Arrivals: A Birth Story Podcast

Jaksot

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  The Positive Birth Movement, a 10 pound baby born at home, water births, and the matriflux 10.09.2026 1t 15min

  Merelise is joined this week by Milli Hill, mother, author and founder of The Positive Birth Movement. Milli shares how her birth experiences were inextricably woven with her journey towards founding the Positive Birth Movement and becoming a celebrated author. She explains that after she was induced and her first child was born via forceps and with an episiotomy in hospital, she decided to have home water births for her second and third children. She reflects on how both of those births, supported entirely by midwives, were peaceful, joyful experiences, full of small magical moments. She also recalls the moment she birthed her second daughter at home and found out she was 10 pounds 4 oz, and how thankful she was that no one had “caught” her potentially large baby prior to her birth, or she may not have had the beautiful home birth she did.  Throughout the conversation, Milli and Merelise discuss the impact of birth stories and the media’s portrayal of birth on women’s perception of birth, the role of environment and support in birth, the importance of inclusivity in the dialogue around birth, hypnobirthing, and so much more. They conclude the conversation by talking about Milli’s latest book, The Body Myth, which is all about the female body through the entirety of its life. Milli explains matriflux, the word she has created to describe all the transformations and versions of ourselves that we experience as women. They discuss the difficulty of living in a world that was created by people without a matriflux, but also how, due to our matriflux, women are naturally more adaptable and comfortable with change. The conclude on the importance of understanding the different phases of our bodies, our menstrual cycles and all the power we contain as women.Resource Links: Follow Milli on InstagramThe Positive Birth BookThe Body MythMore books by MilliThe Positive Birth MovementFollow Arrivals on InstagramFollow Merelise on InstagramDisclaimer: 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.
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  Two hospital births, welcoming the unknown, escaping the Woolsey fire postpartum, and accepting help 04.09.2026 59min

  This week, Merelise is joined by her friend, photographer and director, Kathryn Brolin. Kathryn reflects on her experience giving birth to her two girls and all of the imperfect but beautiful moments of motherhood. Both of Kathryn’s girls were born in a hospital, one in LA and one in Atlanta. She highlights the amazing care she received from both of her OBGYNs and how during both of her labors, she got an epidural so she could rest, but then eased off of it when it was getting close to pushing time, so she could feel her contractions and connect with her body more. They spend time reflecting on all the challenges that postpartum brings and for Kathryn, the particularly difficult experience of having to evacuate their home in Santa Monica due to the Woolsey fire, when she was 3 days postpartum with her first. Kathryn also talks about the beautifully unique experience of having older stepchildren, how she chose her daughters’ names, her gratitude for her husband’s playful and adventurous spirit, and why accepting help from your village is SO important. Resource Links:Follow Kathryn on Instagram Dr. Bickman  (OBGYN in Santa Monica) Carson Meyer (Doula)Nanny ConnieDr. Vanoyan (OBGYN in Atlanta)Follow Arrivals on InstagramFollow Merelise on InstagramDisclaimer: 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.
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  Unmedicated hospital birth, grief during pregnancy, firing a doula, and the fetal ejection reflex 27.08.2026 1t 11min

  In this week’s episode, Merelise invites her husband, Chris Wilson, back into the spotlight to share their experiences surrounding the birth of their second son, Ford, who was born in a low-intervention hospital setting, with no epidural. The conversation unfolds with warmth, humor, and poignancy as they reflect on the unique journey of parenthood and the bittersweet aspect of new beginnings being entwined with a season of loss. Merelise shares how there were two milestones that really defined her pregnancy - their decision to get a puppy and her father passing away when she was 20 weeks pregnant. She talks about how managing grief during pregnancy took a toll on her but also, that being pregnant and then having a newborn also was a welcome distraction. They also discuss the ways they honored her dad and how he’s still present in their lives.They also discuss their decision to fire their original doula and hire a new one with only about 2 months left in her pregnancy and why that was the best decision they could have made.When it comes to the birth of her son, Merelise recalls her water breaking a week after her son’s due date, some medical hiccups that occurred early in labor, struggling to cope with her contractions, mother-led pushing, experiencing the fetal ejection reflex, and the very quick pushing phase she had. Throughout the episode, Merelise and Chris reflect on the God-winks they received, the important role their doulas played in pregnancy, birth and postpartum, what they learned from their first to second birth, and how   Resource Links:Charmaine McNeil (doula)Penny Gilchrist (postpartum doula)Follow Arrivals on InstagramFollow Merelise on InstagramDisclaimer: 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.
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  Positive breech vaginal hospital delivery, true surrender, bonding struggles, and the “midwife OB” 20.08.2026 1t 8min

