Perfectly, Wonderfully Made
Alise Marsh
Are you an expectant mother feeling overwhelmed by the thought of childbirth? Welcome to the podcast for Christian women seeking to overcome fear and embrace God’s BEST for their lives. I'm your host, Alise Marsh, a childbirth educator, doula, wife, and mom, here to help you navigate your motherhood journey with confidence and clarity, so you can achieve your dream of experiencing a positive and empowering birth all while growing deeper in your relationship with God. Your best birth and postpartum is waiting for you! I believe there’s nothing like motherhood to give us a glimpse into the heart of our God, who sees us Perfectly, Wonderfully Made.
To learn more head to www.alisemarsh.com
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Top 10 Perfectly, Wonderfully Made Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Perfectly, Wonderfully Made episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Perfectly, Wonderfully Made for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Perfectly, Wonderfully Made episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
54: Home birth or Hospital birth? Navigating your options on where to have a baby!
Perfectly, Wonderfully Made
04/24/24 • 30 min
Hi Friend!
Today, on the show I’m going to go deeper into this topic of WHERE we choose to have our babies, the state of maternity care in the US, and deep dive into the pros and cons of out of hospital birth vs. hospital birth.
And you may be thinking to yourself right now... why the heck is this important?
Because, my friend, first of all if you’re pregnant or a mom in a season of growing her family you’ve been called to be a critical thinker.
Choosing WHERE you’re going to have a baby is THE BIGGEST. Hear me – BIGGEST and most important decision you’re going to make in pregnancy. Did you hear that?
THE MOST IMPORTANT. Because WHERE you choose to have your baby is going to determine the TYPE of care provider you’re going to have.
Buckle up my friends. I’m going to break it down for you and tell you all about your options.
xo,
Alise
LINKS FROM THE SHOW
JOIN Your Best Birth Course and get a FREE 30 minute coaching call!
GRAB YOUR FREE GUIDE How to Choose the Right Provider For Your Birth
GRAB YOUR FREE Guide! Preparing for Postpartum
GRAB YOUR FREE Guide! 4 Keys to a Positive Birth
Get the Thriving Through Postpartum Playbook
My Website
Real Food for Pregnancy BOOK
Listen to Related Episodes:
52: The Exact Steps to Overcome Fear in Childbirth
50: 4 Ways to Prepare for Postpartum
Connect with Alise
Alright friend. If you’re a fan of the show and you’d like to show your support here are your ACTION STEPS:
HIT SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!
Leave a REVIEW on iTunes. Everyone who leaves a review this week will get a FREE COPY of the Thriving Through Postpartum Playbook!
Send me a DM on IG
Share the love! Please TELL YOUR FRIENDS about the show!
Screenshot and share your favorite episodes on social media and let me know you’re listening!
38: Postpartum Life: Being Made Into Something New
Perfectly, Wonderfully Made
12/05/19 • 44 min
Postpartum Uterine Bleeding “Lochia”: Resembles a heavy period after birth. Can last anywhere from 10 days – 6 weeks. Starts off red and eventually turns to brownish spotting.
Uterus: Takes 6 weeks to shrink to its normal pear-size shape. While you’re in the hospital, nurses will massage the uterus to aid this process, and they may recommend you continue for a few days after discharge. Your uterine contractions may be uncomfortable for a few days, especially while nursing your baby. These “afterpains” can be strong, menstrual like cramps. Use a heating pad, warm baths, and practice breathing techniques. You can purchase a tincture like AfterEase to help with any discomfort you feel.
Breastmilk: Mature milk will come in around days 3-5 postpartum. Kellymom.com has some wonderful resources for you!
Sex: Resume after 6 weeks, OR once bleeding flow has stopped completely and any stitches are absorbed. Usually this is around 3-4 weeks postpartum. Make a birth control plan. Have open communication with your partner. Use lube! It is normal to be dry and tender down there. If you are not breastfeeding you can expect to ovulate 2-6 weeks after delivery. Breastfeeding women can ovulate at any time.
Exercise: Kegel exercises may help prevent leaking urine, help promote healing, reduce swelling, and restore muscle tone in your perineum. You can begin your kegel exercises around the 3rd day postpartum. I love this postpartum exercise program! Expecting and Empowered
Hemorrhoids: Tucks pads & sitz baths. Keep your stool loose with a stool softener and a high fiber diet and plenty of fluids.
