The Fifth Trimester

Résumé du livre

Lauren Smith Brody is the former executive editor of Glamour magazine and founder of the Fifth Trimester Movement, which brings together new parents and businesses and helps them to create family-friendly workplaces.

Returning to work after having a baby can be a complex journey, as Lauren Smith Brody discovered. While she initially felt she was managing well, challenges like postpartum body image and balancing self-care emerged. Prioritizing self-compassion and thoughtful routines, such as dressing to feel confident and adopting quick beauty habits, proved helpful. Transitioning a baby to day care requires careful planning, including selecting a facility with qualified, caring staff and fostering trust in caregivers. Many mothers also face doubts about their partner’s parenting abilities, often underestimating their readiness. Building trust and sharing responsibilities, supported by joint childcare classes, can strengthen partnerships. At work, navigating perceptions of preferential treatment requires transparency and a strong work ethic, while opening up about motherhood’s realities can foster empathy. For breastfeeding mothers, preparation with the right equipment, clothing, and storage solutions is key to managing this aspect smoothly. Emotional challenges about leaving a child can be eased by focusing on the meaningful aspects of work and transitioning back gradually, which research shows helps reduce regret and supports long-term career satisfaction.

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