In this episode Mel takes you through the research and historical background behind the use of a bed and laying down during labour and birth. Is this where you imagine yourself giving birth? If so, this episode is for you. There are also lots of tips to avoid getting trapped on the bed and strategies for women and midwives to overcome systematic powers that direct labour to the bed.  Time stamps 00:00 Intro and episode summary 06:39 History of how women used to give birth 13:24 the...

In this episode, Mel speaks with researchers Marina Weckend and Clare Davison from Edith Cowen University about their work on Physiological Plateaus in labour. This is truly rebellious work because it challenges the false medical language about how labour and birth unfolds and they share the truth about how normal labour  includes rests, lulls and plateaus. It’s all here in the episode. Links to learn more and participate in this research Participate in the WEPAUSE Study:...

In this episode, Mel invites her work-wife Ashlee Anslow from the birthing tree midwifery to discuss how they manage birth emergencies at home. We discuss foetal distress in labour, cord accidents, shoulder dystocia, neonatal resuscitation, retained placenta, postpartum haemorrhage.    Time stamps 00:00 Introduction to the podcast and gratitude to our sponsor ‘Born at home’ film. 03:55 Outline of the episode  04:36 Quick points to set the scene 05:54 Changes in foetal heart rate,...

In this episode Mel draws on her life and midwifery experience (and of course, the research evidence) to discuss care of late pre-term babies born between 34-36.6 weeks gestation. Mel offers some alternative care strategies such as delayed cord clamping, kangaroo care and sunlight for prevention of jaundice, among other things.  Time stamps 00:00 intro and summary of episode  03:38 what is a late preterm baby 06:55 Why some babies are born early  10:50 Keeping your baby well through...

In this episode Mel interviews wise woman midwife Sheryl Sidery who has been a private midwife for 40 years. Learning from experienced midwives, in our western culture, is one of the only ways to learn new things about physiological birth and today Sheryl offers up her 40 years of experience. Sheryl is not currently taking private midwifery clients but you can still check her out online at www.sherylsidery.com.au and benefit from her work with https://birthcircle.com.au/  In this episode we...

In this episode Mel describes what the current research says about meconium stained amniotic fluid. What is it? Is meconium truly ‘sterile’? Is meconium always a problem? and what might happen to your baby if there is meconium in your waters.  Time stamps 00:55 Summary of episode content 02:35 What is meconium 04:40 Microbiome of meconium 08:00 Types of meconium and their level of ‘seriousness’  10:50 Primary vs secondary meconium 16:50 why would there be meconium stained liquor 20:15...

In this episode, Dr. Kirsten Small and Dr. Melanie Jackson discuss the place of policy in maternity care. If you think this episode is not for you because you are a woman planning to give birth, remember - you can navigate what you don’t understand. Stick with us as we explore how hospitals are organised, why policies are created, and how they impact the care provided to women. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding hospital structures and policies in order to navigate...

In this episode, Mel answers some listener questions in a one and only public ‘Ask me anything’ episode. In the future these episodes are reserved for premium hub members who get one of these per month and have access to the ‘ask Mel a question’ button in the hub. Enjoy this insight into some of my clinical work and tidbits of research scattered about.   Time stamps: 2:30 - Top tips for achieving a vaginal birth after a previous caesarean section 8:50 - Talking placental insufficiency and...

In this episode Mel explains why she chose to release B as co-host of the great birth rebellion podcast and offers a summary of the changes you can expect of the podcast going forward.  Time stamps: 04:30 - Summary of listener feedback 06:08 - Improvement suggestions 08:36 - Why was B released? 14:30 - what else is changing? If the great birth rebellion is valuable to you, consider joining the premium members hub where you’ll get access to episode transcripts, additional resources, the...

In this episode Mel and B discuss the concept of ‘the cascade of interventions’. The cascade occurs when an additional intervention is needed in order to counteract the impact of the last intervention. We specifically make reference to epidurals, artificial rupture of membranes and continuous foetal heart rate monitoring but we get broad and philosophical too. A definite base level episode to introduce you to the concept of the cascade of intervention.   To get on the mailing list for the...

This is part 2 of our look into episiotomy. Part 1 (episode 72) is essential listening if you want to get the full picture. In this episode Mel and B continue their exploration into the intervention of episiotomy by talking about issues of consent, how to keep yourself safe from an unwanted episiotomy and how to recover well from having had one if it happens to you. We’ve got your butt sisters.   To get on the mailing list for the podcast and to access the resource folders for each...

In this episode Mel and B start their exploration of episiotomy. Episiotomy is the practice of using scissors to cut the opening of the vagina to make it larger for childbirth. In Australia, 25% of women receive one. We examine this practice in what we thought would be one episode… but there was so much to cover that now it’s a 2 part episode, part 2 coming next week. They go together, so start here.   To get on the mailing list for the podcast and to access the resource folders for each...