  This week, Merelise is joined by Ellie, who shares the story of her successful breech, vaginal delivery in a hospital. Ellie walks Merelise through the shock of finding out her baby was breech at 36 weeks, her attempts to flip her - including an unsuccessful ECV - and ultimately, her decision to transfer to the only OBGYN in Atlanta who will deliver breech babies in a hospital. She shares the moments and people along the way that helped give her the confidence to pursue a breech vaginal delivery and they discuss why it was so important to her to at least try. If you've ever been curious about a breech, vaginal, hospital delivery, this is the episode for you! Resource Links: Dr. Tate (OBGYN)Dr. Rachel (Chiropractor)Follow Arrivals on InstagramFollow Merelise on InstagramDisclaimer: 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.
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  A breech VBAC, autism, surrogacy, home birth, spirit babies, and a magical medium mama 13.08.2026 1t 39min

  Trigger Warning - this episode includes discussion on pregnancy loss. Buckle up, listeners, you’re in for a packed episode! In this episode, Merelise is joined by spiritual doula, surrogate, medium, and mom of six Devyn Goss.  They cover all six of her birth experiences, which range from a hospital birth with an epidural, to a C-section, to a home birth VBAC. Devyn talks about raising three autistic sons, shares how her children have guided each of their own births and discusses each of her kids’ unique spiritual abilities. They discuss getting your partner on board for a home birth, fearmongering around big babies and breech positioning, her super rare en caul birth, and so much more. Additionally, Devyn shares her experience as a surrogate and they dive deep into all the questions you’ve always wondered about, from logistics around matching with a surrogate to what happens if the intended parents miss the birth. This is a magical, multi-faceted episode that’s as unique as Devyn is! Resource Links: Follow Devyn on Instagram Learn more about Devyn’s work Women Who Run With the Wolves Your Zen Mama The Mother Daze Emily the Medium Follow Arrivals on InstagramFollow Merelise on InstagramDisclaimer: 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.
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  PCOS, false alarms, COVID babies, and three hospital births 07.08.2026 1t 34min

  Merelise is joined this week by her friend, Melanie Green, who shares her three birth stories. Melanie walks Merelise through her three births, which all took place in a hospital, and how ongoing back pain related to her epidural in her first birth led to her seeking a different birth experience in subsequent pregnancies. While she ended up getting an epidural during all three of her labors, she had a different recovery with each, depending on how far into labor she got the epidural, among other factors.  She reflects on her journey to motherhood, which was largely shaped by her PCOS diagnosis. They discuss how she knew very little about birth prior to giving birth the first time (including not even knowing she had to deliver the placenta), savoring the difficult newborn phases once you’ve been through them once, and what she learned between her first and third births. They also chat doulas, false labor alarms, naming babies, chiropractic care, and more! Follow Arrivals on InstagramFollow Merelise on InstagramDisclaimer: 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.
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  A home birth VBAC, a midwife mama, community birth, and opening a birth center 30.07.2026 1t 36min

  This week, Merelise is joined by mom, grandma, midwife, doula, lactation consultant, and co founder/owner of Kindred Space Birthing Center. A mom of six and an infinite well of birth wisdom, Kimberly walks Merelise through each of her birth stories, ranging from a C section (her first child) to a home birth VBAC. She explains how her first experience with birth led to her desire to have physiological home births for her subsequent kids and eventually her passion for midwifery. They discuss Kimberly’s incredible career and her journey to her current role as midwife and co-owner/founder of Kindred Space. Kimberly explains Kindred Space’s philosophy of community birth, emphasizes on how important it is for women to not let our type of birth divide us, and reflects on her amazing variety of different birth experiences across all six of her kids.Resource Links: This episode is brought to you by Mère. Learn more at Mere-foreverychapter.comFollow Kindred Space on InstagramLearn more about Kindred SpaceMaude Callen La Leche League Mothering the Mother Follow Arrivals on InstagramFollow Merelise on InstagramDisclaimer: 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.
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  Part II: A dreamy home birth, an AirBnB birth, Isoimmunization, and posterior baby challenges 24.07.2026 1t 3min

