4TFM Blog
Your #1 free resource in strengthening your mind and body during and after pregnancy.
5 Birth Ball Exercises to get Stronger During your Pregnancy
5 daily moves from our Birth Ball Basics Clinic to prepare you for your labor and birth!
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!
3 tips to get your doula biz started
If you are struggling to get your doula biz off the ground, this blog will help you.
Top 10 business questions from new doulas
Every new doula has business questions and here are the top 10 I get asked on a regular basis.
5 Business Tips for New Doulas
You just got certified and are now ready to set up your Doula Biz. Here are 5 tips to help you get started off on the right foot! Read this before you meet with your first client!
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!
Leaking Urine? But which pad do you grab?
Do you leak urine? Did you know that there are two different uses for pads: one is for urine and one is for blood. Keep reading for more on this!
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?
You just had a baby? Oh, just do kegels, right?
You just had a baby, so just do Kegels, right? ummm… that depends. Let’s talk about recovery for the early postpartum period and how best to get started back to fitness.
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.
Stroll Her Strong™: Bumpin' Along
Check out these 8 moves for a full body, booty kickin’ workout perfect for expecting mommas. Do each for 1 minute with a 15 second rest. Completing 3 rounds - plus your 5 mins warm up - gets you to ACOG’s recommendation of 30+ mins for the day. Remember to work to your own pace and ability.
New Mother's Thumb: Ouch! My Wrist Hurts!
About 50% of new moms experience pain in the thumb side of their wrist. This is often from the way they hold their hand when nursing or picking up their baby. New Mother’s Thumb, or de Quervain’s, can be painful but their are non surgical things that you can try first.
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…
5 Things for Pubic Joint Pain
Ouch! Do you struggle with that pain in the pubic joint during pregnancy or know someone who does? Here are 5 things that may be of help to them.