We are excited to call this episode of the Fourth Trimester Podcast the TWINS episode. Here's what we cover: Having twin babies prematurely and a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) experience Why it isn't just a simple formula of twice the work Identifying and getting help for postpartum anxiety Feeding two babies at the same time Taking shifts between parents, and additionally with the help of a doula or someone else and how that can benefit everyone Preparing for the specific differences betw...
Mar 10, 2018•46 min•Season 1Ep. 52
It makes intuitive sense that communication and play during the first 0-12 months of a baby's life help set the tone for the child's relationship with the world around them. But how do we proactively and thoughtfully communicate with a baby in a way that encourages learning, emotional security and confidence? Here's what you'll learn on Episode 51 of the Fourth Trimester Podcast: + How to support early communication - from birth and beyond! + How to be musical with your baby (even if you don't c...
Feb 24, 2018•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 51
If you are even remotely considering hiring a doula to help you out after you've had a baby, we highly recommend listening to Monique Cowan (a.k.a. Monique The Doula) share her first-hand experiences in a typical day in her job. She talks through the practical offerings of helping families prepare for a birth and thrive after baby has arrived. Monique was inspired to become a postpartum doula after her own birth experience. She saw the potential to help women in her Southern California locale, p...
Feb 12, 2018•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 50
One of the major contributors to that feeling of overwhelm for expecting parents is the notion of having to hurry up and prepare for their little one's arrival. A major tickbox for that preparedness is BUYING TONS OF STUFF. That can be a fun part, and also a hugely EXPENSIVE and EXHAUSTING experience. So here's the simple thing you can do: buy a charming, high-quality clothing set that you can sell-back to a community of like-minded parents. Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com Learn more ...
Jan 29, 2018•55 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Serena teaches a class to help parents ease the transition into parenting by sharing what to expect and how to prepare for the first few months of being new parents. The class covers everything from postpartum healing, infant CPR and first aid, newborn care and gear, infant feeding, relationship savers and more. Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com Learn more Why Postpartum Midwifery is Vital to Healing With Serena Saeed-Winn | How New Moms Can Prepare for and Recover from Birth | The Best...
Dec 27, 2017•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Dr. Angelique Millette is a Family Sleep Consultant, Parent Educator, and creator of The Millette Method™. We welcomed her back on our show for a third time because she is simply that amazing. Here's what we discuss: How to prepare a baby for sleeping in their own room in a way that emphasizes safety and love for the child When to start thinking about making the transition from room-sharing to the baby being in their own room (around 12-24 months is pretty typical) What considerations to make fo...
Nov 27, 2017•55 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Ever heard of Vaginal Steaming? Neither had we! Turns out, V-Steaming is a well-known and well-loved practice around the world. People love the practice for fertility, cycle cleanses, postpartum recovery & menopause. File it under "feels good and has potentially awesome benefits." We invited a V-Steam expert, Keli Garza, to join us on Fourth Trimester Podcast and share all the juicy - dare we say, steamy! - details. Enjoy the show! This is a fun one! Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.co...
Nov 06, 2017•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Renée Ann Cramer is our guest on episode 45 of the Fourth Trimester Podcast. She wrote "Pregnant With The Stars: Watching And Wanting The Celebrity Baby Bump" as part of her research into the culture around pregnancy and celebrity. She shares personal stories about her experience as a mother, as well as her fascinating perspective on how celebrity image plays into the psyche of modern parents. Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com Learn more The Birth Doula’s Guide to Navigating New Motherh...
Oct 31, 2017•56 min•Season 1Ep. 45
In this episode, Esther has a really fun and intimate chat with long-time pre- and post- natal yoga instructor Jane Austin about giving birth, what pregnant and new mommas need and the power of yoga. We have some laughs and Jane offers a lovely guided meditation!! Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com Learn more Prepare For Birth With Confidence With Leah Keller, Founder Of Every Mother | Fitness Coach Advice For Exercise During Pregnancy and Postpartum | The Second Child Transition | Impro...
Oct 25, 2017•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 44
What to do when breastfeeding doesn’t go as imagined Typical breastfeeding issues that come up for new mothers What factors drive whether a woman can breastfeed or not Tips for breastfeeding success - what you can do in the hospital / right after giving birth The ins and outs of the initial physical pain of breastfeeding What breastfeeding accessories you actually need How you may be able to receive a free breast pumps through health insurance Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com Learn mor...