  In the conclusion of this two-part episode, Merelise is joined by mom, actress, podcast host and founder, Teresa Palmer, who shares her fourth and fifth birth stories. Teresa recounts her surprisingly difficult fourth birth at home and what she learned from it. They discuss Teresa's favorite labor coping mechanisms, including one unexpected but very effective tool. Teresa also shares that, due to her rare Isoimmunization condition in pregnancy, she decided to pursue IVF but then became unexpectedly pregnant naturally with her fifth baby. After a rocky start to labor, her fifth birth was the most gorgeous, dreamy, calm, spiritual home birth experience, surrounded by her family and birth team.Teresa's stories are a beautiful example that every birth is different and you can learn something from every one, even your fifth.Resource Links: This episode is brought to you by Mère. Learn more at Mere-foreverychapter.comFollow Teresa on InstagramFollow The Mother Daze on InstagramIna May Gaskin’s Spiritual MidwiferyThe Miles Circuit Spinning BabiesThe Birth SlingFollow Arrivals on InstagramFollow Merelise on InstagramDisclaimer: 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. 
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  Part I: A home birth transfer, a 72 hour labor, breath work, and birthing with your sisterhood 23.07.2026 57min

  In Part I of a two part series, Merelise Wilson sits down with mother, actress, podcast host and founder, Teresa Palmer, for a powerful conversation about birth, motherhood, and the lessons that come from trusting your intuition. Teresa shares the stories of her first three births, from her first challenging, three-day-long home birth transfer to the beautifully redemptive second and third birth center births. Along the way, they discuss how birth stories changed Teresa's own approach to motherhood, the challenges of her Isoimmunization pregnancies, informed birth, manifestation, fear clearing, the practical coping tools Teresa relies on during labor, the role of manifestation and intention in her life and motherhood, how she breathes her babies into the world with “horse lips” and “puppy pants”, and the magic of birthing alongside your sisterhood.Teresa’s stories are a reminder that birth is never just one thing — it can be hard, ecstatic, intense, healing, and deeply transformative all at once. Her experience shows that preparation matters, but flexibility matters just as much.Resource Links: This episode is brought to you by Mère. Learn more at Mere-foreverychapter.comFollow Teresa on InstagramFollow The Mother Daze on InstagramIna May Gaskin’s Spiritual MidwiferyThe Miles Circuit Spinning BabiesThe Birth SlingFollow Arrivals on InstagramFollow Merelise on InstagramDisclaimer: 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. 
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  Vaginal twin delivery, four under three, an unexpected C-section, and an OBGYN mom 16.07.2026 1t 5min

  Join Merelise as she interviews her friend Jessica O'Connor, an OB specializing in fertility, to explore her journey through a twin pregnancy, two subsequent singleton births, and balancing a medical career with motherhood. Jessica’s motherhood journey started out with a bang when she found out she was pregnant with twins during her reproductive endocrinology fellowship. She decided early on she wanted to attempt a vaginal twin delivery if possible.After a wonderful pregnancy where she carried her twin boys for 37+2 weeks, she went into labor spontaneously. During labor she experienced some scary complications due to baby B’s heart rate decelerating for an extended period, but she ultimately welcomed two boys into the world vaginally. Throughout her first birth story, Jessica and Merelise discuss the different types of multiple pregnancies possible, what boxes she wanted to check in order to attempt a twin vaginal delivery, and the realities of breastfeeding and sleep training twins, while also completing her oral board exams.When her twins were a little less than a year old, Jessica and her husband decided they wanted to conceive again, in order to time a second maternity leave with her fellowship. That meant they would have three kids under three but they felt prepared and excited for the possibility! Despite having gestational diabetes and being pregnant during COVID, her second pregnancy, her only girl, was relatively uneventful and her second birth was a beautiful, successful induction at 38 weeks. The only surprise was an almost 9 pound baby! During her third pregnancy, she had gestational diabetes again and her baby was measuring very large. Her care team wanted her to opt for a scheduled C-section, but Jessica wanted to try for a vaginal birth, knowing she’d already had three, successfully. She went into labor naturally and despite pretty quickly getting to 10 cm, her baby wouldn’t descend into the birth canal and every time she pushed, her baby’s heart rate would decelerate. Knowing that he was likely very large, wasn’t descending into the birth canal, and was having heart decelerations, they decided to deliver via C-section given the high likelihood of shoulder dystocia. Her almost 10 pound baby boy was born shortly thereafter! Merelise & Jessica discuss that, after two vaginal deliveries, recovering from a C-section was challenging for Jessica, and made worse by the fact that she had a small bowel obstruction one week postpartum, a complication from her abdominal surgery. Ultimately, Jessica acknowledged that, no matter how many babies you have, every one is unique and every birth is unpredictable, as evidenced by her four children’s stories.Resource Links:This episode is brought to you by Mère. Learn more at Mere-foreverychapter.comWant to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here!Follow Arrivals on InstagramFollow Merelise on InstagramDisclaimer: 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. 
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  Replay: An ideal vaginal birth with a singleton, followed by a C-section birth with twins 09.07.2026 46min

