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.
#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&A begins with a conversation that struck a chord with our community: why mothers need creativity, hobbies, and joy, and sharing inspiring stories from postpartum women who rediscovered parts of themselves through music, art, and new passions. We also dive into an impassioned discussion about parenting values, including the things we all swore we’d never do as parents (and now do regularly), co-sleeping, screen time, bribes, eating toddler food, rewards & punishments, and raising children with confidence, respect, and strong boundaries. Then we answer listener questions about: What truly qualifies a pregnancy as “high risk” and who gets to define what makes someone high risk Planning a home birth after a previous pregnancy complicated by preeclampsia Building confidence after a difficult first birth experience Manifesting the birth you want and the role of mindset in labor, despite how discouraging someone (ahem, your own midwife) responds Whether third babies are really “wild cards” and where that idea comes from Cytotec, balloon catheters, and induction recommendations in home birth care. Plus, our Quickies cover wearable breast pumps, mastitis, vitamin D, breech babies, postpartum supplements, homeschooling, friendship, feeding schedules, and more. Thank you to everyone who called us with questions and comments for the show! Livestream: Should we homeschool? Ask a Mom whose family thrived. If you'd like to learn more about our parenting conversation, join our Patreon event: Parenting without Reward & Punishment ********** Send us Fan Mail Support the show Access our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs Rhetoric Needed <-- for 20% off DrinkLMNT <-- for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure Skincare: Use code DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Use code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits Superfood <--for 20% off Join Patreon here IG @downtobirthshow Call 802-GET-DOWN. Watch us on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice.
#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 growing questions many families have about how modern environments can affect health. We discuss the difference between naturally occurring and man-made electromagnetic fields, the research that has fueled concern about wireless technologies, and why this topic has become increasingly relevant as our homes fill with Wi-Fi networks, smartphones, Bluetooth devices, smart appliances, and baby monitors. Thaddeus and Heidi share their perspective on practical ways families can reduce exposure without becoming overwhelmed, including simple changes related to device use, distance, sleep environments, and home technology. We also discuss grounding, time outdoors, and the role of nature in supporting overall well-being, as the best ways to reduce these exposures. Topics discussed: • What electromagnetic fields are and how they occur in nature • The difference between native and non-native EMFs • Research on wireless technology and biological effects • Cell phones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and baby monitors • EMFs and fertility concerns • Grounding and earthing practices • Why sleep environments matter • Common household sources of EMF exposure • Practical ways to reduce exposure without fear or perfectionism • The importance of spending time outdoors and connecting with nature As with so many topics we cover, the goal isn't fear. It's awareness, thoughtful decision-making, and finding an approach that works for your family. #330 | Sleep Like a Baby: The Impact of Melatonin, Blue Light, and Sunrise with DreamWalkerz Dreamwalkerz Dreamwalkerz.ai PromoCode: Downtobirth1 Primal Hackers Send us Fan Mail Support the show Access our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs Rhetoric Needed <-- for 20% off DrinkLMNT <-- for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure Skincare: Use code DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Use code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits Superfood <--for 20% off Join Patreon here IG @downtobirthshow Call 802-GET-DOWN. Watch us on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice.
#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 they'd heard from others, from pain and emotional shifts to supply, pumping, and expectations that didn’t match reality. Additionally, we answer the following questions: I’m pregnant and still breastfeeding my toddler. What should I know about tandem nursing, and how do I prioritize a newborn without creating oversupply? My newborn had low blood sugar readings in the hospital and we were encouraged to use donor milk. Was that necessary, and would things have resolved differently outside that setting? I experience waves of anxiety, nausea, and sadness right before letdown. What is this and is it normal? As usual, we lead into a round of quickies including: can latch change during teething, how to manage nipple sensitivity during your cycle, does milk supply drop when baby starts sleeping longer stretches, should you always nurse from both sides, is one breast doing all the work okay, do breastfed babies need vitamin D, and when is it okay for baby to sleep through the night. We wrap with a personal question which is: What advice would you give to someone entering the industry? #364 | When Co-Sleeping Gets Complicated: Weaning, Toddlers, and Sleep Transitions with Tiffany Belanger Send us Fan Mail Support the show Access our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs Rhetoric Needed <-- for 20% off DrinkLMNT <-- for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure Skincare: Use code DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Use code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits Superfood <--for 20% off Join Patreon here IG @downtobirthshow Call 802-GET-DOWN. Watch us on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice.
