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The Great Birth Rebellion

The Great Birth Rebellion

By: Dr Melanie Jackson
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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.© 2026 Melanie The Midwife Alternative & Complementary Medicine Hygiene & Healthy Living Parenting & Families Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Episode 215 - Strategies to avoid tearing during birth

    Episode 215 - Strategies to avoid tearing during birth
    Aug 9 2026

    There are various strategies that you can start using today that will help to reduce the chances of your vulva or vagina tearing during childbirth. This episode lists the action that you, your care team and partner can use to help you try and increase the chance of your vulva remaining intact during your birth.

    If you are preparing for birth make sure you get Mel’s guide to giving birth without pain medication here.

    Episodes that complement this episode:

    72 - Episiotomy Part 1 & 73 - Episiotomy Part 2

    127 - Do I need stitches if I tear at birth

    143 - Declining Medical recommendations

    19 - The Perineal Bundle

    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

    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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    56 mins
  • Episode 216 - Childbirth for Children

    Episode 216 - Childbirth for Children
    Aug 16 2026

    It’s national science week in Australia from August 15th-23rd and the great birth rebellion podcast is on the program! In this episode, Mel and her 9 year old daughter Frida explain childbirth to your children. We explain the unique anatomy of a womans body and how incredible and capable women's bodies are in growing and birthing babies. This episode celebrates and honours the process of childbirth and introduces children to the basics of birth including an explanation of anatomy and physiology of birth. Parents might learn something new too!

    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
    Show More Show Less
    23 mins
  • Episode 214 - Spicy Question Time with Mel

    Episode 214 - Spicy Question Time with Mel
    Aug 2 2026
    It’s spicy Friday but on a Monday! In this episode Mel answers listener questions in this unscripted, off-the-cuff, unfiltered Q&A session submitted straight from her social media followers. She tackles burning birth questions and hot topics, including: 08:32 – To protect the perineum or not when pushing? How to know when to do it and when not to do it?14:18 – How can we protect our oxytocin when transferring from home to hospital?19:50 – Do you think that posterior labour that's not supported properly leads to unnecessary intervention and caesareans?28:28 – How often is position breech missed resulting in a surprise breech birth? 44:13 – What's your view on the removal of the 5,000 hours for private midwives49:20 – Why do midwives push on your uterus after birth with no warning or cause? Can I say no?53:11 – Does birth impact breastfeeding?55:16 – Does a physiological third stage have to be a lotus birth?01:06:03 – Tips on how to support neurodiverse women in labour with sensory issues in hospital. In this episode Mel mentions: The Convergence of Rebellious Midwives 2027 tickets here! The Assembly WaitlistEpisode 153 - How to avoid tearing during childbirthEpisode 197 - Having a vaginal birth in hospitalEpisode 195 - The high powered hospital bagEpisode 156 - Hypnobirthing! Can it really help?Episode 211 - Manage your labour pain with sterile water injections and hypnobirthing 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 Get more from the Great Birth Rebellion PodcastJoin the podcast mailing list to access the resource folder from each episode at www.melaniethemidwife.comJoin the rebellion and show your support! Grab your Great Birth Rebellion merchandise now at www.thegreatbirthrebellion.comFollow us on social media @thegreatbirthrebellion and @melaniethemidwifeIf 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. DisclaimerThe 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
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 11 mins
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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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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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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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