Dads Can Help Moms in ‘Fifth Trimester’ of Re-entering Workforce

What should a father do if his wife wants to return to her job after she gives birth?

Support her all he can and figure out how to make the marital partnership work for each of you, says author Lauren Smith Brody.

Brody gives advice on how to achieve those goals on the latest edition of The Modern Dads Podcast where she discusses her latest book, The Fifth Trimester: The Working Mom’s Guide to Style, Sanity, & Big Success After Baby.

Based on interviews and input from more than 700 moms who work in a wide variety of occupations, Brody’s book is not all opinion and anecdote as she mixes in expert advice and real science.

“Brody writes nimbly and wisely,” says Publishers Weekly in its review of the The Fifth Trimester. “In addition to discussing solemn subjects such as postpartum depression, Brody makes her readers laugh … The meatiest chapter is the last, in which Brody provides tips for communicating with employers. Working moms will find a wealth of ideas to help navigate the challenging transition period.”

The book’s title comes from Brody defining the fourth trimester of pregnancy as those crazy days of handling a newborn and the fifth trimester as when the working mom is born.

The Fifth Trimester also covers topics such as deciding on the best type of childcare and how women can best deal with the new reality of a post-pregnancy body.

Along with writing. Brody is a producer, consultant and speaker. She had a long career in magazine publishing, most recently as the executive editor of Glamour magazine. She lives in New York City with her husband and two young sons.

City Dads Group columnist Whit Honea, the author The Parents’ Phrase Book, also joins us to talk about how he and his wife have set up their work life to support active parenthood and meaningful employment.