In this recasted episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, host HeHe welcomes midwife Melissa Chapel to discuss critical topics for expecting parents. They dive into the intricacies of cervical checks, including when they are necessary and how to navigate them in hospital settings. Melissa shares her extensive experience, emphasizing the importance of educated and informed decisions, advocating for oneself, and recognizing the difference between early and intense pushing urges. HeHe emphasizes that birth is an intuitive process and encourages listeners to trust their bodies. Various strategies for maintaining confidence and reducing fears in labor are discussed, ensuring an empowered birth experience. 

01:24 Free Class to Avoid C-Section

03:10 Introducing Melissa Chapel: Midwife Extraordinaire

03:50 Navigating Late Labor and Pushing

04:28 Melissa's Journey and Day-to-Day Life

07:03 The Role of Cervical Exams in Labor

12:41 Advocating for Your Birth Preferences in the Hospital

19:03 Empowering Women's Instincts

20:04 Navigating Cervical Exams

20:55 Understanding Labor Progression

24:48 The 5-1-1 Rule and Hospital Transition

29:19 Early Urge to Push: What to Do

34:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Melissa Chappell, LDEM, CPM is a midwife and owner of two birth centers in Utah, as well as a doula trainer of over 20 years. She is passionate about women’s health from a holistic and nourishing perspective, and advocates for women’s wellness in all areas of their lives. She has worked with midwives and birthing women all over the world, including in Haiti, Ethiopia, and Kenya, and loves seeing how women’s lives improve with access to safe and effective midwifery care. She’s the owner of Fresh Melissa, a company dedicated to creating tasty treats that are also healthy. She is the mother of 4 children and 3 grandchildren that she adores. In between catching babies, Melissa loves to explore as much of the world as she can – from international travel to exploring the mountains in her backyard.

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