Pain: Ice packs first 12-24 hours, warm sitz baths or tub baths, topical anesthetics (sprays) and Tucks pads
37: Chelsey Matley: Learning to hold everything with an open hand
Perfectly, Wonderfully Made
09/02/19 • 71 min
In this episode, I chat with Chelsey Matley. I was Chelsey’s doula about 18 months ago and have had such a great time getting to know this girl!
Chelsey is a follower of Jesus, wife to her husband Kevin, mama to her baby girl Evelyn Golden. She’s a freelance makeup artist born and raised in Seattle, WA. She loves the PNW, film, music, watching the birds on my bird feeder, reading books with Evelyn, watching reruns of The Office and finding new recipes to cook. She’s pretty cool and you are going to love our honest conversation today.
We chat about their trial of infertility, overcoming challenges in their marriage, being a working mom, and her breastfeeding journey. Go follow this girl on instagram while you’re listening at @chelseymatley
I want to encourage you to join me over on my Patreon page and consider partnering with me to support this show! I wouldn’t be here without you all. Check out my Patreon to learn more about all the awesome resources I’ll have over there for my members!
LINKS FROM THE SHOW
Leggings
Stain Remover
Sound Machine
Chelsey’s Website
Devotional
Your Best Birth Course
Patreon
Connect with Chelsey
Connect with Alise
Alright friend. If you’re a fan of the show and you’d like to show your support here’s what you can do:
You can SUBSCRIBE in your podcast app :)
You can leave a REVIEW on iTunes. These reviews really help others find the show!
You can go find me on Instagram @PERFECTLYWONDERFULLYMADE for updates and more goodies from me.
You can always send me an email or message me on social media! I’d love to hear what you’re thinking about the show! [email protected]
You can tell your friends about the show!
52: The exact steps to overcome fear in childbirth
Perfectly, Wonderfully Made
03/26/24 • 23 min
Today, on the show we are going to talk about how to overcome your fears surrounding childbirth. Our culture today has sold us short. So many women fear childbirth. From the media, to their sister in law who had a traumatic birth...it’s no wonder women are freaked out today. But, today... we are going to get some freedom in this area and I’m going to show you how! God created your birth experience to transform you into the mother you were designed to be.
LINKS FROM THE SHOW
JOIN Your Best Birth Course
GRAB THE FREE Guide! Preparing for Postpartum
GRAB THE FREE Guide! 4 Keys to a Positive Birth
Get the Thriving Through Postpartum Playbook
My Website
Connect with Alise
Alright friend. If you’re a fan of the show and you’d like to show your support here are your ACTION STEPS:
HIT SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!
Leave a REVIEW on iTunes. Everyone who leaves a review this week will get a FREE COPY of the Thriving Through Postpartum Playbook!
Send me a DM on IG
Share the love! Please TELL YOUR FRIENDS about the show!
Screenshot and share your favorite episodes on social media and let me know you’re listening!
51: 3 Steps to Achieving Joy in the Unseen parts of Motherhood
Perfectly, Wonderfully Made
03/01/24 • 14 min
Today the Lord has put something on my heart I’m so eager to share with you. If you’re new here, you may not know this yet, but this show is often an extension of my time with Jesus and all that he’s speaking to my heart in this season. So, I invite you to come alongside me and listen to what the Lord might have for you today. Be expectant my friend, for what the Lord wants to speak to you today.
Waiting is so hard. And waiting well is even harder. Motherhood has positioned us to learn how to wait well. To have patience. Some of us wait to find the perfect spouse. We long for companionship and relationships. Others of us wait for years to get pregnant and experience a baby growing inside of us. All of us who have given birth before know the 9 months of waiting we journey through as we expectantly anticipate the arrival of our babies. But, before the best gift of new life arrives we walk through labor and test our endurance and fortitude in a way like never before. It makes the waiting worth it. Would we find as much satisfaction in our new baby if we didn’t have to go through labor? If we didn’t have to endure such a challenge before us. Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Hebrews 12:2
Friend, I’m going to give you 3 tangible ways you can wait well in this season:
Praise before the breakthrough: when you’re worried = worship. It’s warfare and it’s how you’re going to tell your brain who’s boss. Your spirit has got to get out in front. Let your spirit worship and your brain will catch up later.
Keep his promises in front of you: journal, write them down. Put them where you will see them often. Keep them out in front of you.
Tell someone about what you are waiting for: Ask this person to encourage you, to remind you of what the Lord has spoken over you. To pray over you when your spirit is weak. It will keep you accountable. You’ve been given the body of christ for a reason. Find that friend who’s going to encourage you to wait well and not lose heart.
