4th Trimester Project

A Village for Mothers

Building My Village

Topics in Building My Village

Creating a Postpartum Plan

Apr 19, 2023
Many things will be unexpected and possibly out of your control, but this may help serve as a guide to share your needs and be ready for the days ahead. This tool is meant to help new parents think about and prepare for the weeks after the baby arrives. As you work on this plan […]

Creating a Postpartum Plan

Many things will be unexpected and possibly out of your control, but this may help serve as a guide to share your needs and be ready for the days ahead. This tool is meant to help new parents think about and prepare for the weeks after the baby arrives. As you work on this plan […]

Dealing with Not-So-Helpful Helpers

Apr 19, 2023
New parents often receive a lot of questioning and advice. While it is usually intended to be well-meaning, it does not always feel that way. Some may be welcomed, it can also put mothers and others on the defensive. The 4th Trimester is a time for caring in the ways that benefit parents. This can […]

Dealing with Not-So-Helpful Helpers

New parents often receive a lot of questioning and advice. While it is usually intended to be well-meaning, it does not always feel that way. Some may be welcomed, it can also put mothers and others on the defensive. The 4th Trimester is a time for caring in the ways that benefit parents. This can […]

Exercise

Apr 19, 2023
Movement is an important part of healing from pregnancy and childbirth. Exercise keeps bowels moving, eases stiffness, helps mood, and even improves the quality of sleep (when you can get it!). How much and how new moms exercise is influenced by how active they were during pregnancy and the way baby was delivered. In general, […]

Exercise

Movement is an important part of healing from pregnancy and childbirth. Exercise keeps bowels moving, eases stiffness, helps mood, and even improves the quality of sleep (when you can get it!). How much and how new moms exercise is influenced by how active they were during pregnancy and the way baby was delivered. In general, […]

Faith Communities

Apr 19, 2023
Many churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples have a commitment to children and families. If you are already part of a spiritual community, see what they have to offer. Caring committees of some kind are usually organized to help people with meals and support when they are sick, have new babies, or in times when they […]

Faith Communities

Many churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples have a commitment to children and families. If you are already part of a spiritual community, see what they have to offer. Caring committees of some kind are usually organized to help people with meals and support when they are sick, have new babies, or in times when they […]

Family-Friendly Businesses

Apr 19, 2023
We believe that babies can be good for business! Some businesses agree and welcome breastfeeding mothers, infants and young children. Others, well, aren’t exactly child friendly. Some places might have some hours during the day when they are more welcoming than others. Some services that can make it easier to go out include; designated parking […]

Family-Friendly Businesses

We believe that babies can be good for business! Some businesses agree and welcome breastfeeding mothers, infants and young children. Others, well, aren’t exactly child friendly. Some places might have some hours during the day when they are more welcoming than others. Some services that can make it easier to go out include; designated parking […]

Find Out What’s Happening

Apr 19, 2023
Having a baby gives you a chance to learn more about your community from a new perspective. To learn more about places that are good to go with babies, family friendly activities, and family supports you can check out local baby magazines – most are free at grocery stores and many other places. You can […]

Find Out What’s Happening

Having a baby gives you a chance to learn more about your community from a new perspective. To learn more about places that are good to go with babies, family friendly activities, and family supports you can check out local baby magazines – most are free at grocery stores and many other places. You can […]

Finding Childcare

Apr 19, 2023
Finding childcare that works for you can be stressful, especially when parents have to return to work quickly because of the lack of paid parental leave policies in the U.S. Searching for and deciding on care for your baby and young children can be a challenge – especially because the possibilities open to you may […]

Finding Childcare

Finding childcare that works for you can be stressful, especially when parents have to return to work quickly because of the lack of paid parental leave policies in the U.S. Searching for and deciding on care for your baby and young children can be a challenge – especially because the possibilities open to you may […]

Friendships After Baby

Apr 19, 2023
The needs and unpredictability that come along with infant and self-care in the 4th Trimester often changes relationships among friends. This can be especially true for those who are not parents and may be excited but not fully be able to understand the challenges of recovery and baby care. Connection among friends may shift to […]

