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

#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

#369 | May Q&A: Postpartum Hemorrhage, RhoGAM, Family Boundaries, Induction, and Placenta Previa

Happy Spring! And welcome to the May Q&A! We start with a listener email we loved, followed by a discussion on creativity and why it matters, especially in the early yea

May 27
51 min

#368 | Kristina's Vaginal Breech Birth at the Eleventh Hour

In today's episode, Kristina shares her breech birth story following a long journey marked by cycle irregularities, miscarriage, and difficulty conceiving. At 40 wee

May 20
42 min

#367 | Your VBAC Questions Answered by The First Woman to Have One, Nancy Wainer

In today’s episode, Cynthia and Trisha are joined once again by Nancy Wainer, award-winning author, longtime home birth midwife, and the woman who coined the term VBAC in

May 13
52 min

#366 | Full-Term Stillbirth at 39 Weeks: Penelope's Story

In today's episode, we speak with Stephanie about her stillborn daughter, Penelope, who arrived at 39 weeks and 6 days. After two healthy births and a completely une

May 6
1 h 10 min

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

Not one single podcast has ever had such a deep, lasting, and powerful impact on my life as this one. I found this show in early 2024, while expecting my first child. I devoured as many episodes as I could. I am a nurse myself, and through my own experiences and observations, I have long questioned the common over medicalization of birth, the most natural event in the world, and the loss of control so many women experience during their births. Cynthia and Trisha are such wise, compassionate, and strong advocates for women, in any stage of childbearing and rearing. Their wisdom and information helped me hire my own team of midwives for a homebirth. I had a beautiful pregnancy, labor, and postpartum experience, largely thanks to their education. I love how they help you make your own best, informed decisions. I still tune in weekly and joined Patreon for access to more of their content. I cannot recommend this show enough. Thank you ladies for all you do!

Meg_ATL · Feb 2025

Binging the down to birth podcast throughout my pregnancy really gave me the encouragement and education to successfully advocate for myself and search for what I intuitively felt was right for me and my baby. Because of Cynthia and Trisha I was able to understand the ins and outs of the birth world and have a successful vaginal breech birth starting with 32 hours of unmedicated labor. Thank you both for all you do!

Kriisssssyy · Feb 2025

I am so thankful to your guidance through your podcast. I am a first time Momma and felt like I had a wealth of knowledge throughout my pregnancy and entering into birth from all of the education you both provide. I just gave birth on Sunday. I had a gestational diabetes diagnosis that did not disrupt my birth plans because of the education around GD you’ve provided , I had a 3 hour home birth that was surprise breech!  what helpsed me through the fast birth, intense surges, and the surprise breach was the steadfast knowledge and trust I had in the physiology of birth, and that is thanks to the content you all work so diligently to spread. I was able to remain calm and safe throughout which made all the difference. Thank you for all that you do in educating women  and changing the birth paradigm 💕

i don · Jan 2025

Eagerly awaiting every Wednesday for each episode! Real talk about pregnancy and birth. These ladies call out the nonsense and spell out the truth. Love it. Love it! LOVE IT!

Laurel G :) · Dec 2024

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