4th Trimester Arizona

We support the mental, physical and emotional Health of new parents in pregnancy and the first 5 years postpartum. Our Mission is to change the culture of parenting so no one has to do it alone. Our Vision is to see all families embraced by their communities in their transition to parenthood.

Many cultures refer to the first year after a baby is born as the "fourth trimester." During this phase, new parents often experience the most challenging physical and emotional changes in their lives as they grapple with their new reality that has become solely dictated by a tiny, helpless human. Over time, communities throughout most of the world have developed well-engaged and robust support systems to help parents navigate the ups and downs of the fourth trimester; however, the U.S. has struggled to adopt such practices. As a result, new parents in the U.S. often feel more isolated than ever, contributing to postpartum mood and anxiety disorders in one in three new mothers and one in seven new fathers, in addition to an astonishing maternal death rate higher than any other developed country. For example, in the U.S., 65 percent of pregnancy-associated maternal deaths happen after the birth of a child during the fourth trimester. In fact, in 2016-2017, 50 percent of pregnancy-associated deaths in Arizona occurred after birth, and 85 percent were determined to be preventable.

At 4th Trimester Arizona, we firmly believe the journey into parenthood and through the fourth trimester should not be made alone. As such, we exist to change the culture of parenting in Arizona by supporting new parents' mental, physical, and emotional health through the first five years after birth. We have done this by creating an environment where parents, caretakers, and families can acknowledge their experiences in a safe space, share personal stories, process and heal, find a community of belonging, bond with their babies, strengthen their family units, advocate for their needs, and find local resources. Since 4th Trimester Arizona was incorporated in 2017, more than 10,000 individuals have been impacted by our work and have contributed to the betterment of Arizona's support system for new parents.

Our Programs:
Social Support Villages: Based on the self-help social support group framework, we host regional or demographic-based, parent-focused support groups called "Villages" once a month in person and online for parents to connect, learn, and support others within their community. At the core of each Village is a safe space for parents to share their triumphs, navigate challenges, ask questions, and receive support from other parents. We currently have six Villages, four based on regions (West Valley, Central Valley (Mesa), East Valley, & Tucson), and three based on demographics (African Americans, Indigenous People, and Spanish Speakers). Over the last five years, our Villages have grown to become a community pillar of support for Arizona parents.

Lunchtime Conversations: Bi-monthly, we host virtual gatherings for those who support parents and young children to discuss issues related to the fourth trimester. Each gathering includes a panel of three to five speakers, including parents, lay supporters, and professionals of various fields, who share a brief presentation and engage in discussion. Most recently, topics have included the impact of COVID-19 on relationships, maternal mental health, and infant feeding. These gatherings intend to explore emerging needs, celebrate successes, share lessons learned, and ultimately amplify community voices around topics of concern.

Annual Conference: Since 2018, we have hosted a yearly conference for parents, healthcare providers, and community organizations to come together and explore topics related to the mental, physical, and emotional health of Arizona parents. The one-day conference includes 10+ workshops with topics ranging from managing "mom rage," finding your parenting village, holistic healing, maternal mental health, finding your purpose, nurturing creativity, meditation and sound healing, intimacy after baby, and support and resources for pregnancy, the fourth trimester, and beyond. The conference's attendance has grown astronomically since 2018 and has become our largest fundraising event.

Ecosystem Summit: To transcend our work beyond parents, caregivers, and families, the Ecosystem Summit was established in 2021 for postpartum care providers to unite, network, and collaborate. The goal: continuously improve the quality of care and support new parents and infants are given throughout the fourth trimester. During the 2021 Ecosystem Summit, more than 400 people attended virtually from throughout the state, and sessions included Trauma as a Backdrop to the Maternal and Child Health Experience, The Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 on Arizona's Communities of Color, Mental Health as a Continuum from Parent to Child, and Birthing and Postpartum Stories of the Past 18 Months...

Testimonials

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