I’m going to take a wild guess and say that if you landed on this blog post, you’re pregnant– and you are/will be looking for a Memphis Maternity Photographer. I’m so happy that you’re here! I love creating blog posts that are helpful to you in more ways than just how to dress for your Maternity photos (I mean, I’ll help you with that too!) But I want to create blog posts that you can reference through your pregnancy and through the newborn stage that can HELP you!

Did you know there are more than the typical 3 trimesters of pregnancy? Today I’m spilling the tea on everything you can expect from conception to the mysterious “4th trimester.” Everyone is different, but I would go through pregnancy and giving birth 100 times if I didn’t have such a hard time with the postpartum/newborn stage. Maybe you’re one that LOVES the newborn phase! If you are, I ENVY you. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses!

I’m not only going to share with you what to expect in each, but also a lot of local resources you can use as you plan for your pregnancy, newborn and birth in Memphis.

First Trimester: The Secret Life of Pregnancy

The first trimester is like a secret club where only you and your growing baby are members. During these first 12 weeks, your body is working overtime to create a new life, and you might be feeling the effects (hello, morning sickness). It’s like you’re part of an exclusive group that only fellow expectant moms can truly understand. 

I remember when I was in this stage, I would sneak off to the bathroom at work to deal with morning sickness, all while trying to keep my pregnancy a secret from my coworkers/ classmates (I was in my last semester of college!)

I survived off of ginger chews, saltines, and sprite. Every spare moment I had, I slept. I’ve never slept so long in my life! There would be days where I slept the majority of the day!

Second Trimester: The Golden Age

For many, the second trimester is the golden age of pregnancy, where you can finally start enjoying the journey. With the nausea subsiding and the baby bump showing, it’s time to embrace the experience.

How I shared my pregnancy: When I hit the second trimester, I planned a party for us to announce the gender on the one day my parents would be able to come. BUT the ultrasound before that party, Chloe was not cooperating, and my OB said that he wasn’t positive on whether it was a girl or a boy because the baby just kept moving around too much and there were always legs covering that area! So I told him, just take your best guess and put what you think in the envelope. I gave that paper to a baker to make a cake that we cut into and would you believe that we cut into a BLUE cake? The paper the OB put in the paper said 70% sure it is a boy. I wrote a blog post about our experience and it’s the funniest blog post to read looking back! You can read it here!

My BIGGEST recommendation is to find a way to be active during this trimester. It will make you feel so much better. I enrolled in a water Zumba class with a friend and it was always the highlight of my week! I ended up doing the class even into the third trimester and it was AMAZING to feel the weight of my belly lifted as soon as I got into the water! If you live in the Memphis/Olive Branch area, look into your local YMCA to see if you can fit a class into your schedule! The YMCA has an Aqua Zumba that is held in the afternoon and it “mixes low and high intensity moves for an interval style dance fitness party through Latin and World rhythms in the water”. You will need to reserve a spot as walk ins are not allowed. I will say that a large majority of this class is older men and women, but I promise that they will welcome you with open arms and will become your biggest supporters!

Towards the end of the second trimester, your bump will start to show (yay!) and you’ll want to start planning your maternity session so that you can take photos before your belly gets more heavy and you begin to feel more uncomfortable. I recommend taking maternity photos around 27-30 weeks. For your first pregnancy it will likely be closer to 30, but if you’ve had a prior pregnancy, you’ll start to show earlier, and so taking photos a little earlier might be a better plan for you! As a Memphis maternity photographer, I would absolutely love to take your photos! You can contact me here for more information.

Third Trimester: The Home Stretch

The third trimester is when things start to get real. As you prepare for your baby’s arrival, you’ll want to make sure you have everything in place for a smooth transition. Hopefully at this point, you’ve chatted with a Memphis maternity photographer, gotten your photos back and are starting to do some preparation for birth!

The Nursery 

When it comes to the nursery, some of my clients go all out and are prepared months in advance, and some have 6 month olds without a nursery. I know several people who keep their newborn in their room and eventually move them into their closet nearby so they are “separate” but close. If you are at a point in your life to create a beautiful nursery, do it! If you’re not – I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. Do what is best for you! That being said, having a newborn session in a nursery that you designed with your sweet baby in mind is one of my favorite things to capture. And if you’re looking for a local Memphis maternity photographer who is also a Memphis Newborn photographer, I’m your girl!

Memphis Birth Class or Doula

If you’re looking for a Doula, I’d highly recommend Cammie Warren from River City Doulas. She comes highly recommended from many Labor and Delivery Nurses. Coming from a healthcare background as a nurse and having a husband who is an OBGYN, I see so much benefits from having a doula as your advocate, but I also know that it’s so important to trust your provider (OB) and know that when they tell you they need to change things in your birth plan it’s because it’s safer for you or the baby … or both. There’s a healthy balance and having a doula who understands and can implement that balance is priceless!

Preparing with Your Partner (or older children) For the New Baby

If you have older children especially toddlers, having a gift that came “from the baby” to them is a beautiful way to get your toddler to feel special and loved!

During your entire pregnancy, try to prepare them for what’s coming! Get them excited about having a baby brother or sister! And try and let them know that there will be many late nights with the baby because they have to eat and are still learning how to sleep at night. Kids are sponges, if you teach them the same content over and over again, when the time comes they probably won’t be totally prepared (because let’s be real, we are grown adults and we aren’t even fully prepared), but they will at least know the basics and you can refer back to “remember before the baby was born and we talked about xyz”.

Birth: The Main Event

The moment you’ve been waiting for is finally here: birth! Whether you’re planning a natural birth or a C-section, this stage is exciting and emotional!

• I will always remember when I finally got my epidural and felt like a new woman! I labored for a while at home and then that night my water broke! We headed to the hospital — got that epidural — and then gave birth 8 hours later!

Of course, these are moments you’ll always want to remember (even if things don’t go perfectly according to plan). Hiring a birth photographer is something I’ve never heard anyone say they regret!  If you’re interested in hiring a birth photographer, I’d love to chat with you!

The 4th Trimester: What No One Tells You

Surprise! Your journey doesn’t end with birth. The 4th trimester is the first three months of your baby’s life, where both of you are adjusting to the world outside the womb.

• I vividly remember the first month after Chloe was born and not feeling that instant connection that everyone talked about. And I just want to validate your feelings if you’re also feeling that! Postpartum depression is REAL. And if you are feeling anger and resentment towards yourself or your baby, please visit your OB and let them know! There are medications and other resources that are available for you. In this day and age there are also lots of social media pages created for supporting new mothers like you! some of my favorites are:
  • Postpartum Support International
    • They have a HelpLine if you are struggling : 1-800-944-4773
• Conscious Mama
  • Instagram

When is it time to ask for breastfeeding support? Check out this blog post all about breastfeeding! Breastfeeding Support.

Of course, every journey is unique, and it’s okay to feel a whole range of emotions along the way. As long as you’ve got your support system and resources, you’ll be able to navigate this crazy adventure. 

Thanks for reading! 

Since you made it all the way down here – are you looking for a Memphis Family Photographer? A Memphis Newborn Photographer?  A Memphis Maternity Photographer? I would absolutely love to work with you!

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I hope reading How to Prepare for Your First Pregnancy in Memphis, TN by a Family Photographer has given you some solid ideas! If you’re still looking for a  Memphis Family, click here to see my portfolio of Family images.