SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 350
WHEREAS, Our health care system is designed to provide
regular prenatal care and health checks to women throughout the
duration of pregnancy, and yet comparatively little attention is
given to the period after a mother gives birth; and
WHEREAS, The first three months following the birth of a
baby is a time of substantial transformation and adaptation for
new mothers, who simultaneously experience physical, hormonal,
and psychosocial changes as well as shifting roles and
responsibilities; during this period of transition, which has
come to be known as the Fourth Trimester, a new mother is often
afforded only a single follow-up visit, which generally occurs
six weeks after the child is born; and
WHEREAS, The well-being of a mother and her baby are
intimately connected and should be understood as mutually
beneficial, with the needs of one considered in the context of
the needs of the other; because the first few years are crucial to
a child's development, it is especially important that new
mothers be given adequate support as they welcome a new baby into
their lives; and
WHEREAS, During the Fourth Trimester, mothers may suffer
from physical and mental health issues that far too often go
undiagnosed and untreated; some mothers report problems with
breastfeeding, exhaustion, sleep difficulties, headaches,
infections, and physical trauma symptoms resulting from
childbirth; according to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, an estimated one of every nine mothers in the United
States experiences symptoms of postpartum depression, and other
mental health issues can manifest as stress, anxiety, or even
rage; these feelings can impact the mother's ability to provide
child care and to make a full return to the workforce and other
activities; and
WHEREAS, Statistics show that fewer than 25 percent of
mothers are able to achieve the recommended six months of
exclusive breastfeeding, which can be attributed in part to a
lack of access to paid maternity leave, negative attitudes toward
nursing in public, and a lack of workplace accommodations for
breastfeeding mothers; recent studies showed that nearly a
quarter of employed women return to work within two weeks of
having a child, even though tissues can require six weeks to
fully heal after childbirth; and
WHEREAS, It is vital that a mother receive the mental,
physical, social, and economic support she requires to
successfully transition through the many challenges she may face
in the postpartum period, and states across the country are
recognizing Fourth Trimester Care Day as a means of bringing
greater attention to the need for maternal health and wellness
during that critical time; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
Legislature, hereby recognize September 23, 2023, as Fourth
Trimester Care Day, and encourage all Texans to learn more about
the importance of postpartum care.
Alvarado, LaMantia, Zaffirini
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on March 28, 2023.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate
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Member, Texas Senate