What can you do to support a physiologic birth when you’re planning to give birth in a hospital? In this episode of Yoga | Birth | Babies, we’re joined by Dr. Melanie Jackson, also known as Melanie the Midwife, to explore the preparation, environment, movement, support, and mindset that can help create the conditions for labor to unfold as physiologically as possible.
Melanie and Deb talk about the nervous system and hormonal blueprint of labor, knowing when to head to the hospital, creating a calmer birth environment, and how partners and doulas can help protect “labor land.” They also discuss movement and positioning during labor—including when someone has an epidural or continuous monitoring—as well as the importance of rest and conserving energy during a long labor. We also unpack the cascade of interventions, how common hospital routines can influence labor, and questions parents can ask so they feel informed and involved in their care.
Throughout the conversation, Melanie and Deb return to an important idea: birth is not something we can completely control. Supporting physiologic birth is not about guaranteeing a particular outcome, but about creating supportive conditions while remaining flexible when circumstances change. They also discuss how to hold space for medical intervention or cesarean birth when it is the safest option, and what can help parents feel positive and supported in their birth experience regardless of how it unfolds.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The nervous system, hormones, and the physiology of labor
- Preparing for a hospital birth while maintaining autonomy
- When to leave home and head to the hospital
- Creating a calm and supportive hospital environment
- How partners and doulas can protect “labor land”
- Movement, positioning, and tools for labor
- Supporting labor with an epidural or continuous monitoring
- Rest, energy conservation, and long labors
- The cascade of interventions
- Asking questions and making informed decisions in the hospital
- Letting go of control while staying mentally flexible
- Supporting physiologic birth while respecting medical necessity
- Processing birth positively, regardless of the outcome
About Dr. Jackson:
Dr. Melanie Jackson (Melanie the Midwife) is a midwife, researcher, educator, and host of The Great Birth Rebellion Podcast. She holds a PhD in Midwifery focused on birth outside the system and has published in academic journals, worked in research, and lectured at Western Sydney University. Since 2009, Melanie has been a privately practicing midwife providing homebirths in the Blue Mountains of Australia. She also mentors midwives internationally through the Assembly of Rebellious Midwives and the Convergence of Rebellious Midwives, while educating and supporting women and midwives around the world.
Connect with Dr. Jackson:
@melaniethemidwife – instagram
@thegreatbirthrebellion – podcast
@melaniethemidwifeYoutube – YouTube
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Check out similar Yoga| Birth| Babies episodes:
- Stillbirth and Loss with Dvora Entin LCSW, PMH-C
- Count the Kicks with Shawn Soumilas
- What You Need to Know About Cholestasis of Pregnancy! With Donna Benavides
- Don’t forget to grab your FREE guide, 5 Simple Solutions to the Most Common Pregnancy Pains HERE
- If you love what you’ve been listening to, please leave a rating and review! Yoga| Birth|Babies (Apple) or on Spotify!
To connect with Deb and the PYC Community:
Instagram, Tik Tok, & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter
Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center