Sep 16, 2017•57 min•Season 1Ep. 43
The FINAL Birth Plan Episode. We provide a Birth Plan Template you can download and customize for your own use in hospital or for a home birth. It is 1,000 times easier to edit a birth plan template compared to creating one from scratch. Listen to episodes 13 & 40 & 42 (for Parts 1 & 2 & 3 respectively) to hear Esther and Sarah explain each item on the plan. Love, Sarah & Esther Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com Birth Plan Part 1: Episode 13 Birth Plan Part 2: Episod...
Sep 08, 2017•56 min•Season 1Ep. 42
'Why Not Home: The Surprising Birth Choices of Doctors and Midwives' is about "changing the conversation about birth in America and spreading evidence-based information about birth across settings." The short answer to home birth or hospital birth question is that there is no right answer. "Both options carry risks", Jessicca is quick to point out. However, some of the risks of a hospital birth are introduced by the fact that most hospital births come with an increased risk of interventions that...
Sep 04, 2017•56 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Here's a Birth Plan Template you can download and customize for your own use in hospital or for a home birth. It is 1,000 times easier to edit a birth plan template compared to creating one from scratch. Listen to episodes 13 & 40 (for Parts 1 & 2 respectively) to hear Esther and Sarah explain each item on the plan. Love, Sarah & Esther Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com Birth Plan Part 1: Episode 13 Birth Plan Part 2: Episode 40 Birth Plan Part 3: Episode 42 Learn more How a...
Sep 02, 2017•54 min•Season 1Ep. 40
This episode is a high-level introduction of RIE infant parenting. Some of the themes discussed are about slowing down, truly connecting with your baby by giving them your full attention, and creating some predictability for your infant as part of the day-to-day routines. Listen to learn how to apply some of these principles to your own experience as a new parent. Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com Learn more Respectful Parenting RIE Approach By Janet Lansbury | magdagerber.org | naeyc.o...
Aug 26, 2017•45 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Parents can have a hard time doing something for themselves, but will do anything for their child. When new moms and dads take care of themselves, they are increasing the capacity they have to take care of their baby. Here's what you can do for yourself in order to give your infant a better experience. Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com Learn more Self-Care is Critical to Caring for Others | How a Friend or Family Member Can Help You After You Have a Baby | The Second Child Transition | ...
Aug 01, 2017•59 min•Season 1Ep. 38
The Fourth Trimester Podcast is honored to have guest Miriam Zoila Pérez on our program. She and Esther discuss issues around birth support work as it relates to racism, politics, gender roles, anthropology and yes, even chemistry. Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com Learn more Build Your Community Around You | Our Family Coalition LGBT Parenting | The Second Child Transition | Improve Birth Recovery: Three Recommendations From An OBGYN | Postpartum Soups and Stews Collection | Four Relat...
Jul 07, 2017•55 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Part of what’s difficult about becoming a parent is deciding on the kind of parent we want to be. And once we've decided, sometimes the parent we are and the parent we imagined we would be are different. Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com Learn more Post-Birth Libido, Birth Injury & How Past Trauma Affects Birth | How to Rewrite Your Birth Story and Find Joy After Trauma with Chanti Smith | The Second Child Transition | Postpartum Soups and Stews Collection | Four Relationship-Saving...
May 26, 2017•41 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Dr Stephanie Stewart is a psychologist and therapist who has developed her own brand of travel therapy, mostly by taking patients on epic surf retreats around the world. She tells us how being present and putting ourselves in new situations can help uncover new insights into our own personal development journey. Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com Learn more Pinpoint Where You Are on the Spectrum of Mental Health | How a Friend or Family Member Can Help You After You Have a Baby | The Sec...
May 24, 2017•48 min•Season 1Ep. 35
"Shortly after the birth of my daughter, I spent 10 days locked in the psych ward of the hospital after my postpartum depression and psychosis made me suicidal. In my altered psychotic state, I thought my house was bugged and the police were coming to arrest me for a crime for which I was wrongly accused. I thought the only way out of my crisis was to kill myself, so I told my mom and husband that I was going to go jump off the Golden Gate Bridge." Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com Lear...
May 11, 2017•47 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Jane Honikman gives us an overview and outline for finding ourselves on the spectrum of mental health. Listen to the episode to find out how to identify different parts of the continuum and better understand where you yourself might fall on that spectrum. She talks about her time studying with Dr. James Hamilton who was interested in maternal mental health at a time when it might have seemed as if no one cared or understood, much like today in many women's experience! Full show notes fourthtrime...
