What's Included with Your Online Class

You already know about the 3 trimesters of pregnancy. But what do you call the period after your baby is born? The first 6 weeks is called the “postpartum period.” You may also hear the first 12 weeks after giving birth called the “fourth trimester.” This class introduces the most common physical and emotional changes that typically occur during this period and what to do when you experience them.

  • Led by Jen Wade, Certified Childbirth Educator and Doula & Dr Ann Dunnewold PhD. Licensed Psychologist

  • 10 Chapters and 56 Lessons

  • 55 videos 6 Interactive activities

  • 7 PDF’s including Postpartum Warning Signs and Money Matters

Hi! I’m Jen Wade

Certified Childbirth Educator & Doula

Jen’s passion for helping new parents become educated and empowered about pregnancy and childbirth was sparked when she and her husband prepared for the water birth of their first son in 2012. She became certified as a childbirth educator and doula in 2013 and graduated in 2017 from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition as a holistic health coach, focusing on reproductive health and fertility. In addition to teaching, Jen works directly with families to provide pregnancy, birth, and postpartum support.

Hi! I’m Ann Dunnewold

PhD, Licensed Psychologist

For over 25 years, Ann’s mission has been to arm women with tools to withstand the pressures of modern parenthood. Her expertise includes helping new parents deal with mental health issues that can arise during pregnancy — and for up to a year after the baby’s birth — when physical and other changes may trigger mood or anxiety disorders. Ann has served as president of Postpartum Support International (PSI) and is the author/co-author of five books about parenting, perinatal mood disorders, and postpartum depression.
Ann Dunnewold, PhD, Licensed Psychologist

Course curriculum

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

    How Your Body Changes

    • Physical Changes

    • Uterus

    • Vaginal Bleeding

    • Bladder, Bowel, and Hemorrhoids

    • Other Physical Changes

  • 4

    Caring for Yourself

    • Self-Care

    • Managing Pain

    • Perineal Care

    • Cesarean Recovery

    • Rest and Sleep

    • Nutrition and Exercise

  • 5

    Complications

    • Postpartum Warning Signs

    • Preeclampsia

    • Postpartum Hemorrhage

    • Blood Clots

  • 6

    Your Trip Home

    • Going Home

    • Planning Ahead

    • Help at Home

    • Becoming a Family

    • Family Pets

    • Time for Yourselves

  • 7

    Emotional Changes

    • Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

    • Causes and Risk Factors

    • Postpartum Blues

    • Postpartum Depression

    • Perinatal Anxiety and Postpartum Panic

    • Perinatal Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

    • Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS)

    • Bipolar Mood Disorders

    • Postpartum Psychosis

    • Treatment and Care

    • Taking Care of Yourself

  • 8

    For Spouses and Partners

    • Spouse/Partner Introduction

    • You Are Important!

    • The Partner’s Emotions

    • Bonding with Baby

    • Choosing Involvement

    • Intimacy: A Partner's Perspective

    • Money Matters

    • Wrap Up

  • 9

    Emotional Challenges: Spouses and Partners

    • Paternal Perinatal Depression (PPND)

    • Managing Your Feelings

    • Emotional Challenges

    • Self-Identity Struggles

    • Grief in the Midst of Joy

    • It’s Going to Be OK

  • 10

    Conclusion

    • Before You Go

  • 11

    Toolkit

    • Postpartum Toolkit

  • 12

    Survey

    • Survey