PodcastsAlternative HealthThe Great Birth Rebellion

The Great Birth Rebellion

Dr Melanie Jackson
The Great Birth Rebellion
Latest episode

189 episodes

  • The Great Birth Rebellion

    Episode 197 - Having a vaginal birth in hospital

    2026-04-05 | 59 mins.
    Want to increase your chances of a low-intervention vaginal birth in hospital? Then 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, 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. 

    In this episode I mention:

    My Guide to giving birth without pain medication, which is available here for just $27.

    My Strategies for low-intervention birth. You can get it here.

    My High Powered Hospital Bag checklist available here.

    The resource folder, which you can access by subscribing here

    Episode 166 - An Ode to Odent

    Episode 195 - The high powered hospital bag

    The great birth rebellion podcast is generously sponsored by Poppy Child from @popthatmumma. She is offering great birth rebellion listeners 25% off the Birth box which includes the oxytocin bubble tracks. Use the code Melanie at the check out to claim your discount. Just go to hypnobirthing-positive-birth.com/birthbox

    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.

    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
  • The Great Birth Rebellion

    Episode 196 - Breech Whisperer - Resigned not Retired

    2026-03-29 | 1h 13 mins.
    Dr Andrew Bisits, Australian Obstetrician, built a name for himself over his 40 year career as ‘the breech whisperer’ owing to his willingness to attend vaginal breech births, but there is more to him than his obstetric courage around breech birth. In this episode Mel interviews Andrew about his 40 year career and about his declaration that he has ‘resigned not retired’ from his work. At the age of 70, Andrew reflects on his career and the changes he’s seen in the maternity care system and what he’s going to do next. Andrew is a gentle breath of fresh air and this interview will help you settle.  

    You can hear more from Andrew Bisits at The convergence of rebellious midwives conference in Melbourne from July 31st-August 2nd. Information and Tickets through here 

    The great birth rebellion podcast is generously sponsored by Poppy Child from @popthatmumma. She is offering great birth rebellion listeners 25% off the Birth box which includes the oxytocin bubble tracks. Use the code Melanie at the check out to claim your discount. Just go to hypnobirthing-positive-birth.com/birthbox

    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
  • The Great Birth Rebellion

    Episode 195 - The high powered hospital bag

    2026-03-22 | 59 mins.
    Some items make a difference to your birth and postnatal experience. Have a listen to this episode to make sure you don’t miss something on your packing and preparation list for birth. A Full check list of the high powered hospital bag is available here to print and check off. 

    To prepare for your high powered hospital birth, get the guide to giving birth without pain medication so you and your care team are mentally and physically prepared for the work of labour and birth. You can do it! You just need to be prepared. The guide to giving birth without pain medication is all facts, no fluff to help you prepare for labour and birth. 

    The great birth rebellion podcast is generously sponsored by Poppy Child from @popthatmumma. She is offering great birth rebellion listeners 25% off the Birth box which includes the oxytocin bubble tracks. Use the code Melanie at the check out to claim your discount. Just go to hypnobirthing-positive-birth.com/birthbox

    The other helpful items mentioned in this episode are:

    ElleTENS machine

    The Birth Sling - $10 off discount code MELANIEJACKSON

    The Birth Box - 25% discount code Melanie

    The Guide to giving birth without pain medication

    Great birth rebellion podcast episodes that go well with this one include:

    193. What to do if your labour is FAST

    188. Waterbirth risks and safety

    185. Guide to a great birth

    173. How to give great birth support

    170. Managing Labour pain without medication

    167. Pushing out your baby

    158. What is a Doula and should I get one?

    156. Hypnobirthing - can it really help?

    155. Optimising your body in labour

    151. What is it like to be in labour?

    149. Increase your chance of vaginal birth in hospital

    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
  • The Great Birth Rebellion

    Episode 194 - monitoring your baby in labour

    2026-03-15 | 1h 14 mins.
    Melanie welcomes back Dr. Kirsten Small, author of the book Monitoring Your Baby in Labor, an evidence-based guide to help you plan your birth, to delve deep into the culture, safety, benefits, and potential side effects of fetal monitoring during labour. How your baby will be monitored in labour has both risks and benefits and the decision is YOURS to make. In order to make an informed decision you have to KNOW. This episode will grow your knowledge so you can make informed decisions.

    Dr Kirsten Small is an Academic specialising in foetal monitoring and a retired obstetrician. Her work is accessible to anyone making decisions about foetal monitoring and we encourage you to explore:

    book sales: https://education.birthsmalltalk.com/monitoring-your-baby-in-labour

    the blog: https://birthsmalltalk.com/

    Join Kirstens newsletter: https://education.birthsmalltalk.com/sign-up-for-newsletter

    This episode has been generously sponsored by Poppy Child from @popthatmumma. She is offering great birth rebellion listeners 25% off the Birth box which includes the oxytocin bubble tracks. Use the code Melanie at the check out to claim your discount. Just go to hypnobirthing-positive-birth.com/birthbox

    Link to watch on Youtube

    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
  • The Great Birth Rebellion

    Episode 193 - What to do if your labour is FAST

    2026-03-08 | 1h 4 mins.
    Precipitous labour and birth can be a real surprise if you were mentally preparing for a longer labour. Around 15% of women will have a labour that is less than 3 hours and these quick ones require a little bit of understanding and preparation to help you not become overwhelmed by it. There is often no time for pain management, you are on the ride! In this episode, Mel gives some strategies to help you plan and manage a fast labour and birth and also what to do if your baby comes before you get to hospital or before your midwife arrives. 

    This episode comes with 2 helpful check lists with quick tips for you and your support people:

    Preparing for a fast labour AND

    Born Before arrival

    These are in the podcast resource folder. Get access to them here

    This episode has been generously sponsored by Poppy Child from @popthatmumma. She is offering great birth rebellion listeners 25% off the Birth box which includes the oxytocin bubble tracks. Use the code Melanie at the check out to claim your discount.

    Get my guide to Working through birth without pain medication here with a bonus section for your partner or support people so they know how to support you through labour and birth without pain medication. 

    You may also love to join us LIVE! The convergence of rebellious midwives conference, tickets are available NOW. Get your ticket here - it’s not just for Midwives! 

    Link to youtube 

    https://youtu.be/MndPC8eH1KA

    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

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About 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.
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