularized by pediatrician Harvey Karp … in 2002. —Maggie Overfelt
Cite this Entry
“Fourth trimester.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fourth%20trimester. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.
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