LINKS FROM THE SHOW
FREE Guide! Preparing for Postpartum
Mama Meals $20 OFF
Thriving Through Postpartum Playbook
My Website
Connect with Alise
Alright friend. If you’re a fan of the show and you’d like to show your support here are your ACTION STEPS:
HIT SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!
Leave a REVIEW on iTunes. Everyone who leaves a review this week will get a FREE COPY of the Thriving Through Postpartum Playbook!
Send me a DM on IG
Share the love! Please TELL YOUR FRIENDS about the show!
Screenshot and share your favorite episodes on social media and let me know you’re listening!
50: 4 Ways to Prepare for Postpartum
Perfectly, Wonderfully Made
02/19/24 • 21 min
Hi friend! I’ve got a new resource out for you if you’re a pregnant or postpartum mama listening to this episode today. My new free guide Preparing for Postpartum is going to walk you through life immediately postpartum.
I’m super excited to tell y’all my new Thriving Through Postpartum Playbook comes out this week! I poured my heart and soul into this new digital product and I know it’s going to change the lives. Because, if you know me... you know my heart truly desires to change the world. If you’ve been around the show the last couple of years you know that I had a really challenging postpartum season with my third baby who is now almost 2 as I record this. I had a beautiful homebirth, but needed to be transferred to the hospital postpartum after I had a piece of retained placenta. After surgery and blood transitions, I was in much better shape. But, the road to healing was long and slow for me. Birth trauma, having recently moved away from family, and a husband who traveled for work all made my transition to a mama of three really tough. Throw in oral ties, mastitis, thrush, and postnatal depletion and I was a struggle bus. But, friends.... I did heal. I came back. Slowly, but surely my brain and my body came back together again. And I’m leaning into the new mom I was always designed to be. And I learned so much. And it created in me a passion to create a resource for you! I wanted to create a resource that I wished I would have had. To include everything I needed to hear in those hard, challenging, sleepy postpartum days. And I did it. And it’s HERE! And with all of my heart I pray it blesses you! Grab the Preparing for Postpartum Guide now on my website and stay tuned for the launch of the Thriving Through Postpartum Playbook this week! You’re going to love it! And sweet listener, if you’re not having a baby in this season, but you know someone who is...would you do me a favor right now and text them a link to this episode. Because it just might change their entire postpartum experience.
Today, we are talking about the 4 things you can do to prepare for a positive postpartum transition:
Hire a postpartum doula
Set appropriate expectations of yourself
Prepare meals and food in advance if at all possible
Decrease your risk of experiencing postpartum depression
Alright friends, if you’ve found today’s episode encouraging or helpful would you stop right now and share this episode with a friend? Would you take 30 seconds for me and leave a review on apple podcasts? This is the only way for the show to grow! And it lets me know how I can serve you better and brings a huge smile to my heart. Just scroll on down until you see that purple Write A Review Button and leave your review there :) For every person who leaves a review on the show this week I’m giving away a FREE ACCESS to my new postpartum resource the Thriving Through Postpartum Playbook!
Okay friends, if you’re a postpartum mama this is your reminder to go download my FREE Guide Preparing for Postpartum! Head to alisemarsh.com and click on freebies and you’ll find it there waiting for you!
Have a wonderful day friend, and I will see you back here again soon!
xo,
Alise
LINKS FROM THE SHOW
FREE Guide! Preparing for Postpartum
FREE Guide! 4 Keys to a Positive Birth
Mama Meals $20 OFF
Postpartum Support International
Listen to Related Episodes:
38 - Postpartum Life: Being Made Into Something New
Connect with Alise
Alright friend. If you’re a fan of the show and you’d like to show your support here are your ACTION STEPS:
HIT SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!
Leave a REVIEW on iTunes. Everyone who leaves...
49: Life Threatening Allergies & Learning to Trust Jesus with our kids
Perfectly, Wonderfully Made
02/13/24 • 20 min
Welcome back friends! I’m so glad you’re here! Thank you for listening. I pray what you hear today encourages and equips you! Today, we are going to talk about ALLERGIES. I’m going to share mine (and really my son’s story with life threatening allergies. So, if you’re an allergy mama, or a mom who has a child with a life threatening health condition this episode is for you!
LINKS FROM THE SHOW
FREE Guide! 4 Keys to a Positive Birth
The GAPS Diet
Food Allergy Website
Mama Meals $20 OFF
Connect with Alise
Alright friend. If you’re a fan of the show and you’d like to show your support here’s what you can do:
You can SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!
