Episodes 362
Avg. Duration 41m
Activity Highly Active
Since Dec 2019
Latest Episode Mar 2026

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Publishing Details

Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
87%
Hosting
feeds.buzzsprout.com

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About This Podcast

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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Recent Episodes

S7E357 #357 | Back to Basics: Birth Planning 2.0

Mar 04, 2026 1h 13m

Six seasons later, we are revisiting one of our first episodes of this podcast: Using evidence-based care to plan your birth. Much of what happens in labor is presented as standard, routine, or…

S7E356 #356 | February Q&A: Tearing vs. Episiotomy, Decels, Posterior Babies, Pitocin, Premature Rupture of Membranes, High Palates, Oversupply

Feb 25, 2026 1h

Welcome to the February Q&A!  We begin with a brief reflection on a mother's need to find time for play (not with her children but for herself) and creativity during early parenthood, before…

S7E355 #355 | First Birth as a Teen, Next as a Woman: Samantha's Blissful Experience Even with Induction

Feb 18, 2026 43m Transcript

In today's episode, mother of two, Samantha Collignon, joins us to share two very different birth experiences separated by thirteen years. She gave birth to her first baby at 18 with minimal support…

S7E354 #354 | From Trauma to Trust: Moran's (@2lifedoula) Journey to Birth Work and Motherhood

Feb 11, 2026 56m Transcript

In this episode, we talk to Moran of @2lifedoula, a doula whose journey into birth work was born from her own harrowing transition into motherhood. Moran candidly shares the story of her first…

S7E353 #353 | No Stitches Required: Preventing & Healing Perineal Tears in Birth

Feb 04, 2026 45m

Tearing is one of the most common fears around birth—and one of the most misunderstood. In this episode, we talk about what really causes tearing, what the research shows, and what you can do to…

S7E352 #352 | January Q&A: Water Birth Myths, Breaking Waters, Cord Clamping in C-Sections, Fetal Monitoring, Wake Windows, Frozen Breastmilk

Jan 28, 2026 1h 4m Transcript

Welcome to our first monthly Q&A episode of Season 7!In today's episode, we discuss why C-sections are sometimes framed as “prevention,” how fear around tearing, fetal monitoring, or cord…

S7E351 #351 | Inside A Difficult Breastfeeding Journey: Flat Nipples, Tongue Tie and Slow Weight Gain

Jan 21, 2026 47m Transcript

In this episode, Jessica shares the breastfeeding journey she never expected. After a smooth birth at a birth center, feeding quickly became complicated: flat nipples, an early nipple shield, a…

S7E350 #350 | Breastfeeding Q&A: Nursing Boundaries with Toddlers; Breast Milkshake; Strong Let-Downs; Fast Flow; Oversupply; Vasospasm

Jan 14, 2026 34m Transcript

In today’s breastfeeding Q&A, we take calls from mothers facing the challenges that often arise well beyond the newborn phase. We begin with a question about nursing an eighteen-month-old who…

S7E349 #349 | The Supermom Complex: Trying to Do it All with Dr. Morgan MacDermott, NMD

Jan 07, 2026 1h 1m Transcript

Dr. Morgan MacDermott, NMD, a naturopathic medical doctor specializing in perinatal and postpartum health, joins us to explore why postpartum isn’t simply a recovery period—it’s a complete…

S6E348 #348 | A New Year's Q&A Where We Talk About E-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g

Dec 31, 2025 1h 13m Transcript

Welcome to our end-of-year Q&A episode! Settle in with your favorite drink and listen as we play listener voicemails from around the world. You'll hear us reflect on six years of podcasting…

S6E347 #347 | When Doulas Face the Unthinkable: A Return Conversation with Dynamic Doulas

Dec 17, 2025 46m Transcript

In today's episode, we reconnect with Sarah and Lara of Dynamic Doulas, who last joined us in Episode 196: The Toughest Part of Being a Doula. Three years later, we tackle the conversation that is in…

S6E346 #346 | Your Breastfeeding Fears, Alleviated

Dec 10, 2025 43m Transcript

Pregnant women often carry fears about breastfeeding long before their babies arrive — fears of pain, low supply, clogged ducts, or not knowing when to feed. After all, if breastfeeding is so…

S6E345 #345 | "There's Nothing More We Can Do": Two Birth Stories Midwife Sophia Henderson Never Expected

Dec 03, 2025 41m Transcript

Midwife and mother of two, Sophia Henderson, host of the Born Wild podcast, joins us to tell the story of her children’s births – and how a chiropractor may have saved her newborn daughter’s life.In…

S6E344 #344 | November Q&A: Birth Partners, Postpartum Rage, VBAC, Infant Gas, Baby Names, Placenta Accreta, Endometrial Biopsy, Choosing Homebirth, Physical Boundaries with Your Toddler

Nov 26, 2025 1h 8m Transcript

Welcome to the November Q&A! Today, we start with a topic that always stirs strong feelings—birth partners. From the gestures that truly helped to the ones that fell short, we chat about your…

S6E343 #343 | Rest Assured: Your Instincts are Right About Your Baby's Sleep with Louise Herbert

Nov 19, 2025 46m

When it comes to infant sleep, few topics are more misunderstood—or more burdened by cultural myths—than the expectation that babies should “sleep through the night.” Pediatric sleep and development…

S6E342 #342 | Inducing Labor Naturally: Proven Methods for Getting Down to Birth

Nov 12, 2025 44m Transcript

After six seasons, we’re finally doing it—we’re talking about how to get down to birth.As your "due date" approaches, many women find themselves up against policies, deadlines, and pressure to accept…

S6E341 #341 | Genitourinary Syndrome of Lactation: How Breastfeeding Can Mimic Menopause

Nov 05, 2025 47m Transcript

After birth, many women are left blindsided by physical changes they never expected. Vaginal dryness, painful sex, recurring UTIs, and even emotional strain can all show up during breastfeeding — but…

S6E340 #340 | October Q&A: Pushing "Wrong", Laboring Down, Birthing the Placenta, Fistulas, Lip Ties, PP Rage, Pelvic Floors, Explaining Conception to Kids

Oct 29, 2025 51m Transcript

Welcome to the October Q&A episode! We kick things off with a few confessions from our community (and one from us!) before diving into your thoughtful questions on pregnancy, birth, and…

S6E339 #339 | Pitocin Without An Epidural Plus An Unintentional Free Birth

Oct 22, 2025 49m

Emily shares two unforgettable and very different birth stories: an unmedicated hospital induction with Pitocin, and an unplanned free birth at home. In her first birth, she transferred late in…

S6E338 #338 | Breastfeeding Q&A: How to Night Wean, Delayed Milk Production, Breastmilk & Cavities, Biting the nipple, Strong Let-Downs, Oversupply

Oct 15, 2025 41m Transcript

Welcome to another Breastfeeding Q&A episode. Today, we start with a conversation on how to night wean and your personal experiences with what worked best.  For today's questions, Trisha responds…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Down to Birth have?

Down to Birth has published 362 episodes since December 2019, covering topics in Alternative Health, Documentary.

Is Down to Birth still active?

Down to Birth is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 41m.

How do I contact Down to Birth for sponsorship or guest appearances?

Sign up on Grep.FM to access contact details for Down to Birth, including email and social media links.

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