Down to Birth artwork

Kids & Family · Cynthia Overgard & Trisha Ludwig

Down to Birth

by Cynthia Overgard & Trisha Ludwig

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.

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

#389 | October Breastfeeding Q&A: Colic, Getting Pregnant & Breastfeeding “Rules”

Welcome to another Breastfeeding Q&A episode. Today, we start with a conversation about breastfeeding advice on social media and ask our community which breastfeeding “ru

Oct 14
43 min

#388 | Twin Home Birth at 38 Weeks: Leaving High-Risk Care and Choosing a Midwife

When Victoria learned at 10 weeks that she was carrying MoDi twins, she was immediately placed in high-risk care and told to expect frequent monitoring, an operating-room

Oct 7
28 min

#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 b

Oct 1
55 min

#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 ba

Sep 23
42 min

#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 psychologi

Sep 16
1 h 21 min

#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 marke

Sep 9
42 min

#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 suc

Sep 2
36 min

#382 | August Q&A: Prodromal Labor, Breastfeeding vs. Formula Guilt, Two-Vessel Cords, When Epidurals Help, Kids at Home Births, Intrusive Thoughts

Welcome to the August Q&A! Today we kick things off with your answers to the question, “What’s one thing that happened during your birth that no one prepared you for?” Fr

Aug 26
51 min

#381 | The Chemicals You're Wearing Every Day with The Clean Clothing Chick, Hannah Dunning

Clothing is one of the most overlooked sources of chemical exposure in modern life, and it sits on our skin all day, every day, literally from birth until death. In this

Aug 19
49 min

#380 | Henci Goer on Taking Charge of Your Birth

More than twenty years ago, Henci Goer's renowned book, The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth, profoundly shaped Cynthia's understanding of pregnanc

Aug 12
54 min

#379 | When Birth Gets Complicated: The Midwifery Difference for a Mom of Four

When complications arise during pregnancy or birth, many women assume their birth plans are over. But does it have to be that way? In this episode, we're joined by

Aug 5
39 min

#378 | July Q&A: Parenting Styles, Mom Hobbies, What's "High Risk" Anyway, Third Labors, Manifesting Your Best Birth, Cytotec in Home Birth

Heads up, all! If you'd like to learn more about our parenting conversation, join our Patreon event: Parenting without Reward & Punishment ********** This week’s Q

Jul 29
58 min

#377 | Protecting Your Baby From EMFs: Practical Ways to Reduce Exposure

In today's episode, we invited back Thaddeus Owen and Heidi Syme of DreamWalkerz, this time focusing on electromagnetic fields (EMFs), wireless technology, and the g

Jul 22
59 min

#376 | July Breastfeeding Q&A: Sore Nipples, Breastfeeding Instincts, DMER, Low Blood Sugar in Infants and Tandem Feeding

Welcome to our July Breastfeeding Q&A episode! We open with a conversation about what surprised women most about breastfeeding (for better or worse) after all the things

Jul 15
47 min

#375 | Making Sense of Everyday Toxin Exposure with Kale Blossom

In today’s episode, we talk with Carly and Rachel of Kale Blossom about environmental toxins, what matters when it comes to everyday exposure, and how mothers can make th

Jul 8
52 min

#374 | Fibroids in Pregnancy: IUGR, Induction, Hemorrhage, and a Life-Saving Birth

In today’s episode, Cassidy Peck shares a birth story shaped by large fibroids, a late IUGR diagnosis, low amniotic fluid, and a postpartum emergency that nearly cost her

Jul 1
46 min

#373 | June Q&A: VBAC Labeling, Big Baby Ultrasounds, In-Law Matters & Labor Questions

In today's episode we reference the following resources: Should I be induced? Evidence on the ARRIVE Trial Planning Your Successful VBAC ********** Welcome to th

Jun 24
53 min

#372 | The First Meal: Colostrum, Formula, and Newborn Gut Health with Dr. Rhonda Trust, PhD

Most parents have heard that breastfeeding is beneficial. What far fewer understand is why those first feedings matter so much, what colostrum does beyond nutrition, and

Jun 17
48 min

#371 | Mothers in the Birth Space: Should You Have Her There? How Women Decide.

In today’s episode, we take on a question many women think about but don’t always say out loud: should your mother be at your birth? We share listener voicemails from wo

Jun 10
53 min

#370 | 43-Week Pregnancy: Jessica and Aaron Researched, Prayed, and Waited

In today's episode, we sat with Ontario couple Jessica and Aaron, who share the birth story of their first child. Jessica's pregnancy included several key decis

Jun 3
38 min

Chart trend

Position in the Kids & Family chart (US), last 90 days.

#59
all-time peak
20
days in the top 100 since Jan 2025

Chart positions

Where Down to Birth ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Oct 15, 2026).

#136 ▲ 11 Kids & Family US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

I give myself credit for my birth, first and foremost, but Cynthia and Trisha had a big role, too! I learned how to have an empowered, informed, and calm home birth, even with complications like retained placenta and postpartum hemorrhage. I trust their knowledge and insight and find value in every episode I listen to, even 1 year postpartum. I recommend this to every woman thinking of getting pregnant, already pregnant, or even postpartum!

keenacbean · Apr 2026

Down to Birth might’ve changed my life! I’ve been listening for years and have enjoyed every minute. Cynthia and Trisha feel like friends and guided me through my pregnancy and homebirth. I felt so incredibly prepared for the journey thanks to them! Now they guide me for breastfeeding/weaning, mothering, and just life! As a big time pregnancy and birth enthusiast, I don’t think I’ll ever stop listening 🩵🩵

frusterado · Jan 2026

As a doula and mama to two beautiful babies both born at home, I can confidently say the information, wisdom and conversations shared on DTB are the best of the very best. Trisha and Cynthia are so insightful, well-spoken, positive, thoughtful, entertaining and compassionate. They are the women you want to be learning from when it comes to anything pregnancy, birth and postpartum. I’ve been listening for years, and I still look forward to their weekly episode drops! They’re not only fun to listen to, they’re so informative. Thank you for all you do for the birth community and for women; you both are gifts to our generation!

Kelseytscott · Jan 2026

I love this podcast! I discovered it in 2022 when planning my 3rd birth (1st home birth). I’ve gone on to have a 4th baby in 2024 (also a home birth) and am one week away from my EDD with baby #5 and hopefully another home birth. I find the positive, physiologically-based approach to birth encouraging and grounding each time I prepare to journey through childbirth and postpartum. I so appreciate the work Cynthia and Trisha put into each podcast episode. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge with us!

danielle-louise · Dec 2025

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