# Down to Birth 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,… Page: Feed: --- ## #382 | August Q&A: Prodromal Labor, Breastfeeding vs. Formula Guilt, Two-Vessel Cords, When Epidurals Help, Kids at Home Births, Intrusive Thoughts _2026-08-26_ 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?” From 53-hour labors and projectile vomiting to postpartum shakes, swollen labia, running out of hot water during a home birth, and yes, pooping in labor, you had a lot to say. Then we get into your questions. One mother experienced… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/745532/episodes/19687206-382-august-q-a-prodromal-labor-breastfeeding-vs-formula-guilt-two-vessel-cords-when-epidurals-help-kids-at-home-births-intrusive-thoughts.mp3) ## #381 | The Chemicals You're Wearing Every Day with The Clean Clothing Chick, Hannah Dunning _2026-08-19_ 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 episode, we’re talking with Hannah Dunning, The Clean Clothing Chick, about what no one is regulating, no one is disclosing, and very few are questioning: the chemicals in our clothes and textiles. Many of these chemicals are… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/745532/episodes/19326594-381-the-chemicals-you-re-wearing-every-day-with-the-clean-clothing-chick-hannah-dunning.mp3) ## #380 | Henci Goer on Taking Charge of Your Birth _2026-08-12_ 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 pregnancy and birth, setting her on the path that eventually led to her own natural births and a career in birth education and client advocacy. In this special conversation, we sit down with the author herself, now one of the most influential voices in… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/745532/episodes/19573956-380-henci-goer-on-taking-charge-of-your-birth.mp3) ## #379 | When Birth Gets Complicated: The Midwifery Difference for a Mom of Four _2026-08-05_ 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 Catey, a mother of four whose pregnancies and births included severe preeclampsia, inductions, postpartum hemorrhages, postpartum depression, thyroid disease, infertility, and a hospital transfer. Despite these serious complications,… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/745532/episodes/19411810-379-when-birth-gets-complicated-the-midwifery-difference-for-a-mom-of-four.mp3) ## #378 | July Q&A: Parenting Styles, Mom Hobbies, What's "High Risk" Anyway, Third Labors, Manifesting Your Best Birth, Cytotec in Home Birth _2026-07-29_ 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… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/745532/episodes/19374663-378-july-q-a-parenting-styles-mom-hobbies-what-s-high-risk-anyway-third-labors-manifesting-your-best-birth-cytotec-in-home-birth.mp3) ## #377 | Protecting Your Baby From EMFs: Practical Ways to Reduce Exposure _2026-07-22_ 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… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/745532/episodes/19256725-377-protecting-your-baby-from-emfs-practical-ways-to-reduce-exposure.mp3) ## #376 | July Breastfeeding Q&A: Sore Nipples, Breastfeeding Instincts, DMER, Low Blood Sugar in Infants and Tandem Feeding _2026-07-15_ 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… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/745532/episodes/19103070-376-july-breastfeeding-q-a-sore-nipples-breastfeeding-instincts-dmer-low-blood-sugar-in-infants-and-tandem-feeding.mp3) ## #375 | Making Sense of Everyday Toxin Exposure with Kale Blossom _2026-07-08_ 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… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/745532/episodes/19182060-375-making-sense-of-everyday-toxin-exposure-with-kale-blossom.mp3) ## #374 | Fibroids in Pregnancy: IUGR, Induction, Hemorrhage, and a Life-Saving Birth _2026-07-01_ 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… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/745532/episodes/19242961-374-fibroids-in-pregnancy-iugr-induction-hemorrhage-and-a-life-saving-birth.mp3) ## #373 | June Q&A: VBAC Labeling, Big Baby Ultrasounds, In-Law Matters & Labor Questions _2026-06-24_ 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… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/745532/episodes/19278067-373-june-q-a-vbac-labeling-big-baby-ultrasounds-in-law-matters-labor-questions.mp3) ## [Find it on Amazon (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/U6AHEKHQhj0z) _2026-06-24 · **Sponsored**_ Open the Amazon product listing to see details and availability ## #372 | The First Meal: Colostrum, Formula, and Newborn Gut Health with Dr. Rhonda Trust, PhD _2026-06-17_ 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,… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/745532/episodes/19206078-372-the-first-meal-colostrum-formula-and-newborn-gut-health-with-dr-rhonda-trust-phd.mp3) ## #371 | Mothers in the Birth Space: Should You Have Her There? How Women Decide. _2026-06-10_ 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… [Listen](https://www.buzzsprout.com/745532/episodes/18986347-371-mothers-in-the-birth-space-should-you-have-her-there-how-women-decide.mp3)