You can leave a REVIEW on iTunes. These reviews really help others find the show!
You can go find me on Instagram @PERFECTLYWONDERFULLYMADE and send me a DM. I would love to hear from you!
You can always send me an email or message me on social media! I’d love to hear what you’re thinking about the show! [email protected]
Share the love! Please TELL YOUR FRIENDS about the show!
Screenshot and share your favorite episodes on social media and let me know you’re listening!
48: What you haven't realized about winter...
Perfectly, Wonderfully Made
01/23/24 • 14 min
It’s by design that the trees lose their leaves and stand bare each winter. It’s by design that certain creatures hibernate. And to think - this process of falling away. Of shedding everything happens EVERY YEAR. Not just once. Just makes me wonder about how the Lord desires for us to be renewed, transformed, and changed each passing season.
Every year it looks like the world around us is dead for a few months. It looks dead...and yet we know the earth is only sleeping.
And it just makes me wonder how many of us have been called to a season of “wintering” if you will. Have we been called to shed parts of ourselves, of our schedules, of our lives... and peel back the layers of who we think we are.
Come listen with me as we talk about what the Lord might be up to in your heart this winter. Click play to be encouraged, and explore all that the Lord has for you this season!
LINKS FROM THE SHOW
FREE Guide! 4 Keys to a Positive Birth
Your Best Birth Course
Code: PODCASTHealth Benefits of Kangen Water
Get 50% OFF your first year of FLODESK
Teeth Tamer from Earthly
CHOOSENATURAL to enjoy a 10% discount on your 1ST Earthly order.
Returning customers: use code COMEBACK to receive 10% off your order.
Connect with Alise
Alright friend. If you’re a fan of the show and you’d like to show your support here’s what you can do:
You can SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!
You can leave a REVIEW on iTunes. These reviews really help others find the show!
You can go find me on Instagram @PERFECTLYWONDERFULLYMADE and send me a DM. I would love to hear from you!
You can always send me an email or message me on social media! I’d love to hear what you’re thinking about the show! [email protected]
Share the love! Please TELL YOUR FRIENDS about the show!
Screenshot and share your favorite episodes on social media and let me know you’re listening!
47: What you need to be doing in 2024
Perfectly, Wonderfully Made
01/08/24 • 20 min
Happy New Year friends! I hope you’ve had a wonderful week celebrating a new year! Thank you for being here. Thank you for listening! It truly means so much to me, that you would spend a little time with me today.
I’ll tell you I’m going into this new year more HOPEFUL than I’ve ever been in my entire life. Last year was ANOTHER really challenging year. After MANY, many really challenging years. Our family has walked through so much. As I’m sure you have as well. And for the first time in almost 14 years I can tell you we are in a new place. That the Lord has kept His promises. That He is in fact doing a new thing.
As a family, we started claiming Isaiah 43:18-19 in 2021. In August of that year we had just moved into a new home. My dream home. The home I thought we would be in for at least the next 5 years. And by October of 2021, it all seemed to come crashing down. Where was the new thing the Lord was doing? I thought, surely, this is some mistake. My life was crumbling in that season.
And here we are. January of 2024 and I can confidently say the Lord has done it. Is our life perfect? No, far from it. It never will be. But, am I confident in the Lord’s promises to me? Yes. And I want you to be too, my friend.
It took over a decade for my life to change. To get the breakthrough I had been pleading with the Lord for. It took years of holding onto scripture each year. It took journals and journals filled with tears and pouring out my heart to the Lord.
And I can say confidently that the Lord saw all of it. He saw every tear. Every desire of my heart. Every longing and broken place I asked him to heal.
And He’s doing it for me.
He will do it for you.
He’s not done with me yet, and I’m believing that I’m going to get just a little more healed and whole and set ablaze with passion for what the Lord is doing in me and for me each year ahead. But, I’m committed to the journey. I hope you will be too.
Do this for me. I want you to take a walk with Jesus this week, or get some time alone with the Lord and ask him to show you a verse that is yours to hold onto and speak of your life this year.
Invite him into your year.
I promise the greatest gift of your life will be learning to follow Jesus with your whole heart.
And if you’re a mama listening to the sound of my voice today, I want to encourage you to do something with your kids that will change their lives forever.
Are you teaching your children how to hear the voice of the Lord?
