Down to Birth

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 natural, why do we keep hearing how hard it is? In this episode, Cynthia asks Trisha to address the most common concerns from the women in our community. We discuss why these fears are so prevalent, what’s actually normal, and how much of breastfeeding success depends on preparation, support, and confidence—not just luck. If you are worried whether your body will make enough milk, how to know if your baby’s latch is correct, or whether your milk will “come in” at all, this conversation will leave you informed, grounded, and far more at ease about what’s to come. You, along with your baby, can absolutely know breastfeeding success. Watch this episode in full video format on YouTube . ********** Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

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 her first pregnancy, Sophia navigated weeks of unexplained bleeding, chose home birth as a student midwife, and after giving birth learned her son had no anal opening and would ultimately be diagnosed with VACTERL association. She describes what it means to care for a medically complex baby, how quickly those diagnoses unfold after birth, and how that first year reshaped her understanding of risk, normalcy, and surgical intervention. Just as her son's medical journey was unfolding when he was just a few months old, Sophia found herself pregnant again—depleted, caring for a fragile infant, and facing new legal restrictions in California that removed home birth as an option. She entered the hospital as a confident midwife who expected to advocate for herself, only to discover how difficult it is to hold onto intuition when confronted with pressure around breech, preterm labor, and surgery. After her daughter’s premature birth, Sophia and her husband were told the baby’s lungs had collapsed, that there was “nothing more they could do,” and that she was unlikely to survive or at best, would require oxygen all her life. A desperate post to Facebook caught the attention of a chiropractor, who responded that she could see the issue and restore the baby to wellness. Her treatment was performed quietly after being snuck into the hospital, and led to a recovery so dramatic that it reframed Sophia’s entire understanding of newborn physiology and the role of chiropractic care. Born Wild Midwifery ********** Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

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 experiences of your partner's support, presence, connection or not. Next, we respond to an emotional call for help from a sleep-deprived and emotionally exhausted mother whose husband threatens to call the cops on her for how she handled an overwhelming moment with her toddler. Today's episode includes a special guest appearance from Nancy Wainer, world-renowned midwife and the woman who coined the term VBAC. Nancy answers a listener’s question about an anterior placenta in a planned VBAC and explains what her decades of experience tell us about how placentas behave in utero. We also discuss endometrial polyps and whether a biopsy could affect future fertility, how to handle conversations about home birth within a hospital work environment, and how to choose a midwife when you have numerous options and like them all. In Quickies, we cover making baby-wearing more comfortable, the myth that labor “starts” at one centimeter, chiropractic versus pelvic floor PT in pregnancy, relieving newborn gas, timing big changes during teething, postpartum nutrition, and even whether to skip airport scanners while pregnant. We end with each of us pondering which baby names we’d choose today and our favorite ways to spend a slow morning at home. VBAC: How to Plan for Success #257 | Labor & Delivery Nurses' Roundtable: How Their Hands are Tied to Doctors' Orders #273 | Special Q&A Featuring Nancy Wainer on VBAC and More ********** Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

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 specialist and author of Rest Assured: The Heart and Science of Nurturing Baby Sleep, Louise Herbert, joins us to explain what’s really happening in a baby’s body and brain during sleep. Louise breaks down the biology of circadian rhythms, sleep pressure, and night wakings—clarifying when frequent waking is normal, what can sometimes underlie it, and why responsiveness and proximity are protective, not problematic. We also explore how stress and separation impact early brain development, why sleep training often overlooks fundamental physiology, and how parents can align their routines with their baby’s natural rhythms to improve sleep for everyone. This conversation replaces confusion and guilt with evidence and understanding, helping parents see night wakings as a feature of healthy development—not a flaw to fix. Mouthernourishnuture on Instagram Louise Herbert : Rest Assured ********** Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

