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
#312 | Avoiding the Unnecessary Cesarean: A Five-Step Evidence-Based Approach
Today we’re talking about one of the most important—and misunderstood—topics in maternity care: the unnecessary cesarean. In the U.S., about one in three babies is born by C-section, bu…
#311 | Listen to Me: Black Maternal Health, Tragedy, and the Fight for Change
In honor of Black Maternal Health Week, we’re joined by Stephanie Etienne and Kanika Harris, creators of the documentary Listen to Me. The film follows the pregnancy and birth journeys …
#310 | The Co-Sleeping Controversy: Overcoming Fear & Supporting Instincts with Isadora of Happy Co-Sleeper
What if sleeping beside your baby isn’t dangerous—but actually protective? In this episode, we talk about one of the most instinctive things mothers do—and one of the most feared and ju…
#309 | March Q&A: Uterine Rupture Risk; Weaning without Guilt; Home Birth Laws; Timeframes for Placental Birth; Precipitous Birth; Botox and Nursing
Cynthia and Trisha are back with the March Q&A episode! This one kicks off with a fun discussion on things that our Instagram followers think people should know but don’t—like how, when…
#308 | Mammogram Myths: Safer Ways to Screen for Breast Cancer with Dr. Jenn Simmons
In today's episode, Dr. Jenn Simmons shares her powerful journey from a leading breast cancer surgeon to an advocate for functional medicine and holistic health. Drawing from her person…
#307 | When Labor Stalls: Recognizing and Resolving Dystocia with Midwife Molly O'Brien @biomechanics_for_birth
Labor dystocia, often labeled as "failure to progress," is the leading reason for cesarean birth in the United States. At its core, prolonged labor is frequently influenced by suboptima…
#306 | Breastfeeding Q&A: Engorgement & Oversupply; Sleepy Feeders; Hands-Free Pumps; Foremilk/Hindmilk Imbalances; Cracked Nipples
Do you know the "hi" joke? If not, you haven't been listening long enough or need to go back to our earliest episodes, lol! If you haven't been there you should. We have some amazing ep…
#305 | February Q&A: Induction at 37 Weeks, "Lazy" Feeders, Low-Lying Placenta, PPD, Respiratory Distress in Newborns, Kick Counts
Welcome to the February Q&A! Today, Cynthia & Trisha kick off the episode by discussing reasons why our community has lost friendships or relationships over their parenting choices. In …
#304 | Why Algae is the Superfood for Fertility, Pregnancy & Postpartum Health
In today’s episode, we explore the powerful benefits of spirulina and chlorella—two superfoods that boost energy, improve digestion, and alkalize your body, especially during pregnancy.…
#303 | Car Birth to Premature Baby with Megan @wilsonfamilyhomestead
Today we dive deep into an incredibly empowering and unique birth story. Megan Wilson of @wilsonfamilyhomestead shares her journey of unexpectedly giving birth to her 33-week baby in a …
#302 | Facing PTSD with Shoulder Dystocia at Home Birth
In this episode, Allison Angelini shares the profound and challenging story of her second pregnancy and birth. From the start, Allison had a premonition that her birth might not go as p…
#301 | January Q&A: Cervical Scarring, Shoulder Dystocia, Prenatal Vitamins, Birthing the Placenta in Water, Postpartum Aches & Pains
Welcome to the first Q&A episode of Season 6 with Cynthia & Trisha! We’re kicking things off by discussing some lesser-known causes of cervical scar tissue that could impact labor progr…
#300 | Vaccine Rights, Research and Consent with Just the Inserts
As an active member of the military, Alexandra was required to take various medical products. After experiencing multiple adverse reactions, she started researching the benefits, safet…
#299 | Vaginal Birth After Unnecessary LEEP Procedure
In her early 20s, Kelsey of Soul Shine Birth went to her OBGYN for a routine Pap smear. Her results came back with HPV and abnormal cells. Having been led to believe she had impending c…
#298 | Is Childbirth Painful?
Is childbirth truly one of the most painful experiences—even, as one person claims, comparable to being burned alive? In this episode, we bust this widespread myth after first diving in…
#297 | A Patreon Q&A Special Episode to Ring in 2025
In this special New Year's Day episode, we’re giving you an exclusive peek into one of our private Patreon Q&A gatherings. Originally recorded in October, this off-the-record session fe…
#296 | Extended Q&A: RhoGAM; Premature Rupture of Membranes; Meconium; Fevers Cord Traction; Vitamin D; Waterbirth & Cold Plunges [Season 3 Reprise]
For this December Q&A, we kick it off, with a follow-up conversation based on one listener's response to episode #188 on RhoGAM. Next, we jump into our questions discussing the actual …
#295 | Is My Baby Tongue-Tied? with Author Cathy Watson Genna, IBCLC
Catherine Watson Genna is a renowned International Board Certified Lactation Consultant in private practice in New York City and author of Supporting Sucking Skills in Breastfeeding Inf…
#294 | Physiologic Birth of the Placenta in Water, Optimal Cord Clamping and Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage with Barbara Harper [Season 4 Reprise]
In this episode, we have Barbara Harper on the podcast with us. Barbara is a midwife, author, and the founder of WaterBirth International, which she founded exactly 40 years ago. She is…
#293 | Extended Q&A [Season 3 Reprise]: Miscarriage; Evening Primrose Oil; Safe Bed-Sharing; Failure to Descend; Pushing; High Blood Pressure
For this November Q&A, please enjoy the full, extended version of one of our top Q&As from season 3, where we discuss:
Weight loss after having a baby--can you lose too much too fast? W…