Featured in British Vogue

Dr Julie Hammond writes about the fourth trimester, postpartum symptoms and recovery after birth.

I was completely mind-blown by the huge physical, hormonal and emotional changes I experienced after giving birth. Despite being a GP and having supported many parents through their postnatal checks, living through the fourth trimester myself changed the way I understood postpartum recovery.

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It is one of the reasons I have written my book on the fourth trimester, and why I am so pleased to share some of my own experiences in British Vogue.

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My article, “I Am A GP: These 4 Things Still Shocked Me After I Gave Birth,” explores the realities that can follow birth, from the intensity of hormonal changes and breastfeeding to intrusive thoughts and how motherhood can unmask neurodivergence. These are conversations that are still too often missed, minimised or only spoken about once someone is already struggling.

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The fourth trimester is not simply a few weeks of tiredness after birth. It is a profound transition that can affect sleep, mood, feeding, identity, relationships, body confidence, pelvic health and mental wellbeing. Many parents are discharged from maternity care, offered a six-week check and then expected to manage a huge physical and emotional adjustment with very little structured support.

This is a central part of my work as a GP, speaker, writer and founder of MamAR. I believe parents deserve clear, compassionate and evidence-based information before they reach their crisis point. They deserve care that sees the person recovering from birth, not only the baby in their arms.

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Being published in British Vogue is a meaningful milestone, both personally and professionally. It reflects the growing importance of honest, inclusive conversations about postpartum health, maternal wellbeing and the realities of early parenthood.

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