Podcasts · Kids & Family · Education

Fourth Trimester: The First Months and Beyond | Parenting | Newborn Baby | Postpartum | Doula

Sarah Roselinda Trott

141 episodes

My name is Sarah Trott. I started this show when I became a new mama to a vivacious baby girl and this podcast is all about postpartum care for the few months following birth, the time period also known as the Fourth Trimester. My postpartum doula, Esther Gallagher, is my co-host. She’s a mother, grandmother, perinatal educator, birth and postpartum care provider. I've benefitted hugely from her support. All parents can benefit from the wisdom and support that a postpartum Doula provides. Fourth trimester care is about the practical, emotional and social support parents and baby require, and importantly, helps set the tone for the lifelong journey of parenting. This podcast provides resources for new parents and examines the socio-cultural influences on parenting.

More about the show

When I first became pregnant, I had never heard of postpartum Doulas, let alone knew what they did. So much of the training and preparation that expecting parents do is focused on the birth and newborn care. Once baby is born, often the first interaction parents have with medical or child professionals, other than the first pediatrician visits, is the six-week checkup with the OB/GYN. What about caring for mama and family between the birth and the six week doctor visit? What are the strategies for taking care of the partner and the rest of the family while looking after your newborn?

Our podcasts contain expert interviews with specialists from many fields to cover topics including postpartum doula practices, prenatal care, prenatal and postnatal yoga, parenting, breastfeeding, physical recovery from birth, nutrition, newborn care, midwifery, negotiating family visitation, and many more.

First-hand experience is shared through lots of stories from both new and seasoned parents. Hear what other parents are asking and what they have done in their own lives.

We reference other podcasts, internet resources and real-life experts who can help you on your own parenting journey. Visit our site at https://fourthtrimesterpodcast.com/

We hope you have a well-resourced and enjoyable experience as new parents.

Sarah Trott & Esther Gallagher xo

Episodes page 1 of 3

  1. Golden Month Postpartum Care for More Support After Birth

    · 32 min · S1 E180

    Learn how to make the most of your Golden Month by adapting postpartum traditions to fit your family, preferences, and everyday life. Sarah and Evelyn explore what meaningful support looks like after birth, how to plan…

  2. The 4 Main Parenting Styles: How to Find Common Ground With Your Partner

    · 42 min · S1 E179

    Most parenting falls into one of four main parenting styles. Do you know what your parenting style is? If you have a partner, is their parenting style the same as yours? You might agree on wanting happy, healthy…

  3. Car Seat Safety: How to Choose, Install, and Use the Right Seat

    · 50 min · S1 E178

    Car seat safety may not be the first topic on the minds of new and expecting parents, but it's a really important one to get right. Learn from a Child Passenger Safety Technician about a way to choose a seat, check…

  4. How To Build A Well-Resourced Postpartum Support System

    · 31 min · S1 E177

    This conversation is about building a well-resourced postpartum support system. Learn 'what I wish I knew and what I'd do differently if I could have a do-over' about birth and the fourth trimester. Learn who to line…

  5. What Is Matrescence? Why Becoming a Mother Changes Everything - Kelsey Green, DNP

    · 53 min · S1 E176

    The first step to creating change is often creating awareness - and by giving the shift into motherhood a name, we are raising awareness about how profound the change is. Becoming a mother can bring enormous love…

  6. Breastfeeding With Confidence While Protecting Your Mental Health

    · 1 h 02 min · S1 E175 · Explicit

    Learn how to feel more confident in your feeding experience with support, realistic expectations, and a plan that can change with your family's needs. We talk with perinatal psychologist Dr. Shoshana Bennett about…

  7. Women’s Health Innovation: The Future of Pregnancy and Postpartum Care

    · 57 min · S1 E174

    In this episode, we're joined by women's health industry executives Rachel Braun Scherl and Jodi Neuhauser of 51& who share details of the innovators and resources you can access right now to have a better-supported…

  8. Postpartum Identity: Why You’re Not Supposed to Bounce Back | Andrea Ford, PhD

    · 45 min · S1 E173

    Postpartum identity can shift how you experience independence, equality, work, family, and your sense of self. In this episode, Sarah Trott and Esther Gallagher talk with cultural and medical anthropologist Andrea Ford…