Friendships After Baby

The needs and unpredictability that come along with infant and self-care in the 4th Trimester often changes relationships among friends. This can be especially true for those who are not parents and may be excited but not fully be able to understand the challenges of recovery and baby care. Connection among friends may shift to […]

Getting Out with Baby

Apr 19, 2023
While new parents quickly become experts at getting out the door, it can be tricky at first. Be prepared for last minute spit ups and diaper explosions! If you’re planning to meet people, make sure to remind them that babies and young children are unpredictable and to be patient if you are late. Having a […]

Getting Out with Baby

While new parents quickly become experts at getting out the door, it can be tricky at first. Be prepared for last minute spit ups and diaper explosions! If you’re planning to meet people, make sure to remind them that babies and young children are unpredictable and to be patient if you are late. Having a […]

Getting Ready & Supporting New Parents

Apr 19, 2023
Now, more than ever, new moms need support. With unknowns of coronavirus and the impact it is having on the health care team, the “village” will need to step up! We share ways to find and build a local ‘parent village’ online. Was the mother-to-be able to have a baby shower? Many families rely on […]

Getting Ready & Supporting New Parents

Now, more than ever, new moms need support. With unknowns of coronavirus and the impact it is having on the health care team, the “village” will need to step up! We share ways to find and build a local ‘parent village’ online. Was the mother-to-be able to have a baby shower? Many families rely on […]

Intimacy and Sex After Childbirth

Apr 19, 2023
“The quality of your intimacy is strongly influenced by the quality of your recovery. The more you focus on healing, the better you can feel when being intimate, and the more you can enjoy it. That is what’s most important.” View this video of postpartum intimacy from Nurse Nikki. Read her blog about talking about […]

Intimacy and Sex After Childbirth

“The quality of your intimacy is strongly influenced by the quality of your recovery. The more you focus on healing, the better you can feel when being intimate, and the more you can enjoy it. That is what’s most important.” View this video of postpartum intimacy from Nurse Nikki. Read her blog about talking about […]

Leaving Baby for the First Time

Apr 19, 2023
When you leave your baby with someone else for the first time, you may experience all sorts of feelings. It may feel tough to get away; maybe it feels freeing. The first few times can be painful, but once you are away, it usually get easier. What can I expect when I leave my baby […]

Leaving Baby for the First Time

When you leave your baby with someone else for the first time, you may experience all sorts of feelings. It may feel tough to get away; maybe it feels freeing. The first few times can be painful, but once you are away, it usually get easier. What can I expect when I leave my baby […]

Partner

Apr 19, 2023
Moms – this section is for you to share with your partner and/or closest support person! WELCOME TO PARENTHOOD! Babies are wonderful and change everything – including your partner! If you aren’t sure how to help, at what times, and how often, having a conversation to find out what SHE NEEDS is the starting point. […]

Partner

Moms – this section is for you to share with your partner and/or closest support person! WELCOME TO PARENTHOOD! Babies are wonderful and change everything – including your partner! If you aren’t sure how to help, at what times, and how often, having a conversation to find out what SHE NEEDS is the starting point. […]

Postpartum Care Plan

Sep 20, 2023
Navigating postpartum recovery and transitioning to new parenthood. We have created a Care Plan for care team members and birthing parents to customize and tailor recovery. < Resources

Postpartum Care Plan

Navigating postpartum recovery and transitioning to new parenthood. We have created a Care Plan for care team members and birthing parents to customize and tailor recovery. < Resources

Postpartum Health Care

Mar 27, 2023
Traditionally, the postpartum visit takes place 6-8 weeks after the birth of a baby. Given all that happens to women’s bodies in the early weeks after giving birth, many women find that visit to be too little and too late. There are also many women who never receive a postpartum visit! The American College of […]

Postpartum Health Care

Traditionally, the postpartum visit takes place 6-8 weeks after the birth of a baby. Given all that happens to women’s bodies in the early weeks after giving birth, many women find that visit to be too little and too late. There are also many women who never receive a postpartum visit! The American College of […]

