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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes404Founded7 years ago
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Kids & FamilyAlternative HealthHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for Down to Birth

Latest Episodes

What happened to medical freedom, informed consent, and the right of parents to make healthcare decisions for their own children? And how did vaccination become one of the most divisive issues in modern parenting?

This week, we're joined by pediatri... more

Morgan's first birth was nothing like she expected. After being put on Pitocin, receiving an epidural that left her unable to move, and pushing for nearly five hours, her doctor told her the baby was too big, she was too small, and she needed an emer... more

YouTube

Welcome to the October Q&A! Today we kick things off with the surprising discovery that three Jeopardy contestants couldn’t identify the placenta from the clue “a temporary organ made of maternal and fetal tissue,” leading to a conversation about jus... more

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What if a tongue tie is about much more than breastfeeding? Biological and airway dentist Dr. Hilary Fritch, DMD, joins us to explain how tongue function, jaw development, nasal breathing, and sleep are interconnected, and why problems that begin in ... more

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Key Facts

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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®Rebecca Dekker, PhD, RN
Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy
Pregnancy & Birth Made EasyMy Essential Birth
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Healthy As A MotherDr. Morgan MacDermott & Dr. Leah Gordon

Recent Guests

Hilary Fritch
Biological and airway dentist focused on airway health, orthodontics, and oral function
Episode: #390 | Tongue Ties, Airway Health & the Long-Term Effects of Poor Oral Development with Hilary Fritch, DMD
Jacob Dubois
Author of Why Home Birth? and father sharing a dad's perspective on birth outside the system
Episode: #386 | Why Home Birth: A Father's Perspective on Choosing Birth Outside the System
Dr. Roger McFillin
Clinical psychologist, host of The Radically Genuine Podcast, author and commentator on psychiatry and medication safety
The Radically Genuine Podcast
Episode: #385 | The Lindsay Clancy Case: Postpartum Psychosis or Psychiatric Drug Reaction? with Dr. Roger McFillin
Carson Meyer
Birth doula, author of Growing Together, skincare entrepreneur
See in the Moon; Growing Together
Episode: #383 | A Second Home Birth: Vocalizing, Instinct & Skilled Support
Hannah Dunning
Advocate for eliminating chemicals in clothing; consultant and founder of a clean clothing initiative
The Clean Clothing Chick
Episode: #381 | The Chemicals You're Wearing Every Day with The Clean Clothing Chick, Hannah Dunning
Henci Goer
Author and birth educator known for The Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth
Author, birth educator
Episode: #380 | Henci Goer on Taking Charge of Your Birth
Thaddeus Owen
Co-host/guest discussing EMF topics and grounding
PrimalHackers
Episode: #377 | Protecting Your Baby From EMFs: Practical Ways to Reduce Exposure
Heidi Syme
Co-host/guest discussing EMF topics and protective strategies
Episode: #377 | Protecting Your Baby From EMFs: Practical Ways to Reduce Exposure
Dr. Rhonda Trust
Professor at the University of Miami; health communication expert and nutrition/communication researcher
University of Miami
Episode: #372 | The First Meal: Colostrum, Formula, and Newborn Gut Health with Dr. Rhonda Trust, PhD

Hosts

Cynthia Overgard
Birth educator, advocate for informed consent, postpartum support specialist; host of the show
Trisha Ludwig
Certified nurse midwife and IBCLC; host of the show

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Pregnant?! This podcast is your new best fiend!

    Hands down, the best podcast out there! I truly cannot say enough good things about these two incredible women and the knowledge they share. This podcast is the reason I learned how to advocate for myself, ask questions, trust my instincts, and feel empowered to make informed decisions throughout my pregnancy and birth.

    I spent countless hours listening during my three-hour daily commute, and I always joke that Cynthia and Trisha are my version of hypnobirthing! Their voices have become my calm... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    apmitche
    United States14 days ago
  • Claim to be Neutral

    These two women sound like they pride themselves on being neutral to all types of births. However listening to a few podcasts and they are dripping with negativity towards OBGYNs and hospital births.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Swimming Instructor
    United States4 months ago
  • 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
    Netherlands7 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 States7 months ago
  • Birth stories

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    coachhed
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise evidence-based yet compassionate guidance.
Some listeners feel bias or leading questions in certain episodes.
Positive feedback on practical, real-life birth stories and expert interviews.
Fans describe the show as life-changing and essential for birth planning.
Valuable, empowering birth education from trusted hosts.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#119
United States/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts
#162
Finland/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts
#168
Mexico/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts
#180
South Africa/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts
#197
Netherlands/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts
#219
Israel/Kids & Family

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#392 | When a Postpartum Preeclampsia Diagnosis Doesn't Add Up: Morgan's Story
Q: Do you remember what your blood pressure was that morning?
Morgan recalls that her last reading before medication was 143/84, and that her subsequent readings were in the 120s over 70s. She says her chart continued to describe her readings and lab results as mild even after she was told she was severely preeclamptic.
#392 | When a Postpartum Preeclampsia Diagnosis Doesn't Add Up: Morgan's Story
Q: Was there something wrong with her heart rate, or did they just not like how the birth was progressing?
Morgan says the reason given for recommending a C-section was that the baby was too big, rather than a problem with the baby's heart rate.
#391 | October Q&A: Postpartum Depression Recurrence, Anal Fistulas & Vaginal Birth, Pregnancy Dating Without Ultrasound, RSV & Newborns
Q: How to estimate gestational age without a last menstrual period or dating ultrasound when planning a home birth with a strict 37-to-42-week policy.
They suggest more frequent pregnancy tests and observing fundal height as possible clues, while acknowledging these cannot establish an exact date. An early dating ultrasound is another option if the midwife requires a due date.
#391 | October Q&A: Postpartum Depression Recurrence, Anal Fistulas & Vaginal Birth, Pregnancy Dating Without Ultrasound, RSV & Newborns
Q: Whether having postpartum depression once increases the likelihood of experiencing it again with future children.
They say recurrence risk may be somewhat higher, but is not predetermined. They emphasize planning for sleep, exercise, self-care, community support, and addressing possible nutritional, inflammatory, or thyroid factors.
#390 | Tongue Ties, Airway Health & the Long-Term Effects of Poor Oral Development with Hilary Fritch, DMD
Q: What can be done about it? Is there anything that parents can do? I mean, and what about the adults, like for whom it seems it's too late?
Fritch says it is not too late to intervene, describing palate expansion options for adults and tongue-strengthening myofunctional therapy before considering a release. For children, she recommends evaluating tongue function and airway development early.

Audience Metrics

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

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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 conversations on pregnancy, birth, and postpartum that challenge conventional care while centering autonomy, informed consent, and safety. Across episodes, hosts draw on midwifery experience and guest experts to compare hospital and out-of-hospital options, discuss interventions, and share birth stories and practical guidance for families navigating care decisions. A standout aspect is the consistent emphasis on empowering listeners with research-backed perspectives and community support, including real-world experiences from diverse guests and listeners. Potential listeners may be drawn to frank discussions, practical tips, and a perspective that prioritizes informed choice and advocacy within maternity care.

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How many listeners does Down to Birth get?

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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. Pregnancy & Birth Made Easy
4. Healthy As A Mother
5. The Birth Hour - A Birth Story Podcast

How many episodes of Down to Birth are there?

Down to Birth launched 7 years ago and published 404 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. Hilary Fritch
2. Jacob Dubois
3. Dr. Roger McFillin
4. Carson Meyer
5. Hannah Dunning
6. Henci Goer
7. Thaddeus Owen
8. Heidi Syme

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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