  9. Your Baby's Brain Works Differently Than Yours - How Early Communication Supports Future Success

    · 41 min · S1 E172

    Your baby's brain works differently than yours, and understanding that difference can change the way you communicate from the very beginning. In this episode, Sarah talks with Dinalynn Rosenbush about the baby brain,…

  10. Resilient Parenting Helps You Handle the Early Months After Baby

    · 32 min · S1 E171

    This is the primer on Resilient Parenting. Learn how resilient parenting helps you feel steadier in the early months after baby, and why that steadiness matters for your baby too. In this episode, Sarah talks with Dr.…

  11. How Dads Can Support Their Partners Postpartum

    · 37 min · S1 E170

    How dads can support their partners postpartum is a question many families are trying to answer in real time after baby arrives. A lot of dads want to help, but they may be working from the wrong playbook by focusing…

  12. The Mental Load of Parenting: Share Responsibilities Without Resentment

    · 51 min · S1 E169

    If you've ever felt like you're carrying the weight of keeping your family organized, fed, scheduled, and functioning, you're not alone. In this episode, learn how to identify the hidden mental load of parenting,…

  13. Replace Parenting Perfectionism and Other Myths With Self-Trust

    · 45 min · S1 E168

    Many parents enter pregnancy and postpartum believing they can prepare enough, plan enough, or perfect their way through uncertainty. But becoming a parent often challenges the very patterns we once relied on to feel…

  14. Community Doula Support Provides Families With Education, Empowerment, and Love with SisterWeb

    · 51 min · S1 E167

    Community doula support can change how you experience pregnancy, birth, and the fourth trimester. In this episode, you’ll learn how having the right support in place can help you feel safer, more confident, and better…

  15. Postpartum Recovery After 38 - Supporting Insulin, Hormones and Long-Term Health

    · 45 min · S1 E166

    Postpartum recovery after 38 is not just about healing from birth. It is about protecting your metabolism, stabilizing insulin, and understanding the hormonal shifts that can quietly influence your long-term health. In…

  16. Baby Nervous System Development for Calmer Babies and Better Sleep

    · 34 min · S1 E165

    Your baby’s nervous system is the foundation for sleep, emotional regulation, and lifelong health, yet most parents are never shown what actually supports its development. In this episode, you’ll learn how everyday…

  17. Reduce Birth Anxiety and Feel Calmer About Birth

    · 39 min · S1 E164

    Learn how to reduce birth anxiety and feel calmer, more grounded, and in control during birth using simple, practical tools. Erin Acharya, a certified clinical hypnotherapist and hypnobirthing instructor, shares how to…

  18. Prepare for Life After Baby with the Right Postpartum Support

    · 44 min · S1 E163

    Preparing for birth is only part of the journey. What happens after baby arrives matters just as much. This is about how to have a well-resourced fourth trimester so that you know what actions you can take in the…

  19. Postpartum Recovery Support Through the Sacred Window

    · 40 min · S1 E162

    We are covering fourth trimester fundamentals with this conversation and talking about what is needed in the first few weeks and months after birth. We're looking at postpartum recovery support through the lens of…

  20. Birth Center vs Hospital Birth - Which Is Right for You

    · 37 min · S1 E161

    In this episode, we explore birth center vs hospital birth, and what parents should know before deciding where to welcome their baby. Our guests are Certified Nurse Midwife Nancy Myrick, co-founder of the San…

  21. Transition to Grandparenthood with Confidence

    · 59 min · S1 E160

    In this episode, perinatal psychologist Dr. Shosh shares how becoming a grandparent may reactivate old experiences, including anxiety from early parenthood. We explore healthy boundaries, communication, and how…

  22. Does My Baby Have Tongue Tie? How to Know and What to Do Next

    · 59 min · S1 E159

    In this episode, IBCLC and Certified Nurse Midwife Lisa Paladino explains how to recognize tongue tie symptoms, when breastfeeding pain needs evaluation, and what to expect from treatment. Learn how to make an…

  23. Father Mental Health Strengthens Baby’s Future - It's Time For Dadcare with Dr Edward M. Stephens and Jane Honikman

    · 1 h 01 min · S1 E158

    Father mental health during pregnancy is one of the most overlooked risk factors for postpartum depression and infant bonding challenges. In this episode, we explore how Dadcare and father-inclusive prenatal care can…

