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.
Down to Birth
Latest Episodes
#387 | September Q&A: Home Birth Reactions, Miscarriage Prevention, Short Umbilical Cords, Stalled Pushing, Postpartum Anxiety, Tandem Breastfeeding
Welcome to the September Q&A! Today we kick things off with your answers to the question, “What did people say when they found out you were planning a home birth?” From being told you’re putting your baby in danger and that you’ll end up in...
#386 | Why Home Birth: A Father's Perspective on Choosing Birth Outside the System
When Marine Corps officer Jacob Dubois's wife, Madison, told him she wanted a home birth, he was skeptical. He assumed the hospital was the safest place to have a baby until he began asking qu...
#385 | The Lindsay Clancy Case: Postpartum Psychosis or Psychiatric Drug Reaction? with Dr. Roger McFillin
The tragic case of Lindsay Clancy has ignited a national conversation about postpartum psychosis, maternal mental health, and criminal responsibility. Clinical psychologist Dr. Roger McFillin of The Radically Genuine Podcast believes a critical...
#384 | Military Maternity Care in Sicily: Tara’s Birth Story
Tara was pregnant and stationed with her husband in Sicily, where military rules required her to give birth at the naval hospital on base. What followed was a birth marked by pressure, fear-based counseling, an induction she did not want, repea...
#383 | A Second Home Birth: Vocalizing, Instinct & Skilled Support
Birth doula and mother of two Carson Meyer joins us to share the story of her second home birth and the very different emotions that came with approaching birth after such a positive first experience.Carson talks about the anxiety she ca...
Fan Mail
Hello Cynthia and Trisha!! I have a couple of questions for you ladies... 1. What is the purpose of collecting colostrum while pregnant for baby? As in what will I be doing with it once baby is here? And if I'm able to collect, how much would you guys recommend collecting? 2. I've been doing pelvic floor therapy recently for pubic symphysis and my PT told me that being on all 4's in later pregnancy isn't the best for baby due to the fact that it puts pressure on the vena cava and lowers blood flow to baby? I'm 31 weeks pregnant and was under the impression that it was actually helpful for baby for position, tongue ties and or lip ties. This concerns me because I work for an automotive company that requires me to crawl around for most of my day and I find that I'm on all 4s for extended periods of time. Thank you ladies for everything and all that you do! I love listening to your podcast and look forward to seeing what's up with this statement 🙏🏾 - Mia
Irvine, California