A bicornuate uterus, uterine irritability, and navigating pregnancy after fetal loss

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.

Replay: An emergency C-section, a miraculous birth, maternal mental health, and naming babies

This week, Merelise is joined by model and mom, Baskin Champion McFarland, who shares the miraculous story of her son’s birth via emergency C-section. Baskin talks about the life-changing moment she decided to trust her intuition and go to the hospital when she felt like her baby had stopped moving in utero, the extremely fast decision to perform an emergency C-section (her husband almost didn’t make it!), and the miracle of her son’s birth.  They also discuss the dense cloud that is postpartum depression, intrusive thoughts, the healing power of Zoloft, the importance of a supportive community postpartum, choosing unique baby names, and so much more.  This is a beautiful, transparent conversation that you don't want to miss! Resource Links:  * Follow Baskin on Instagram  [https://www.instagram.com/baskinchamp/?hl=en] * Moms On Call [https://momsoncall.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20354165259&gbraid=0AAAAACmcdjHwBUIu9iipxU1IOtcNBMa7d&gclid=Cj0KCQiA49XMBhDRARIsAOOKJHZPYlIaRPZIg9fo2f1uCuClOnM7OpwwLyvFSxBxULnAk22RI3c7JJ0aAuttEALw_wcB]  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.

A breech baby, a crash C-section, fourth trimester guilt, and finding your village

Merelise is joined this week by Shannon Howell for a conversation on all "the things they don't tell you" about birth, seasons of life, fourth trimester guilt, and so much more. Shannon’s first birth story began unexpectedly when she went into labor at 35 weeks while staying at an Airbnb as her husband was out with friends. After the initial disbelief that her water had actually broken that early, the two made their way to the hospital, where she went on to have a smooth vaginal delivery. But for Shannon, the harder part came after her son was born. She opens up about the guilt and disappointment she felt when she wasn’t instantly overwhelmed with love the moment he was placed on her chest. A kind stranger later offered her a perspective that stayed with her: you don’t have to love every season of parenthood equally. Some stages are harder than others, and everyone has a different favorite season. During her second pregnancy, Shannon’s daughter remained breech the entire time. After trying every possible method to encourage her to turn, Shannon reluctantly scheduled an ECV — but before the procedure could happen, she unexpectedly went into labor again at 34 weeks. What followed was a terrifying experience. Shannon and her husband rushed to the hospital as her labor progressed rapidly, but despite repeatedly telling staff that the baby was breech, she was left laboring for over an hour without meaningful attention or care. When she finally begged a nurse to check her, they discovered her daughter’s feet were already emerging. Shannon was rushed into an emergency crash C-section and placed under anesthesia so her daughter could be delivered safely. In the aftermath of her daughter’s birth, Shannon faced both physical and emotional challenges as she worked through the trauma of the experience. In this episode, she shares what healing has looked like for her and the ways she’s learned to move forward. Ultimately, Shannon reflects on the importance of having a village during postpartum — whether that’s family, friends, or the family you choose. 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.

Navigating deep grief with a newborn, a 52 hour induction, and finding love again after loss

This episode is a candid, deeply emotional look into the realities of motherhood, trauma, and hope. Listener discretion advised for sensitive content involving grief and loss of a spouse.  In this episode of the Arrivals podcast, Merelise is joined by Julie Moran, aka Spilled Milk Mamma, who shares her perspective on the profound experiences of birth, motherhood and unthinkable loss. Julie tells Merelise about her emotional journey through multiple pregnancies, the unexpected loss of her husband shortly after the birth of their second child, and the unique challenges of each of her three kids’ births.  During Julie’s first pregnancy she opted for an induction that resulted in a 52 hour labor before finally meeting her daughter. After more than two days of laboring, they discovered she had scar tissue from a previous IUD that was blocking her cervix from dilating and causing her labor to uniquely stall with full contractions but no dilation.  Fast forward 21 months after her daughter was born and Julie found herself back in the delivery room preparing to give birth to her son. After a beautiful and straightforward birth, Julie truly felt like she had everything she ever wanted in the world.  Tragically, just three weeks later, her world was turned upside when her husband died in a car accident. The next two years were spent in a haze of grief, while she attempted to navigate becoming a widow and single mom of two.  But Julie’s story has a happy ending - a few years after her husband passed away, a man came into her and her kids’ lives that would bring security, happiness, strength and so much more to their family, including a third baby and birth experience for Julie. Throughout this episode, Julie and Merelise discuss the unique and isolating experience of becoming a parent during COVID, post-eclampsia, the importance of feeling the sun on your face every day, deep grief, finding love after loss, supporting children who are grieving, signs from the other side, and so much more. Their conversation delves into the complexities of grief, resilience, and the healing power of community and new beginnings. Resource Links:  * Follow Julie on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/spilledmilkmamma?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==]  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.