May 05, 2017•41 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Our latest episode's guest is Dr Shoshana Bennett. She helps us bust up some "myths of motherhood." Often, when we acknowledge that all those myths are indeed false ideas, the pressure to be perfect is alleviated and some of the feelings of depression dissipate. Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com Learn more Why Women Are Slipping Through The Cracks | Postpartum OCD Is A Thing | postpartum.net | How a Friend or Family Member Can Help You After You Have a Baby | The Second Child Transition...
May 04, 2017•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 32
The number one complication of pregnancy is a form of postpartum depression or anxiety. Despite how common it is for women to experience a degree of anxiety or depression associated during pregnancy or post-natally, there are still cases where women aren't receiving the care they need. To help crack the issue wide open, Maureen Fura and her co-producer Jennifer Silliman created a documentary film entitled, The Dark Side Of The Full Moon. The issue is dear to Marueen's heart. She was suicidal dur...
May 02, 2017•49 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Sara Mauskopf came home from the hospital with a healthy baby. She herself on the other hand, while healthy otherwise, struggled with postpartum depression. With help from her family, friends and professionals, she came out the other side fully recovered. Her experience as a new mom, both because of the depression and in general, helped inspire her to create parenting app Winnie. Be it Winnie or another app or online resource, we encourage parents of all types to seek the information and support...
Apr 27, 2017•51 min•Season 1Ep. 30
How does eating while pregnant factor into baby's palate? What is the relationship between milk supply and foods? Which foods work well for first solids to try with your 4-6 month old? What nutritious foods are helpful for a recovering new mom? Listen to the show to find out the answers to these questions and more. Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com Learn more Good Food for New Parents | Nutrition and Nourishment: The Essentials | How a Friend or Family Member Can Help You After You Have...
Apr 20, 2017•49 min•Season 1Ep. 29
As Jennifer Garner puts it, "From now on ladies, I will have a bump. And it will be my baby bump. And let's just all settle in and get used to it. It's not going anywhere." Love your body. Love your body for so many reasons. Your body created new life. Your body gave you a baby you love. Your body works hard every day. Your body isn't a girl's body, it is a woman's body. Bodies change after having a baby, and that's okay. By loving your body, you are setting an example for your child that worth ...
Apr 12, 2017•55 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Ever wonder about when you'll be able to have sex again after having a baby? Or how your body will feel and heal after giving birth? Curious about how having a baby affects intimacy, sensation and your body in general? Answering these questions for us is Kimberly Johnson. She is a bodyworker, doula, postpartum women’s health specialist, and single mom. Having had a difficult postpartum experience herself, she set out to understand what exactly was going on with her, and to heal herself naturally...
Apr 06, 2017•53 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Chanti Smith is an expert at human connection. She has worked with people of all ages to strengthen their parental attachment relationships. In particular, the work she does through Somatic Experiencing has helped parents develop a strong sense of connection and attachment with their babies. Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com Learn more How to Rewrite Your Birth Story and Find Joy After Trauma with Chanti Smith | How a Friend or Family Member Can Help You After You Have a Baby | The Seco...
Mar 17, 2017•58 min•Season 1Ep. 26
How To Build Your Strength After A Major Life Change - Jane Honikman Shares The Steps To Wellness Jane Honikman gave her first baby up for adoption because she felt pressure to "do things in order". She later finished college, married the father and had additional babies with the same man who is now her husband. Jane described her experience of giving up her first baby as a trauma. Compounding that trauma was the feeling that her second baby, another girl, was severely jaundiced as a kind of kar...
Mar 14, 2017•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 25
In a word, Ann Jonas is resilient. She incorporates her own sense of spirituality into her coaching work, having experienced the sudden loss of her parents (her father killed her mother and died himself shortly thereafter in jail) and subsequently experienced the loss of her partner when her daughter was only two years old. One of Ann's takeaways from her journey thus far is that "life happens for you, not to you." She uses the metaphor of a car as the way we can look at life. There's a huge fro...
Feb 28, 2017•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Women who don’t meet their personal breastfeeding goals tend to think it is their own fault. It is time for women to stop blaming themselves. Women are starting to learn that difficulty with breastfeeding isn’t their fault, and that oftentimes what is happening is that the hospital environment and modern medical system isn’t setting women up for breastfeeding success. Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com Learn more How a Friend or Family Member Can Help You After You Have a Baby | The Seco...
Feb 20, 2017•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 23