#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 thoughtful changes without getting pulled into fear-based messaging. The conversation around “low-tox living” can quickly become overwhelming, especially during pregnancy and early motherhood, when concern for your baby is understandably high. We wanted to cut through the noise and ask a more useful question: where does reducing exposure meaningfully matter, and where are women being sold anxiety? We talk about some of the highest-impact places to focus, including fragrance, household cleaning products, skincare, indoor air quality, plastics, and common materials in the home. We also discuss realistic, budget-conscious swaps, the role of overall health in supporting the body’s natural detoxification processes, and why perfection is neither possible nor necessary. This is a practical conversation about relative risk, informed decision-making, and reducing toxic burden in a way that feels sustainable rather than stressful. #221 | Understanding Fetal-Maternal Microchimerism with Rachel Marynowski of @Kale.Blossom Kale Blossom ********** Send us Fan Mail Support the show Access our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs Rhetoric Needed <-- for 20% off DrinkLMNT <-- for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure Skincare: Use code DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Use code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits Superfood <--for 20% off Join Patreon here IG @downtobirthshow Call 802-GET-DOWN. Watch us on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice.
#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 life. After years of debilitating periods and a delayed fibroid diagnosis, Cassidy conceived naturally and planned a home birth with an experienced midwife. Her pregnancy was largely uncomplicated until late third trimester, when concerns about fetal growth and fluid levels led to induction at 37 weeks. What followed was an unmedicated induction, the vaginal birth of her 4 lb 6 oz daughter, and then a catastrophic postpartum hemorrhage caused by a fibroid that had descended into the birth canal. Cassidy required emergency surgery, two blood transfusions, and an unexpected intraoperative myomectomy that ultimately saved both her life and her uterus. #125 | Uterine Fibroids in Pregnancy: Their Impact on Birth, Uterine Scars, and How Black Women are Affected the Most Send us Fan Mail Support the show Access our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs Rhetoric Needed <-- for 20% off DrinkLMNT <-- for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure Skincare: Use code DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Use code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits Superfood <--for 20% off Join Patreon here IG @downtobirthshow Call 802-GET-DOWN. Watch us on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice.
#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 the June Q&A! In today's episode, we begin with a listener who has some things to say about the term VBAC. Our questions begin with one from a new mother whose enthusiastic in-laws are eager to babysit her exclusively breastfed baby. The conversation is less about breastfeeding and more about expectations, trust and boundaries. Next, we answer one we've never been asked: "What do contractions actually feel like?" How's it possible this hasn't come up before?! Then, we discuss a common late-pregnancy scenario: a routine ultrasound that leads to concerns about a "big baby." When a healthy 38-week pregnant woman is told her baby's abdomen is measuring large, how much weight should she give to that information? As always, we finish with Quickies, covering cervical lips, high-lipase milk, pacifiers, coffee during pregnancy, milk blebs, antidepressants, swaddling, wake windows, dates, sex, retained placenta, induction, creatine, and a few personal questions about coffee preferences and family size. Have a question for a future Q&A? We'd love to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail and join the conversation! Call us 24/7 at 802-GET-DOWN! That's 802-438-3696. ********** Choosing Induction: When it Might be Needed Send us Fan Mail Support the show Access our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs Rhetoric Needed <-- for 20% off DrinkLMNT <-- for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure Skincare: Use code DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Use code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits Superfood <--for 20% off Join Patreon here IG @downtobirthshow Call 802-GET-DOWN. Watch us on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice.