  Join Merelise and her guest, Karen Robbins, who shares the birth stories of her three girls, one singleton and one set of twins. They discuss Karen’s first birth, a vaginal delivery and what she described as an ideal birth, and then her second birth, which was a planned C-section with her twins, and the difficult recovery that followed. They also chat about what it’s like having a spouse in the medical field, Karen’s theory on how she got pregnant with twins, the beauty of the multiple-mom community, and so much more. Resource Links: Follow Karen on Instagram Want to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here!Follow Arrivals on InstagramFollow Merelise on InstagramTrigger warning: This episode contains mention of a stillbirth. 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. 
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  Positive birth, a fourth degree tear, epidural limbo, surprise genders, and advocating for your body 02.07.2026 1t 9min

  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.comWant to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here!Follow Arrivals on InstagramFollow Merelise on InstagramDisclaimer: 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.
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  The dance of labor, separation trauma, hypnobirthing and the beauty of a postpartum doula 25.06.2026 1t 10min

  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 InstagramWant to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here!Follow Arrivals on InstagramFollow Merelise on InstagramDisclaimer: 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.
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  Soft birth, prenatal depression, and revolutionizing maternal health care 18.06.2026 42min

  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 MereFollow Mere on InstagramFollow Nicole on InstagramWant to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here!Follow Arrivals on InstagramFollow Merelise on InstagramDisclaimer: 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.
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  11 pound babies, shoulder dystocia, cervical swelling, trusting your body, and joyful birth 11.06.2026 1t 33min

  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 Follow The Mother Daze on Instagram Learn more about Dr. BerlinIna May’s Guide to Childbirth The Business of Being Born Ana Paula Markel Doula ServicesWant to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here!Follow Arrivals on InstagramFollow Merelise on InstagramDisclaimer: 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.
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  Two hospital births, a home birth, PROM, becoming a doula and the importance of choosing a care team 04.06.2026 1t 5min

  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 InstagramLearn more about Ann Morris’s doula services Want to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here!Follow Arrivals on InstagramFollow Merelise on InstagramDisclaimer: 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.
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  Replay: An emergency C-section, a miraculous birth, maternal mental health, and naming babies 01.06.2026 37min

  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 Moms On Call Want to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here!Follow Arrivals on InstagramFollow Merelise on InstagramDisclaimer: 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. 
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  A breech baby, a crash C-section, fourth trimester guilt, and finding your village 21.05.2026 1t 7min

  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!Follow Arrivals on InstagramFollow Merelise on InstagramDisclaimer: 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.
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  Navigating deep grief with a newborn, a 52 hour induction, and finding love again after loss 14.05.2026 1t 30min

  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 Want to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here!Follow Arrivals on InstagramFollow Merelise on InstagramDisclaimer: 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.
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  Two birth center births, precipitous labor, and optimizing your birth experience 07.05.2026 46min

  This week, Merelise is joined by Kait Swafford, who shares her two amazing birth experiences at the Atlanta Birth Center. From the moment she became pregnant with her first, Kait knew she wanted a low intervention birth outside of a traditional hospital environment. When she heard about the option of the Atlanta Birth Center, she felt like it was the perfect “in between” solution for someone who wasn’t sure about home birth but didn’t want to be in a hospital for her birth. After being sent home at the start of her first birth, labor symptoms, including frequent vomiting, ramped up quickly. They decided to make the drive back to the birth center, where she settled in to labor with her husband as her doula. Two and a half long hours of pushing later, her first daughter was born. With her second, it was an easy decision for her to plan on delivering at the Birth Center again, and after a long first labor, she assumed it would be similar with her second. But of course, things rarely go as expected with birth! After an extremely precipitous labor and barely making it to the Birth Center, her second daughter was born after a few quick pushes.   Resource Links: Learn more about Atlanta Birth CenterLearn more about the Bradley MethodLearn more about the Miles Circuit Want to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here!Follow Arrivals on InstagramFollow Merelise on InstagramDisclaimer: 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.