Arrivals: A Birth Story Podcast

Merelise Wilson
  • 4.7 (19)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

Is there anything more magical than a new life arriving into this world? Every single person, no matter who they are, begins their life here the same way - with someone giving birth to them. It's no wonder we love birth stories - birth is an amazing feat. And beyond the wonder of it all, birth stories have served an important role in history, helping to educate and support women as they embark on their own births. At some point though, birth started being portrayed to us mostly one way - painful, hard, scary. Birth can be those things but it can be so much more, too. Birth can be peaceful, joyful, natural, surgical, triumphant, empowering, and even funny. Every birth story is as unique as the life that comes into this world as a result. This podcast celebrates and makes room for each and every one of those stories. Follow Arrivals on Instagram Follow Merelise on Instagram Intro music by Lewis Beard Disclaimer: This podcast provides 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. 

  1. 3d ago

    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 Want to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here! Follow Arrivals on Instagram Follow Merelise on Instagram 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.

    1h 10m

  2. Jun 25

    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 Want to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here! Follow Arrivals on Instagram Follow Merelise on Instagram 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.

    1h 10m

  3. Jun 18

    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 MereFollow Mere on InstagramFollow Nicole on Instagram Want to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here! Follow Arrivals on Instagram Follow Merelise on Instagram 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.

    42 min

  4. Jun 11

    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 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 Services Want to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here! Follow Arrivals on Instagram Follow Merelise on Instagram 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.

    1h 33m

  5. Jun 4

    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 InstagramLearn more about Ann Morris’s doula services  Want to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here! Follow Arrivals on Instagram Follow Merelise on Instagram 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.

    1h 5m

  6. Jun 1

    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 Moms On Call  Want to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here! Follow Arrivals on Instagram Follow Merelise on Instagram 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.

    37 min

  7. May 21

    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! Follow Arrivals on Instagram Follow Merelise on Instagram 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.

    1h 8m

  8. May 14

    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  Want to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelise here! Follow Arrivals on Instagram Follow Merelise on Instagram 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.

    1h 30m
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4.7
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Is there anything more magical than a new life arriving into this world? Every single person, no matter who they are, begins their life here the same way - with someone giving birth to them. It's no wonder we love birth stories - birth is an amazing feat. And beyond the wonder of it all, birth stories have served an important role in history, helping to educate and support women as they embark on their own births. At some point though, birth started being portrayed to us mostly one way - painful, hard, scary. Birth can be those things but it can be so much more, too. Birth can be peaceful, joyful, natural, surgical, triumphant, empowering, and even funny. Every birth story is as unique as the life that comes into this world as a result. This podcast celebrates and makes room for each and every one of those stories. Follow Arrivals on Instagram Follow Merelise on Instagram Intro music by Lewis Beard Disclaimer: This podcast provides 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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