#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 how early feeding choices shape the gut microbiome, immune system, and long-term health. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Rhonda Trust, PhD, registered dietitian, professor of health communication, and longtime breastfeeding educator, for a conversation about newborn gut health, colostrum, skin-to-skin contact, formula supplementation, and the larger systems influencing infant feeding decisions. We talk about what happens when babies receive formula in the hospital before breastfeeding is established, why nutrition education is still surprisingly limited in conventional medical training, and how formula marketing continues to shape the messaging parents receive. We also get into donor milk, birth mode, bacterial transfer, and why the newborn microbiome is about far more than digestion. We discuss: • What colostrum actually does in the newborn gut • Why the first feeding matters differently from feeding decisions made later • How skin-to-skin contact helps establish a healthy microbiome • Why formula is so often introduced before breastfeeding is fully supported • The connection between gut health, immune development, and chronic illness • Why many pediatricians receive limited breastfeeding and nutrition education • The role of donor milk when breastfeeding isn’t immediately possible • How modern infant feeding culture became so disconnected from biology If you’ve ever been told “a little formula won’t hurt,” or wondered why the first few days matter so much, this episode provides much food for thought. ********** Send us Fan Mail Support the show Access our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs Rhetoric Needed <-- for 20% off DrinkLMNT <-- for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure Skincare: Use code DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Use code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits Superfood <--for 20% off Join Patreon here IG @downtobirthshow Call 802-GET-DOWN. Watch us on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice.
#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 women who made very different choices. Some had their mothers in the room, some kept them close by but not present for the birth, and others chose not to include them at all. It’s a candid, interesting conversation that gets into what shapes that decision and why it can feel more complicated than you might expect, even in close, supportive relationships. ********** Send us Fan Mail Support the show Access our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs Rhetoric Needed <-- for 20% off DrinkLMNT <-- for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure Skincare: Use code DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Use code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits Superfood <--for 20% off Join Patreon here IG @downtobirthshow Call 802-GET-DOWN. Watch us on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice.
#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 decision points, including whether to accept RhoGAM and how to approach care and manage the expectations of their loved ones as they moved well past their due date -- nearly 3 weeks past! They describe how they evaluated risk, navigated recommendations, and remained aligned as a couple under increasing pressure, while working with a midwifery team that respected informed consent. This episode examines how risk is framed in pregnancy, how provider–patient dynamics influence decision-making, and what it looks like to stay grounded in your choices through the final weeks of a post-term pregnancy. Access our workshop: How to Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital Access our workshop: Ultrasound: The Research and the Rhetoric ********** Send us Fan Mail Support the show Access our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs Rhetoric Needed <-- for 20% off DrinkLMNT <-- for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure Skincare: Use code DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Use code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits Superfood <--for 20% off Join Patreon here IG @downtobirthshow Call 802-GET-DOWN. Watch us on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice.
#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 years of motherhood when it can feel completely out of reach. Then we get into your questions. We talk about postpartum hemorrhage and how it’s defined, including whether 500 cc of blood loss is truly cause for concern, and the use of Pitocin and Cytotec in that context, particularly for VBAC mothers. We also revisit RhoGAM and walk through when it may or may not be necessary, especially if you’re not planning future pregnancies. One listener asks how to handle being the only one in the family making different choices around birth and parenting. We share our thoughts on boundaries, restraint, and when saying less is often the stronger position. In quickies, we cover induction at 42 weeks, complete placenta previa, vitamin D for breastfed babies, pelvic floor therapy access, low libido in pregnancy, newborn weight checks, birth combs, and how to get through the third trimester in the summer. Finally, when one fan asked our opinion on which of us may be the better driver, one of us shares an old story of getting a reckless driving ticket! Access our workshop: How to Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital Access our workshop: Ultrasound: The Research and the Rhetoric ********** Send us Fan Mail Support the show Access our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs Rhetoric Needed <-- for 20% off DrinkLMNT <-- for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure Skincare: Use code DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Use code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits Superfood <--for 20% off Join Patreon here IG @downtobirthshow Call 802-GET-DOWN. Watch us on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice.
#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 weeks, she learned that her baby was breech and was scheduled for a C-section, despite having been told throughout pregnancy that the baby was head down. Unwilling to move forward with surgery, Kristina sought out an alternative and ultimately found a physician in Connecticut willing to support a hospital-based vaginal breech birth. She describes the pressure she faced from both her care team and loved ones, the process of transferring care late in pregnancy, and the decisions she made to stay aligned with her instincts. This episode offers a detailed look at late breech diagnosis, informed refusal, and the realities of navigating hospital-based breech birth. Kristina also shares what she would do differently and what this experience taught her about trust, decision-making, and preparation. #257 | Labor & Delivery Nurses' Roundtable: How Their Hands are Tied to Doctors' Orders Send us Fan Mail Support the show Access our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs Rhetoric Needed <-- for 20% off DrinkLMNT <-- for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure Skincare: Use code DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Use code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits Superfood <--for 20% off Join Patreon here IG @downtobirthshow Call 802-GET-DOWN. Watch us on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice.
