In this episode of Fourth Trimester, we're joined by Dr. Melissa Dennis, a seasoned OBGYN with over two decades of experience in healthcare. Dr. Dennis shares her evidence-based insights and practical advice on how to navigate the often-overlooked but critical phase of birth recovery. 

We discuss essential knowledge and practices that can support smoother recoveries and enhance the overall post-birth experience, including: 

• The Role of An OBGYN
• Birth Team Scenarios 
• An Overview of the Six Week Check 
• Top Recommendations for Improving the Birth Recovery Experience

Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com

Learn more How a Friend or Family Member Can Help You After You Have a Baby | The Second Child Transition | Improve Birth Recovery: Three Recommendations From An OBGYN | Postpartum Soups and Stews Collection | Four Relationship-Saving Questions To Ask Before Baby Arrives

Resources HelloGaia Parenting Copilot | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Birth Plan | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Fourth Trimester Plan | Fourth Trimester Deals & Discounts

Connect with Fourth Trimester Facebook | Instagram 

Other Resources Mentioned:

partumhealth.com

postpartum.net

Unlock the secrets of newborn brain development with Childhood Educator Rebecca Walsh. Discover how to wire your baby for success.

Listen to the full episode to learn what you need to know for helping your baby develop intelligence, plus the strong interpersonal and soft skills they’ll require later in life - both the EQ and IQ. You'll learn:

* How the brain develops

* What parents can do practically to optimize that development

* "Serve and Return" interaction concept

* How supporting your infant during the first year of life helps set them up for success as older kids and adults

* Example routines and rituals you can implement right away

We would love for everyone to understand the fundamentals of supporting newborn brain development. Enjoy!

Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com

Learn more How a Friend or Family Member Can Help You After You Have a Baby | The Second Child Transition | Improve Birth Recovery: Three Recommendations From An OBGYN | Postpartum Soups and Stews Collection | Four Relationship-Saving Questions To Ask Before Baby Arrives

Resources HelloGaia Parenting Copilot | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Birth Plan | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Fourth Trimester Plan | Fourth Trimester Deals & Discounts

Connect with Fourth Trimester Facebook | Instagram 

In this episode of Fourth Trimester Podcast, functional medicine dietitian Bridgitte Mallinson joins us to explore the essentials of prenatal vitamins. She illuminates the purpose of various supplements, emphasizing their critical role in nurturing both maternal and fetal health throughout pregnancy.

Bridgitte explains which vital nutrients expectant mothers should prioritize and highlights red flags to watch out for when selecting prenatal supplements, empowering listeners to make informed choices tailored to their unique needs.

Listen to the full episode to learn all about:

* What prenatal vitamins do

* What nutrients to look for and why

* Any red flags to watch out for when selecting a prenatal

* How to incorporate prenatals into your routine

* Taking vitamins after birth during postpartum and while nursing

Special offer:

Use code FOURTH for 10% OFF everything at GutPersonal, including Prenatal Vitamins by shopping here gutpersonal.com/fourth

Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com

Learn more How a Friend or Family Member Can Help You After You Have a Baby | The Second Child Transition | Improve Birth Recovery: Three Recommendations From An OBGYN | Postpartum Soups and Stews Collection | Four Relationship-Saving Questions To Ask Before Baby Arrives

Resources HelloGaia Parenting Copilot | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Birth Plan | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Fourth Trimester Plan | Fourth Trimester Deals & Discounts

Connect with Fourth Trimester Facebook | Instagram 

This episode is a guide for how friends or family members can take a deeply human and holistic approach to supporting birthgivers when professional doula services are either inaccessible or unaffordable.

Importantly, your support person (or persons if you are able to secure multiple helpers!) can provide crucial support before, during and after childbirth.

Whoever is attending your birth - and/or helping you after the birth - must give this one a listen - your mom, your partner, your sibling, your friend, or anyone else who will be there.