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 a medical induction. But what if other ways actually work? Today, we explore all the safe, risk-free, and surprisingly enjoyable ways to support your body as it prepares for labor and to help get things going when the pressure is on. Some are physical, some are emotional, and yes—some even play on the more literal meaning of “getting down.” Each approach works with your body instead of against the clock, and most are evidence-based and easy to do. Whether you’re nearing your due date, facing induction, or simply want to feel prepared for whatever may come, this conversation gives you all the "hacks" to get you down to giving birth! #176 | August Q&A: Multiple Miscarriages; Evening Primrose Oil; Safe Bed-Sharing; Breastmilk Stashes; Failure to Descend; Pushing; High Blood Pressure ********** Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

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 most mothers are never told why. In this episode, we sit down with Sara Perelmuter, a third-year medical student at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. Sara currently serves as president of the Sexual Medicine Research Team and has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications on reproductive and genitourinary health. Sara explains the hormonal shifts that mimic menopause in the postpartum period, why so many women are suffering in silence, and what the research reveals about both the prevalence of these symptoms and the safe, effective treatments available — including pelvic floor therapy, moisturizers, lubricants, and topical vaginal estrogen. These symptoms are common, but they are not inevitable. By naming and studying them, we open the door to treatment and better care. ********** Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

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 postpartum. Today’s questions include: Is it safe if you pee in the birth tub? How can you afford a home birth when money is tight? What does it mean to “push wrong” in labor, and how does the Ferguson reflex really work? We also discuss the fear of postpartum rage returning in a subsequent pregnancy, whether OBs should move out of the way so partners can catch the baby, and why so many providers still insist mothers push on their backs. We then cover laboring down and whether it increases risk, the truth about the “30-minute rule” for delivering the placenta, and how prenatal Pilates affects the pelvic floor. We also answer a listener’s question on how to explain conception and birth to young children in a clear, age-appropriate way. Quickies this month: Can an OB tell if a baby is head down without an ultrasound? Do lip ties need correction? Which supplements actually help milk supply? Is estrogen cream useful postpartum? PT vs. chiropractor in pregnancy? Plus a few lighthearted ones, including our guilty pleasure shows, whether we wash our walls, and what we’re currently reading. Call us anytime with your questions, comments, or stories at 802-GET-DOWN! ********** Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

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 pregnancy under New Hampshire’s “two high readings” rule for blood pressure. With a Foley balloon, Cervidil, and the lowest possible Pitocin drip, she labored quietly on all fours, declined unnecessary interventions, and delivered under the fetal ejection reflex—so calmly that all the nurses and doctors from around the maternity ward gathered to witness a rare physiologic Pitocin birth without an epidural. Her second birth brought the perfect contrast: a planned home birth that stalled, restarted after midnight, and ended an hour later with three strong pushes before the midwife could arrive. In this episode, we explore how to choose hospitals based on cesarean rates, what to know about induction protocols (low and slow, and when to stop Pitocin), gestational hypertension vs. preeclampsia, recognizing white-coat hypertension, and why mental training may be the most powerful tool in birth. ********** Check out all our sponsor offers here: Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

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 to: How child-led weaning works at 14 months, 18 months, and 2 years old Nursing strikes at 6 months — why they happen and how to respond Night weaning tips: gentle strategies without losing daytime breastfeeding Why milk supply sometimes doesn’t come in (and hospital factors that affect it) How to stop biting while breastfeeding (without turning it into a game) Coping with strong or painful letdowns and oversupply Breastfeeding myths: Does breastfeeding cause cavities? Nutrition for moms: hops, beer, and spirulina for milk supply How to manage sleep deprivation, co-sleeping, and even feeding twins For quickies, we tackle rapid milk ejection, breastmilk and cavities, reducing oversupply, biting, all-night latching, beer & milk supply, nipple damage, feeding twins. Watch this episode in full video format on YouTube . Thank you to everyone for these great questions and remember you can call us any time at 802-GET-DOWN (that's 802-438-3696). See you next week! ********** Our sponsors, Patreon, and contact info are below: Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

