Special event to focus on ‘fourth trimester’ for new mothers

PITTSBURGH — A local mother who almost died after giving birth is warning other new moms to listen to your body. There’s a new important focus on women’s postpartum health and that time period is being called the “fourth trimester.”

Pallavi Tiwari, of Wexford, enjoys playing with her nearly 2-year-old son Abir. But those moments almost never existed.

“I was very close to dying,” said Tiwari.

She thought lower back pain was related to giving birth, but then she spoke a 105-degree fever.

“I just kept thinking maybe it’s normal, it will get better,” said Tiwari. “It never got better. In fact it got much worse, suddenly.”

Tiwari collapsed and was rushed to the hospital five days after Abir’s birth. She had an E. coli infection which spread to her bloodstream.

“I was in the hospital for four to five days and it took me around two months to recover from that,” Tiwari said.

She said she had a normal pregnancy and felt ready for her son, but learned quickly she wasn’t ready.

“I read so many books about child care,” said Tiwari. “I was very prepared up to the point that I delivered and after that I felt completely unprepared because I had not read any books on how to take care of myself and what to do with myself.”

The time following birth is now being called the “fourth trimester” and it’s just as important as pregnancy.

“When you leave the hospital you are given instructions about the baby,” said Tiwari, "given instructions about how feeding them, latching, everything about breastfeeding, but there are a little instructions about the mom, like when am I going to feel more like myself?”

To combat the alarming statistics of high maternal mortality and morbidity, and to break down stigma surrounding postpartum depression, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital is hosting an event Thursday to promote postpartum health awareness. The symposium is focused on educating providers and clinical staff about the importance of the “fourth trimester.”

“A recent pregnancy is important for a woman’s health and there are complications that can occur after pregnancy and to make patients, society and providers aware of that,” said UPMC Ob/Gyn Doctor Hyagriv Simhan."It’s a huge part of someone’s (health) history and, of course, they remember they just had a baby but they may not necessarily connect their recent birth to the complaint they are going to their doctor or ER with."

While Tiwari is healthy now, she has one piece of advice for new moms, something she wishes she would have known.

“Listen to your body,” said Tiwari. “We love our kids and it’s very important to take care of them but if you aren’t well you don’t do justice for your child.”

UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital is hosting an event to promote postpartum health awareness on 1/23. The symposium is focused on educating providers and clinical staff about the importance of the “fourth trimester.” This event is not open to the public.

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