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 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.