4TFM Blog
Your #1 free resource Doulas and Parents for pregnancy and postpartum
What’s in Your Hospital bag?
What’s in your hospital bag? We asked our clients and here is your list for Mom, Partner, and baby.
Yes! You CAN Move with an Epidural!
Are you looking to support your clients in hands and knees when they have an epidural? Read on…
Partner Support: 5 benefits of “Anchoring” during labor
Anchoring during labor involves providing physical, emotional, or mental support to help the birthing person stay focused, calm, and grounded. The birth partner plays a crucial role in this process. This blog shares five benefits of anchoring during labor and why doulas should teach this concept to their birth clients.
Birth Ball 30 - Your In-Home Workout!
It’s here! You asked us to make a video and here it is!! Read on for more info!
Everything you ever wanted to know about Peanut balls and more!
Here are a few ways to use the peanut ball in labor to fascinate labor progression and comfort in labor. If you are a doula or having a baby, you should read this blog!
Thinking about hiring a doula? Here's the How and Why of Doula Care
There are so many thinks to think about now that you are pregnant. One of them is pregnancy and labor support. Read on for tips about doulas and how to find the right match for you. Sign up for your free How to Hire a Doula Guide
What is a Biophysical Profile test in pregnancy?
It’s not uncommon to go over your due date but did you know to expect extra testing to keep track of your baby’s health? Have you had a BPP? Do you know why you might have one? Read on!
The Purple Line of Labor progression: Myth or Magic?
Updated 10.14.2022 As a doula, I do not do internal cervical exams. EVER. But there are a lot of “tools” in my toolbox to help me have a good guesstimate of how far along a client is progressed in her labor. One of them is The Purple Line. Do you believe me? Is it Myth? Or Magic?
Do I have to have a cervical exam in labor?
Did you have a cervical exam in labor? Does it have to be done? Do I have a choice? Read on for some reason why you might or might not choose to have a cervical…
My water broke! Now what?
Did your water just break? Or was that urine? Now what do you do? Do you need to go straight to the hospital? Should you call your care provider? Read on for more info…
How to open the pelvis for labor and birth
Fetal Position. Station. Inlet. Outlet. Vertex. Breech…What do they all mean? They all have one thing in common: Birth. Read on to find out more about how to facilitate the progression of labor by learning a simple concept about the inlet and the outlet of the pelvis.
Preventing Hip Injuries in Birth
This is one for moms, doulas, and all birth workers!
Does your hip hurt after you pushed your baby out? Did someone “help” you by pushing your legs back for you? OR! If you are getting ready to have your baby, this may be the source of your pain!
Delayed Cord Clamping
Have you heard about Delayed Cord Clamping (DCC)? You may be wondering what the big deal is. After all, the baby is born… so, let’s cut that cord! But wait just a minute.. or maybe even three minutes! There is increasing evidence to support the trend of delaying the cutting of the cord immediately after birth and here is why…
10 Tips for Doulas and Birth Partners
10 tips for Doulas and Birth Partners to shine and provide better support.
The Poop Scoop
What’s your poop trying to tell about you? Check out more about the Bristol Scale, color, size, constipation, diarrhea and all that jazz.
Got the Shakes?
What the heck? Did you shake like crazy after the birth of your baby? Here are a few tips for you…
Why do I Doula?
Did you have a doula? Do you feel that your doula enhanced your birth experience? Do you think that every birth can be sacred and intimate no matter what the course of labor and birth is?
Placenta Tour - Just The Basics
If you are at all squeamish, this might not be the blog post for you. But for the “Placenta Curious”, this is your place to learn! There are two sides to every story and the placenta is no different.
Delving into the World of Perineal Tearing
“I just remember my care provider saying the degree of tear...But none of this was really EXPLAINED to me”. Did you have a 3rd or 4 th degree tear during your birth? Guest Blogger, Anne Homan delves deeper into this topic.
First 10 Days of Your Postpartum Journey: Tips and a Journal for You
There’s a lot to remember in those first days of your postpartum journey. These tips, videos, and a handy download will help you keep things straight!