Bringing a new baby home is exciting—but it can feel overwhelming when you’re worried about how your toddler will adjust. You may be wondering: Will my toddler feel jealous? How do I handle tantrums? How do I keep my child feeling loved while caring for a newborn? In this episode, toddler expert Devon Kuntzman, author of the book Transforming Toddlerhood: How to Handle Tantrums and Power Struggles and Raise Resilient Kids Without Losing Your Mind, joins us to share practical wisdom for parents navigating this transition. In this discussion, we explore how to decode toddler behavior without harmful labels, set loving boundaries that build security, and handle big emotions—whether in the safety of your home or the middle of a grocery store. We discuss sibling jealously, strategies for parental preference, how to handle tantrums, time-outs, spanking and boundaries. Then we ask Devon your questions at the end, quickie style! Watch this episode in full video format on YouTube . ********** Check out all our sponsors here: Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

In this episode, occupational therapist and IBCLC Michelle Emanuel joins us to explore the hidden ways tongue-tie affects babies long before birth. She explains how oral restrictions begin in the embryo, influence fetal positioning, and impact birth outcomes including torticollis and C-sections. We dive into the anatomy of the tongue, how it connects to breathing, posture, and feeding, and why many tongue-ties remain hidden or misdiagnosed. We discuss feeding positions, tummy time, swaddling, and infant sleep, and, of course, SIDS, including airway safety, sleep surfaces, toxins, and the importance of ventral (tummy) time for development and sleep. Michelle shares insights on when a frenotomy is truly needed, the risks of unnecessary or too-early releases, and why myofunctional therapy and whole-body approaches are critical for optimal long-term outcomes. This episode is a must-listen for parents, birth professionals, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of how tongue-tie influences health even before your baby is born. Watch this episode in full video format on YouTube . Michelle's Website Instagram Our Patreon Event with Michelle ********** Our sponsors, Patreon, and contact info below: Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

In this month’s Q&A, we start with a big one: What are your biggest fears in life? (Besides snakes and spiders, of course!) Then we dive into your thoughtful community questions, including: Homebirth vs. family pushback : My sister is a labor & delivery nurse, my family isn’t supportive, and my MIL has no boundaries. What should I do? Breastfeeding oversupply : I had a major oversupply with my first baby—will it be worse or the same with my next? Birth interventions : In my first birth, my midwife used hands-on pushing techniques and I was given continuous antibiotics. Were these necessary? In the extended version of today's episode available on Patreon or Apple subscriptions, we answer additional questions on: preparing for a long home birth after a cesarean (HBAC) and how to avoid hospital transfer, "failure to progress" in a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC), whether we consider water birth to be a birth intervention, and if it is ok to sleep on your back in pregnancy. Finally, in quickies, we discuss: the best HypnoBirthing class (ha), preventing perineal tearing, cycle length & gestation, our current favorite podcasts, breast reductions and breastfeeding, posterior babies, pushing length and positions, and a favorite item in our homes. Thanks, everyone, and call us any time at 802-GET-DOWN! That's 802-438-3696. Watch this episode in full video format on YouTube . ********** Our sponsors, Patreon, and contact info below: Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

Motherhood, pregnancy, and postpartum life are filled with moments that test our patience — from bedtime battles and clutter overload to partner misunderstandings and in-law tensions. But these moments aren’t just “part of the job” — they’re emotional triggers, and they hold powerful clues for personal growth, stress relief, and a healthier, happier motherhood journey. In this episode, we dive deep into emotional triggers for moms, especially during pregnancy and postpartum. We share relatable stories from our community of mothers about whining toddlers, relationship stress, junk food battles, and the mental load of parenting. You’ll learn how to recognize your triggers, uncover the roots behind them, and respond in ways that protect your mental health, improve your relationships, and bring more peace into your home. Watch this episode in full video format on YouTube . ********** Our sponsors, Patreon, and contact info below: Postpartum Soothe -- Herbs and padsicles to heal and comfort. Needed -- Our favorite nutritional products for before, during, and after pregnancy. Use this link to save 20% DrinkLMNT -- Purchase LMNT with this unique link and get a FREE sample pack Use promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for all sponsors. Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

