The 4th Trimester Blog
More Than the Fourth Trimester: Honoring the Full Transition Into Motherhood
The journey of motherhood doesn’t begin with the baby’s arrival, it begins the moment you find out you’re pregnant. That initial shift in identity, mindset, and body is deeply transformative, and often overlooked when we talk about postpartum changes. The fourth...
How Partners Can Support Postpartum Health
“Wow! You have grown that baby!” Those words still ring happiness every time I reflect on my 4th trimester journey. My baby and I had been up all night drowning in another growth spurt and cluster feeding. My husband had returned from...
More Than a Statistic: She Was Someone’s Everything
written by Alexis Schoonmaker More Than a Statistic: She Was Someone’s Everything Being pregnant brings a mix of emotions—excitement, nerves, and a little bit of fear. We worry about the baby, the delivery, and how life will change afterward. But most of us never ask...
From Burnout to Brilliance: Parenting Strategies for a Healthy Life Balance
In the dynamic landscape of modern parenting and professional life, burnout is an often-mentioned but insufficiently addressed phenomenon. In this blog post, we will delve into strategies that transform burnout into brilliance, focusing on themes of improving...
“Surviving the Sleepless Nights: Understanding Newborn Sleep Patterns and Development”
written by: Alexis Schoonmaker As I sit here writing this blog, my daughter is 5 months old, and my son is 2 years old. My son has never been the best sleeper, and my daughter is still waking for night feedings. I've read countless articles, watched YouTube videos,...
Creating a Family-Friendly Workplace: Best Practices
In today’s competitive job market, companies that support working parents not only attract great employees but also keep them around longer, increase productivity, and create a stronger company culture. As more people, especially parents, look for a better balance...
Supporting Working Parents: No Longer Just a Nice-to-Have—It’s a Strategic Advantage
I didn’t want to go back. There, I said it—after four boys. And no, it’s not because I didn’t love my job. I loved my job. I spent all my twenties and the early part of my thirties chasing my dream, and guess what? I caught it. But I didn’t want to go back because I’d...
The Importance of Regular Breast Checks: A Personal Guide to Self-Care
Breast health is an essential aspect of overall well-being, and staying on top of it is crucial, no matter what life stage you're in. Today, we're going to dive into the importance of regular breast self-checks, especially for those in early pregnancy stages or...
Understanding Mastitis and Clogged Ducts: A New Perspective on Treatment
Have you ever experienced the sudden discomfort of a painful, hard breast while breastfeeding and wondered if it's a clogged duct or something more serious like mastitis? You're not alone. Here’s advice on differentiating and treating these common breastfeeding...
Protecting Your Newborn
Hey everyone, Dr. Patel here, your go-to resource for everything related to the fourth trimester. As a pediatrician and NICU doctor, I'm a staunch advocate for vaccination. With the ongoing measles outbreak, it’s crucial to know how you can protect your little one....
Supporting Working Parents: No Longer Just a Nice-to-Have—It’s a Strategic Advantage
I didn’t want to go back. There, I said it—after four boys. And no, it’s not because I didn’t love my job. I loved my job. I spent all my twenties and the early part of my thirties chasing my dream, and guess what? I caught it. But I didn’t want to go back because I’d...
Understanding the #1 Hormone for Breastfeeding Success
Welcome to the insightful journey into the world of breastfeeding! Hi everyone, I'm Dr. Patel, and I am here to help you navigate the fourth trimester with ease. Today, we're diving deep into the fascinating world of hormones, specifically focusing on the hormone...