<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[4th Trimester Services Intl.]]></title><description><![CDATA[Birth & postpartum doula specializing in postpartum care, breastfeeding support, & pelvic floor health to ensure that you birth, rest, & recovery.]]></description><link>https://www.4thtrimesterdoula.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Sun, 08 Mar 2026 10:01:20 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.4thtrimesterdoula.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[I Stepped Away From Social Media While Postpartum]]></title><description><![CDATA[I am often surprised by the reactions I receive when I mention that I've removed all social media platforms from my phone. Three years...]]></description><link>https://www.4thtrimesterdoula.com/post/stepping-away-from-social-media</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67ab58a7788b01d3fc5bb9fe</guid><pubDate>Tue, 11 Feb 2025 14:42:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_89c0271455f64d5c89420214d5bae990~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Maria Varvoutis, MPH, CD, PCD</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Importance of the Birth Story]]></title><description><![CDATA["Where are the baby books?" "How big was I when I was born?" "Was I a hard baby?" Each of these questions has been asked of me at some...]]></description><link>https://www.4thtrimesterdoula.com/post/the-importance-of-the-birth-story</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61772b9dda4d140016414842</guid><pubDate>Fri, 27 Sep 2024 10:43:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/d9432c766b2f42f0adad25f6b48d00df.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Maria Varvoutis, MPH, CD, PCD</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Birth Partner Cheat Sheet]]></title><description><![CDATA[A Prelude to the Birth Partner How can you as a birth partner prepare to assist your birthing person as their confidant? Their breathe...]]></description><link>https://www.4thtrimesterdoula.com/post/birth-partner-cheat-sheet</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61f8bde7d4176f532861275c</guid><pubDate>Tue, 03 May 2022 19:23:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9eed47_881bbcd87a0b4f05b4ca5ad63e4e9142~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Maria Varvoutis, MPH, CD, PCD</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[1st Trimester : The Battlefield]]></title><description><![CDATA[Congratulations! You just found out your pregnant and.... (omph, cough, gag). Yup. Definitely pregnant. It's always completely baffling...]]></description><link>https://www.4thtrimesterdoula.com/post/1st-trimester-the-battlefield</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6244ca5e3972b013eaab2410</guid><category><![CDATA[Pregnancy]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 30 Mar 2022 21:36:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/4bb92b7772584993ad79099fd3c64726.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Maria Varvoutis, MPH, CD, PCD</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Dedication to My Youngest, My Why]]></title><description><![CDATA[“I don’t know how I would have navigated this path without you.” That’s right sweet girl—becoming a doula, a childbirth educator, a...]]></description><link>https://www.4thtrimesterdoula.com/post/a-dedication-to-my-youngest-my-why</link><guid isPermaLink="false">621e9d2ebf0c36077256855a</guid><pubDate>Tue, 01 Mar 2022 22:31:07 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9eed47_0b38359fd72944dc82a01a8eebb9d3fe~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Maria Varvoutis, MPH, CD, PCD</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Choosing Your Birth Space]]></title><description><![CDATA[I wish I could give you magic crystal ball and tell you EXACTLY how your birth is going to go; however, I cannot. What I can tell you is...]]></description><link>https://www.4thtrimesterdoula.com/post/choosingyourbirthspace</link><guid isPermaLink="false">621e8d8598c0dd76b962eeab</guid><category><![CDATA[Birth]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 01 Mar 2022 22:20:33 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9eed47_b67c2deba66b498298614ffe335add2c~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Maria Varvoutis, MPH, CD, PCD</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA["I think I'm going into labor, now what?"]]></title><description><![CDATA[So here we are. You've been feeling Braxton Hicks contractions for possibly months now, but now these pains are different and are...]]></description><link>https://www.4thtrimesterdoula.com/post/i-think-i-m-going-into-labor-now-what</link><guid isPermaLink="false">619bdb8956c93200167a5725</guid><category><![CDATA[Birth]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 11 Jan 2022 21:40:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f63b8157807c4a33bfb1f4fea0ad3a15.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Maria Varvoutis, MPH, CD, PCD</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Spring Reading List]]></title><description><![CDATA[I love a good book, and I also love books that get straight to the point when it comes to all things baby. If this sounds like you, then...]]></description><link>https://www.4thtrimesterdoula.com/post/spring-reading-list</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61ba649e5b5b7b0016c719e5</guid><category><![CDATA[Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding]]></category><category><![CDATA[Postpartum]]></category><category><![CDATA[Birth]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 20 Dec 2021 04:33:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_7454e58ce2354ed2b36836ea7c241922~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Maria Varvoutis, MPH, CD, PCD</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[My Christmas Wish List with a New Baby]]></title><description><![CDATA[This is your gift guide from your practical Doula who just wants to see you warm, comfy, and relaxed. Get a gift card for doula services...]]></description><link>https://www.4thtrimesterdoula.com/post/my-christmas-wish-list-with-a-new-baby</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61a6718905d6f7001678f6c5</guid><category><![CDATA[Postpartum]]></category><category><![CDATA[Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 30 Nov 2021 19:20:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9eed47_f2e92e45413c4b6b9871e3dd179660eb~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Maria Varvoutis, MPH, CD, PCD</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Survival Kit for the Birthing Person’s 1st Month Postpartum]]></title><description><![CDATA[You've heard countless rumors, you've experienced it, or your neighbor Sally has told you every nitty gritty detail of her birth...]]></description><link>https://www.4thtrimesterdoula.com/post/survival-kit-for-the-birthing-person-s-1st-month-postpartum</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6175cdc9c14d10001675e27f</guid><category><![CDATA[Postpartum]]></category><category><![CDATA[Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 16 Nov 2021 19:59:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f59e733be2ad4b32b1de8eaeaf8f1d1c.