E91: The Financial Domain of the Fourth Trimester

Childcare for an infant in the U.S. averages over $11,000 a year—more than triple the federal benchmark for affordability. For many new parents, the financial strain of the fourth trimester starts before the baby arrives and can extend for years.

In the financial domain of the fourth trimester, Kirtly Jones, MD, and Katie Ward, DNP, unpack the expenses of welcoming a newborn—from unpaid leave and rising childcare costs to hidden medical bills and the long-term impact on career and retirement savings. The conversation examines disparities in access to resources, the role of social safety nets, and practical ways families can prepare and adapt.