Meet Shawna A. Slaughter, BSN, RN

Shawna is the founder of The Gentle Fourth and serves as steady, judgment-free support through the beautiful early stages of parenthood.

Your Fourth Trimester, Reimagined with Expert Care

The Gentle Fourth provides expert in-home postpartum and newborn support, bringing professional peace and clarity to your fourth trimester. With more than 28 years of nursing experience, her background in Labor & Delivery and Pediatrics has provided the opportunity to support families during some of their most meaningful and vulnerable moments.

Over the years, she has learned that postpartum care is not only clinical — it is deeply emotional.

• It is the quiet questions parents are afraid to ask.

• It is the exhaustion that settles in after the visitors leave.

• It is the need for reassurance that you are doing enough.
   

Her role is to bridge the transition from hospital to home with confidence, clarity, and calm.
 
Based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, The Gentle Fourth proudly serves families throughout:

• Pennsylvania

• Maryland

• Southern New Jersey

• North Carolina

Offering steady, reassuring guidance as you adjust to life with your newborn.
 
You do not have to navigate the fourth trimester alone.
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Her Approach to Care

Hospital-level knowledge is brought into the comfort of your home — gently and intentionally.
 
Support includes:

• Hands-on newborn care education

• Feeding guidance and troubleshooting

• Maternal recovery support

• Overnight care so parents can truly rest

• Gentle sleep shaping and routine guidance

• Emotional reassurance without judgment
   

Shawna is NRP, ACLS/BLS Certified  and formally trained in lactation, newborn and postpartum care. Beyond credentials, she shows up with:

• Calm hands

• A gentle voice

• Clear, evidence-based guidance

• Respect for your parenting style

• A heartfelt commitment to family well-being
   

This season is not about perfection. It is about support.
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Why The Gentle Fourth
 
The fourth trimester is often overlooked, yet it is one of the most transformative seasons in a family’s life. It is a time of healing, bonding, learning, and redefining rhythm together.
Families deserve care that feels steady, informed, and present.
At The Gentle Fourth, the commitment is simple:
To make your fourth trimester feel softer, lighter, and truly supported.