Melanie The Midwife

Melanie The Midwife Midwife in Private practice, Host of the Great Birth Rebellion Podcast, Midwifery Mentor and Research

Melanie lives in the Blue Mountains with her Husband and two children and has been a midwife in private practice, and providing homebirth services, since 2009. She has a passion for providing minimal intervention care and has respect for the physiological process of pregnancy, birth and the early postnatal period. Melanie loves to see the powerful process of birth unfold and watch families blossom as pregnancy and birth unfolds. Her passion for midwifery led her to complete her PhD, called "birth outside the system", in 2015, and she has held positions in midwifery research, midwifery lecturing and National Policy development at the Australian College of Midwives along side her work as a midwife. Melanie has a degree in Naturopathy and incorporates alternative therapies and nutritional guidance into her midwifery care.

31/03/2026

Why should we prioritise vaginal birth?

Get the full story on episode 196 of podcast

31/03/2026

Is caesarean safer than vaginal birth? In short, no.

A caesarean is major surgery which has short and long term complications and consequences for both the mother and baby. Because of that, clinicians are supposed to offer caesareans only when the risks of a caesarean are outweighed by the risks of not doing one.

In this weeks episode podcast - episode 196, Dr Andrew Bisits describes a caesarean as ‘well-intentioned harm’ and therefore should only be used when it is the least harmful option to the woman and baby.

Listen to episode 196 podcast for the full discussion about the rising caesarean rate and why it’s a problem

30/03/2026

THE TERM BREECH trial - doomed from the beginning!
During our conversation on episode 196 of podcast, Dr Andrew Bisits explains that as the term breech trial was being designed, he could see from the beginning that by design, it was not going to favour vaginal breech birth.

Listen to episode 196 of for the full conversation. Dr Bisits is a pleasure to listen to

29/03/2026

The Great Andrew Bisits reflects on his 40 year career as a clinical obstetrician... he's resigned but not retired and that means he is still working for excellence in maternity care... Episode 196 of gives insight into the maternity care system from the perspective of an obstetrician. This is an interview not to be missed, listen now on The Great Birth Rebellion Podcast.

Andrew speaks about the need for Obstetric courage, the problems (and solutions) in the current maternity care system and helps us understand the beast that is obstetric dominance.

The good news is, he has seen positive change, the bad news is, there is a new problem in the rising caesarean rates.

26/03/2026

The high powered hospital bag - did you get a copy of the check list yet?
This week I've been speaking all about what to take with you in the car and to the hospital when you are in labour so that you can be completely prepared...

I went through it in detail in episode 195 of and in my high-powered hospital checklist. The hospital doesn't have everything you'll need so make a plan to be prepared. Have a listen to the podcast episode and get the check list.

you can get it all for free at melaniethemidwife.com

24/03/2026

Even if you don't buy any fancy things, you can still have a GREAT birth... Mental preparation, dedicated support people and information are FREE! No one can take away your mental toughness, grit, support people or your knowledge.

Listen to podcast episode 195 - the high powered hospital bag to get more tips on your high-powered hospital preparation.

Comment PODCAST 👇👇👇 and i'll send you the access link to the Podcast resource folder to get a copy of the high powered hospital bag.

24/03/2026

Say a lot without saying anything. Wearing a Great Birth Rebellion T-shirt tells your whole care team that you are ready, informed and invested. I'm not even ashamed to suggest this, not everyone is good with words, especially in labour. Let the shirt do some talking.

thegreatbirthrebellion.com 20% off this week! and cheap postage worldwide for orders over $100... Now is the time! Join the rebellion, support the podcast and say a lot without saying anything

22/03/2026

Household items that act like a birth comb

Comment PODCAST 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽 and I’ll send you the link to get access to all podcast resources, including the high-powered hospital bag check list from episode 195

22/03/2026

Strategies to add to your high-powered hospital bag... Even if the hospital room is stark and devoid of tools that you can use to have an active labour, you can still use it to your advantage by manipulating the small number of items you do have in the space.

1. The bed can be raised as a storage platform and to stand and lean on
2. The pillow can go on the floor under your knees
3. the chair can be used to kneel over
4. Your support people can use their body to support you, and
5. Not mentioned here - you can sit backward on the toilet to use it like a birth stool

Comment PODCAST 👇👇👇 and I'll send you the link to join the podcast resource folder so you can get the whole downloadable 'high-powered hospital bag checklist' so you can pack and prepare for your hospital birth

Get the full story on episode 195 podcast

18/03/2026

If you have meconium in your waters during labour your hospital care team will recommend you have a CTG... only problem is that there is not proof that it will make any difference to your birth outcomes but a CTG does put you at an increased risk of Caesarean, vacuum or forceps.

Hear the full story about monitoring your baby in labour on this weeks episode of podcast, episode 194 with Birth Small Talk

Address

Blue Mountains
Springwood, NSW

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

0425 280 682

Website

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