Notes on Arrival

Jonna did almost everything “right” to prepare for her birth… and things still went sideways. What should have been a routine 37-week appointment turned into an induction, and the curveballs kept coming from there. Tune in to hear how she prepared and how she coped when her plan went out the window.

Resources:Why Did No One Tell Me This?: The Doulas’ (Honest) Guide for Expectant Parents by Natalia Hailes and Ash Spivak

You’ve Got This: Your Guide to Getting Comfortable with Labor by Sara Lyon

This podcast does not offer medical advice.

Interested in sharing your birth story? Email us at [email protected] or slide into our DMs @notesonarrival

Lauren shares her unique perspective as a neonatal infant physical therapist. She gives advice on what to expect if your baby ends up in the NICU and also opens up about her own journey to becoming a mom.

This podcast does not offer medical advice.

Interested in sharing your birth story? Email us at [email protected] or slide into our DMs @notesonarrival

Notes on Arrival hosts Gwen and Margo chat about what it's like having 2 toddlers close in age and reflect on motherhood as working moms and birth nerds.

This podcast does not offer medical advice.

Interested in sharing your birth story? Email us at [email protected] or slide into our DMs @notesonarrival

After attempting an unmedicated birth for her first, but choosing an epidural, Leah was all in for a redemption birth the second time around. When she was diagnosed with vasa previa at 20 weeks, her plans got turned upside down.

This podcast does not offer medical advice.

Interested in sharing your birth story? Email us at [email protected] or slide into our DMs @notesonarrival

After sustaining a severe birth injury during her first delivery, Emily said she would not have another baby. Back again after 2 years, Emily tells us the wild tale of her planned c-section turned unmedicated birth in the hospital triage room.

This podcast does not offer medical advice.

Interested in sharing your birth story? Email us at [email protected] or slide into our DMs @notesonarrival

That's a wrap on season 2! We reflect on what we've learned in 40 episodes (!!!), and share about what we'll be working on over the next few months. Expect new episodes in March 2026!

In the meantime, help us out by sending your favorite episodes to your friends and family.

Interested in sharing your story? Email us at [email protected] or DM us on instagram @notesonarrival

Induction rates have skyrocketed in recent years, with 30-32% of births now being induced and over 40% of women reporting their providers attempted induction. We break down what labor induction actually involves, from cervical ripening techniques to the pitocin-epidural cycle that often follows. We explore when induction is truly medically necessary versus when it's recommended for questionable reasons like being "past due" or having a "big baby." Learn how to navigate induction decisions and understand the evidence behind common induction practices.

Resources:

• American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Evidence Based Birth

• Mayo Clinic
• "Oxytocin: The Biological Guide to Motherhood" by Dr. Kerstin Uvnäs-Moberg
• "In Your Own Time" by Dr. Sara Wickham

This podcast does not offer medical advice.

Interested in sharing your birth story? DM us on Instagram @notesonarrival or email us at [email protected]

In this episode, we share our personal rationales for choosing unmedicated births and dive deep into what that experience really looks like. We break down epidurals - what they are, how they work, and the potential risks and considerations that factored into our decisions. From the intense emotional rollercoaster of unmedicated labor to the practical prep work that helped us through, we're getting real about both the challenges and rewards. Whether you're considering an unmedicated birth or just curious about the experience, we're covering everything from pain management techniques to the mental game of natural labor. This is an honest conversation about one of the most intense experiences we've ever been through.

This podcast does not offer medical advice

Interested in sharing your story? Email us at [email protected] or DM us on Instagram @notesonarrival

Jamie is a single mother by choice. Her journey to becoming a mom is brave and inspiring, and she shares so much about the unique and challening experience as a single mom. Jamie is also a maternal mental health specialist who focuses on individuals that use third party reproduction to have children. Ever thought about having a kid on your own without a partner? Or considering using a donor? This episode is for you!

Resources:

Our Story books
Mom Rage
jamiesilvers.com

This podcast does not offer medical advice.

Interested in sharing your story? DM us on Instagram @notesonarrival or email us at [email protected]

PS: The J Lo movie is called The Back Up Plan ;)

Cara's birth took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with an extremely rare condition involving multiple bags of water, leading to an unplanned c-section. Cara shares her journey with incredible humor and authenticity, offering wisdom about finding the right provider and navigating the emotional recovery process. Her story is perfect for anyone whose birth didn't go as planned or for those preparing for birth who want insight into how to prepare for the unexpected. She talks about the importance of personalized care and how listening to birth stories became a surprisingly cathartic experience for her. Cara's realness and insight make this episode both educational and deeply relatable.

This podcast does not offer medical advice.

Interested in sharing your story? DM us on instgram @notesonarrival or email us at [email protected]