How to Increase the Chances of a Vaginal Birth in the Hospital with Dr. Melanie Jacskon

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:

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 

This episode is brought to you by beYogi offering professional liability insurance designed specifically for yoga teachers and wellness professionals. Whether you’re already teaching or just beginning your teacher training, beYogi helps protect you so you can focus on supporting your students. Yoga Birth Babies listeners receive $20 off an exclusive professional insurance membership. Visit beYogi.com/yogabirthbabies (https://beyogi.com/yogabirthbabies) to claim your discount.

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To connect with Deb and the PYC Community: 

Instagram, Tik Tok, & Facebook: @prenatalyogacenter

Youtube: Prenatal Yoga Center