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 http://Mere-foreverychapter.com Want to be a guest on Arrivals? Contact Merelisehttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FA...!   / arrivals_podcast     / 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.