On this episode Mel and B discuss birth debriefing, or life debriefing and using debriefing to prepare for and process transformative events, such as birth and parenthood. B shares her career knowledge about debriefing and we discuss what it is and what it isn’t and how to do it properly.  If you are interested in becoming trained in birth debriefing check out B and Laels workshops and www.motheration.au  If you would like to book a debrief with B or her team go to...

Ep 70 - Freebirth in the Media with Charlotte King ABC reporter In this episode of the great birth rebellion, Mel meets with Charlotte King, a researcher and reporter from the ABC news network in Australia. Charlotte was one of the reporters working on a recent (Feb 2024) media story about Freebirth in Australia. This investigation has been going for approximately 8 months and was released this week in the shadow of the very unfortunate deaths of twins born during a freebirth. The great...

In this weeks episode Mel and B discuss the diagnosis of low-lying placenta and what this could mean for your birth options. We discuss the likelihood of it moving and research coming out about the risks and benefits of vaginal birth vs cesarean section in these circumstances. If you’ve got a low lying placenta or you are caring for a woman who has, we think you’ll be reassured by the research.   To get on the mailing list for the podcast and to access the resource folders for each...

In this episode Mel meets with one of her long term friends and Advanced Paediatric Osteopath and Lactation consultant Reena Murray from @completelyaligned. Today we discuss Osteopathy for babies and young children and how this therapy can complement the care you give your baby in their early years. We discuss the place of osteopathy in managing many newborn issues and explore what an Osteopath could do for your baby.    To find out more about Reena’s work you can have a look at her...

In this episode Mel meets with one of her long term friends and Advanced Paediatric Osteopath and Lactation consultant Reena Murray from @completelyaligned. Today we discuss Osteopathy for babies and young children and how this therapy can complement the care you give your baby in their early years. We discuss the place of osteopathy in managing many newborn issues and explore what an Osteopath could do for your baby.  To find out more about Reena’s work you can have a look at her...

In this episode Mel and B explore many many angles (see what we did there) regarding sex during pregnancy. We discuss practicalities, when it’s not ok to have sex, fun sex facts with Mel and sex problems in pregnancy… we also discuss all the fun stuff! This is for anyone who wants to have sex during pregnancy.   To get on the mailing list for the podcast and to access the resource folders for each episode, visit www.melaniethemidwife.com You can find out more about Mel @melaniethemidwife...

In this episode Mel invites her long term friend and wise woman Emma Johnston (aka @newearth.mama) to the podcast to discuss Breath work for birth. Emma has studied mastery of breath work (among other things) and is one half of the 'The reconnected' empire @the_reconnected. Emma has 5 children and discusses how breath work impacted her birth experiences and gives practical strategies that you can apply to your own birth. To get on the mailing list for the podcast and to access the resource...

In this episode Mel and B discuss aspects of sleep in pregnancy, including why we are told not to sleep on our back during pregnancy (and what to do if you wake up on your back), comfort strategies, what to do with your night waking times, bedtime bladder health, managing sleep discomfort and building healthy sleep habits for life. To get on the mailing list for the podcast and to access the resource folders for each episode, visit www.melaniethemidwife.com You can find out more about Mel...

In this episode Mel and B give straight to the point advice for the people in your life who want to be around in your postpartum journey. We talk about the helpful and unhelpful things that some women are exposed to postpartum and offer practical options to improve the quality of care that you can receive from the people around you as you recover from giving birth and adjust to parenthood.  B has a pile of fabulous resources (free and for a fee) for postpartum women and mentioned a few on...

Welcome back to the great birth rebellion, it’s 2024 and we are kicking off with an Australian summer special by talking about thrush in pregnancy. We talk about what it is and how to fix it for good. Even if you don’t have thrush, you’ll learn about how to keep your vagina and vulva healthy throughout you pregnancy and your life! There is something for everyone whether you are itchy or not. Welcome back rebels! To get on the mailing list for the podcast and to access the resource folders...

This is our last episode for 2023, we will be back in January 2024. As this episode aired we received 500 000 (half a million!) downloads for this podcast. Thank you rebels for making this podcast so well received. In this episode we speak with Osteopaths Kate and Liz all about osteopathy during pregnancy and osteopathic care of the pelvic bowl in preparation for birth.   Kate has two clinics in Melbourne: Kew - Eastern Osteopathy/The Pelvic Place Melbourne www.easternosteo.com.au Hampton...

In this weeks episode we tap into B and Mel’s knowledge about maternal alignment. There is lots of discussion out there about getting babies in the ‘right spot’ using optimal foetal positioning techniques, In this episode talk about optimising maternal mechanics over manipulating the baby.  You can access B’s courses and classes at Coreandfloor.com.au To get on the mailing list for the podcast and to access the resource folders for each episode, visit www.melaniethemidwife.com You can find...