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Down to Birth

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.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    #332 | The Hidden Power of the Infant Microbiome: Optimizing Exposure in Birth & Breastfeeding

    Send us a text 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 life matter so much for lifelong health. Toni shares her personal journey from an unexpected C-section to uncovering how birth methods, antibiotics, and feeding choices shape immunity, metabolism, and risk of chronic disease over our lifetime. Key Points Discussed Include: Why vaginal birth, skin-to-skin contact, and early exclusive breastfeeding are the gold standard for seeding a healthy microbiome;How C-section birth changes microbial exposure—introducing hospital and staff microbes instead of the mother’s;Why even a single bottle of formula can shift the gut microbiome, and how exclusive breastfeeding and skin-to-skin can help restore balance;The fascinating recent research about vaginal seeding during C-sections...is it actually effective?The impact of newborn exposure to maternal gut microbes at birth;How the microbiome begins to “lock in” by age 2–3, and ways to keep building resilience through early childhood.Buckle up for some mind-blowing ideas in this episode! As always, Mother Nature has the perfect, albeit a little dirty, plan!  Microbirth Film Instagram: Toni Harman Watch this episode in full video format on YouTube. ********** Our sponsors, Patreon, and contact info below: Needed -- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT -- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe: Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGYBits: --this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow HypnoBirthingCT.com Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

    49 min
  2. 27 AUG

    #331 | August Q&A: Sugar Cravings, Exclusive Breastfeeding vs Bottle, Moxibustion, Obstetric Coercion, Late Onset GD, Dystocia, Fundal Height

    Send us a text 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 baby without a diagnosis of gestational diabetes. She's concerned in her second pregnancy that she might develop late-onset gestational diabetes. Next, a pregnant mother's mother is a medical doctor and is having a hard time supporting her daughter's natural birth choices because of her experiences in the medical system.  Another mom is struggling with sugar cravings in pregnancy and is wondering what advice we have to reduce those cravings. In the extended episode, available on Patreon and Apple subscriptions,  we address the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding over exclusive bottle-feeding, whether or not you should have a planned cesarean after a shoulder dystocia, and if moxibustion works to turn a breech baby.  Quickies: Fundal height measurements, prenatal appointments at the end of pregnancy, hemorrhoids, spotting postpartum, short breastfeeds, LEEP procedure and cervical scar tissue, high lipase milk, laboring down, restless legs in pregnancy, and finally, would we tell anyone about our pregnancy before 12 weeks?  Call us with your questions, comments or stories at 802-GET-DOWN! Watch this episode in full video format on YouTube. ********** Our sponsors: Postpartum Soothe -- Herbs and padsicles to heal and comfort. Needed -- Our favorite nutritional products for before, during, and after pregnancy. Use this link to save 20% DrinkLMNT -- Purchase LMNT with this unique link and get a FREE sample pack Use promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for all sponsors. Needed -- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT -- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe: Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGYBits: --this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow HypnoBirthingCT.com Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

    46 min
  3. 20 AUG

    #330 | Sleep Like a Baby: The Impact of Melatonin, Blue Light, and Sunrise with DreamWalkerz

    Send us a text 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 and passionate educators on the biology of sleep. Together, we explore how light—yes, just light—is one of the most overlooked but powerful regulators of our sleep, hormones, mood, and even fertility. Heidi and Thaddeus break down what circadian rhythms really are, how they’re installed in babies, and why so many of us are unknowingly “teaching” our newborns to be awake at night and asleep during the day. We talk about the biological cost of blue light, the myth of the night owl, and how shifting even small habits—like going outside at dawn or switching a lightbulb—can radically change the way we sleep and parent. We also explore melatonin myths, the complex hormonal dance between light and reproduction, and why syncing your body to natural light is not just a lifestyle tweak—it’s a return to something deeply human. This episode offers no quick fixes, but rather a steady reminder that rest is not a luxury—it’s a birthright. And it begins not with a supplement or a schedule, but with the rising sun. Dreamwalkerz: Use Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH to save 10% Instagram: Dreamwalkerz The Melatonin Makeover #172 | Our Sexual Energy as the Secret Weapon to Our Best Birth and Best Life with Kim Anami Needed -- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT -- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe: Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGYBits: --this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow HypnoBirthingCT.com Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

    53 min
  4. 13 AUG

    #329 | Doula Confessions: Bearing Witness to Birth and Broken Systems

    Send us a text 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 and routinely witness coercion, misinformation, and violations of informed consent. Even with their deep commitment to the women they serve, doulas often feel powerless in the face of hospital systems driven by profit and control. Still, many doulas are called to this work—and despite everything, they continue with resilience, purpose, and unwavering commitment. Doulas are indispensable. The evidence is clear: When a doula is present, C-section rates drop -- as do all other routine interventions. Physiologic birth is more likely. Breastfeeding is more successful. And most important, mothers walk away feeling more satisfied and supported. Doulas are, and always have been, the original birth keepers. Their presence makes birth safer, more humane, and more aligned with what women actually want and need. In today’s episode, we hear directly from doulas about what they’re up against—and why, despite it all, they keep showing up. We also share our reflections on what it means to support doulas as they continue this vital work. ********** Our sponsors: Postpartum Soothe -- Herbs and padsicles to heal and comfort. Needed -- Our favorite nutritional products for before, during, and after pregnancy. Use this link to save 20% DrinkLMNT -- Purchase LMNT with this unique link and get a FREE sample pack Connect with us on Patreon for our exclusive content. Email Contact@DownToBirthShow.com Instagram @downtobirthshow Call us at 802-GET-DOWN Watch the full videos of all our episodes on YouTube Needed -- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT -- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe: Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGYBits: --this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow HypnoBirthingCT.com Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

