All Episodes
Episodes
Episode 214 - Spicy Question Time with Mel
Itâs 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...
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Episode 213 - What if I have an epidural
You might be one of the 60% of women who have an epidural during their labour or birth. Whatever birth youâre planning, knowing about epidurals is an absolute must. Epidurals are the most effective form of pain relief...
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Episode 212 - Itâs Not âFalseâ Labour, Itâs Prodromal Labour
Around 25% of women will experience a longer than anticipated early labour phase. Some maternity care providers might explain this as âfalseâ labour⌠but I can assure you itâs not false, itâs called âprodromal labourâ...
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Episode 211 - Manage your labour pain with sterile water injections and hypnobirthing
Why not favour pain management options that have no side-effects? In this episode, Mel interviews midwife and researcher Nigel Lee who explains the research he and his team undertook regarding 2 pain management...
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Episode 210 - It's bad but there's hope
This episode gives a snapshot of the main global challenges that face women in their childbearing years and the midwives that care for them. In this episode, Mel covers what she learned from the International...
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Episode 209 - The 5 BIG induction studies
 In this episode Dr Melanie Jackson and Prof Hannah Dahlen explain The 5 BIG Induction studies that often get used to encourage the use of induction for suspected big babies, women over the age of 35 and over 41 weeks...
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Episode 208 - Beyond 40 weeks pregnant
The concept of a rigid 40-week due date is one of the most deeply entrenched myths in modern maternity care. Today I cast a critical eye over the historical and mathematical flaws behind how Estimated Due Dates (EDDs)...
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Episode 207 - The First 2 Weeks Postpartum (part 2)
Get practical ways to support recovery in the first 2 weeks after birth. Learn how to prepare your home for easier access to supplies, early breastfeeding patterns, and what to expect as milk comes in during the first...
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Episode 206 - The First 2 Weeks Postpartum (Part 1)
The first two weeks after birth have a lot going on⌠So I'm doing 2 episodes on it. Here you will learn what recovery can look like for both mother and baby. I discuss the wide range of postpartum experiences, the...
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Episode 205 - Anti-D for Rh Negative women
Women with negative blood groups are routinely offered at least 3 doses of anti-D throughout pregnancy. The question is, what is anti-D, do you really need it? What happens if you choose not to take it? And how do you...
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Episode 204 - Advocating for yourself in the maternity system
Being pregnant may be the very first reason youâve had prolonged exposure to the health care system. Interacting with the maternity care system can feel confusing and frightening and some women feel pressured and...
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Episode 203 - Swollen cervix in labour
If you get a swollen cervix during labour, your care provider might recommend an epidural or caesarean section. There are many other things you can try before resorting to such extreme measures and this episode covers...
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