Emily Vondy hardly needs an introduction. She's a mother of six, songwriter, and online creator @emilyvondy whose humor, reflections, and music have brought laughter and validation to millions. In this episode, she invites us into the story of her fifth birth, which came after two heartbreaking miscarriages. What began as a pregnancy marked by fear and doubt became an experience of profound peace—and what she vividly experienced as clear-as-day divine intervention. That’s right: Emily shares the story of how she had not one but three vivid spiritual encounters with Jesus during her hardest hour of labor—on the car ride to the birthing center. The experience brought her so much peace that she became completely silent in the throes of labor, and the drive—one she had made many times in previous labors—felt to her like just five minutes. As our conversation unfolded, we talked about why it may have happened then, and why it hasn’t happened since. She recognizes her story will inevitably leave some incredulous, and she admits she sometimes has to remind herself how very real it was. In fact, her birth video shows her describing the encounter to her husband immediately after her baby was born. Emily also reflects on how the experience left her feeling humbled by God’s nearness—not “special” or “chosen”—but deeply comforted, grateful, and mystified. At the end of the episode, Emily lets us into the world behind her on-screen presence, answering our listeners’ questions about past jobs, family size, support systems, and marriage—making our conversation both deeply inspiring and refreshingly honest. She speaks openly about balancing the chaos of a big family, the grounding practices that help her in moments of overwhelm, and the ways her faith, humor, and disposition keep her marriage strong. If you think you couldn't love Emily Vondy more than you already do, this episode just may prove you wrong. Watch this episode in full video format on YouTube . ********** Our sponsors, Patreon, and contact info below: Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

In this episode, filmmaker and microbiome advocate Toni Harman joins us to explore the groundbreaking science behind establishing the infant microbiome—and why the earliest moments of life matter so much for lifelong health. Toni shares her personal journey from an unexpected C-section to uncovering how birth methods, antibiotics, and feeding choices shape immunity, metabolism, and risk of chronic disease over our lifetime. Key Points Discussed Include: Why vaginal birth, skin-to-skin contact, and early exclusive breastfeeding are the gold standard for seeding a healthy microbiome; How C-section birth changes microbial exposure—introducing hospital and staff microbes instead of the mother’s; Why even a single bottle of formula can shift the gut microbiome, and how exclusive breastfeeding and skin-to-skin can help restore balance; The fascinating recent research about vaginal seeding during C-sections...is it actually effective? The impact of newborn exposure to maternal gut microbes at birth; How the microbiome begins to “lock in” by age 2–3, and ways to keep building resilience through early childhood. Buckle up for some mind-blowing ideas in this episode! As always, Mother Nature has the perfect, albeit a little dirty, plan! Microbirth Film Instagram: Toni Harman Watch this episode in full video format on YouTube . ********** Our sponsors, Patreon, and contact info below: Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

Welcome to the August Q&A episode! What is your secret quirk? We want to know! We share a few of yours along with our own. Today's first question is from a mother who had a large first baby without a diagnosis of gestational diabetes. She's concerned in her second pregnancy that she might develop late-onset gestational diabetes. Next, a pregnant mother's mother is a medical doctor and is having a hard time supporting her daughter's natural birth choices because of her experiences in the medical system. Another mom is struggling with sugar cravings in pregnancy and is wondering what advice we have to reduce those cravings. In the extended episode, available on Patreon and Apple subscriptions, we address the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding over exclusive bottle-feeding, whether or not you should have a planned cesarean after a shoulder dystocia, and if moxibustion works to turn a breech baby. Quickies: Fundal height measurements, prenatal appointments at the end of pregnancy, hemorrhoids, spotting postpartum, short breastfeeds, LEEP procedure and cervical scar tissue, high lipase milk, laboring down, restless legs in pregnancy, and finally, would we tell anyone about our pregnancy before 12 weeks? Call us with your questions, comments or stories at 802-GET-DOWN! Watch this episode in full video format on YouTube . ********** Our sponsors: Postpartum Soothe -- Herbs and padsicles to heal and comfort. Needed -- Our favorite nutritional products for before, during, and after pregnancy. Use this link to save 20% DrinkLMNT -- Purchase LMNT with this unique link and get a FREE sample pack Use promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for all sponsors. Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