    46 min
  5. 6 AUG

    #328 | Jessie's Vaginal Breech Birth: The Way it Was Meant To Be

    Send us a text 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 a home birth, Jessie began exploring other options and considered traveling to Pennsylvania for a hospital birth with experienced breech providers. But when labor started at 39 weeks, everything shifted. Mid-drive to Pennsylvania, Jessie and her husband decided to turn around and head to Yale New Haven Hospital. There, an OB team unexpectedly supported her birth plan, and her baby was born breech and vaginally—with ease. In this episode, Jessie shares her story of intuition, flexibility, and trust in her body and baby. It’s an inspiring reminder that sometimes birth doesn’t go according to plan—and that’s exactly what makes it beautiful. ********** Our sponsors: Postpartum Soothe -- Herbs and padsicles to heal and comfort. Needed -- Our favorite nutritional products for before, during, and after pregnancy. Use this link to save 20% DrinkLMNT -- Purchase LMNT with this unique link and get a FREE sample pack Use promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for all sponsors. Needed -- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT -- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe: Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGYBits: --this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow HypnoBirthingCT.com Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

    33 min
  6. 30 JUL

    #327 | July Q&A: Folic Acid & Tongue Tie, Nuchal Cords, VBAC & Pregnancy Intervals, IUGR & Induction, Fundal Massage, Fetal Heart Rate Variations

    Send us a text 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 Trisha, it's taking phone calls while grocery shopping.  Next, we get into your questions, beginning with: Did taking folic acid in pregnancy cause my baby's tongue tie? Is having the cord wrapped three times around a baby's neck a legitimate reason for c-section? Is it true that I can't have a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) if it has been just 18 months since my last birth? And in the extended version of today's episode, available on Patreon or Apple Subscriptions, we discuss: Intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) babies and whether induction of labor is the right choice. Also, whether or not a baby needs to be born by cesarean for too low or too high heart rates in labor. And finally, whether fundal massage is still needed even if you a woman is administered  Pitocin in the third stage of labor.  As for Quickies, we covered many topics including: Post-breastfeeding bras, OP (posterior) babies, magnesium and pre-eclampsia, fetal ejection reflex with an epidural, supporting the perineum to prevent tearing, our top tip for a successful VBAC. As for the personal questions of the month, we share our favorite ice cream flavors as well as our favorite flowers. In Cynthia's case, she didn't know the name of her all-time favorite flower and had to text a friend urgently in order to answer the question. Just goes to show, some friends can know us just a little better than we know ourselves! ********** Our sponsors: Postpartum Soothe -- Herbs and padsicles to heal and comfort. Needed -- Our favorite nutritional products for before, during, and after pregnancy. Use this link to save 20% DrinkLMNT -- Purchase LMNT with this unique link and get a FREE sample pack Use promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Needed -- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT -- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe: Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGYBits: --this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow HypnoBirthingCT.com Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

    40 min
  7. 23 JUL

    #326 | Trisha's Three Home Births

    Send us a text 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 to her decision to pursue a career in midwifery, allowing her to understand every aspect of birth from a physiological and intellectual perspective. Hear how she became a midwife, how she got herself into labor with her first, grueling, long birth, to her wildly different second birth, and her unintentionally unassisted third home birth to her son, who taught her the most important lesson she wants every birthing woman to know: One that could benefit all of humankind. Watch this episode in full video on YouTube. ********** Our sponsors: Silverette Nursing Cups -- Soothe and heal sore nipples with 925 silver nursing cups. Postpartum Soothe -- Herbs and padsicles to heal and comfort. Needed -- Our favorite nutritional products for before, during, and after pregnancy. Use this link to save 20% DrinkLMNT -- Purchase LMNT with this unique link and get a FREE sample pack Needed -- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT -- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe: Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGYBits: --this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow HypnoBirthingCT.com Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

    48 min
  8. 16 JUL

    #325 | Breast Cancer While Pregnant: Leslie’s Story of Faith, Birth & Healing

    Send us a text 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 coach who hadn’t taken over-the-counter medication in five years, Leslie spent her adult life doing everything she could to prevent disease. As she prepared to welcome her second baby at home, she was forced to face a diagnosis that would alter her life on every level. She confidently insisted on continuing with her home birth plans and delivered her son peacefully at 38 weeks, just weeks before starting intensive chemotherapy. Her story takes us through her heartbreaking decision to wean early, her rejection of radiation, and the support of her midwife, community, and unwavering faith in God. Leslie is not only healing; she’s investigating the root causes of her illness—from parasites and heavy metals to infected root canals. Her message is clear: You must be your own advocate in your birth and healthcare. This conversation is about more than cancer—it’s about bodily sovereignty, maternal instinct, and the strength of a mother determined to do right by her children, no matter the cost. ********** Our sponsors: Postpartum Soothe -- Herbs and padsicles to heal and comfort. Needed -- Our favorite nutritional products for before, during, and after pregnancy. Use this link to save 20% DrinkLMNT -- Purchase LMNT with this unique link and get a FREE sample pack ENERGYbits--the superfood every mother needs for pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding Primally Pure: From soil to skin, primally pure products are made with down-to-earth ingredients that feel and smell like heaven for the skin Use promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for all sponsors. Needed -- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT -- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe: Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGYBits: --this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow HypnoBirthingCT.com Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

    44 min

Trailer

About

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.

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