The Great Birth Rebellion

You can have a GREAT pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience. You just need the information and strategies to make it happen. The Great Birth Rebellion podcast, hosted by Midwife Dr Melanie Jackson offers evidence- based information to help you make informed decisions about your maternity care. The Great Birth Birth Rebellion helps you get the best out of your pregnancy, birth and postpartum journey.
Want more? Follow along at @melaniethemidwife and @thegreatbirthrebellion on SM
Subscribe to get access to the resources behind the episodes at melaniethemidwife.com and get your merch at thegreatbirthrebellion.com.

Latest Episodes:

Episode 152 - The 5 BIG induction studies May 25, 2025

Show notes

The BIG BABY trail, The SWEPIS study, the ARRIVE trial, The INDEX trial and the 35/39 trial. The 5 BIG studies that often get used to endorse the use of induction for suspected big babies, women over the age of 35 and over 41 weeks pregnant. Mel and Hannah Dahlen pick apart the studies to help you understand them and use them to inform your decisions around induction of labour.

Get Mel's ‘Guide to giving birth without pain medication’ here.

Our guest on this episode was Professor Hannah Dahlen @hannah.dahlen

Other related episodes include:

Get more from the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast

Join the podcast mailing list to access the resource folder from each episode at www.melaniethemidwife.com
Join the rebellion and show your support! Grab your Great Birth Rebellion merchandise now at www.thegreatbirthrebellion.com
Follow us on social media @thegreatbirthrebellion and @melaniethemidwife
If this podcast has improved your knowledge or pregnancy, birth or postpartum journey please consider thanking us financially by leaving a tip to support the ongoing work of this podcast.

Disclaimer

The information and resources provided on this podcast does not, and is not intended to, constitute or replace medical or midwifery advice. Instead, all information provided is intended for education, with it’s application intended for discussion between yourself and your care provider and/or workplace if you are a health professional.

The Great Birth Rebellion podcast reserves the right to supplement, edit, change, delete any information at any time. Whilst we have tried to maintain accuracy and completeness of information, we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy or currency of the information. The podcast accepts no liability for any loss, damage or unfavourable outcomes howsoever arising out of the use or reliance on the content.

This podcast is not a replacement for midwifery or medical clinical care.

All transcripts are generated by ai and may contain errors

Episode 151 - What is it like to be in labour? May 18, 2025

Show notes

Mel is talking all about the labour process. The focus is on how you can identify and understand labour and how it progresses so you can be prepared for each part of it. We start from early labour all the way through to pushing out your baby.

Get Mel's ‘Guide to giving birth without pain medication’ here. (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/birth-without-pain-medication)

Episodes that complement this episode include:

149. Increase your chances of vaginal birth (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2149022790)
148. Why do they put their fingers in your vagina (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2149017213)
82. Failure to progress or just normal? (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2148602793)
65. Breathwork for birth with Emma Johnston (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2148469047)
55. Supplies to gather for home labour (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2148221037)
47. Managing labour pain without medicine (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2148065112)

Get more from the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast

Join the podcast mailing list to access the resource folder from each episode at www.melaniethemidwife.com
Join the rebellion and show your support! Grab your Great Birth Rebellion merchandise now at www.thegreatbirthrebellion.com
Follow us on social media @thegreatbirthrebellion (https://www.instagram.com/thegreatbirthrebellion/) and @melaniethemidwife (https://www.instagram.com/melaniethemidwife/)
If this podcast has improved your knowledge or pregnancy, birth or postpartum journey please consider thanking us financiallyby leaving a tip (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/offers/daGzmvGr) to support the ongoing work of this podcast.

Disclaimer

This podcast is not a replacement for midwifery or medical clinical care.

All transcripts are generated by ai and may contain errors

Episode 150 - Considering Homebirth? May 10, 2025

Show notes

Are you exploring the option of homebirth? Today Renee Bargh, mum of 2 and television host tells the story of her 2 different births. One through MGP with an epidural and posterior baby and the other at home with a private midwife. I give commentary throughout to help you learn more from her story as we explore the option of giving birth at home and convincing her anaesthetist husband that it was a good idea.

Meet our guest @reneebaugh

Episodes that also relate to Renee’s story:

Get more from the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast

Join the podcast mailing list to access the resource folder from each episode at www.melaniethemidwife.com
Join the rebellion and show your support! Grab your Great Birth Rebellion merchandise now at www.thegreatbirthrebellion.com
Follow us on social media @thegreatbirthrebellion and @melaniethemidwife
If this podcast has improved your knowledge or pregnancy, birth or postpartum journey please consider thanking us financially by leaving a tip to support the ongoing work of this podcast.

