A successful VBAC, an Aussie birth perspective, obstructed labor, and episiotomy complications

Positive birth, a fourth degree tear, epidural limbo, surprise genders, and advocating for your body

This week, Merelise is joined by her friend, Whitney Byerly, who shares her three beautiful birth stories. They also chat about drive through pregnancy appointments during COVID, placenta encapsulation, epidural limbo, and savoring those few, truly life changing moments we’re given.  Whitney’s first birth was a vaginal delivery in a hospital with no epidural. And while she felt at the time that it was perfect, she found out shortly after her baby girl was born that she had suffered a fourth degree tear during delivery and would require surgery to repair the damage.  When she became pregnant again, her doctors urged her to plan for a C section, but Whitney felt in her heart that she could deliver her baby vaginally again. So, she found a new OB practice that supported her vision, started pelvic floor therapy, and did everything she could to optimize her chances of delivery vaginally without tearing again. After careful preparation and consideration, she decided to get an epidural during delivery with her second and third baby. This gave her more control over pushing, and allowed her to slowly bring her second and third babies into the world, without a single tear to her perineum.  Resource Links: * This episode is brought to you by Mère. Learn more at Mere-foreverychapter.com [http://Mere-foreverychapter.com] Want to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScymB49s88Er4Vd64kSXSB1xpA4rhcuJdgAvcAQQRVPlYGYXQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=111999123566416237466]! Follow Arrivals on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/arrivals_podcast/] Follow Merelise on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mereliseharte/] Disclaimer: This podcast contains general information and discussions around health and related subjects. This information and the other content provided in this podcast and any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is this information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.

The dance of labor, separation trauma, hypnobirthing and the beauty of a postpartum doula

This week, Merelise is joined by mom, actress and postpartum doula, Sarah Morris Brower. Sarah opens up about postpartum healing, the vital role of postpartum doulas, and how birth trauma can linger even in seemingly healthy deliveries. Sarah’s first birth was unmedicated, in hospital, but her son ended up spending time in the NICU due to meconium aspiration. From the shock of an unexpected NICU stay to the emotional rollercoaster of separation and reunion, she unpacks the internal turmoil and healing process when birth doesn’t go as expected.  With her second child, she was induced due to low amniotic fluid. After more than 24 hours of labor, she decided to get an epidural and shortly thereafter, safely welcomed her daughter into the world. Most importantly, she was able to go home with her in her arms.  They also discuss the pivotal role of a postpartum doula and why supporting postpartum care is just as vital as the birth itself, why second births can be so different from firsts, the power of informed choices, releasing expectations, and so much more.  Resource Links: * Follow Sarah on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sarahjanemorristheactress/] Want to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScymB49s88Er4Vd64kSXSB1xpA4rhcuJdgAvcAQQRVPlYGYXQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=111999123566416237466]! Follow Arrivals on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/arrivals_podcast/] Follow Merelise on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mereliseharte/] Disclaimer: This podcast contains general information and discussions around health and related subjects. This information and the other content provided in this podcast and any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is this information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.

Soft birth, prenatal depression, and revolutionizing maternal health care

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses pregnancy loss. In this week’s episode, Nicole Connell, mama and founder of Mère, shares her raw journey through challenging pregnancies, prenatal depression, pregnancy loss and unplanned pregnancy, all while building a revolutionary healthcare platform designed specifically for moms at every chapter of their motherhood story. They also discuss the intense toll of sleep deprivation, intrusive thoughts and how hard it is to recognize your own depression and anxiety symptoms.  Nicole breaks down how Mère is transforming maternal healthcare by providing holistic, collaborative support from preconception through menopause. We learn about the gaps in traditional care, the power of integrated team models, and how a dedicated, accessible space can reduce the overwhelming mental load moms carry. Nicole reveals the practical ways she’s making healthcare more compassionate and continuous—and why this matters more than ever in today’s system. Resource Links: * Learn more about Mere [https://www.mere-foreverychapter.com/] * Follow Mere on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mere_foreverychapter/] * Follow Nicole on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/vnconnell/] Want to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScymB49s88Er4Vd64kSXSB1xpA4rhcuJdgAvcAQQRVPlYGYXQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=111999123566416237466]! Follow Arrivals on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/arrivals_podcast/] Follow Merelise on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mereliseharte/] Disclaimer: This podcast contains general information and discussions around health and related subjects. This information and the other content provided in this podcast and any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is this information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.

11 pound babies, shoulder dystocia, cervical swelling, trusting your body, and joyful birth

Trigger warning: this episode discusses pregnancy loss.  This week, Merelise is joined by mom, actress, podcast host, author and so much more, Sarah Wright Olsen. Sarah reflects on her four kids’ birth stories, the transformative power of birth, surrendering, delivering big babies, grieving while pregnant, mourning pregnancy loss, and so much more.  They discuss the importance of addressing fears and feelings prior to going into labor (because it all comes up in birth!), surrounding yourself with a supportive team, and trusting what your body is capable of. Spoiler alert: Sarah’s body is capable of delivering two 10 pound babies and two 11 pound babies, vaginally, without tearing!  Sarah’s episode is a beautiful testament to what a woman’s body can accomplish when given the time and space to do what it’s made to do.  Resource Links: * Follow Sarah on Instagram  [https://www.instagram.com/swrightolsen/] * Follow The Mother Daze on Instagram  [https://www.instagram.com/themotherdazepodcast/] * Learn more about Dr. Berlin [https://www.instagram.com/doctorberlin/?hl=en] * Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth  [https://www.amazon.com/Ina-Mays-Guide-Childbirth-Gaskin/dp/0553381156] * The Business of Being Born  [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0995061/] * Ana Paula Markel Doula Services [https://binibirth.com/meet-ana-paula/] Want to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScymB49s88Er4Vd64kSXSB1xpA4rhcuJdgAvcAQQRVPlYGYXQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=111999123566416237466]! Follow Arrivals on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/arrivals_podcast/] Follow Merelise on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mereliseharte/] Disclaimer: This podcast contains general information and discussions around health and related subjects. This information and the other content provided in this podcast and any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is this information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.

Two hospital births, a home birth, PROM, becoming a doula and the importance of choosing a care team

Merelise is joined this week by Ann Morris, a mama, doula and childbirth educator. Ann shares her three birth stories, which include two unmedicated hospital births and one home birth. Ann’s stories are all wildly different - between the three, she experienced an ambulance ride, a calm home birth, pre-rupturing of the membranes (PROM), a surprise gender mix up, an almost car-birth, and a last minute pivot to a closer hospital while she was in labor.  They discuss that, while you clearly can’t plan birth, you can plan FOR birth, including the importance of being picky when it comes to choosing your care team and spending some time exploring your own feelings about birth, good, bad or otherwise.  They also talk about Ann’s journey to becoming a doula and the amazing role doulas play in pregnancy, birth and postpartum.  Resource Links: * Follow Ann Morris on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/annmorrisatldoula/] * Learn more about Ann Morris’s doula services  [https://www.annmorris-doula.com/] Want to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScymB49s88Er4Vd64kSXSB1xpA4rhcuJdgAvcAQQRVPlYGYXQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=111999123566416237466]! Follow Arrivals on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/arrivals_podcast/] Follow Merelise on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mereliseharte/] Disclaimer: This podcast contains general information and discussions around health and related subjects. This information and the other content provided in this podcast and any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is this information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.