And my friend, this is where Jesus will show up and blow your mind. Jesus will go into our past experiences and he can heal them. He is the ultimate time traveler. He’s out outside of time.
Sweet listener, our children do not need to wait until they are adults to go to therapy and heal from trauma or scary things. God can heal and restore them TODAY. At 5 years old. At 8 years old. At 15. And You can lead them there. It’s so simple. And more powerful than you could ever imagine.
Can I encourage you lisenter to take the time. Capture these moments, to have slow feet with your kids, even when you’re tired and you’re ready to check out and be off duty for a moment. These everyday, ordinary moments will mark their childhood forever. These are holy moments.
When I first set out to home educate my children 5.5 years ago I decided that the thing that was most important to me at the end of this journey was seeing my children choose to have a relationship with Jesus. I didn’t really care what they learned academically. Sure, reading, writing, and are our cornerstones. But, most importantly, I wanted them to leave my home knowing how to have a healthy, growing relationship with Jesus into adulthood. And I will always put that first. Because they are my greatest ministry and treasure the Lord has ever given me.
Okay, let me just take a moment to talk with you about pregnancy and birth. if you’re a pregnant mama listening today, I know you want a smooth, uncomplicated birth experience. The question really is, how does that happen? I’d love to be there with you as you navigate this journey in pregnancy and birth. You can set yourself up for success and rest knowing Jesus is in charge of the rest of your birth experience .I’d love to come along side you on your pregnancy journey! If you’re interested in learning more about my online birth course, head to www.yourbestbirthcourse.com and check it out. Use the promo code: PODCAST at checkout for the special price I offer ONLY to my listeners! If you’re ready to get started on your journey toward a rewarding birth I’ve created a free guide just for you called the 4 Keys to a Positive, Rewarding Birth Experience. Head to alisemarsh.com and click on FREEBIES and you’ll find i...
53: Expecting Grace: Learning to Navigate Unexpected Challenges in Birth with Hayley Clements
Perfectly, Wonderfully Made
04/09/24 • 52 min
Hi Friend!
Today, I have a sweet conversation to share with you where I interview wife and mama Hayley Clements on the show! Hayley is currently pregnant with her 3rd baby and preparing for an out of hospital birth. She shares her story of navigating an unexpected diagnosis of a complete cleft lip and palate with her first baby, and an unexpected shoulder dystocia with her 2nd birth. She shares about how she’s learning to overcome her fears of labor, and everything she’s doing to prepare for the birth of this third baby!
We talk about how to prepare for postpartum, and it’s not what you might think. We have a great conversation about how to prepare your marriage for the addition of another baby. It’s so good!
I pray you’re encouraged and equipped as you listen!
Alise
LINKS FROM THE SHOW
JOIN Your Best Birth Course
GRAB YOUR FREE Guide! Preparing for Postpartum
GRAB YOUR FREE Guide! 4 Keys to a Positive Birth
GRAB YOUR FREE GUIDE How to Choose the Right Provider For Your Birth
Get the Thriving Through Postpartum Playbook
My Website
Listen to Related Episodes:
52: The Exact Steps to Overcome Fear in Childbirth
50: 4 Ways to Prepare for Postpartum
Connect with Alise
Alright friend. If you’re a fan of the show and you’d like to show your support here are your ACTION STEPS:
HIT SUBSCRIBE wherever you listen to podcasts!
Leave a REVIEW on iTunes. Everyone who leaves a review this week will get a FREE COPY of the Thriving Through Postpartum Playbook!
Send me a DM on IG
Share the love! Please TELL YOUR FRIENDS about the show!
Screenshot and share your favorite episodes on social media and let me know you’re listening!
Show more best episodes
Show more best episodes
FAQ
How many episodes does Perfectly, Wonderfully Made have?
Perfectly, Wonderfully Made currently has 55 episodes available.
What topics does Perfectly, Wonderfully Made cover?
The podcast is about Christianity, Parenting, Kids & Family, Religion & Spirituality and Podcasts.
What is the most popular episode on Perfectly, Wonderfully Made?
The episode title '51: 3 Steps to Achieving Joy in the Unseen parts of Motherhood' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Perfectly, Wonderfully Made?
The average episode length on Perfectly, Wonderfully Made is 51 minutes.
How often are episodes of Perfectly, Wonderfully Made released?
Episodes of Perfectly, Wonderfully Made are typically released every 14 days, 10 hours.
When was the first episode of Perfectly, Wonderfully Made?
The first episode of Perfectly, Wonderfully Made was released on Sep 10, 2017.
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