Postpartum Plan for New Parents

Sep 27, 2023
Navigating postpartum recovery and transitioning to new parenthood. We have created a checklist and guidance for new mothers to create their own postpartum plans. During labor and delivery, mothers typically have their plans in place to address what they need to feel safe and supported during childbirth. Once the baby is born, however, the mother […]

Postpartum Plan for New Parents

Navigating postpartum recovery and transitioning to new parenthood. We have created a checklist and guidance for new mothers to create their own postpartum plans. During labor and delivery, mothers typically have their plans in place to address what they need to feel safe and supported during childbirth. Once the baby is born, however, the mother […]

Postpartum Supplies

Apr 19, 2023
Babies need a lot of things and it is helpful when friends and family help buy them. Women also need supplies to help them recover. We encourage family and friends to shower a new mother with the same love and support in helping her get ready for the 4th Trimester. Below are some supplies that […]

Postpartum Supplies

Babies need a lot of things and it is helpful when friends and family help buy them. Women also need supplies to help them recover. We encourage family and friends to shower a new mother with the same love and support in helping her get ready for the 4th Trimester. Below are some supplies that […]

Pumping at Work

Apr 19, 2023
Providing milk for your baby is a great way to stay connected during the day and continue to give your baby a healthy start in life. Time away from your baby may mean that you need time to express milk. Here are a few practical tips: Pumping at Work and Your Rights You may have […]

Pumping at Work

Providing milk for your baby is a great way to stay connected during the day and continue to give your baby a healthy start in life. Time away from your baby may mean that you need time to express milk. Here are a few practical tips: Pumping at Work and Your Rights You may have […]

Ready for Sex

Apr 19, 2023
You may or may not feel ready to have sex again shortly after delivery. However, it is recommended that couples wait for the postpartum visit and exam with a health care provider before they have sex. Time for postpartum healing reduces the risk of infection. Of course being cleared to have sex and WANTING to […]

Ready for Sex

You may or may not feel ready to have sex again shortly after delivery. However, it is recommended that couples wait for the postpartum visit and exam with a health care provider before they have sex. Time for postpartum healing reduces the risk of infection. Of course being cleared to have sex and WANTING to […]

Relationship Changes After Baby

Apr 19, 2023
The birth or adoption of a baby is a major life change. This will affect your relationships. From emotional connection, communication, physical touch, and partnership dynamics – a lot may shift. Whether you’re feeling closer than ever to your partner or worlds apart, communication is at the heart of understanding. Priorities may have changed in […]

Relationship Changes After Baby

The birth or adoption of a baby is a major life change. This will affect your relationships. From emotional connection, communication, physical touch, and partnership dynamics – a lot may shift. Whether you’re feeling closer than ever to your partner or worlds apart, communication is at the heart of understanding. Priorities may have changed in […]

Returning to Class

Apr 19, 2023
For many women, resuming their education following the addition of a new baby is rewarding. Women may take pride progressing toward their goals, despite the challenges. Educational institutions usually do not have policies to support the transition to parenthood. Until change to the structure of US education is achieved, the semester does not stop when […]

Returning to Class

For many women, resuming their education following the addition of a new baby is rewarding. Women may take pride progressing toward their goals, despite the challenges. Educational institutions usually do not have policies to support the transition to parenthood. Until change to the structure of US education is achieved, the semester does not stop when […]

Returning to Work

Apr 19, 2023
Returning to work can be a challenging and emotional transition. While there may be happiness at getting back to a familiar routine there can also be sadness about being separated from baby and exhaustion at adding more responsibilities (professional and family) to your plate. Some women may chose to work while for most, it is […]

Returning to Work

Returning to work can be a challenging and emotional transition. While there may be happiness at getting back to a familiar routine there can also be sadness about being separated from baby and exhaustion at adding more responsibilities (professional and family) to your plate. Some women may chose to work while for most, it is […]

Safer Sleep

Mar 31, 2023
Sleep and safety around sleep arrangements is important for everyone in the family. There are steps you can take to making sure that baby’s sleep environment is as safe as possible. The American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) recommends that babies sleep safest alone (on a separate surface from their parents, siblings, or pets), on their […]

