The Great Birth Rebellion

Epizode

• Episode 205 - Anti-D for Rh Negative women 31.05.2026 49min

  In this episode, Mel unpacks what anti-D is, why it’s routinely offered during pregnancy to women with negative blood groups, and the different testing and screening options available. She explores the evidence, risks, benefits, and considerations around accepting or declining anti-D, helping listeners make informed decisions that feel right for them.
• Episode 204 - Advocating for yourself in the maternity system 24.05.2026 56min

  Pregnancy is often a person’s first prolonged experience within the healthcare system, and navigating maternity care can sometimes feel overwhelming, confusing, or intimidating. In this episode, Mel explores the pressure and coercion many women experience around testing, screening, treatments, and interventions, and shares practical strategies to help you advocate for yourself, ask questions, and navigate your options with confidence.
• Episode 203 - Swollen cervix in labour 17.05.2026 50min

  A swollen cervix during labour can sometimes lead care providers to recommend an epidural or caesarean section, however there are many other strategies that may help before moving to those interventions. In this episode, Mel explores the available options, discusses the surprising lack of research on swollen cervix management, and shares practical resources and techniques for those hoping to avoid unnecessary intervention.
• Episode 202 - Pre-eclampsia management: the balance between protection and prematurity 10.05.2026 34min

  Part 2 of Mel’s preeclampsia series focuses on what happens after diagnosis — covering management, decision-making, and the emotional impact of the condition. It builds on Episode 201, which explores what preeclampsia is, along with prevention and diagnosis.
• Episode 201 - Preeclampsia: Red Flags, Risk Factors, and Reducing Your Chances 03.05.2026 51min

  Mel takes a closer look at preeclampsia, breaking down what it is, how it develops and is diagnosed, and who is most at risk — along with practical strategies for prevention and early awareness.
• Episode 200 - How to choose great maternity care for you 26.04.2026 36min

  This episode introduces the medicalisation spectrum as a key framework for understanding and planning your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care, including how providers and birth settings align within it. Mel explores different birth philosophies and encourages you to match your own values with your care choices to support a more satisfying and aligned experience.
• Episode 199 - Light, Sun and Vitamin D for Health 19.04.2026 56min

  We know sun contains nutrients, vitamin D is one of the most well-known, but there are other health properties that are garnered from sunlight both directly on our skin and indirectly that are essential for health. Listen to see if you are harvesting what your body needs from the sun.
• Episode 198 - Optimising your circadian rhythm for better health 12.04.2026 55min

  Your circadian rhythm is part of a web of body clocks that keep your body ticking through the day and regenerating and repairing through the night. In this episode, medical doctor Max Gulhane explains the parts of the circadian rhythm and how to optimise them with appropriate light and dark exposure.
• Episode 197 - Having a vaginal birth in hospital 05.04.2026 59min

  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.
• Episode 196 - Breech Whisperer - Resigned not Retired 29.03.2026 1h 13min

  Dr Andrew Bisits reflects on his 40-year career in obstetrics, sharing insights on breech birth, evolving maternity care, and his decision to “resign, not retire.” A thoughtful and grounding conversation that explores legacy, change, and what it means to practise with courage and care.
• Episode 195 - The high powered hospital bag 22.03.2026 59min

  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.
• Episode 194 - monitoring your baby in labour 15.03.2026 1h 14min

  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.
• Episode 193 - What to do if your labour is FAST 08.03.2026 1h 4min

  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.
• Episode 192 - Mel's mastitis protocol 01.03.2026 50min

  I came up with this Mastitis protocol early in my career and it’s just always worked. In this episode I explain my protocol and provide a detailed list of what to do if you think you might have mastitis.
• Episode 191 - Optimal cord management 22.02.2026 1h 20min

  The umbilical cord has a purpose in the minutes following your baby’s birth. Leaving it intact enhances the health of your baby and assists in the transition to breathing air.
• Episode 190 - When do I NEED an obstetrician? 15.02.2026 1h 17min

  In this episode Mel offers some suggestions about which circumstances warrant obstetric care as she looks at the research about which circumstances midwifery-led care would allow for more favourable outcomes than obstetric care.
• Episode 189 - Midwives Save Lives 08.02.2026 45min

  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.  
• Episode 188 - Waterbirth risks and safety 01.02.2026 1h 6min

  If you are planning a waterbirth, care for women using water, or you are just waterbirth curious, this episode is 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. 
• Episode 187 - Midwifery without borders with Diane Lockhart 25.01.2026 1h 9min

  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 centre.
• Episode 186 - Is your baby too big or too small? 18.01.2026 1h 26min

  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?