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 and advocate for personalised care. We discuss the role of policies in healthcare and how they impact the care provided to women during childbirth. We explore the concept of cookbook medicine or ‘birth by numbers’ and the limitations of strict guidelines ...
Apr 14, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Mel answers some listener questions in a one and only public ‘Ask me anything’ episode. 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 do placenta’s give up after 40 weeks 13:12 - Posterior babies, why are they considered so hard to birth without intervention in the hospital setting? 20:10 - What does the evidence say ...
Apr 10, 2024•35 min
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. 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 @thegreatb...
Apr 07, 2024•24 min
‘the cascade of interventions’ 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. Get more from the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast Join the podcast mailing list to access the resource fold...
Mar 31, 2024•31 min
Part 1 (episode 72) is essential listening if you want to get the full picture. In this episode we talk about how to keep yourself safe from an unwanted episiotomy and how to recover well from having had one if it happens to you. 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.thegreatbirthrebel...
Mar 24, 2024•55 min
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 it’s a 2 parter. They go together, so start 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!...
Mar 17, 2024•1 hr 17 min
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 birth rebellion would like to extend our sympathies and compassion toward the families whose births did not go as they...
Mar 03, 2024•59 min
Have you received a diagnosis of low-lying placenta? this could change your your birth options, but most of the time it doesn't have to. 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. Get more from the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast Join the podcast mailing list to access th...
Feb 25, 2024•43 min
Today we discuss Tongue tie, what is it, how is it diagnosed how can it be corrected and what to do if you don't want to surgically manage it. Dr Reena Murray has some amazing resources for families working through tongue tie in the resource folder of this podcast. To find out more about Reena’s work you can have a look at her website https://completelyaligned.com.au/ and find more resources from Reena at https://www.drreenamurray.com/ Get more from the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast Join the pod...
Feb 18, 2024•43 min
Advanced Paediatric Osteopath and Lactation consultant Reena Murray from @completelyaligned joins the podcast to 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 website https://completelyaligned.com.au/ and find more resources fr...
Feb 11, 2024•33 min
Mel invites her long term friend 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. Get more from the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast Join the podcast mailing list to access the resource fol...
Jan 28, 2024•45 min
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. 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 ...
Jan 21, 2024•49 min
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. 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 th...
Jan 07, 2024•1 hr 9 min
Osteopaths Kate and Liz all about osteopathy during pregnancy and osteopathic care of the pelvic bowl in preparation for birth. You can follow follow Kathryn (kate) on insta @thepelvichealth_osteo You can follow follow Liz on insta @pregnancyandbeyondosteo . 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 ...
Nov 26, 2023•1 hr 7 min
Optimal cord management in special circumstances, such as with actively managed placental birth, when collecting blood for cord gases and Rh- blood groups and for cord banking. This is part 2 of optimal cord management, we would encourage you to listen to episode 58 before this one. 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 Bir...
Nov 12, 2023•36 min
2 parts on cord management - really?! Yep! In this first part we talk about optimal cord management and the importance of waiting for the baby to fully transition before cutting the umbilical cord. In episode 59 we will look at optimal cord management in special circumstances. Part 1 goes perfectly with part 2, so listen to this one first. 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 Joi...
Nov 05, 2023•44 min
Midwife, Jo Hunter, to talks about the process of being reported to AHPRA. For Australian Midwives this will help you better understand what it is like being reported to AHPRA as Jo takes us through her research. If you are coming to this episode having been reported to AHPRA, or you are publicly making judgements about midwives, this episode has some practical suggestions for you. If you want to speak to Jo about this more you can reach out to her on her Instagram account @midwifejohunter or he...
Oct 29, 2023•1 hr 13 min
What to bring to the hospital for your birth journey. We emphasise the importance of being prepared and offer practical tips and suggestions for items to consider bringing. From pain management tools to postpartum essentials, we cover everything you need for a smoother and more comfortable experience.If you want a full list of what we discussed today you will find it in the resource folder for this podcast. Get more from the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast Join the podcast mailing list to access t...
