Often women are provided with too much medical intervention during pregnancy, birth and postpartum. How do we know when we actually need it? Or when it’s just part of the usual over-medicalised care routine? In this episode Mel offers some suggestions about which circumstances warrant obstetric care and looks at the research about which circumstances midwifery-led care would allow for more favourable outcomes than obstetric care

The Great Birth Rebellion Podcast is made possible by generous sponsors who believe in helping women get the best out of their pregnancy, birth and postpartum journey.

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

This episode was generously sponsored by Birth Time, an award-winning documentary that powerfully captures what great maternity care can look like, wherever women choose to give birth. Get 20% off the Birth Time documentary by using the code REBEL at the checkout. Watch Birth Time here.

Watch the 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.

The International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) shares that if 1 million more midwives provided care to women through their childbearing years, they would be healthier, happier and fewer women and babies would be damaged or die during their childbearing years. It’s time to stop pretending that Midwives don’t make a difference to outcomes for women and babies. Help us tell governments, regulators and people in power that we want 1 million more midwives in order to save women and babies. Listen to the research and sign the petition for one million more midwives… your signature will make a difference.

One Million More Petition - sign the petition here

New global study about One Million More

ICM website

Instagram

Facebook

Threads

LinkedIn

Newsletter

Article about the One Million More petition that dives into it

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

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.

If you are planning a waterbirth, care for women using water, or you are just waterbirth curious, this episode is for you! You’ll also find this a handy episode for your birth support team so they know how to best help facilitate a waterbirth for you. In this episode we cover the risks and benefits of waterbirth and how to unlock access to one if you come up against resistance.

In this episode Mel shared her ‘Guide to giving birth without pain medication’, you can get it 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. 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.

A rebellion can take many forms, for Diane Lockhart her brand of rebellion involved her reluctantly and somewhat accidentally opening a birth center in a Ugandan slum. Amani Birth Center has now been running for 10 years and Diane shares how they have managed to care for women without the loss of a single mother or baby at the birth center. Diane is a true midwifery rebel and she shares what you can do for Amani - there are some epic opportunities in this episode for any midwife or doula looking to innovate within midwifery or to expand your understanding of physiological birth in service of women. This is a must listen for every midwife, doula and obstetrician.

In this episode Mel spoke about the assembly of rebellious midwives. A place for woman centered midwives to come together, become better midwives together and survive the system in solidarity. Join the assembly here, Mel is in there every week to meet you.

You can learn more about Amani here: https://www.amanimamas.org/ and here. and get in touch with Diane via the website if you want to visit Amani

Diane has a BIG dream to purchase the Amani birth centre building and expand their services, click here to help make that happen with a donation

This episode was generously sponsored by Poppy Child from Pop That Mumma. Discover how to manage pain during the transition of labour. Check out her FREE session here.

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.

Have you been told that your baby is too big or too small during your pregnancy? Do they want to induce you or give you a caesarean because your baby is too big or maybe it was too small? Are pregnant and have been told that your baby is too big or too small?

In this episode Mel shared her Guide to giving birth without pain medication, you can get it here.

This episode is sponsored by Poppy Child from Pop That Mumma. Discover how to manage pain during the transition of labour. Check out her FREE session.

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.

It’s possible to have the time of your life at your birth and describe it as GREAT afterwards. So great that you are excited to do it again. In this guide to a great birth episode Mel explains the science behind the enjoyment of birth and how you can tap into the joy and bliss of birth and at the end feel that you had a great birth. This is a must list from the great Birth Rebellion Catalogue.

In this episode Mel shared her Guide to giving birth without pain medication, you can get it here.

This episode is sponsored by Poppy Child from Pop That Mumma. Discover how to manage pain during the transition of labour. Check out her FREE session.

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.

Orgasmic birth doesn’t mean you are going to orgasm at birth… but that certainly is a possibility when you realise how involved your clitoris and oxytocin (the orgasm hormone) are during labour and birth. In this episode Mel speaks with Deborah Pascali Bonaro about Orgasmic birth and how we are wired to feel joy, bliss and euphoria during birth. We talk about how women can tap into the possibility of joy and how to avoid things that will inhibit your ability to feel joy during birth. This episode is for anyone who wants to have a great birth.

In this episode Mel mentions her 'guide to giving birth without pain medication', you can get the guide here

Find out more about our guest Debra Pascali-Bonaro at https://www.orgasmicbirth.com/ and on instagram @orgasmicbirth

This episode is sponsored by Poppy Child from Pop That Mumma. Discover how to manage pain during the transition of labour. Check out her FREE session.

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.

And that’s a wrap on 2025! Mel and her right and left hand man, Dan, host this final episode of 2025 and spill all the tea on the highs and lows of the year. Mel shares what happened to THAT episode, why her hair went grey and what spurs us on to make better and better episodes. This one is a sneak peak behind the curtain of the great birth rebellion podcast. Thank you for a fabulous year, we’ll be back stronger than ever first thing 2026.

This episode has been generously sponsored by Poppy Child from @popthatmumma. Her Sonic Rooms has just launched with a limited half-price offer, available right now. If you want in while it’s live, the link is https://www.hypnobirthing-positive-birth.com/sonicrooms

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.