Fourth Trimester Voices

In this episode, I break down: ✔ What postpartum cardiomyopathy is ✔ Why it happens after pregnancy ✔ The early warning signs most women miss ✔ The connection between preeclampsia and long-term heart disease ✔ What YOU need to do if you were diagnosed with high blood pressure during pregnancy Too often, we are told that once the baby is delivered, everything is fine. That is not true. The postpart...

Postpartum changes how you experience work. In this episode, we explore how to plan for your return, set expectations, and prepare your job for the physical and emotional realities of the postpartum period.

You did everything right and still had complications! Does it mean that planning is futile?? This episode explains why postpartum planning is not about control, but about capacity and protection when things go wrong. #postpartum #pregnancy #childbirtheducation

Welcome to Season 3! This episode is for single moms, solo moms, and any mother who has ever felt like she was doing it all alone. We talk about the hospital, home setup, building a village, mental health, and the systems every postpartum mom needs to stay supported, stable, and well.

That’s a wrap on Season 2! Thank you for listening, learning, and growing with me. 🌿 Catch up on any episodes you missed — and get ready for Season 3 in the new year.

IVF After 45 — How I Survived My Geriatric Pregnancy What happens when you risk everything for motherhood? In this episode of  Fourth Trimester Voices , Dr. Toni Haley opens up about her emotional and physical journey through IVF after 45 — the highs, the near-death moments, and the miracle that followed. From being labeled a “geriatric pregnancy” to surviving complications most women never talk a...

We’re joined by  Sharnece Thomas , a Licensed Professional Counselor and maternal mental health specialist dedicated to helping mothers heal emotionally during one of the most transformative and often overlooked seasons of their lives. Sharnece is the founder of  Serene Solutions Counseling and Consulting Services , where she provides therapy, workshops, and wellness programs designed to support w...

You prayed. You hoped. You finally held your miracle — and then came the silence. No one tells you that postpartum after IVF can feel different. That the joy of “finally” becoming a mom can live right beside exhaustion, anxiety, and even depression. That asking for help can feel impossible when you once begged for this moment. This episode of  Fourth Trimester Voices  dives into  what happens afte...

Postpartum pain is real — and too often, it’s dismissed. In this episode of  Fourth Trimester Voices , I break down the truth about  postpartum pain. 💊 What’s actually normal vs. what’s not after birth ⚖️ Should moms take Tylenol 🩺 The importance of self advocacy 👉 If you’ve ever been told your pain is “just part of motherhood,” this episode is for you. Pain tells us something. #PostpartumPain...

I sit down with Dr. Jess Daigle — a board-certified NICU pediatrician, and mom — to talk about her journey from being a NICU mom to now advocating for families. Every day, NICU doctors care for the tiniest, most vulnerable patients. But what often gets overlooked is the role they play in guiding families through uncertainty, fear, and hope. Dr. Daigle shares how her own experiences as a mom shaped...

Wondered why things feel swollen, sore, dry, or just different postpartum, you’re not alone. In this episode of Fourth Trimester Voices, Dr. Carine Ange Tagni, Intimate Wellness Expert breaks down the most common postpartum vaginal changes — and what’s normal, what’s temporary, and what deserves a doctor’s attention. We’ll cover: ✨ Vaginal swelling after birth ✨ Changes in the labia ✨ Vaginal d...

✨  Pregnant after 35?  Let’s set the record straight. Being an older mom doesn’t automatically mean complications, but it does come with unique considerations. In this episode, I break down: 👶 What “geriatric pregnancy” really means 📊 The real risks vs. myths 🏥 Choosing the right provider & place of birth 📝 Criteria for home or birth center deliveries 💪 How to prepare for postpartum—phys...

Every mom writes a birth plan. But what about the plan for AFTER birth? The truth is, the postpartum period is where most complications — and most gaps in care — happen. Your postpartum plan isn’t just a checklist…it’s your lifeline. In this episode, I walk you through: ✨ Why every mom needs a postpartum plan ✨ What to include (from medical support to mental health) ✨ How to build your village...

