The Great Birth Rebellion

We need you Australia! It’s time to rally! Meet us on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra at 10:30am on November 24th, 2026. Access to midwives in Australia is under threat because the Australian Government has refused to address an insurance gap for midwives attending homebirth. At the mother of all Rallies In 2008 we protested on the lawns of parliament asking for a fit-for-purpose insurance product for midwives. In 2026 we are doing it again at the Grandmother of all rallies in a last ditch effort to secure a solution to prevent women losing access to homebirth services. It’s a really bad look for the Australian government to prevent access to midwives, especially for rural and remote women and we are making a noise about it. 
Click here to register your attendance at the Rally (https://events.humanitix.com/grandmother-of-all-rallies-canberra) so the organisers can make big plans
Get Mel’s FREE push without panic classes here → https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/opt-in-8cc9d700-8dda-4ee1-9722-22bd8af9c6ba
The research and resources from each episode → https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/mel-s-free-stuff
Explore everything else:
Website → www.melaniethemidwife.com 
Instagram → @melaniethemidwife (https://www.instagram.com/melaniethemidwife) AND @thegreatbirthrebellion (https://www.instagram.com/thegreatbirthrebellion)
The Guide to Giving birth without pain medication → https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/birth-without-pain-medication
Great Birth Rebellion Merch → www.thegreatbirthrebellion.com
This episode has been generously sponsored by Poppy Child from @popthatmumma (https://www.instagram.com/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 https://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 its 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

Is my baby moving normally during pregnancy? One of the most common questions pregnant women ask. 15% of women report reduced movement of their baby at some point during their pregnancy, but what are normal movements? How do you monitor movement and what could it mean if your baby is moving less? In this episode Mel takes you through the current recommendations for how to monitor your baby’s movement during pregnancy. She shares the research behind these recommendations and what to do if you are worried. 
Get Mel’s FREE push without panic classes here → https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/opt-in-8cc9d700-8dda-4ee1-9722-22bd8af9c6ba
The research and resources from each episode → https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/mel-s-free-stuff
Explore everything else:
Website → www.melaniethemidwife.com 
Instagram → @melaniethemidwife (https://www.instagram.com/melaniethemidwife) AND @thegreatbirthrebellion (https://www.instagram.com/thegreatbirthrebellion)
The Guide to Giving birth without pain medication → https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/birth-without-pain-medication
Great Birth Rebellion Merch → www.thegreatbirthrebellion.com
This episode has been generously sponsored by:
Ergo Pouch - check out my favourite cotton sleeping pouches here (https://ergopouch.pxf.io/ZV15bz) buy well, buy once. Ergo Pouches are my family's choice for simple and transportable sleep wear. 
Poppy Child from @popthatmumma (https://www.instagram.com/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 https://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 its 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

Mel is talking all about the labour process. The focus is on how you can identify and understand labour and how it progresses so you can be prepared for each part of it. We start from early labour all the way through to pushing out your baby.
Get Mel’s FREE push without panic classes here → https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/opt-in-8cc9d700-8dda-4ee1-9722-22bd8af9c6ba
The research and resources from each episode → https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/mel-s-free-stuff
Explore everything else:
Website → www.melaniethemidwife.com 
Instagram → @melaniethemidwife (https://www.instagram.com/melaniethemidwife) AND @thegreatbirthrebellion (https://www.instagram.com/thegreatbirthrebellion)
The Guide to Giving birth without pain medication → https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/birth-without-pain-medication
Great Birth Rebellion Merch → www.thegreatbirthrebellion.com
Complementary episodes:
149. Increase your chances of vaginal birth (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2149022790)
148. Why do they put their fingers in your vagina (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2149017213)
82. Failure to progress or just normal? (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2148602793)
65. Breathwork for birth with Emma Johnston (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2148469047)
55. Supplies to gather for home labour (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2148221037)
47. Managing labour pain without medicine (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2148065112)
This episode has been generously sponsored by Poppy Child from @popthatmumma (https://www.instagram.com/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 https://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 its 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

Natasha found out she was pregnant with twins at her 21 week ultrasound. She already had her private midwife but had to pivot quickly in order to access the additional care she needed. Natasha gave birth to both of her babies vaginally, and both were breech. Today she shares her story of how she curated a twin birth and made sure she didn’t have to compromise too much. This story offers birthing women a case study of how you can navigate the maternity care system and keep options available to you. This is the second part of this twin story.
Get Mel’s FREE push without panic classes here → https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/opt-in-8cc9d700-8dda-4ee1-9722-22bd8af9c6ba
The research and resources from each episode → https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/mel-s-free-stuff
Explore everything else:
Website → www.melaniethemidwife.com 
Instagram → @melaniethemidwife (https://www.instagram.com/melaniethemidwife) AND @thegreatbirthrebellion (https://www.instagram.com/thegreatbirthrebellion)
The Guide to Giving birth without pain medication → https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/birth-without-pain-medication
Great Birth Rebellion Merch → www.thegreatbirthrebellion.com
Complementary episodes:
223 - Navigating twin pregnancy and birth Part 1 https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2149262618
This episode has been generously sponsored by Poppy Child from @popthatmumma (https://www.instagram.com/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 https://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 its 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

Discovering you’re pregnant with twins comes with the weight of knowing that your pregnancy and birth care might look different to what you were hoping for. There are ways of navigating the maternity care system and curating your twin birth so it still represents your preferences, even if new restraints mean you have to compromise. This is part one of navigating twin pregnancy and birth options, especially if you want to avoid a cesarean. In this episode we use a case study to unfold the story of strategies that you can use to put as many options on your twin menu as possible. In this episode we speak to Midwife Hannah Muller and Doula Louise Gorham about their role in Natasha’s twin birth with her two breech babies. Next week (episode 224) we speak with Natasha, the woman who curated a twin birth that felt best to her. 
Our guests on today's episode are:
Hannah Muller - Soul Midwifery - www.soulmidwifery.au - IG @soulmidwiferyau (https://www.instagram.com/soulmidwiferyau)
Louise Gorham - Doula Lou- www.doulalou.com.au - IG @doula_lou (https://www.instagram.com/doula_lou)
Get Mel’s FREE push without panic classes here → https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/opt-in-8cc9d700-8dda-4ee1-9722-22bd8af9c6ba
The research and resources from each episode → https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/mel-s-free-stuff
Explore everything else:
Website → www.melaniethemidwife.com 
Instagram → @melaniethemidwife (https://www.instagram.com/melaniethemidwife) AND @thegreatbirthrebellion (https://www.instagram.com/thegreatbirthrebellion)
The Guide to Giving birth without pain medication → https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/birth-without-pain-medication
Great Birth Rebellion Merch → www.thegreatbirthrebellion.com
Complementary episodes:
Ep. 42 - Twins with Dr Stuart Fischbien (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2148000895) 
Ep. 143 - declining medical recommendations (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2149000686) 
Ep. 204 - Advocating for yourself in the maternity care system (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2149207341)
Ep. 113 &114 -  CTG use in labour and birth (https://www.melaniethemidwife.com/podcasts/the-great-birth-rebellion/episodes/2148850856)
This episode has been generously sponsored by Poppy Child from @popthatmumma (https://www.instagram.com/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 https://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 its 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