Childcare , Recovery

Chicken Soup for the Soul – Life Lessons for Busy Moms

by: Sarah TrottPosted on:

On Episode 56 of the Fourth Trimester Podcast we speak with Lynn Benson, co-author of “Chicken Soup for the Soul Life Lessons for Busy Moms.”
Listen to hear more about: 
Signs you’re suffering from burnout as a result of caregiving
The physical, emotional stress and financial toll of caregiving
Tools and resources available to help family members with the challenges of caregiving

Complications

One In Three Women Experience Urinary Incontinence After Having A Baby – It Doesn’t Have To Be You

by: Sarah TrottPosted on:

As it turns out one in three women experience urinary incontinence after having a baby. The good news is that urinary control is something that can be regained. In other words, if you wee yourself a little bit (like Kate Winslet), this isn’t something you have to live with forever.
Women can regain confidence that they aren’t going to accidentally pee during exercise (think running, jumping jacks, CrossFit, etc.), when they sneeze, laugh out loud, or simply when they have to go to the bathroom. Here’s how.

Multiple Children

The Twins & Multiples Episode – What You Need To Know If You’re Expecting More Than One

by: Sarah TrottPosted on:

No one parenting experience is the same as another, but one thing we can continually agree upon for all new parents is that support for the new family during their first few months with a newborn is paramount. Moms and Dads are better equipped to take care of their babies when they themselves are getting their needs met. And when it comes to twins, there is perhaps double the reason (or triple if you’re having three babies!) to make sure you’ll be well-supported during the first six weeks at home. 
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 between preparing for having multiple babies compared to a single baby

Nutrition , Recovery

Spring Childers Demystifies All Things Placenta

by: Sarah TrottPosted on:

Even Kourtney Kardashian ate her own placenta. Some women eat their placenta because they believe the organ contains the nutrients being transferred from mother to child while the baby is in the womb. Some benefits could include increased breast milk production and a decrease in post-natal depression.
Listen to hear everything you never knew you TOTALLY WISH YOU KNEW about placentas, including: 
what is the placenta
what prenatal foods and practices can benefit the placenta
what is placenta encapsulation
what are some of the ideas and benefits around the practice
how have women historically used their placentas
what are some of the placenta traditions in other cultures
where to go to find someone to make capsules for you
what happens with the placenta after birth – how transported to person doing encapsulation – how to store
other beautiful things done with the placenta (e.g. artwork prints)

Communication

Encourage Infant Speech Learning, Security & Confidence Through Communication and Play

by: Sarah TrottPosted on:

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 Fourth Trimester Podcast:
+ How to support early communication – from birth and beyond!
+ How to be musical with your baby (even if you don’t consider yourself “musical”)
+ Tips for raising a bilingual/multilingual baby
+ Why the tools to support your baby’s development are already in your home
 

Postpartum Support

What Postpartum Doulas Do

by: Sarah TrottPosted on:

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, particularly women of color and inner city areas.  She works with all people who need postpartum doula services and her website is https://moniquethedoula.wordpress.com/