  24. Support Your Body with Yoga for Your Yoni with Britt Fohrman

    · 58 min · S1 E157 · Explicit

    It's time to find out what the word "yoni" means. And, how to tune into your pelvic floor. This episode is about leaning into your innate power and wisdom. Learn how to pause and honor the profound transitions that…

  25. Heal Diastasis Recti Safely with Leah Keller

    · 1 h 11 min · S1 E156

    If you had a best friend who knew everything there was to know about how to heal Diastasis Recti safely, your friend would be Leah Keller. She's our guest on this episode and our topic is a very deep dive into how to…

  26. When Perimenopause And Postpartum Overlap with Dr. Shosh Bennett

    · 1 h 08 min · S1 E155

    According to the CDC, women are having babies later in life. "First births for older mothers increased, with a 12.6% rise for those aged 30 to 34 and a 25% increase for mothers aged 35 and older." The continuing trend…

  27. Healthy Family Sleep With Sarah Healy, Certified Infant Sleep Specialist

    · 51 min · S1 E154

    Sarah Healy is a certified sleep consultant who puts the health and wellness of babies first. And this fact is precisely why we invited her to be our guest on Fourth Trimester. Healthy family sleep is our topic,…

  28. Nutritional Psychiatry's Role in a Healthy Fourth Trimester With Celeste Brinkerhoff

    · 54 min · S1 E153

    Learn what Nutritional Psychiatry is and how it supports a healthy fourth trimester. Esther and Sarah have a great conversation with holistic health educator Celeste Brinkerhoff about micronutrients, genetics and…

  29. Empowerment Tools for Postpartum Wellness from Dr. Eboni January

    · 43 min · S1 E152

    Here are empowerment tools for postpartum wellness from an OB-GYN who has helped thousands of families during pregnancy, birth and the fourth trimester. In this episode Dr Eboni January shares what she advises families…

  30. Prevent Preeclampsia to Protect You & Your Baby with Dr Amanda P Williams

    · 55 min · S1 E151

    Preeclampsia affects around 5-10% pregnancies, and increasingly we are learning new ways to lower risks. Here's how. In this episode, we are joined by OBGYN and maternal health leader Dr. Amanda P. Williams to talk…

  31. The Best Diapers to Keep Your Baby Healthy with Miki Agrawal

    · 40 min · S1 E150

    We had a lovely conversation with multiple-time founder Miki Agrawal on the best diapers & how small efforts parents make now can have a big impact for future generations. Listen to the episode to learn how certain…

  32. The Recipe for Being a Cool Grandpa with Greg Payne

    · 42 min · S1 E149

    Spoiler alert: there's no perfect set of ingredients that will make anyone the perfect "cool grandpa". However, there are general guidelines that will get most people well along the way - at least for the parts in…

  33. Estate Planning for Parents with Attorney Patricia De Fonte

    · 47 min · S1 E148

    What would happen to your baby if something happened to you? It’s a difficult question, but one every parent needs to face. In this episode, estate planning attorney Patricia De Fonte shares how to create a plan that…

  34. Bringing Fathers into Pregnancy - Dr Ed Stephens

    · 48 min · S1 E147

    Healthy families start with healthy parents (and wherever possible, that includes the father!). Dr. Ed Stephens shares his groundbreaking “Bringing the Father into Pregnancy” questionnaire, a simple, life-saving tool…

  35. Rediscovering Intimacy After Baby in a Way That Feels Right for You with Dr Shosh

    · 1 h 06 min · S1 E146

    Becoming a parent changes a lot - including how we connect with our partners. On this episode of the Fourth Trimester Podcast, I'm joined by my co-host Esther Gallagher as well as special guest Dr. Shoshanna Bennett, a…

  36. Fuel Your Baby’s Growth and Success Through Optimal Newborn Nutrition

    · 28 min · S1 E145

    This is a wonderful conversation with experienced nutritionist Argavan Nilforoush about feeding and nourishing your baby, especially when there are specific dietary concerns. Argavan is a registered dietitian…

  37. Why And How To Bond With Your Newborn - Dr Joanna Parga-Belinkie

    · 43 min · S1 E144

    On this episode we are joined by Dr. Joanna Parga-Belinkie, a neonatologist, board-certified lactation consultant, and the author of the The Baby Bonding Book: Connecting With Your Newborn. We discuss medical as well…

