Fourth Trimester: The First Months and Beyond | Parenting | Newborn Baby | Postpartum | Doula
Sarah Roselinda Trott
My name is Sarah Trott. I'm 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.
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
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
Mentioned books
Nov 15, 2025 • 55min
Prevent Preeclampsia to Protect You & Your Baby
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 about what every parent and perinatal professional should know about preeclampsia prevention, warning signs and treatment.Yes, this episode is all about safer pregnancies and healthier babies.You’ll learn who’s at higher risk, why low-dose aspirin and a home blood pressure cuff can be lifesaving, the postpartum warning signs that should never be ignored, and how doulas, partners, and families can advocate when it matters most - we even include scripts so you will know exactly what to say.Enjoy!Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcact.comConnect with Dr Amanda P Williams LinkedIn | Instagram | CMQCC.orgPreeclampsia Prevention Guides Guide for Parents from March of Dimes | Guide for Clinical Teams from March of Dimes | Low-dose Aspirin to Prevent Preeclampsia & Related Preterm Birth Initiative by CMQCCEssential at-home tools for pregnancy & postpartum Blood Pressure Cuff | AWHONN Post-Birth Warning Signs one-pager to hang on the fridgeWebinar for Health Professionals on Dec 4th 2025 Understanding Preeclampsia Risk and Low-Dose Aspirin – A Global and US PerspectiveLearn more California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) | The State of Postpartum Maternal Health with Dr Amanda P Williams | Data-Driven Parenting With Dr Amanda P WilliamsOur favorite Fourth Trimester Books The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother | Becoming the Parent You Want to Be: A Sourcebook of Strategies for the First Five Years | Growing Together: Doula Wisdom & Holistic Practices for Pregnancy, Birth & Early Motherhood | Thriving Postpartum: Embracing the Indigenous Wisdom of La CuarentenaResources HelloGaia Parenting Copilot | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Birth Plan | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Fourth Trimester Plan | Postpartum Soups and Stews CollectionConnect with Fourth Trimester Facebook | Instagram
Nov 8, 2025 • 41min
The Best Diapers to Keep Your Baby Healthy with Miki Agrawal
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 diapers are better and healthier for your baby. Plus, pick up many great parenting tips along the way. The highest quality products aren't always the most expensive, and they may surprise you with how much better they are for your baby's health and the planet.Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.comConnect with Miki Agrawal hirodiapers.com | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedInCode FOURTHTRIMESTER at hirodiapers.com for a special intro offer of $99 for life on the monthly HIRO's Journey Subscription including diapers, HIRO Pouches and 4 packs of wipesLearn more One Simple Move Parents Can Make To Save Money, Time & The Planet | Reproductive Psychiatry: Optimizing Your Mental Health with Dr Ida EdenResources HelloGaia Parenting Copilot | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Birth Plan | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Fourth Trimester Plan | Postpartum Soups and Stews CollectionConnect with Fourth Trimester Facebook | Instagram
Nov 1, 2025 • 44min
The Recipe for Being a Cool Grandpa with Greg Payne
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 their control.What's key? Communication, boundaries, having fun. Here's the 'recipe', if you will, in a nutshell. (Plus a little self-reflection!)So here's the 'recipe' from Cool Grandpa Greg Payne on how to put the guidelines into practice for your own family, including the considerations from both sides of the grandparent-parent fence. Enjoy!Full show notes: fourthtrimesterpodcast.comConnect with Greg Payne cool-grandpa.us | Facebook | LinkedIn | Cool Grandpa Shop | PodcastGreg's book My Grandpa's GrandpaLearn more Generational Parenting, featuring PSI Founder Jane Honikman | Bringing Fathers into Pregnancy - Dr Ed Stephens | The Dos & Don'ts Of Being A Respectful & HELPFUL Visitor To A New Parent | Grandparents: Roles & BoundariesResources HelloGaia Parenting Copilot | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Birth Plan | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Fourth Trimester Plan | Postpartum Soups and Stews CollectionConnect with Fourth Trimester Facebook | Instagram
Oct 18, 2025 • 47min
Estate Planning for Parents with Attorney Patricia De Fonte
