The Arc Woman Podcast

🤰 In this episode I’m joined by Dr Melanie Jackson, a midwife and researcher who transitioned from naturopathy into midwifery to better support women through pregnancy and birth.
🧬 We explore the physiology of labour and birth, including the role of oxytocin, the Ferguson reflex, and how the body is biologically designed to bring babies into the world when supported rather than over-managed.
🏡 We also discuss the differences between hospital birth, home birth with a registered midwife, and free birth, alongside the research gaps and controversies surrounding these approaches.
💧 Dr Jackson unpacks common myths around water birth, explains how midwives support physiological birth, and reflects on how hospital policies and rising C-section rates are shaping modern maternity care.
🌿 This conversation ultimately centres on maternal autonomy, informed decision making, and what a truly woman-centred model of birth could look like.
Find Melanie and her incredible work at melaniethemidwife.com or on Instagram @melaniethemidwife 

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🧬 In this solo episode I unpack the growing hype around GLP-1 medications and PCOS, and why research headlines don’t always translate to real women’s bodies.
📊 I explain what the evidence actually shows, including reliable improvements in insulin sensitivity and androgen markers, alongside mixed and inconsistent findings for cycle regularity, ovulation, fertility outcomes, and ovarian structure.
⚖️ We look at the limitations of current research, most studies are short term and conducted in women who are overweight or obese, and why weight loss and metabolic improvements appear to drive many reproductive benefits.
📚 For deeper support, explore my PCOS resources: Heal PCOS The Infradian Way, The PCOS Masterclass & PCOS Symptom Solution Chart
arcwoman.com.au

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👩‍⚕️ Today I’m joined by Dr Rebecca Mackenzie-Proctor, Fertility Specialist and Gynaecologist at Stellar Fertility in Melbourne and newly appointed lecturer at University of New South Wales. With over a decade of experience and subspecialist training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, she brings scientific rigour together with a deeply patient centred approach to care.
🧬 We explore IVF and modern fertility treatment, including navigating complex diagnoses, understanding treatment pathways, and what patients can expect when pursuing assisted reproductive technologies.
🌿 We also discuss the value of a holistic approach to reproductive health and how medical treatment, lifestyle factors, and emotional support intersect on the path to parenthood.
🌡️ If you’re charting or tracking ovulation, I personally recommend the Tempdrop wearable basal body temperature sensor. You can use the code AFARCWOMAN for 10% off at tempdrop.com
arcwoman.com.au
@arc.woman

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🎗️ In this episode lets examine the rising incidence of breast cancer in women under 40, a topic that resonates personally due to my family history, including my mother’s diagnosis and multiple relatives affected.
📊 We cover incidence and mortality trends, then systematically unpack core risk factors including genetics (BRCA1/BRCA2 and other high penetrance genes), family history, reproductive and hormonal influences, oral contraceptive use, and established lifestyle contributors.
🧬 We discuss the benefits, limitations, and considerations of screening modalities, including mammography, ultrasound, and MRI in younger populations, weighing radiation exposure against sensitivity. I also outline recommendations for genetic risk assessment and testing pathways with region-specific resources:
Australia: Breast and Ovarian Cancer Risk Management Initiative (BOCRMI) and clinical genetics through state-based services.
New Zealand: Referrals via Te Whatu Ora clinical genetics services for BRCA testing pathways.
UK/Europe: NHS Genetics Services (UK) and European Reference Networks for hereditary cancer syndromes.
Canada: Genetics/Genomics Ontario or provincial cancer genetics programs.
USA: National Society of Genetic Counselors and clinical testing through accredited labs (e.g., Myriad, Invitae) with referral from genetics professionals.