Sleep is the foundation of health—and yet in modern motherhood, it’s often the first thing we lose. In this episode, we’re joined by Heidi and Thaddeus of DreamWalkerz , parents of six and passionate educators on the biology of sleep. Together, we explore how light—yes, just light—is one of the most overlooked but powerful regulators of our sleep, hormones, mood, and even fertility. Heidi and Thaddeus break down what circadian rhythms really are, how they’re installed in babies, and why so many of us are unknowingly “teaching” our newborns to be awake at night and asleep during the day. We talk about the biological cost of blue light, the myth of the night owl, and how shifting even small habits—like going outside at dawn or switching a lightbulb—can radically change the way we sleep and parent. We also explore melatonin myths, the complex hormonal dance between light and reproduction, and why syncing your body to natural light is not just a lifestyle tweak—it’s a return to something deeply human. This episode offers no quick fixes, but rather a steady reminder that rest is not a luxury—it’s a birthright. And it begins not with a supplement or a schedule, but with the rising sun. Dreamwalkerz : Use Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH to save 10% Instagram: Dreamwalkerz The Melatonin Makeover #172 | Our Sexual Energy as the Secret Weapon to Our Best Birth and Best Life with Kim Anami Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

Doulas play a critical role in supporting women through childbirth—but their work is anything but easy, and their work isn't for the faint of heart. Many face disrespect from providers and routinely witness coercion, misinformation, and violations of informed consent. Even with their deep commitment to the women they serve, doulas often feel powerless in the face of hospital systems driven by profit and control. Still, many doulas are called to this work—and despite everything, they continue with resilience, purpose, and unwavering commitment. Doulas are indispensable. The evidence is clear: When a doula is present, C-section rates drop -- as do all other routine interventions. Physiologic birth is more likely. Breastfeeding is more successful. And most important, mothers walk away feeling more satisfied and supported. Doulas are, and always have been, the original birth keepers. Their presence makes birth safer, more humane, and more aligned with what women actually want and need. In today’s episode, we hear directly from doulas about what they’re up against—and why, despite it all, they keep showing up. We also share our reflections on what it means to support doulas as they continue this vital work. ********** Our sponsors: Postpartum Soothe -- Herbs and padsicles to heal and comfort. Needed -- Our favorite nutritional products for before, during, and after pregnancy. Use this link to save 20% DrinkLMNT -- Purchase LMNT with this unique link and get a FREE sample pack Connect with us on Patreon for our exclusive content. Email [email protected] Instagram @downtobirthshow Call us at 802-GET-DOWN Watch the full videos of all our episodes on YouTube Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

At 28 weeks, Jessie found out her baby was breech—but instead of panicking, she trusted her gut. She felt strongly that her baby was meant to be born this way. After initially planning a home birth, Jessie began exploring other options and considered traveling to Pennsylvania for a hospital birth with experienced breech providers. But when labor started at 39 weeks, everything shifted. Mid-drive to Pennsylvania, Jessie and her husband decided to turn around and head to Yale New Haven Hospital. There, an OB team unexpectedly supported her birth plan, and her baby was born breech and vaginally—with ease. In this episode, Jessie shares her story of intuition, flexibility, and trust in her body and baby. It’s an inspiring reminder that sometimes birth doesn’t go according to plan—and that’s exactly what makes it beautiful. ********** Our sponsors: Postpartum Soothe -- Herbs and padsicles to heal and comfort. Needed -- Our favorite nutritional products for before, during, and after pregnancy. Use this link to save 20% DrinkLMNT -- Purchase LMNT with this unique link and get a FREE sample pack Use promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for all sponsors. Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