#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 her 1980s book Silent Knife . With decades of experience supporting women through vaginal birth after cesarean, Nancy brings clarity to a conversation that is shaped by fear, false information, and shifting medical standards. This episode is part free-flowing conversation and part Q&A, where we take listener questions and explore them in depth. We cover topics including delayed postpartum hemorrhage after cesarean, uterine rupture, scar thickness, “uterine windows,” closely-spaced pregnancies, doulas in a home birth setting, and VBAC with twins or breech babies. We also look at the common reasons women are given for repeat C-sections and where those claims hold up and where they don’t. We wrap with Quickies and a personal question Nancy's never been asked. #273 | Special Q&A Featuring Nancy Wainer on VBAC and More #272 | Nancy Wainer, CPM and Pioneer of the VBAC, Shares Her Journey from Mother to Midwife Send us Fan Mail Support the show Access our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs Rhetoric Needed <-- for 20% off DrinkLMNT <-- for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure Skincare: Use code DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Use code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits Superfood <--for 20% off Join Patreon here IG @downtobirthshow Call 802-GET-DOWN. Watch us on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice.
#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 uneventful third pregnancy, Stephanie found herself facing the unthinkable: an awareness of no fetal movement, confirmed by a silent Doppler and finally a hospital ultrasound. What followed was labor induction, birth, and the impossibility of leaving the hospital without her baby, riding home with her innocently cheerful toddlers in the car. Next came shock and denial, pleading with God, managing her milk coming in, and experiencing an isolation so extreme that even a friend of fifteen years told Stephanie she couldn't handle maintaining a friendship in the face of something so grave. Stephanie also reflects on the impact to her equally-devastated husband, the family members who ranged from phenomenal to absent, and facing the disorienting task of caring for her two children while grieving a third. To this day, Stephanie grapples with how to answer the question mothers usually enjoy: "How many children do you have?" Our conversation later turns to grief, faith, 'God winks' that seem to show up everywhere as signs of her daughter's love and presence, and Stephanie's evolving sense of peace, even hope and eagerness, as she looks toward continuing to expand her family. ********** Send us Fan Mail Support the show Access our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs Rhetoric Needed <-- for 20% off DrinkLMNT <-- for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure Skincare: Use code DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Use code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits Superfood <--for 20% off Join Patreon here IG @downtobirthshow Call 802-GET-DOWN. Watch us on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice.
#365 | April Q&A: Best Age to Have Children, Precipitous Labor, Pushing and Tearing, Pregnancy Weight Gain, Water Birth Myths
Welcome to the April Q&A with Cynthia and Trisha! Today, we begin with a conversation about one of the most personal questions women face: is there a best age to have children? We talk about the pressures around timing, fertility, career, and spacing, and why this is one of those decisions that depends entirely on the individual woman, her life, and what feels right to her. Next, we get into your questions, starting with a mother who experienced a very fast labor and wants to know if precipitous birth can be prevented and how to better handle it mentally if it happens again. Another listener shares her experience of a difficult pushing stage that resulted in ruptured blood vessels in her eyes and a long recovery from an anal fissure, and asks what she may have done wrong. We talk about why women so often assume fault in these situations and what actually influences outcomes in the pushing stage. We also address pregnancy weight gain, how much control women really have over it, and whether calorie restriction or tracking has any place in pregnancy. As always, we close with a round of quickies covering the purple line in labor, nursing to sleep, deciding whether to have a second child, ways to reduce the risk of preeclampsia, tips for managing morning sickness, hand pumping while breastfeeding, long first labors, frequent night waking, evening milk supply, shoulder dystocia, and more. Thank you for your excellent questions and please continue to call them in to our hotline at 802-438-3696 or 802-GET-DOWN. ********** Send us Fan Mail Support the show Access our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs Rhetoric Needed <-- for 20% off DrinkLMNT <-- for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure Skincare: Use code DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Use code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits Superfood <--for 20% off Join Patreon here IG @downtobirthshow Call 802-GET-DOWN. Watch us on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice.
