Arrivals: A Birth Story Podcast

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.

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.