Disclaimer

This podcast is not a replacement for midwifery or medical clinical care.

All transcripts are generated by ai and may contain errors

Episode 149 - Increase your chance of vaginal birth in hospital with these strategies May 04, 2025

Show notes

Want to increase your chances of a low-intervention vaginal birth in hospital? This episode is for you! If you attend hospital to give birth, you have approximately a 50% chance of having a vaginal birth without an episiotomy, vacuum or forceps or caesarean section. There are things you can do to increase your chances. This episode gives 5 clear strategies that you can implement today to make a BIG difference to your birth experience.

Get Mel's ‘Guide to giving birth without pain medication’ here.

Get more from the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast

Join the podcast mailing list to access the resource folder from each episode at www.melaniethemidwife.com
Join the rebellion and show your support! Grab your Great Birth Rebellion merchandise now at www.thegreatbirthrebellion.com
Follow us on social media @thegreatbirthrebellion and @melaniethemidwife
If this podcast has improved your knowledge or pregnancy, birth or postpartum journey please consider thanking us financially by leaving a tip to support the ongoing work of this podcast.

Disclaimer

This podcast is not a replacement for midwifery or medical clinical care.

All transcripts are generated by ai and may contain errors

Episode 148 - Why do they put their fingers in your vagina? Apr 27, 2025

Show notes

Routine vaginal examinations can cause more harm than good. Sometimes they are needed but most of the time they are not. Vaginal examinations are offered as routine surveillance during most births, but you have a choice. Know that if you don’t want one, that's ok, because there is no evidence that shows that routine vaginal examinations improve outcomes - in fact, it’s more likely to be the opposite.

Get Mel's ‘Guide to giving birth without pain medication’ here. (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/birth-without-pain-medication)

Some complementary episodes that go with this topic include:

Ep.88 what if I have to push before I am fully dilated (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2148647539)
Ep.143 - declining medical recommendations (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2149000686)

Get more from the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast

Join the podcast mailing list to access the resource folder from each episode at www.melaniethemidwife.com
Join the rebellion and show your support! Grab your Great Birth Rebellion merchandise now at www.thegreatbirthrebellion.com
Follow us on social media @thegreatbirthrebellion (https://www.instagram.com/thegreatbirthrebellion/) and @melaniethemidwife (https://www.instagram.com/melaniethemidwife/)
If this podcast has improved your knowledge or pregnancy, birth or postpartum journey please consider thanking us financiallyby leaving a tip (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/offers/daGzmvGr) to support the ongoing work of this podcast.

Disclaimer

This podcast is not a replacement for midwifery or medical clinical care.

All transcripts are generated by ai and may contain errors

Episode 147 - Your Ultrasound options in pregnancy Apr 20, 2025

Show notes

Today we talk about all of your ultrasound options in pregnancy. Mel and her guest Phil Jones (sonographer) discuss the full menu of ultrasound options offered to women during pregnancy, right from the dating scan all the way through to the ‘post-dates’ ultrasound. We talk about how to prepare for each scan, how much they cost, what each scan looks for and all the nitty gritty questions that women often have about ultrasounds.

Get Mel's ‘Guide to giving birth without pain medication’ here.

This podcast is and will always be free to you, but if you have benefited from the great birth rebellion, show some tangible support by wearing the rebellion at www.thegreatbirthrebellion.com

Get more from the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast

Join the podcast mailing list to access the resource folder from each episode at www.melaniethemidwife.com
Join the rebellion and show your support! Grab your Great Birth Rebellion merchandise now at www.thegreatbirthrebellion.com
Follow us on social media @thegreatbirthrebellion and @melaniethemidwife
If this podcast has improved your knowledge or pregnancy, birth or postpartum journey please consider thanking us financially by leaving a tip to support the ongoing work of this podcast.

Disclaimer

This podcast is not a replacement for midwifery or medical clinical care.

All transcripts are generated by ai and may contain errors

Episode 145 - Nausea and Vomiting in pregnancy Apr 06, 2025

Show notes

If you’re pregnant, chances are you’ll feel nauseous or be vomiting. It’s really common! And in this episode I explain 10 strategies that could help reduce and manage your symptoms.