#364 | When Co-Sleeping Gets Complicated: Weaning, Toddlers, and Sleep Transitions with Tiffany Belanger
Today, we talk with Tiffany Belanger of @cosleepy about some of the challenges that may arise for co-sleeping families, whether you're trying to reduce night feeds, prepare for another baby, or simply want your bed back. We discuss how these transitions often unfold, including moving a child into a crib or floor bed, and why the experience can look completely different from one family to the next, depending on lifestyle, a child’s temperament, and the parents' mental and emotional states, like guilt, anxiety, exhaustion or embarrassment. This is a free-flowing, honest conversation, not a set of rules to apply. The goal of this episode is to prepare you for these transitions, normalize some of the challenges parents face, and offer a range of ways to move from one stage to the next that most resonate with you and your family. Tiffany on Instagram @cosleepy ********** Send us Fan Mail Support the show Access our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs Rhetoric Needed <-- for 20% off DrinkLMNT <-- for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure Skincare: Use code DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Use code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits Superfood <--for 20% off Join Patreon here IG @downtobirthshow Call 802-GET-DOWN. Watch us on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice.
#363 | Breastfeeding Q&A: Chemical Pregnancy, Night Weaning, Oversupply, Mild Tongue Ties
We are back with another breastfeeding-only Q&A episode. In today's conversation, we respond to several listener questions related to nursing, sleep, and fertility after breastfeeding. One mother who is co-sleeping with her 15-month-old, who wakes three to five times per night to nurse, asks how she can help her toddler sleep longer stretches without abruptly stopping breastfeeding. Another listener with a 4.5-month-old who has never taken a bottle is planning to attend a bachelorette party when her baby will be about nine months old and asks how best to prepare. We also hear from a mother who recently weaned her two-year-old and then experienced a very early miscarriage, often called a chemical pregnancy, and wonders whether she should consider hormonal support before trying to conceive again. As for our Quickies: Is it concerning if a 12-week-old drops slightly on the growth curve while still gaining weight, what the issue is with the Boppy pillow for breastfeeding, and can you continue breastfeeding while taking antibiotics for mastitis? We also discuss healing cracked nipples after a tongue-tie release, whether milk will come in normally if you breastfeed during pregnancy, and whether lactation cookies or brewer’s yeast actually increase supply. As also cover oversupply with a second baby, postpartum chills when milk comes in, storing breast milk and keeping pump parts clean on long drives, preventing recurrent mastitis from oversupply, whether a mild tongue tie should be released if breastfeeding is going well, what a “nursing holiday” is and whether it can help supply and latch, and how to help a bottle-fed newborn latch to the breast. Just us on Patreon for our upcoming all-Quickies episode, exclusive to patrons-only. Controversial article we discussed in this episode: My Decision Not to Breastfeed with Elise Hewitt #239 | The Cost of Breastfeeding Versus Formula Feeding with Dr. Rhonda Trust, PhD ********** Send us Fan Mail Support the show Access our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs Rhetoric Needed <-- for 20% off DrinkLMNT <-- for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure Skincare: Use code DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Use code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits Superfood <--for 20% off Join Patreon here IG @downtobirthshow Call 802-GET-DOWN. Watch us on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice.
#362 | Birth Trauma to Redemptive Birth: Holly's Birth and Breastfeeding Stories
In today's episode, one of Trisha's clients, Holly, shares the story of two very different births and two equally different breastfeeding experiences, and what shifted between them. Her first labor began spontaneously but ended with a vacuum delivery, and the demoralizing message that her “pushes weren’t productive.” Breastfeeding was just as difficult, leading to a year of mostly exclusive pumping and undiagnosed postpartum anxiety. Four years later, she approached birth with real preparation, a clear plan, and a timely transfer of care to a midwife who immediately changed the tone of her birth experience. This episode examines how preparation, autonomy, and the right support can change not only the course of a labor, but the way a mother understands her own strength. ********** Send us Fan Mail Support the show Access our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs Rhetoric Needed <-- for 20% off DrinkLMNT <-- for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure Skincare: Use code DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Use code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits Superfood <--for 20% off Join Patreon here IG @downtobirthshow Call 802-GET-DOWN. Watch us on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice.