Safer Sleep

Sleep and safety around sleep arrangements is important for everyone in the family. There are steps you can take to making sure that baby’s sleep environment is as safe as possible. The American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) recommends that babies sleep safest alone (on a separate surface from their parents, siblings, or pets), on their […]

Services That Can Help

Apr 19, 2023
All new families need help. Having a baby can cost a lot of money. Ask for help! It can be frustrating to have needs and no one to help. That really needs to change. In the United States, there is a need for much more support and resources for new families than is available. Diapers: […]

Services That Can Help

All new families need help. Having a baby can cost a lot of money. Ask for help! It can be frustrating to have needs and no one to help. That really needs to change. In the United States, there is a need for much more support and resources for new families than is available. Diapers: […]

Stepfamilies

Apr 19, 2023
Babies can be born into a wide variety of family settings. A baby could be a couple’s first child. A baby could be born to a single mother. A baby could be born into a stepfamily—a family in which one or both adults in a committed couple relationship have a child or children from previous […]

Stepfamilies

Babies can be born into a wide variety of family settings. A baby could be a couple’s first child. A baby could be born to a single mother. A baby could be born into a stepfamily—a family in which one or both adults in a committed couple relationship have a child or children from previous […]

Taking Care of You

Sep 24, 2023
Postpartum Recovery Booklet on a variety of health and self-care topics

Taking Care of You

Postpartum Recovery Booklet on a variety of health and self-care topics

Tobacco, Vaping, Smoking

Apr 19, 2023
Now that you are a new parent, it is still very important to take care of yourself and to keep you and your baby healthy. One of the most important ways to do this is to be tobacco free, including the use of vaping products. If you quit while you were pregnant (or your partner […]

Tobacco, Vaping, Smoking

Now that you are a new parent, it is still very important to take care of yourself and to keep you and your baby healthy. One of the most important ways to do this is to be tobacco free, including the use of vaping products. If you quit while you were pregnant (or your partner […]

Trusting My Partner to Care for Baby

Apr 19, 2023
It is common for women to want to be the main caretaker of their newborns. New moms are very connected to their infants, especially during the 4th Trimester. Many women struggle to leave their baby to the care of others, even from people they trust and love deeply. It can be scary or upsetting to […]

Trusting My Partner to Care for Baby

It is common for women to want to be the main caretaker of their newborns. New moms are very connected to their infants, especially during the 4th Trimester. Many women struggle to leave their baby to the care of others, even from people they trust and love deeply. It can be scary or upsetting to […]

Unsolicited Advice

Apr 19, 2023
New moms get a lot of advice – from family, friends, even complete strangers – about how to navigate parenthood. Almost everyone has personal experience as a parent, aunt, uncle, or sibling – and everyone has been a baby.  For each person, these experiences run deep, and it can be hard to untangle all the […]

Unsolicited Advice

New moms get a lot of advice – from family, friends, even complete strangers – about how to navigate parenthood. Almost everyone has personal experience as a parent, aunt, uncle, or sibling – and everyone has been a baby.  For each person, these experiences run deep, and it can be hard to untangle all the […]

Vehicle Safety

Apr 19, 2023
Getting out and about with a newborn safely is an important step that can also present some challenges. Car seats can be tricky to install – they fit in cars in different ways and can be complicated. Most community fire departments offer car seat checks to ensure car seats are installed properly. There are also […]

Vehicle Safety

Getting out and about with a newborn safely is an important step that can also present some challenges. Car seats can be tricky to install – they fit in cars in different ways and can be complicated. Most community fire departments offer car seat checks to ensure car seats are installed properly. There are also […]

When Partners Are Away

Apr 19, 2023
Some women have partners who are not physically present to help care for a new baby and provide ongoing support to the family. Partner absence could result from being pulled away for work responsibilities, deployed as part of their military service or in prison or jail. A partners’ absence requires a lot of family change, […]

When Partners Are Away

Some women have partners who are not physically present to help care for a new baby and provide ongoing support to the family. Partner absence could result from being pulled away for work responsibilities, deployed as part of their military service or in prison or jail. A partners’ absence requires a lot of family change, […]

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