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 protects your loved ones, minimizes stress, and reflects your values. It doesn't matter how much money or assets you have - every parent needs to have a plan in place to protect their family’s peace of mind. Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.comConnect with Patricia De Fonte defontelaw.com | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTubeEstate Planning with Heart Free Workshops Learn more Family Financial Wellness: Three Finance Must-dos for Families | How to Maximize Maternity Leave & Paternity Benefits | How to Prepare for Hospital Birth (and Avoid Unnecessary Interventions) with HeHe StewartResources HelloGaia Parenting Copilot | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Birth Plan | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Fourth Trimester Plan | Postpartum Soups and Stews CollectionConnect with Fourth Trimester Facebook | Instagram
Oct 4, 2025 • 49min
Bringing Fathers into Pregnancy - Dr Ed Stephens
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 that helps strengthen families, and give babies the healthiest possible start.This episode gives parents and perinatal professionals research-backed insight into fathers’ mental health and its impact on families.Listen to learn simple, proven ways to protect connection from the very start.This is an amazing legacy and we're excited to help share Dr Ed Stephens' work with the world. Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.comConnect with Dr Ed Stephens Foundation for Male Studies | Facebook | LinkedInEd's Publication Bringing the Father into Pregnancy | GiveButter Donation PageLearn more Generational Parenting, featuring PSI Founder Jane Honikman | Dad Real Talk: How First Time Dads Can Become The Father They Want To Be | How Partners Can Prepare for Parenthood (The Power of Snuggling)Resources HelloGaia Parenting Copilot | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Birth Plan | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Fourth Trimester Plan | Postpartum Soups and Stews Collection
Sep 20, 2025 • 1h 7min
Rediscovering Intimacy After Baby in a Way That Feels Right for You with Dr Shosh
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 pioneer in perinatal mental health, to talk about what intimacy really looks like after a baby arrives. Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.comConnect with Dr Shoshana Bennett drshosh.com | Dr Shosh Radio Show | Dark Side Of The Full MoonDr Shoshana's books Children of the Depressed: Healing the Childhood Wounds That Come from Growing Up with a Depressed Parent | Postpartum Depression For Dummies | Pregnant on Prozac: The Essential Guide To Making The Best Decision For You And Your Baby | Beyond the Blues: Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression & AnxietyLearn more The Myths Of Motherhood | 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 BabyResources HelloGaia Parenting Copilot | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Birth Plan | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Fourth Trimester Plan | Postpartum Soups and Stews CollectionConnect with Fourth Trimester Facebook | InstagramSome of the links we have on the show notes help support the work that we do - if you decide to purchase through an affiliate link, the show receives a small commission and it really helps us out
Sep 6, 2025 • 28min
Fuel Your Baby’s Growth and Success Through Optimal Newborn Nutrition
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 nutritionist and she is based in the San Francisco Bay area. She brings years of experience working with families, infants and children across both hospital and outpatient settings. She founded Baby Steps Nutrition, where she offers individualized support to help children thrive from addressing picky eating, poor weight gain, food allergies to maternal lactation, nutrition, and as a mom herself.Argavan knows firsthand the challenges and questions that come with feeding little ones, especially during the critical fourth trimester and beyond. We discuss typical growth, starting solids, and navigating all the conflicting advice that's out there. She offers practical advice and strategies for baby nutrition generally, as well as when there are dietary concerns.Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.comConnect with Argavan Nilforoush babystepsnutrition.com | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter / XLearn more A Parent’s Guide To Building Self-Trust (And Why It Matters) | Get A Healthy Start - Nutrition, Breastfeeding & Building Your Community with WIC's Kiran Saluja | Nutrition and Nourishment - The EssentialsOur favorite Fourth Trimester Beach Reads The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother | Becoming the Parent You Want to Be: A Sourcebook of Strategies for the First Five Years | Growing Together: Doula Wisdom & Holistic Practices for Pregnancy, Birth & Early Motherhood | Thriving Postpartum: Embracing the Indigenous Wisdom of La CuarentenaResources HelloGaia Parenting Copilot | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Birth Plan | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Fourth Trimester Plan | Postpartum Soups and Stews CollectionConnect with Fourth Trimester Facebook | InstagramSome of the links we have on the show notes help support the work that we do - if you decide to purchase through an affiliate link, the show receives a small commission and it really helps us out