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Maria Varvoutis, MPH, CD, PCD</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why did having kids shape my career into the birth world?]]></title><description><![CDATA[As a small child I was drawn to the things that help enrich the lives of others, while also playing and doing only sport and...]]></description><link>https://www.4thtrimesterdoula.com/post/why-did-having-kids-shape-my-career-into-the-birth-world</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6180162268d82f00170b4eaf</guid><category><![CDATA[About]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 01 Nov 2021 17:23:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9eed47_99f484b4b5d742f4baae0796fe66dcbc~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Maria Varvoutis, MPH, CD, PCD</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Birth Story: The Impact of Feeling Empowered]]></title><description><![CDATA[It is deeply rooted in the history of cultures and civilizations throughout the world of how story telling can help enrich, empower, and...]]></description><link>https://www.4thtrimesterdoula.com/post/birth-story-the-impact-of-feeling-empowered</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61783c4d242cbf001638a82c</guid><category><![CDATA[Birth]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 26 Oct 2021 19:10:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9eed47_49928185d1164b0ba32332be5f3ce1f7~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Maria Varvoutis, MPH, CD, PCD</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Living Life with a Baby and a Job]]></title><description><![CDATA[Hello COVID, and working from home, and bOoM--baby!! You are not alone if suddenly within the midst of a pandemic you invited another...]]></description><link>https://www.4thtrimesterdoula.com/post/living-life-with-a-baby-and-a-job</link><guid isPermaLink="false">611d62ef11f6870016b2fae6</guid><category><![CDATA[Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 15 Oct 2021 17:42:31 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9eed47_08e387dd075543799975ac108d2c71d4~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Maria Varvoutis, MPH, CD, PCD</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Survive Night Work aka New Parent Life]]></title><description><![CDATA[The baby monitor goes off again. The baby is crying. "This is my third time, tonight! (sigh) Ok, I'm coming." Sound familiar? Whether you...]]></description><link>https://www.4thtrimesterdoula.com/post/how-to-survive-night-work-aka-new-parent-life</link><guid isPermaLink="false">614ce0f52efd64001760abe9</guid><category><![CDATA[Postpartum]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 30 Sep 2021 21:28:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ed887cc3b8b64ee097594e2678609de4.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Maria Varvoutis, MPH, CD, PCD</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Packing Your Postpartum Bag]]></title><description><![CDATA[Hi there! It’s Maria here, your Certified Birth &#38; Postpartum Doula here to help out with guidance on what to pack for your postpartum...]]></description><link>https://www.4thtrimesterdoula.com/post/packing-your-postpartum-bag</link><guid isPermaLink="false">614b7864e2eda000168bfe6e</guid><category><![CDATA[Postpartum]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 22 Sep 2021 18:58:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/50c52cbd3372400da5552a320daa7569.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Maria Varvoutis, MPH, CD, PCD</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Two Pink Lines]]></title><description><![CDATA[The lines blink twice. Then solid. There are two solid pink lines on your stick. ]]></description><link>https://www.4thtrimesterdoula.com/post/two-pink-lines</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61422fdf34fa6000165fadd7</guid><category><![CDATA[Birth]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 15 Sep 2021 17:56:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9eed47_75853a178e7d4cca894e7560df3ad895~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Maria Varvoutis, MPH, CD, PCD</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[But What Really Does a Birth Doula Help With?]]></title><description><![CDATA[Real labor support does not come in a pill container, or IV stick. It comes in the form of physical touch, guided movement, and verbiage.]]></description><link>https://www.4thtrimesterdoula.com/post/but-what-really-does-a-birth-doula-help-with</link><guid isPermaLink="false">60fdaa5deb117b0015e31805</guid><pubDate>Fri, 10 Sep 2021 17:15:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9eed47_98d0ce8d66434c218827140ad46ceb8b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_887,h_655,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Maria Varvoutis, MPH, CD, PCD</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Breastfeeding Quick Tips from a Doula and CLC]]></title><description><![CDATA[Quick tips, resources, and words of encouragement for your breastfeeding journey]]></description><link>https://www.4thtrimesterdoula.com/post/breastfeeding-quick-tips-from-a-doula-and-clc</link><guid isPermaLink="false">60fba703de0f290015df8cdb</guid><category><![CDATA[Postpartum]]></category><category><![CDATA[Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 24 Aug 2021 20:52:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9eed47_81ac3c7d0cb244198da88293da1fe051~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Maria Varvoutis, MPH, CD, PCD</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Plane Travel With a Baby]]></title><description><![CDATA[Plane travel tips from a Doula, Mom of 3, and Seasoned Traveler]]></description><link>https://www.4thtrimesterdoula.com/post/plane-travel-with-a-baby</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61048f3d52318c0016af7380</guid><category><![CDATA[Postpartum]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 02 Aug 2021 05:07:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/9eed47_1cebc06ce0af493496cae9a7a7a35673~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Maria Varvoutis, MPH, CD, PCD</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Birth Map vs Birth Plan]]></title><description><![CDATA[Often when working with a pregnant client the topic of 'birth plan' usually comes up. Many people don't want to use the phrase at all,...]]></description><link>https://www.4thtrimesterdoula.com/post/birth-map-vs-birth-plan</link><guid isPermaLink="false">60e73e469735470015b985a1</guid><category><![CDATA[Birth]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 08 Jul 2021 18:37:41 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_bdea7970e8bd495cb26d93048b508839~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Maria Varvoutis, MPH, CD, PCD</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>