In episode 63 of The Road to Wisdom Podcast Chloe and Keshia chat with Melanie Jackson, best known as Melanie the Midwife.

What do we love about Mel? Well a lot actually, especially her ability to read literature and understand it at its core, translating her findings into layman’s terms. That is worth its weight in gold. So we had to get her on to discuss her PhD “Birthing Outside The System”.

We discuss her experience creating YouTube videos during COVID, her transition to podcasting, and her research on birthing outside the system. She shares how she presented unbiased information on COVID vaccines, allowing her audience to make informed decisions. Melanie explains how she found women who had chosen to birth outside the system for her PhD research and highlights that women make choices they believe are best and safest for themselves and their babies. She addresses the stigma and misconceptions surrounding birthing outside the system and emphasizes the importance of unbiased research. The conversation explores the reasons why women choose free birth and the factors that influence their decision-making process. We delve into the perception of what is considered best and safest in childbirth, highlighting the contrasting views of obstetricians and women who choose free birth. The main priorities for women who choose free birth are minimal intervention, having loved ones present, and being viewed as the authority in their birth space. The conversation also discusses the role of doulas and the potential influence they may have on women's decisions. The importance of open and nuanced discussions around free birth and the need for better care options within the maternity care system are emphasised .

Melanie can be found at www.melaniethemidwife.com

Instagram: @melaniethemidwife and her own podcast: The Great Birth Rebellion

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S3 E5: Regulating Private Lives