Oct 22, 2023•36 min
This episode is for anyone planning a home labour or homebirth to make sure your birth space is as comfortable as possible and you have everything you need to labour or give birth at home. B offers some helpful tips and will share her hospital birth and postpartum packing list next week. 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 Grea...
Oct 15, 2023•48 min
Mel and her work-wife Ashlee Anslow @thebirthingtreemidwifery answer listener questions on the topic ‘what do midwives do at a homebirth’. We talk about our emergency plans and equipment, what we carry with us to every birth and how we work together as first and second midwives. 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 R...
Oct 08, 2023•1 hr 2 min
It's all about haemorrhoids in pregnancy and postpartum and this episode gives you a list of at home remedies and strategies that you can use to prevent and manage haemorrhoids, or what we’ve affectionately called ‘bum veins’. 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.thegreatbirthrebellio...
Sep 24, 2023•55 min
Have you used reporductive technologies to get pregnant, only to be told that your pregnancy and birth are now 'high risk' because of it? We talk about the research around assisted reproductive technology (ART) and if women experience more complicating factors in their pregnancy and birth if they used ART/IVF. We also discuss the research behind the routine practices of additional ultrasounds, extra screening and induction of labour for women who have conceived using ART. Heaps of research in th...
Sep 17, 2023•47 min
Dr Elizabeth Newnham (Senior Midwifery Lecturer) speaks about her work on Ethics, autonomy and informed consent in maternity care. We specifically drew on her research paper, "Beyond Autonomy: care ethics for midwifery and the humanisation of birth". It's a juicy one. 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 me...
Sep 03, 2023•1 hr
There are a list of pain management options that you can use in your labour to help work with and through labour pain. Medical pain management options involve the removal and avoidance of pain, but we argue that pain in labour is important, meaningful and productive and you just need support to work through it. We have a range of strategies to apply if you are keen to avoid medical pain management options in labour. Get more from the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast Join the podcast mailing list to...
Aug 20, 2023•1 hr 9 min
What is a stretch and sweep and the reasons why someone would offer you one? Listen in to learn about if it’s ever a good idea to allow a clinician to do a vaginal exam or give a stretch and sweep in pregnancy. 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 ...
Aug 13, 2023•52 min
We are talking about Pre-labour rupture (release) of membranes (PROM). This is when your waters break when you are full term (37 weeks or more), but your labour doesn’t start. We discuss the likelihood of you going into labour, the routine management of PROM in hospital vs at home with a private midwife. The research behind induction, antibiotics and complications that can occur as a result of PROM. Get more from the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast Join the podcast mailing list to access the resou...
Jul 30, 2023•1 hr 31 min
Dr Robyn Thompson talks strategies for breastfeeding success. We discussed skills that practitioners can use to help the mother and baby dyad, the importance of the woman’s and babies instinctive and intuitive knowledge and behaviour, doing away with the rule book, the 3 golden hours and more! Robyn Thompson passed away around a year after the recording of this episode. Vale Robyn Thompson. Her legacy and energy lives on and we are so grateful for the lasting impact her work will have. To learn ...
Jul 23, 2023•49 min
Mel speaks with Dr Stuart Fischbein about twin pregnancy and birth. Dr Stu has experience with supporting families to give birth to their twin and breech babies at home and shares his expertise about twin types and their associated success and complexity rates, the use of ultrasound for monitoring twins, suitability criteria for twin births and management of twin and placental birth. You can learn more about Stu at http://www.birthinginstincts.com or on his Instagram @birthinginstincts Get more ...
Jul 16, 2023•1 hr 22 min
Marginal and velamentus cord insertions are sometimes identified during pregnancy. These represent unusual cord insertions and this episode explores what these might mean for your pregnancy and birth. Some women will be offered induction or caesarean section because of it, but is this really neccesary? 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!...
Jun 11, 2023•57 min
Dr Natalie Elphinstone @drnatalieelphinston e explains all about maternal assisted Caesarean section, including how to get one, what they are, how to set up a process in your hospital to start doing them and the research and potential issues behind the push for maternal assisted Caesarean. 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 Gr...
May 28, 2023•53 min