#361 | Is Water Birth Dangerous? Barbara Harper Debunks Fallacies
Water birth has long been controversial, but more recently, a wave of claims has emerged from the natural birth community that water birth is dangerous for babies and disruptive to the physiologic process of birth. In this episode, we sit down with midwife Barbara Harper, the world's leading expert on water birth and founder of Waterbirth International , to explain the preponderance of evidence supporting the safety of water birth and to dispel circulating fallacies. We talk about the idea that babies can aspirate water, whether the diving reflex can fail, and the claim that water immersion interferes with a mother’s ability to respond to her baby during birth. Barbara explains what actually initiates a baby’s first breath, how the transition from fetal to newborn circulation works, and why arguments that water immersion causes a disruption to physiology that compromises babies don't hold up when you truly understand the physiology. Join us for yet another educational and fascinating discussion with Barbara. Catch our other episodes with Barbara here: #200 | Physiologic Birth of the Placenta in Water, Optimal Cord Clamping and Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage with Barbara Harper #122 | Provider Green Lights: Interview with Barbara Harper on Holistic, Respectful & Supportive Birth Providers #100 | The Benefits of Water Birth: Interview With Barbara Harper ********** Send us Fan Mail Support the show Access our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs Rhetoric Needed <-- for 20% off DrinkLMNT <-- for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure Skincare: Use code DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Use code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits Superfood <--for 20% off Join Patreon here IG @downtobirthshow Call 802-GET-DOWN. Watch us on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice.
#360 | March Q&A: Wild Pregnancy Comments, Tipsy Family Member at Home Birth, Repeat Shoulder Dystocia, Pregnancy Irritability and More
Welcome to the March Q&A! We begin today’s episode with a conversation about the strange, intrusive, and sometimes downright insulting comments women receive in public while pregnant. We also share a listener story about a home birth that took an unexpected turn when a woman’s mother, meant to support her during labor, ended up creating some chaos after drinking too much wine. Next, we address feeling unusually irritable toward an older child during pregnancy, what to consider after experiencing shoulder dystocia in two previous births, and whether an intact bag of waters could contribute to tearing during a very fast birth. We also discuss whether it ever makes sense to remain in an uncomfortable labor position in hopes of helping labor progress. As for Quickies, we cover questions about nursing pillows, pregnancy spacing, breastfeeding and fertility, bras for labor, sleep regressions, breast pumps, retained placenta, building a freezer stash, one of Cynthia’s favorite homemade salad dressing recipes, and the most famous people we’ve ever met. Thanks for being here, and enjoy today’s episode. PS: Check Patreon for more from Cynthia on salad dressings! ********** Send us Fan Mail Support the show Access our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs Rhetoric Needed <-- for 20% off DrinkLMNT <-- for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure Skincare: Use code DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Use code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits Superfood <--for 20% off Join Patreon here IG @downtobirthshow Call 802-GET-DOWN. Watch us on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice.
#359 | When VBAC Comes with Medical Assault: Abby's Birth Story
In this episode, Abby shares her VBAC birth story following an emergency cesarean. Determined to experience a vaginal birth, she prepared carefully while navigating limited provider options in Alabama. What unfolded during labor and delivery underscores how provider behavior, rather than maternal physiology, often determines birth outcomes. Abby describes how a manual vaginal extraction caused a nearly catastrophic fourth-degree tear, requiring three subsequent surgeries in the months that followed and significantly disrupting her early postpartum period with her newborn. We ask Abby whether she has considered legal action against the doctor and hospital, and we explore how birth trauma shapes future decision-making. Abby explains why she is choosing a repeat cesarean for her third baby after this traumatic vaginal birth, and what autonomy and dignity can still look like within surgical birth. She also reflects on how faith, support, and intentional processing helped her move forward, and what she hopes other women will take from her story. Learn more about Abby here: http://www.abbyevelynphotography.com ********** Send us Fan Mail Support the show Access our workshops: Have a Physiologic Birth in the Hospital and Ultrasound: The Research vs Rhetoric Needed <-- for 20% off DrinkLMNT <-- for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure Skincare: Use code DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Use code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits Superfood <--for 20% off Join Patreon here IG @downtobirthshow Call 802-GET-DOWN. Watch us on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice.