🌿 The episode outlines modifiable risk reduction strategies backed by the literature, including structured physical activity, reducing alcohol intake, enhancing metabolic and insulin sensitivity, optimising sleep quality, and dietary patterns associated with lower breast cancer risk such as Mediterranean-style diets, high fibre intake, omega-3 fatty acids, phytoestrogens (e.g., soy), and adequate vitamin D status.
Sources
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2023, December 15). National health survey: First results, 2022. https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/national-health-survey/latest-release
Australian Bureau of Statistics. (n.d.). Waist circumference and BMI: 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/health/health-conditions-and-risks/waist-circumference-and-bmi/latest-release
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2024, June 17). Overweight and obesity: Summary. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/overweight-obesity/overweight-and-obesity/contents/summary
Breast Cancer Network Australia. (n.d.). Breast cancer risk in families. Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/screening-and-diagnosis/family-history-and-genetics/breast-cancer-risk-in-families/
Breast Cancer Network Australia. (n.d.). Genetic mutations that increase breast cancer risk. Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.bcna.org.au/resources/screening-and-diagnosis/family-history-and-genetics/genetic-mutations-that-increase-risk/
Breast Cancer Trials. (n.d.). Q&A: Are more young women being diagnosed with breast cancer? Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.breastcancertrials.org.au/qa-events/qa-are-more-young-women-being-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer/
Cancer Australia. (2024, October 3). Reproductive factors. https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/breast-cancer-risk-factors/risk-factors/reproductive-factors
Cancer Australia. (2024, October 22). Medical history and medications. https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/breast-cancer-risk-factors/modifiable-factors/medical-history-and-medications
Cancer Australia. (2025, November 3). Breast cancer in young women. https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/breast-cancer-young-women
Cancer Australia. (2025, December 18). Breast cancer in young women statistics. https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/breast-cancer-young-women/breast-cancer-young-women-statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. (2024, September 24). Obesity and severe obesity prevalence in adults (Data Brief No. 508). https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db508.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, August 15). Breast cancer among women younger than 45. https://www.cdc.gov/united-states-cancer-statistics/publications/breast-cancer-among-young-women.html
Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer. (2012). Menarche, menopause, and breast cancer risk: Individual participant meta-analysis, including 118,964 women with breast cancer from 117 epidemiological studies. The Lancet Oncology, 13(11), 1141–1151. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(12)70425-4
Erren, T. C., Morfeld, P., & Foster, R. G. (2019). IARC 2019: “Night shift work” is probably carcinogenic to humans. Chronobiology International, 36(10), 1448–1450. https://doi.org/10.1080/07420528.2019.1657155
International Agency for Research on Cancer. (2020, June 2). IARC monographs volume 124: Night shift work. https://www.iarc.who.int/news-events/iarc-monographs-volume-124-night-shift-work/
Kuchenbaecker, K. B., Hopper, J. L., Barnes, D. R., Phillips, K.-A., Mooij, T. M., Roos-Blom, M.-J., Jervis, S., van Leeuwen, F. E., Milne, R. L., Andrieu, N., Goldgar, D. E., Terry, M. B., Rookus, M. A., Easton, D. F., Antoniou, A. C., & BRCA1 and BRCA2 Cohort Consortium. (2017). Risks of breast, ovarian, and contralateral breast cancer for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers. JAMA, 317(23), 2402–2416. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2017.7112
Mørch, L. S., Skovlund, C. W., Hannaford, P. C., Iversen, L., Fielding, S., & Lidegaard, Ø. (2017). Contemporary hormonal contraception and the risk of breast cancer. New England Journal of Medicine, 377(23), 2228–2239. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1700732
National Breast Cancer Foundation. (n.d.). Breast cancer statistics in Australia. Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://nbcf.org.au/about-breast-cancer/breast-cancer-stats/
National Cancer Institute. (2020, February 10). Physical activity and cancer fact sheet. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/obesity/physical-activity-fact-sheet
National Cancer Institute. (2024, July 19). BRCA gene changes: Cancer risk and genetic testing. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/genetics/brca-fact-sheet
Pijpe, A., Andrieu, N., Easton, D. F., Kesminiene, A., Cardis, E., Noguès, C., Gauthier-Villars, M., Lasset, C., Fricker, J.-P., Peock, S., Frost, D., Evans, D. G., Eeles, R. A., Paterson, J., Manders, P., van Asperen, C. J., Ausems, M. G. E. M., Meijers-Heijboer, H. E. J., Thierry-Chef, I., … van Leeuwen, F. E. (2012). Exposure to diagnostic radiation and risk of breast cancer among carriers of BRCA1/2 mutations: Retrospective cohort study (GENE-RADRISK). BMJ, 345, e5660. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e5660
Susan G. Komen. (n.d.). Breast cancer risk factors: Age. Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/risk-factor/age/
World Cancer Research Fund. (n.d.). Alcoholic drinks and the risk of cancer. Retrieved February 10, 2026, from https://www.wcrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Alcoholic-Drinks.pdf
World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe. (2023, January 4). No level of alcohol consumption is safe for our health. https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/04-01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol-consumption-is-safe-for-our-health
World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe. (2025, November 26). Alcohol and cancer (Fact sheet). https://www.who.int/europe/news-room/fact-sheets/item/alcohol-and-cancer

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🤍 In this episode we talk honestly about postpartum intimacy, what happens to your body, your hormones, and your libido after birth, and why so many women feel disconnected from sex but rarely hear that this is completely normal.
🧠 I’m joined by Juliet Allen, a global leading sexologist who works with women and couples to rebuild trust, pleasure, and communication after major life transitions like pregnancy and motherhood.
🌿 Together we explore the physical and emotional shifts that shape intimacy after birth, including healing timelines, body image, identity changes, relationship dynamics, and the nervous system’s role in desire.
💬 You’ll learn how to reduce pressure, reconnect with your body gently, communicate your needs clearly, and approach sex from a place of safety and curiosity rather than expectation.
✨ This conversation is compassionate, practical, and designed to help you feel less alone and more supported as you navigate this new chapter.
juliet-allen.com

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