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The Great Birth Rebellion

The Great Birth Rebellion

By: Dr Melanie Jackson
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About this listen

 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.© 2025 Melanie The Midwife Hygiene & Healthy Living Parenting & Families Relationships
Episodes
  • Episode 177 - Defending birth and midwifery in the UK

    Episode 177 - Defending birth and midwifery in the UK
    Nov 16 2025

    The UK used to be held up as an idyllic maternity care system worth replicating, but in the past 10 years, the caesarean section rate has increased to over 45% and poor maternal outcomes are rising as a result. Midwives are leaving in droves, birth services that once facilitate physiological birth are closing and the whole system is becoming hostile toward normal birth. There are people petitioning to put a stop to midwifery education from focusing on physiological birth which will fundamentally change midwifery in the UK relegating midwives to obstetric nursing roles. In this episode Mel speaks to Dr Sheena Byrom and Prof Soo Downe who explain the situation and offer practical solutions.

    The easiest way to help save physiological birth in the UK is to sign this open letter from @thepeoplesbirthtribunal People power = change… sign the letter to help enact change. Together we can save physiological birth in the UK.

    This episode has been generously sponsored by Poppy Child from @popthatmumma. Great birth rebellion listeners get 25% off the Birth box. Use the code “Melanie” at the check out to claim your discount.

    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.

    The transcript below was generated with ai and may contain errors.
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Episode 176 Using birth mapping to make confident choices

    Episode 176 Using birth mapping to make confident choices
    Nov 9 2025

    Birth mapping is an evidence-based tool to help with decision making in pregnancy and childbirth. Dr Catherine Bell @birthmapping, joins Mel to discuss the birth map and the research behind it. Birth mapping can help you make confident decisions at forks in the road on your journey through pregnancy and birth.

    This episode has been generously sponsored by Poppy Child from @popthatmumma. Great birth rebellion listeners get 25% off the Birth box. Use the code “Melanie” at the check out to claim your discount. Just go to hypnobirthing-positive-birth.com/birthbox

    You can watch this episode on Youtube 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

    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.

    The transcript below was generated with ai and may contain errors.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Episode 175 - Post-traumatic growth is possible

    Episode 175 - Post-traumatic growth is possible
    Nov 2 2025

    Some women feel stuck in a traumatic experience after childbirth, but another possibility is post-traumatic growth. Mel explores this possibility with Midwife and Psychotherapist Dr Athena Hammond. Athena specialises in trauma therapy, specifically around childbirth. In this episode we have a conversation about post-traumatic growth as Athena gives words to the long term experience of recovering from trauma. This is part 2 of my conversation with Athena, a continuation of episode 174.

    Our guest for this episode is Dr Athena Hammond from @thebirthcounsel You can learn more about Athena at www.thebirthcounsel.com.au

    If you have concerns for your well-being there is help for you at:

    The Gidget foundation Australia

    COPE

    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. This is an example of a nervous system calming technique discussed in our episode today.

    Use the code “Melanie” at the check out to claim your discount. Just go to hypnobirthing-positive-birth.com/birthbox

    Watch this episode 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.

    The transcript below was generated with ai and may contain errors.
    Show More Show Less
    57 mins
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Amazing resource for all things birth. I love their passion and dedication to providing unbiased information. These women are changing the pregnancy and birthing culture and I’m so here for it!

So informative

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Absolutely love this podcast. A great way to receive a summary of research to help inform and empower women, to assist with decision making and to help women feel confident with birth.
I recommend this podcast to all of my Hypnobirthing clients and any pregnant woman who wants to learn more.
Thanks for everything you do Mel!

Evidence based, empowering and very interesting

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I have honestly listened to each episode at least 3 times each. Mel and B are educated, balanced and engaging. the information discussed is researched, unbiased and thorough. Every single pregnant person in Australia and those who support them should listen. I rave on about the great birth rebellion and have called on their information throughout my pregnancy so many times. I feel confident, informed and able to advocate for myself in a potentially hostile medical system.

INCREDIBLE! Informative, educational and evidenced

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Highly recommend this podcast! I’m 42 with a higher BMI and the ‘system’ has been trying to intervene, regardless of my other healthy lifestyle factors, etc. to have an induction. There’s so much pressure to listen to the Drs and take on their recommendations. I’m so happy I listened to so many of these podcasts (about 20!) to ensure I had the right information to focus on what’s right for me and my baby. Thank you so much for your time, effort and thoughtful information that’s so beneficial for every pregnant mother 😍

Focusing on what’s real and natural for a wonderful experience for Mums and Bubs

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