Listen to the full episode to hear step-by-step guidance on:

* The Role of a Support Person

* What to do Pre-Birth

* Strategies for Providing Support During Birth

* Practical Advice for Postpartum Support

* What to do Post-Birth

Make sure your support person listens to this episode and that together you talk through expectations and practical examples of what you'd like to happen.

There are lots of links in the show notes on our website that will be helpful resources for your support person.

Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com

Learn more How a Friend or Family Member Can Help You After You Have a Baby | The Second Child Transition | Improve Birth Recovery: Three Recommendations From An OBGYN | Postpartum Soups and Stews Collection | Four Relationship-Saving Questions To Ask Before Baby Arrives

Resources HelloGaia Parenting Copilot | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Birth Plan | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Fourth Trimester Plan | Fourth Trimester Deals & Discounts

Connect with Fourth Trimester Facebook | Instagram 

Gina Mundy is an attorney that specializes in childbirth cases and she is a bestselling author. For over two decades, she has analyzed the mistakes that are made during labor and delivery. Drawing on this knowledge, she has authored the book "A Parent's Guide to a Safer Childbirth" to help parents prevent these mistakes and have a healthy baby.

Sarah and Gina discuss proactive steps parents can take in order to help ensure a safer birth experience. Overall, the focus is on transforming fear and uncertainty around childbirth into an empowered and educated journey toward a safe and joyous birth.

Irth App https://irthapp.com/

Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com

Learn more How a Friend or Family Member Can Help You After You Have a Baby | The Second Child Transition | Improve Birth Recovery: Three Recommendations From An OBGYN | Postpartum Soups and Stews Collection | Four Relationship-Saving Questions To Ask Before Baby Arrives

Resources HelloGaia Parenting Copilot | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Birth Plan | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Fourth Trimester Plan | Fourth Trimester Deals & Discounts

Connect with Fourth Trimester Facebook | Instagram 

Did you know that appropriate, nurturing touch can relieve stress (for baby and parent/caregiver), facilitate secure attachment, optimize brain development, and potentially set a baby up for life to be a stable and healthy human? In this episode we will talk about the immense benefits of massaging your baby.

Special guest Kari Marble, certified infant massage therapist, meditation leader and birth educator, shares wisdom drawn from her 20+ years in the healing arts. We cover:

*When it is appropriate to start infant massage

*What to expect from a baby massage

*How parents can build nurturing touch into daily routines

*Important cues to tell if your baby likes it

*Basics for how to prepare for and perform infant massage

Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com

Learn more How a Friend or Family Member Can Help You After You Have a Baby | The Second Child Transition | Improve Birth Recovery: Three Recommendations From An OBGYN | Postpartum Soups and Stews Collection | Four Relationship-Saving Questions To Ask Before Baby Arrives

Resources HelloGaia Parenting Copilot | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Birth Plan | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Fourth Trimester Plan | Fourth Trimester Deals & Discounts

Connect with Fourth Trimester Facebook | Instagram 

This episode is about finding the best labor and delivery hospitals using community-based tools and reviews. Listen to learn more about how community reviews tools are helping women find better facilities. Think “Yelp for hospitals”.

Kimberly Seals Allers is our featured guest. She is the creator of Irth, a non-profit app designed to collect and leverage reviews of birthing hospitals and pediatricians from Black and Brown communities to hold these institutions accountable and facilitate systems change for bias-free experiences.

The app facilitates transparency and community empowerment by allowing users to share their experiences, which are turned into actionable data for improving care. With ongoing community engagement, including a paid ambassador program for birth workers, Irth serves as an education tool, a platform for raising care expectations, and an advocate for more birthing options and empowerment in motherhood.

Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com

Learn more How a Friend or Family Member Can Help You After You Have a Baby | The Second Child Transition | Improve Birth Recovery: Three Recommendations From An OBGYN | Postpartum Soups and Stews Collection | Four Relationship-Saving Questions To Ask Before Baby Arrives

Resources HelloGaia Parenting Copilot | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Birth Plan | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Fourth Trimester Plan | Fourth Trimester Deals & Discounts

Connect with Fourth Trimester Facebook | Instagram 

In this episode we dive deep into the crucial aspects of physical preparation for childbirth as we unveil targeted exercises, expert insights, and practical tips to empower expectant parents. Leah Keller, Founder of Every Mother, leads us through a transformative discussion that equips you with the tools needed to approach the birthing process with strength, resilience, and unwavering confidence.