Welcome to the July Q&A! Today, we kick off the show with a conversation about your experiences of unnecessary, frequent stressors that we have the power to change or eliminate: For Trisha, it's taking phone calls while grocery shopping. Next, we get into your questions, beginning with: Did taking folic acid in pregnancy cause my baby's tongue tie? Is having the cord wrapped three times around a baby's neck a legitimate reason for c-section? Is it true that I can't have a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) if it has been just 18 months since my last birth? And in the extended version of today's episode, available on Patreon or Apple Subscriptions, we discuss: Intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) babies and whether induction of labor is the right choice. Also, whether or not a baby needs to be born by cesarean for too low or too high heart rates in labor. And finally, whether fundal massage is still needed even if you a woman is administered Pitocin in the third stage of labor. As for Quickies, we covered many topics including: Post-breastfeeding bras, OP (posterior) babies, magnesium and pre-eclampsia, fetal ejection reflex with an epidural, supporting the perineum to prevent tearing, our top tip for a successful VBAC. As for the personal questions of the month, we share our favorite ice cream flavors as well as our favorite flowers. In Cynthia's case, she didn't know the name of her all-time favorite flower and had to text a friend urgently in order to answer the question. Just goes to show, some friends can know us just a little better than we know ourselves! ********** Our sponsors: Postpartum Soothe -- Herbs and padsicles to heal and comfort. Needed -- Our favorite nutritional products for before, during, and after pregnancy. Use this link to save 20% DrinkLMNT -- Purchase LMNT with this unique link and get a FREE sample pack Use promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for all sponsors. Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

Finally, after all these years, Trisha tells the stories of her three home births. Pregnancy, birth, & midwifery are woven into her life story, from her early obsession with pregnancy to her decision to pursue a career in midwifery, allowing her to understand every aspect of birth from a physiological and intellectual perspective. Hear how she became a midwife, how she got herself into labor with her first, grueling, long birth, to her wildly different second birth, and her unintentionally unassisted third home birth to her son, who taught her the most important lesson she wants every birthing woman to know: One that could benefit all of humankind. Watch this episode in full video on YouTube . ********** Our sponsors: Silverette Nursing Cups -- Soothe and heal sore nipples with 925 silver nursing cups. Postpartum Soothe -- Herbs and padsicles to heal and comfort. Needed -- Our favorite nutritional products for before, during, and after pregnancy. Use this link to save 20% DrinkLMNT -- Purchase LMNT with this unique link and get a FREE sample pack Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

In this extraordinary episode, Leslie shares her deeply personal story of discovering a lump in her breast at 34 weeks pregnant—an aggressive, triple-negative breast cancer. A wellness coach who hadn’t taken over-the-counter medication in five years, Leslie spent her adult life doing everything she could to prevent disease. As she prepared to welcome her second baby at home, she was forced to face a diagnosis that would alter her life on every level. She confidently insisted on continuing with her home birth plans and delivered her son peacefully at 38 weeks, just weeks before starting intensive chemotherapy. Her story takes us through her heartbreaking decision to wean early, her rejection of radiation, and the support of her midwife, community, and unwavering faith in God. Leslie is not only healing; she’s investigating the root causes of her illness—from parasites and heavy metals to infected root canals. Her message is clear: You must be your own advocate in your birth and healthcare. This conversation is about more than cancer—it’s about bodily sovereignty, maternal instinct, and the strength of a mother determined to do right by her children, no matter the cost. ********** Our sponsors: Postpartum Soothe -- Herbs and padsicles to heal and comfort. Needed -- Our favorite nutritional products for before, during, and after pregnancy. Use this link to save 20% DrinkLMNT -- Purchase LMNT with this unique link and get a FREE sample pack ENERGYbits --the superfood every mother needs for pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding Primally Pure: From soil to skin, primally pure products are made with down-to-earth ingredients that feel and smell like heaven for the skin Use promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for all sponsors. Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

