Rephonic
Artwork for Down to Birth
Breastfeeding
Childbirth
Home Birth
Midwifery
Pregnancy
Childbirth Education
Informed Consent
Parenting
VBAC
Postpartum Care
Maternal Health
Cesarean Section
Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Mental Health
Water Birth
Hypnobirthing
Childbirth Advocacy
Co-Sleeping
HPV
Doulas

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 c... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes385Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Alternative HealthKids & FamilyHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for Down to Birth

Latest Episodes

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 ke... more

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 exp... more

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 you... more

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 h... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Evidence Based Birth®
Evidence Based Birth®Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN
Pain Free Birth
Pain Free BirthKaren Welton
Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy
Pregnancy & Birth Made EasyMy Essential Birth

Recent Guests

Nancy Wainer
First woman to have a VBAC; home birth midwife and author
Independent
Episode: #367 | Your VBAC Questions Answered by The First Woman to Have One, Nancy Wainer
Tiffany Belanger
Safe co-sleeping educator
Episode: #364 | When Co-Sleeping Gets Complicated: Weaning, Toddlers, and Sleep Transitions with Tiffany Belanger
Andrea from Instinctual Mothering
Listener contributor discussed on Patreon event about formula ties
Instinctual Mothering
Episode: #363 | Breastfeeding Q&A: Chemical Pregnancy, Night Weaning, Oversupply, Mild Tongue Ties
Sarah Buckley
Family physician, writer and researcher on pregnancy and birth
Dr. Sarah Buckley (guest)
Episode: #358 | Dr. Sarah J. Buckley on Oxytocin, Safety, and the Biology of Birth
Colleen Myatt
Doula, educator, and spinning babies instructor; guest commentator
Beautiful Births From Beyond (Connecticut)
Episode: #356 | February Q&A: Tearing vs. Episiotomy, Decels, Posterior Babies, Pitocin, Premature Rupture of Membranes, High Palates, Oversupply
Barbara Harper
Advocate for water birth and founder of Water Birth International
Water Birth International
Episode: #352 | January Q&A: Water Birth Myths, Breaking Waters, Cord Clamping in C-Sections, Fetal Monitoring, Wake Windows, Frozen Breastmilk
Louise Herbert
Pediatric sleep and development specialist, mom behind Mother Nourish Nurture
Episode: #343 | Rest Assured: Your Instincts are Right About Your Baby's Sleep with Louise Herbert
Sara Perelmuter
Third-year medical student at Weill Cornell and president of the Sexual Medicine Research Team
Weill Cornell
Episode: #341 | Genitourinary Syndrome of Lactation: How Breastfeeding Can Mimic Menopause
Devon Kuntzman
Toddler expert, founder of Transforming Toddlerhood, and author of the upcoming book on toddler management
Transforming Toddlerhood
Episode: #337 | Toddlers & New Siblings: Expert Tips from Devon Kuntzman of Transforming Toddlerhood

Hosts

Cynthia Overgard
Birth educator, advocate for informed consent, postpartum support specialist; Host of Down to Birth Show
Trisha Ludwig
Certified nurse midwife and IBCLC; Host of Down to Birth Show

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1k ratings
  • Love the show

    I’ve had a positive birth thanks to all the information I learned from this great podcast. Love the show, thank you Cynthia and Trisha! Kate from the Netherlands

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    _Kate_04
    Netherlands2 months ago
  • Transformed my birth

    I give myself credit for my birth, first and foremost, but Cynthia and Trisha had a big role, too! I learned how to have an empowered, informed, and calm home birth, even with complications like retained placenta and postpartum hemorrhage. I trust their knowledge and insight and find value in every episode I listen to, even 1 year postpartum. I recommend this to every woman thinking of getting pregnant, already pregnant, or even postpartum!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    keenacbean
    United States2 months ago
  • Birth stories

    I loved listening to all the birth stories. It really helped me with my birth!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    coachhed
    United States2 months ago
  • Concerning

    Do not recommend this podcast if you have a high risk pregnancy

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Jules0414
    United States3 months ago
  • This podcast changed me

