Fourth Trimester Care Package
Concierge-style integrative newborn care and lactation support by a physician in the comfort of your home….
The fourth trimester refers to the intense transitional time between birth and three months. Dr. Harvey Karp first recognized that at birth, babies are yet not fully developed — it takes an additional three months for their central nervous systems to mature enough to really start interacting with the world around them. During this time, a baby’s only way of communicating is by crying. This can lead to a seemingly constant need to be held, fed, rocked, shushed and swaddled. For new moms (and dads!), this period is experienced as a time of sleep deprivation and rapid hormonal shifts and can be the most challenging times in their lives individually, and as a couple. This is often the time when the greatest support is needed.
Postpartum home visits should be universal. A growing body of scientific studies validates that postpartum home visits reduces res-hospitalizations, reduces acute care usage (ER and urgent care), and increases breastfeeding duration. Research also supports that by valuing the mother-infant bond, there are reductions in the incidence of infant deaths and postpartum depression, and enhanced childhood development outcomes. The purpose of the Fourth Trimester Care Package is to help with this transitional period — because life simply doesn’t need to be that hard.
Dr. Ali Kopelman is the only pediatrician in Maine who is also certified as an International Board Certified Lactation Counselor (IBCLC). New mothers’ shouldn’t have to travel to multiple offices to get newborn and feeding needs met — or to have breastfeeding fail because they could not get timely support. The Fourth Trimester Care Package ensures that all newborn and breastfeeding needs can be met from the comfort of the family’s own home.
“Dr. K has been an absolute GODSEND to my family! Since my son was born a month ago, she has visited our home several times and provided the most thorough, insightful and compassionate care to both my son and I. As a new mom, who's also breastfeeding, her wisdom and continued encouragement is essential. Knowing she can be reached at any time has given me such piece of mind. I can't speak highly enough about her character or the amazing level of care she provides, nor could I imagine what I would do without her. THANK YOU DR. K, the decision to bring you into ours lives it by far the best decision I've made as a new parent!!! Highly recommend Dr. Kopelman!! “ — MSH
Fourth Trimester services include:
Prenatal Consult if desired
In-home visits within one week of birth, a second visit between two and three weeks, and at one and two months.
Administration of vaccines at appropriate intervals during home visits
Lactation support for the mother-newborn dyad.
Unlimited texting, email and phone support
Virtual appointments when needed
Transition “Back to Work” plan for mom
Help with transitioning to your child’s pediatrician for the Four Month Well Child Check
Pediatric and emotional support attuned to supporting the full family unit
Fourth Trimester care is available for $1,000*
*(additional fees may apply if family lives more than 30 minutes from Portland)