Drawing from our their personal experiences, your words, and our intimate birth story processing sessions, Cynthia & Trisha delve into the neuroscience around beliefs and birth. Our brain constantly wants to make sense of things, but it often lands on unhelpful conclusions. This episode is about recognizing those negative beliefs and actively replacing them with empowering ones. It's about taking charge of your internal narrative to foster healing and confidence, no matter your story. Join us as we explore the conscious and unconscious stories we tell ourselves about birth – "my body failed me", "my births are cursed" – beliefs that, whether objectively true or untrue, can deeply affect us and our future experiences. Watch this episode in full video format on YouTube ! ********** Our sponsors: Silverette Nursing Cups -- Soothe and heal sore nipples with 925 silver nursing cups. Postpartum Soothe -- Herbs and padsicles to heal and comfort. Needed -- Our favorite nutritional products for before, during, and after pregnancy. Use this link to save 20% DrinkLMNT -- Purchase LMNT with this unique link and get a FREE sample pack ENERGYbits --the superfood every mother needs for pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding Primally Pure: From soil to skin, primally pure products are made with down-to-earth ingredients that feel and smell like heaven for the skin Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

Emily Woodward is a mother of two who planned a home birth for each of her babies. Her first labor began with confidence and joy—and stretched across multiple days, testing her endurance, her trust in her birth team, and her ability to surrender when the path ahead took an unexpected turn. She transferred from home to hospital with a crowning baby. Her second pregnancy was smooth and uneventful—until 31 weeks, when she awoke in the middle of the night to a pool of bright red blood, and everything changed in an instant. A former nurse and longtime believer in physiologic birth, Emily brought deep conviction to both experiences—but found herself making two very different choices, each for necessary reasons. In this episode, she shares how she navigated fear, advocated for herself, and came to find peace and even beauty in how each of her births unfolded, despite neither being at home. Her story is a moving reminder that sometimes the plan can change—twice—and still be exactly right. ********** Our sponsors: Postpartum Soothe -- Herbs and padsicles to heal and comfort. Needed -- Our favorite nutritional products for before, during, and after pregnancy. Use this link to save 20% DrinkLMNT -- Purchase LMNT with this unique link and get a FREE sample pack Use promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for all sponsors. Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

Welcome to the June Q&A with Cynthia & Trisha. This month we kick things off with a conversation about a midwife who dropped her client in early labor because her HBAC labor was taking too long to get going--as you can imagine, we have a lot to say about this! Next we take your questions: One mom writes about her 3rd attempt at a homebirth after two hospital transfers and wonders if it is ok to keep her birth plans from her family with whom she is very close with. We also answer: My midwife told me I should do a cervical check at 36 weeks to help understand the baby's position and offer recommendations based on the findings. Is this really necessary? And, if a baby isn't breathing after a minute of being born and is still attached to the placenta, do babies need to be stimulated or is intervention required? In the extended episode, available on Patreon, we discuss vaginal birth with a nuchal hand, scheduling C-sections for planned VBAC at 40 week, and vaginal birth after a shoulder dystocia. Finally in quickies, we touch on spray tans while breastfeeding, induction vs cesarean, elastic nipples & pumping, third labors, length of umbilical cords, and our favorite seasons and candy (except Cynthia doesn't eat candy). ********** Our sponsors: Silverette Nursing Cups -- Soothe and heal sore nipples with 925 silver nursing cups. Postpartum Soothe -- Herbs and padsicles to heal and comfort. Needed -- Our favorite nutritional products for before, during, and after pregnancy. Use this link to save 20% DrinkLMNT -- Purchase LMNT with this unique link and get a FREE sample pack ENERGYbits --the superfood every mother needs for pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding Primally Pure: From soil to skin, primally pure products are made with down-to-earth ingredients that feel and smell like heave Send us a text Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription order DrinkLMNT <-- this link for FREE 8-day supply Primally Pure: ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH Postpartum Soothe : Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTH ENERGY Bits : <--this link for 20% off Join Patreon for our exclusive content IG @downtobirthshow Down to Birth Show Call 802-GET-DOWN Watch full videos of all episodes on YouTube ! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.