    Down to Birth might’ve changed my life! I’ve been listening for years and have enjoyed every minute. Cynthia and Trisha feel like friends and guided me through my pregnancy and homebirth. I felt so incredibly prepared for the journey thanks to them! Now they guide me for breastfeeding/weaning, mothering, and just life! As a big time pregnancy and birth enthusiast, I don’t think I’ll ever stop listening 🩵🩵

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    frusterado
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Thoughtful, empowering birth education that challenges myths with science.
Listeners praise practical, evidence‑based guidance and compassionate storytelling.
Many reviews highlight life‑changing preparation for home birth and informed decisions.
A few critique perceived bias and leading questions from hosts.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#133
United States/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts
#169
Canada/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts
#178
Australia/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts
#51
Chile/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts
#140
Sweden/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts
#193
United Arab Emirates/Kids & Family

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#369 | May Q&A: Postpartum Hemorrhage, RhoGAM, Family Boundaries, Induction, and Placenta Previa
Q: Would Cytotec administered postpartum affect future pregnancies?
In this context, the answer is generally no to future pregnancy risk from postpartum Cytotec; the main concern is with its use during labor, not postpartum, and clinicians weigh risks versus benefits in the moment.
#369 | May Q&A: Postpartum Hemorrhage, RhoGAM, Family Boundaries, Induction, and Placenta Previa
Q: Is there a risk to VBAC mothers who receive Cytotec postpartum for hemorrhage management?
Cytotec postpartum can have acceptable safety in that setting, but it should be recognized that Cytotec used during labor raises uterine rupture risk in VBAC; the key difference is timing and context of administration.
#369 | May Q&A: Postpartum Hemorrhage, RhoGAM, Family Boundaries, Induction, and Placenta Previa
Q: Did the caller actually have a postpartum hemorrhage given 500 cc of blood loss and no symptoms?
Technically, 500 cc meets the numerical criterion for PPH in a vaginal birth, but many definitions also consider maternal symptoms; in this case, the lack of symptoms means the situation is nuanced and there wasn't a clear clinical hemorrhage by all definitions.
#367 | Your VBAC Questions Answered by The First Woman to Have One, Nancy Wainer
Q: How much does having a doula impact the likelihood of a successful home birth VBAC?
A knowledgeable, supportive presence can reduce fear and improve confidence, particularly in home birth settings, but the key is the quality and experience of the support person rather than their title alone.
#367 | Your VBAC Questions Answered by The First Woman to Have One, Nancy Wainer
Q: Are there any reliable warning signs of impending uterine rupture for someone planning a VBAC?
There are no definitive physiological markers; listening to the body's signals and having a calm, informed birth team is crucial, with emphasis on environment, position, and clear communication.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About Down to Birth

What is Down to Birth about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Evidence-based discussions on pregnancy, birth, and postpartum that challenge medicalized norms while emphasizing informed consent, autonomy, and safe, physiology‑centered care. Episodes feature birth stories, expert interviews with midwives, physicians, and lactation consultants, and listener Q&As that tackle VBAC, water birth, breastfeeding, trauma, and postpartum recovery. A standout factor is the hosts' long‑standing advocacy for women's rights in childbirth, extensive real‑world experience, and a willingness to critique hospital protocols while spotlighting practical strategies for safer, empowerment‑driven care. The show frequently surfaces global perspectives, policy issues, and practical how‑tos, making it a practical resource for b... more

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How many subscribers and views does Down to Birth have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Down to Birth has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Down to Birth?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Down to Birth:

1. Birthing Instincts
2. Evidence Based Birth®
3. Pain Free Birth
4. Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy
5. The Birth Hour - A Birth Story Podcast

How many episodes of Down to Birth are there?

Down to Birth launched 6 years ago and published 385 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Down to Birth?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Down to Birth?

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What guests have appeared on Down to Birth?

Recent guests on Down to Birth include:

1. Nancy Wainer
2. Tiffany Belanger
3. Andrea from Instinctual Mothering
4. Sarah Buckley
5. Colleen Myatt
6. Barbara Harper
7. Louise Herbert
8. Sara Perelmuter

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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