Down to Birth
Join Cynthia Overgard and Trisha Ludwig once per week for evidence-based straight talk on pregnancy, birth and postpartum --- beyond the clichés and beyond the system. With 40 years' combined experience in midwifery, childbirth education and advocacy, publishing, research and postpartum care, we've guided thousands of families toward safer, more empowered choices. Down to Birth is all about safe childbirth, while recognizing a safe outcome isn't all that matters. We challenge the status quo, explore women's rights in childbirth, and feature women from all over the world, shining shine light on the policies, culture, and systemic forces that shape our most intimate and transformative of life experiences. You'll hear the birth stories of our clients, listeners and numerous celebrities. You'll benefit from our expert-interviews, and at any time you can submit your questions for our monthly Q&A episodes by calling us at 802-GET-DOWN. With millions of downloads and listeners in 90 countries, our worldwide community of parents and birth professionals coms together to learn, question and create change, personally and societally. We're on Instagram at @downtobirthshow and at Patreon.com/downtobirthshow, where we offer live ongoing events multiple times per month. Become informed, feel empowered, and join the movement toward better maternity care in the United States and worldwide. As always, hear everyone, listen to yourself.
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 39 minutes
- Episodes
- 337
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2025
#332 | The Hidden Power of the Infant Microbiome: Optimizing Exposure in Birth & Breastfeeding
In this episode, filmmaker and microbiome advocate Toni Harman joins us to explore the groundbreaking science behind establishing the infant microbiome—and why the earliest moments of l…
#331 | August Q&A: Sugar Cravings, Exclusive Breastfeeding vs Bottle, Moxibustion, Obstetric Coercion, Late Onset GD, Dystocia, Fundal Height
Welcome to the August Q&A episode! What is your secret quirk? We want to know! We share a few of yours along with our own.
Today's first question is from a mother who had a large first …
#330 | Sleep Like a Baby: The Impact of Melatonin, Blue Light, and Sunrise with DreamWalkerz
Sleep is the foundation of health—and yet in modern motherhood, it’s often the first thing we lose. In this episode, we’re joined by Heidi and Thaddeus of DreamWalkerz, parents of six a…
#329 | Doula Confessions: Bearing Witness to Birth and Broken Systems
Doulas play a critical role in supporting women through childbirth—but their work is anything but easy, and their work isn't for the faint of heart. Many face disrespect from providers …
#328 | Jessie's Vaginal Breech Birth: The Way it Was Meant To Be
At 28 weeks, Jessie found out her baby was breech—but instead of panicking, she trusted her gut. She felt strongly that her baby was meant to be born this way. After initially planning …
#327 | July Q&A: Folic Acid & Tongue Tie, Nuchal Cords, VBAC & Pregnancy Intervals, IUGR & Induction, Fundal Massage, Fetal Heart Rate Variations
Welcome to the July Q&A! Today, we kick off the show with a conversation about your experiences of unnecessary, frequent stressors that we have the power to change or eliminate: For Tri…
#326 | Trisha's Three Home Births
Finally, after all these years, Trisha tells the stories of her three home births. Pregnancy, birth, & midwifery are woven into her life story, from her early obsession with pregnancy t…
#325 | Breast Cancer While Pregnant: Leslie’s Story of Faith, Birth & Healing
In this extraordinary episode, Leslie shares her deeply personal story of discovering a lump in her breast at 34 weeks pregnant—an aggressive, triple-negative breast cancer. A wellness …
#324 | The Impact of Beliefs on Birth: Changing Our Thoughts to Serve Us
Drawing from our their personal experiences, your words, and our intimate birth story processing sessions, Cynthia & Trisha delve into the neuroscience around beliefs and birth. Our bra…
#323 | Two Planned Home Births at the Hospital: Emily's Birth Stories
Emily Woodward is a mother of two who planned a home birth for each of her babies. Her first labor began with confidence and joy—and stretched across multiple days, testing her enduranc…
#322 | June Q&A: VBAC Induction, Birth Plan Boundaries, Nuchal Hand Presentation, 36-Week Cervical Exams, Episiotomy, Newborn Transition
Welcome to the June Q&A with Cynthia & Trisha. This month we kick things off with a conversation about a midwife who dropped her client in early labor because her HBAC labor was taking …
#321 | Spoil Your Baby: The Neuroscience of Thriving Baby Brains with Dr. Greer Kirschenbaum, PhD
Neuroscientist and author of The Nurture Revolution, Dr. Greer Kirschenbaum, PhD, joins us today to discuss the profound impact of nurturing care in the first three years of life. Drawi…
#320 | Breastfeeding Q&A: Nipple Shields, Restricting Skin-to-Skin, Formula Marketing, Gentle Weaning, Nursing Strikes, Night Feeding
Welcome to the June Breastfeeding Q&A episode with Trisha & Cynthia. Today, we open with a follow-up discussion to our recent Patreon discussion on the predatory marketing of formula co…
#319 | Devon's Footling Breech Birth Story: Accepting the Necessary Cesarean
Devon Stockton was deeply rooted in health and wellness and armed with years of medical experience. She had only ever envisioned a natural, low-intervention birth and took all of the ne…
#318 | May Q&A: Precipitous Births, Tearing Tips, Best Foods After Birth, Epidural Removal for Pushing, Induction & VBAC, Cord Clamping, Jaundice
Welcome to the May Q&A with Cynthia & Trisha. If you have been wondering what you should plan to eat after giving birth, we've got the answers in today's episode, and we think they'll s…
#317 | The Risk of Uterine Rupture: Breaking Down ACOG's VBAC Bulletin
What's the one question every woman wants to answer when considering a VBAC? Is it safe for me and my baby? In today's episode, Cynthia & Trisha break down the available data on VBAC, w…
#316 | The Body Ready Method for Optimizing Labor With Co-Founder Lindsay McCoy
Did you know that how you breathe on a daily basis can influence how your birth goes? Yes, your rib cage impacts your pelvic tension! On today's episode, we have Lindsay McCoy, a birth …
#315 | The Preeclampsia Puzzle: Misdiagnoses, Misconceptions and Prevention with Author Sarah Thompson
Preeclampsia is an increasingly common diagnosis, but are we getting it right? This episode tackles the alarming reality of misdiagnosis and the rush to intervene prematurely with induc…
#314 | April Q&A: Epidurals, Pushing Too Soon, Castor Oil Risks, Parental Coping, Gestational Diabetes & Big Babies; How Tall Is Arnold Schwarzenegger
Welcome to the April Q&A episode! Today's episode begins with your answers to our question: How do you cope when you are at your breaking point in parenting? If you are looking for some…
#313 | Including Children at Birth: Should They Be There? with Dr. Morgan MacDermott
What happens when we invite our children into the sacred space of birth? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Morgan MacDermott, a naturopathic doctor, perinatal health specialist, and …