Visit fourthtrimesterpodcast.com/everymother for 10% OFF Every Mother on-demand, personalized exercise regimes

Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com

Learn more How a Friend or Family Member Can Help You After You Have a Baby | The Second Child Transition | Improve Birth Recovery: Three Recommendations From An OBGYN | Postpartum Soups and Stews Collection | Four Relationship-Saving Questions To Ask Before Baby Arrives

Resources HelloGaia Parenting Copilot | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Birth Plan | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Fourth Trimester Plan | Fourth Trimester Deals & Discounts

Connect with Fourth Trimester Facebook | Instagram 

The Mom Group Guide features special guest Rebecca Walsh, veteran Mom Group facilitator and Early Childhood Education leader with 20+ years of experience. Rebecca is The Queen Of Mom Groups.

We covered:

*why Mom Groups are so beneficial

*differences between First Time groups vs Second Time groups

*how facilitated groups lead to stronger connection within the group

*the biggest themes that come up during mom groups

*how to facilitate your own group if you don't have one in your area

*recommendations for leading in-person and online groups

Use Code FOURTH for 20% OFF mom groups and programs:

earlychildhoodmatters.org

Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com

Learn more How a Friend or Family Member Can Help You After You Have a Baby | The Second Child Transition | Improve Birth Recovery: Three Recommendations From An OBGYN | Postpartum Soups and Stews Collection | Four Relationship-Saving Questions To Ask Before Baby Arrives

Resources HelloGaia Parenting Copilot | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Birth Plan | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Fourth Trimester Plan | Fourth Trimester Deals & Discounts

Connect with Fourth Trimester Facebook | Instagram 

In this informative episode of the Fourth Trimester Podcast, we're diving deep into a topic that affects many postpartum individuals but is often shrouded in mystery and concern – Pelvic Organ Prolapse. Join us as we welcome physiologist Jenn Lormand, a physiologist in women's health for nearly 30 years, to discuss practical strategies for both avoiding and addressing this common postpartum issue.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse can be a source of anxiety for many, but there is hope. Jenn will share her personal experience with stage two prolapse and how she sought alternative (non-surgical) methods for healing. In sharing her wealth of knowledge, Jenn helps you understand the ins and outs of this condition without the panic. Learn about the common causes, symptoms, and risk factors associated with Pelvic Organ Prolapse, as well as valuable insights into how you can protect your pelvic health during and after pregnancy.

Jenn Lormand provides invaluable tips and exercises to help strengthen your pelvic floor, improve your overall well-being, and potentially prevent or alleviate Pelvic Organ Prolapse. Whether you're currently dealing with this condition or just looking to safeguard your pelvic health as part of birth preparation, this episode is filled with empowering information to help you on your journey to recovery and resilience. (It’s never too late to do the repair work!)

Join us for a compassionate and insightful conversation that puts you in control of your pelvic health. Tune in to the Fourth Trimester Podcast to gain a better understanding of Pelvic Organ Prolapse and the tools you need to take the panic out of prolapse.

Use Code FOURTH for $50 off any of Jenn’s programs: https://www.tightenyourtinkler.com/signatureprogram

Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.com

Learn more How a Friend or Family Member Can Help You After You Have a Baby | The Second Child Transition | Improve Birth Recovery: Three Recommendations From An OBGYN | Postpartum Soups and Stews Collection | Four Relationship-Saving Questions To Ask Before Baby Arrives

Resources HelloGaia Parenting Copilot | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Birth Plan | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Fourth Trimester Plan | Fourth Trimester Deals & Discounts

Connect with Fourth Trimester Facebook | Instagram