  38. Fourth Trimester Economics with Pediatrician Dr Sonal Patel

    · 40 min · S1 E143

    Dr. Sonal Patel is a board-certified pediatrician, neonatologist, lactation specialist, TEDx speaker, author, and founder of NayaCare: Fourth Trimester Clinic. With a passion for improving maternal and infant health,…

  39. VBACs and Cesarean Recovery Tips with Petra Cruz Doula

    · 42 min · S1 E142

    Petra is a birth & postpartum doula, birth educator, and fierce advocate for women reclaiming their power in birth. After undergoing three Cesareans, she set off on a transformative journey that led to her vaginal…

  40. How to Prepare for Hospital Birth (and Avoid Unnecessary Interventions) with HeHe Stewart

    · 38 min · S1 E141

    Here's a prep guide for hospital births that will help you feel more confident, and empower you with information that could help you avoid unnecessary procedures that can result in trauma and/or injury. Our guest is…

  41. Returning to Work Transition Guide - Michelle Olsen, MA, CPCC

    · 37 min · S1 E140

    This Returning to Work Transition Guide is led by Career coach Michelle Olsen who specializes in helping women find clarity and purpose during career transitions. Michelle holds a Master’s in Organizational Psychology…

  42. Redefining Motherhood for More Joy and Freedom with Dr Gertrude Lyons

    · 34 min · S1 E139

    Dr. Gertrude Lyons is a leading expert in holistic women’s development with over 20 years of experience. We explore how rewriting our beliefs about motherhood can lead to more joy, freedom, and self-love. This episode…

  43. The Birth Doula’s Guide to Navigating New Motherhood with Carson Meyer

    · 36 min · S1 E138

    So here's what happens when a seasoned birth doula becomes a first-time mom. Carson Meyer, a sought-after doula, joins us to share her personal journey into motherhood. With years of experience supporting parents…

  44. Prevent and Manage Gestational Diabetes With Certified Diabetes Educator Lily Nichols, RD

    · 50 min · S1 E137

    Lily Nichols is a Registered Dietitian and the author three books designed to support healthy conception, birth and postpartum, including how to prevent and manage gestational diabetes. Her books are Real Food for…

  45. Prepare your Vagina for Birth with Britt Fohrman, Birth Educator & Doula

    · 55 min · S1 E136 · Explicit

    In this empowering episode, we invite you to get up close and personal with the part of your body that’s about to do something extraordinary—birth your baby. Many parents enter labor feeling disconnected from their…

  46. What The Research Says About Vitamin D & Your Baby's Health with Celeste Beck from Heluna Health

    · 42 min · S1 E135

    Dual-PhD researcher Celeste Beck is a leading maternal health researcher at Heluna Health who just published a groundbreaking study on vitamin D and pregnancy. It turns out something as simple as your vitamin D levels…

  47. The Top 5 Questions Parents Ask in New Parent Groups with Mikka Bonel, Postpartum Ayurvedic Doula

    · 1 h 10 min · S1 E134

    Mikka Bonel is a doula and a long-time facilitator of New Parent Circles. In these groups, parents gather in a safe and supportive, facilitated group. All parents of new babies are welcome to share and connect around…

  48. Micro Destressing For Busy Parents with Sarah Ezrin, Author of The Yoga of Parenting

    · 45 min · S1 E133

    In this episode, I’m joined by Sarah Ezrin, award-winning author, world-renowned yoga educator, and maternal mental health advocate, to talk about micro destressing techniques for busy parents. Sarah shares simple,…

  49. Generational Parenting, featuring Postpartum Support International Founder Jane Honikman

    · 57 min · S1 E132

    Parenting isn’t just about raising children—it’s about the roles we all play in supporting the next generation. In this episode, PSI Founder Jane Honikman shares wisdom for parents, partners, and grandparents on the…

  50. How to Rewrite Your Birth Story and Find Joy After Trauma with Chanti Smith

    · 48 min · S1 E131

    Birth is one of the most transformative experiences in a person’s life, but when things don’t go as planned - something traumatic or simply not what you thought would happen - the emotional impact can linger. Chanti…

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