💌  Dear Postpartum Me… If I could go back, I’d tell myself to slow down, breathe, and trust that healing takes time. I’d remind myself that I was worthy of rest, of support, of not having it all together. This week’s episode is a love letter to every mom navigating those raw, messy, beautiful first months. Whether you’re in it right now or looking back, this conversation is for you. #FourthTrimes...

So many moms are told their fatigue, hair loss, mood swings, or low milk supply are “just postpartum.” But sometimes the answers are in your labs. 🧪 In this episode of  Fourth Trimester Voices , I’m breaking down the  5 essential labs every mom should check after birth : ✔️ Vitamin D ✔️ Thyroid function ✔️ Iron & Hemoglobin ✔️ Hemoglobin A1C Understanding these labs could be the difference be...

Too often, women—especially Black women—are taught to stay quiet in medical settings. To be polite. To not “make a fuss.” But silence can be deadly. In this episode, we uncover: 🔸 Why the “good patient” mindset costs lives 🔸 The history behind women’s silence in healthcare 🔸 How to reclaim your voice and advocate for yourself Your voice matters. Your life depends on it. 💜 #PostpartumCare #Mate...

Choosing where to give birth isn’t just about a room with a view it’s about building the right team for your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. In this episode, I break down how to decide between choosing your OB first or your hospital first, why your primary care physician matters for postpartum, and the key questions you need to ask your OB to make sure you’re supported long after delivery. If yo...

Postpartum women have been expected to suffer in silence for generations. From cultural expectations to gaps in medical care, the system has never been designed to support mothers after birth. In this episode, we’re uncovering: 🔸 The historical and cultural roots of postpartum silence 🔸 Why the 6-week checkup is not enough 🔸 How the healthcare system continues to fail moms 🔸 What we must do to...

Bladder leaks after having a baby are more common than you think—and they’re  not  something you just have to live with. In this empowering episode of  Fourth Trimester Voices , we sit down with  Lauren Barker , CEO and Co-founder of  Uresta , a revolutionary bladder support device designed to help women live leak-free. Lauren who is currently postpartum herself shares her story and opens up about...

Ever wonder what a postpartum doula actually does?  In this episode, we break down how doulas support new moms after birth—emotionally, physically, and practically. From helping you heal to holding space for your feelings, this is the support you didn’t know you needed. Tune in and learn why no one should do the fourth trimester alone. 💛 #pregnant #pregnancy #doula #postpartumdoula #newborn

The Big Beautiful Bill isn’t so beautiful for moms.  In this episode, I break down how this bill could have devastating effects on pregnant and postpartum women. Here’s what you need to know—and how to advocate. #PostpartumCare #MaternalHealthMatters #MedicaidCuts #PregnancySupport #FourthTrimesterVoices #BlackMaternalHealth #PolicyMatters #AdvocacyInAction #MomsDeserveBetter #HealthcareForMoms #p...

Let’s talk about something often overlooked but  so  necessary in postpartum recovery— your alignment . In this episode, I sit down with  Dr. Brittney Christian , chiropractor and founder of  Well Prepared Nest , to break down the real benefits of chiropractic care for moms before and after birth. We discuss when to start, what’s safe, and how targeted care can help with pain, posture, pelvic alig...

You don’t need another onesie or wipe warmer—you need a plan. In this episode, we break down the three most overlooked but essential things every new mom truly needs postpartum. From building your village to protecting your mental health, we’re shifting the conversation from stuff to support.#PregnancyTips#NewMomLife#BabyRegistry#PregnancyPlanning#PostpartumSupport#FourthTrimester#ExpectingMom #Pr...

“My son has a rare genetic condition.” Those are the words Dr. Ogechi Nwoko never imagined she’d say those words. During pregnancy, she had an unshakable feeling that her child was blind. After birth, small signs were brushed off by doctors and loved ones. But soon, the truth unraveled as he started having siezures: he was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition. Her postpartum journey wasn’t abou...

What happens when your birth plan collides with a medical emergency? In this powerful episode, Dr. Bessie Lynnette Staplefoote-Boynton shares how her journey into motherhood was anything but expected. While still in medical school, she developed preeclampsia—forcing an early delivery and a sudden initiation into life as a NICU mom. She opens up about: ⚠️ Recognizing the symptoms of preeclampsia 👩...