Aug 23, 2025 • 44min
Why And How To Bond With Your Newborn - Dr Joanna Parga-Belinkie
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 as practical and emotional aspects of bonding, including why and how to bond with your newborn. This is great listening for parents, grandparents, supporters, visitors, and well, everyone really.You'll learn the early aspects of newborn development in terms of practical, evidence-based tips for nurturing early connection as well as learn how that impacts lifelong health.Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.comDr Joanna's book The Baby Bonding Book: Connecting With Your NewbornConnect with Dr Joanna Parga-Belinkie Pediatrics on Call podcast | LinkedIn | InstagramLearn more Wire Your Baby for Success Through Optimal Newborn Brain Development | The Power of Touch in Supporting Infant DevelopmentResources HelloGaia Parenting Copilot | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Birth Plan | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Fourth Trimester Plan | Postpartum Soups and Stews CollectionConnect with Fourth Trimester Facebook | InstagramSome of the links we have on the show notes help support the work that we do - if you decide to purchase through an affiliate link, the show receives a small commission and it really helps us out
Aug 9, 2025 • 41min
Fourth Trimester Economics with Pediatrician Dr Sonal Patel
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, she offers curated talks designed to empower professional women navigating the intersection of career, motherhood, and personal well-being.Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.comSonal's book The Doctor & Her Black Bag: How Old-Fashioned Care Tackles Maternal Mortality and Benefits America’s EconomyConnect with Pediatrician Dr Sonal Patel nayacare.org | Facebook | InstagramLearn more Family Financial Wellness: Three Finance Must-dos for Families | How to Maximize Maternity Leave & Paternity Benefits with MAMAttorney Daphne Delvaux | How Partners Can Prepare for Parenthood (The Power of Snuggling)Resources HelloGaia Parenting Copilot | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Birth Plan | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Fourth Trimester Plan | Postpartum Soups and Stews CollectionConnect with Fourth Trimester Facebook | InstagramSome of the links we have on the show notes help support the work that we do - if you decide to purchase through an affiliate link, the show receives a small commission and it really helps us out
Jul 26, 2025 • 43min
VBACs and Cesarean Recovery Tips with Petra Cruz Doula
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 birth after three Cesareans (VBA3C). That experience reshaped not only how she viewed birth but also how she found her voice—one that had been silenced by fear, external authority, and societal expectations.Now, she is dedicated to helping other women do the same: break free from limiting beliefs, trust their intuition, and confidently advocate for the birth experience they deserve. Full show notes fourthtrimesterpodcast.comConnect with Petra Cruz birthingcometrue.com | Instagram | The Journey To VBAC PodcastLearn more How a Friend or Family Member Can Help You if You Don’t Have a Doula (What is a Doula?) | Somatic Experiencing Can Build Attachment Between Parent And Child | Postpartum Support International | International Cesarean Awareness NetworkOur favorite Fourth Trimester Books The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother | Becoming the Parent You Want to Be: A Sourcebook of Strategies for the First Five Years | Growing Together: Doula Wisdom & Holistic Practices for Pregnancy, Birth & Early Motherhood | Thriving Postpartum: Embracing the Indigenous Wisdom of La CuarentenaResources HelloGaia Parenting Copilot | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Birth Plan | FREE DOWNLOAD Customizable Fourth Trimester Plan | Postpartum Soups and Stews CollectionConnect with Fourth Trimester Facebook | InstagramSome of the links we have on the show notes help support the work that we do - if you decide to purchase through an affiliate link, the show receives a small commission and it really helps us out