This episode is free to you the listener because of our generous sponsor Hydramama. Keira Rumble the creator of mini and me is offering great birth rebellion listeners 20% off Hydramama electrolyte drink when you use the code GBR20 at the checkout www.miniandme.co

Get Mel's ‘Guide to giving birth without pain medication’ here.

This podcast is and will always be free to you, but if you have benefited from the great birth rebellion, show some tangible support by wearing the rebellion at www.thegreatbirthrebellion.com

Get more from the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast

Join the podcast mailing list to access the resource folder from each episode at www.melaniethemidwife.com
Join the rebellion and show your support! Grab your Great Birth Rebellion merchandise now at www.thegreatbirthrebellion.com
Follow us on social media @thegreatbirthrebellion and @melaniethemidwife
If this podcast has improved your knowledge or pregnancy, birth or postpartum journey please consider thanking us financially by leaving a tip to support the ongoing work of this podcast.

Disclaimer

This podcast is not a replacement for midwifery or medical clinical care.

All transcripts are generated by ai and may contain errors

Episode 144 - What to do when you’re overdue Mar 30, 2025

Show notes

What to do when you’re ‘over-due’, what does it mean to be over-due? Is it dangerous? Why do they want to induce you? Is your placenta failing or your baby in danger? Mel looks into due dates, how they are calculated and your options if you go over your due date.

Get Mel's ‘Guide to giving birth without pain medication’ here. (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/birth-without-pain-medication)

You might also like to listen to episode 84 - the myth of the failing placenta (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2148615115)

This podcast is and will always be free to you, but if you have benefited from the great birth rebellion, show some tangible support by wearing the rebellion at www.thegreatbirthrebellion.com

Get more from the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast

Join the podcast mailing list to access the resource folder from each episode at www.melaniethemidwife.com
Join the rebellion and show your support! Grab your Great Birth Rebellion merchandise now at www.thegreatbirthrebellion.com
Follow us on social media @thegreatbirthrebellion (https://www.instagram.com/thegreatbirthrebellion/) and @melaniethemidwife (https://www.instagram.com/melaniethemidwife/)
If this podcast has improved your knowledge or pregnancy, birth or postpartum journey please consider thanking us financiallyby leaving a tip (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/offers/daGzmvGr) to support the ongoing work of this podcast.

Disclaimer

This podcast is not a replacement for midwifery or medical clinical care.

All transcripts are generated by ai and may contain errors

Episode 143 - Declining medical recommendations Mar 23, 2025

Show notes

Can you decline recommendations given to you by your care provider? And If you do, what kind of reaction can you expect. In this episode Mel gives insider details of how the maternity care system works and some of the reactions you might expect if you say ‘no’ to medical recommendations. Mel gives actionable strategies that you can employ in the moment but also strategies that will help you advocate and keep your power in the birth space.

Get more from the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast

Join the podcast mailing list to access the resource folder from each episode at www.melaniethemidwife.com
Join the rebellion and show your support! Grab your Great Birth Rebellion merchandise now at www.thegreatbirthrebellion.com
Follow us on social media @thegreatbirthrebellion and @melaniethemidwife
If this podcast has improved your knowledge or pregnancy, birth or postpartum journey please consider thanking us financially by leaving a tip to support the ongoing work of this podcast.

Disclaimer

This podcast is not a replacement for midwifery or medical clinical care.

All transcripts are generated by ai and may contain errors

Episode 142 - Iron deficiency in pregnancy Mar 16, 2025

Show notes

Iron deficiency and anaemia in pregnancy occur for nearly 50% of women. In this episode, Mel and her guest Jaimee Smith discuss how to identify iron deficiency early in pregnancy to prevent anaemia, and also how to treat anaemia if it occurs. We discuss diet, supplement and iron infusion options

This episode is sponsored by the convergence of rebellious midwives. Get your ticket to The Convergence.

Get Mel's ‘Guide to giving birth without pain medication’ here.

Find out more about Jaimee Smith at www.themidwivesmidwife.com and get access to her iron deficiency and anaemia masterclass here

Get more from the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast

Join the podcast mailing list to access the resource folder from each episode at www.melaniethemidwife.com
Join the rebellion and show your support! Grab your Great Birth Rebellion merchandise now at www.thegreatbirthrebellion.com
Follow us on social media @thegreatbirthrebellion and @melaniethemidwife
If this podcast has improved your knowledge or pregnancy, birth or postpartum journey please consider thanking us financially by leaving a tip to support the ongoing work of this podcast.

Disclaimer

This podcast is not a replacement for midwifery or medical clinical care.

All transcripts are generated by ai and may contain errors

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