Shows
Down to Birth#326 | Trisha's Three Home BirthsFinally, 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...
2025-07-2348 minDown to Birth#320 | Breastfeeding Q&A: Nipple Shields, Restricting Skin-to-Skin, Formula Marketing, Gentle Weaning, Nursing Strikes, Night FeedingWelcome to the June Breastfeeding Q&A episode with Trisha & Cynthia. Today, we open with a follow-up discussion to our recent Patreon discussion on the predatory marketing of formula companies followed by a listener's comment about a hospital who forbade a mother and baby from doing skin-to-skin. Next, Trisha answers the following questions:Does a baby need to feed in the first 24 hours?What are your tips for gently weaning a 20-month old?Did I sabotage my milk supply by using a nipple shield for 5 months?How often do I need to wake my baby at night to...
2025-06-1146 minDown to Birth#318 | May Q&A: Precipitous Births, Tearing Tips, Best Foods After Birth, Epidural Removal for Pushing, Induction & VBAC, Cord Clamping, JaundiceWelcome to the May Q&A with Cynthia & Trisha. If you have been wondering what you should plan to eat after giving birth, we've got the answers in today's episode, and we think they'll surprise you! For today's regular episode, we answer the following:Can you remove an epidural for pushing?Can the cervix swell shut if you push before it is fully dilated?Can you prevent a tear in a precipitous birth when the baby comes flying out?Can I still have a VBAC if I had a big baby and didn't dilate in my first birth...
2025-05-2844 minDown to Birth#306 | Breastfeeding Q&A: Engorgement & Oversupply; Sleepy Feeders; Hands-Free Pumps; Foremilk/Hindmilk Imbalances; Cracked NipplesDo you know the "hi" joke? If not, you haven't been listening long enough or need to go back to our earliest episodes, lol! If you haven't been there you should. We have some amazing episodes from season one.Anyway, today is all about breastfeeding. Trisha answers our listeners' questions on the following:Are there any techniques to relieve engorgement and over-production of milk in the early days to be more comfortable? And Cynthia asks Trisha: Why is oversupply such a problem, anyway?What do you recommend for extra sleepy babies to help...
2025-03-0542 minDown to Birth#293 | Extended Q&A [Season 3 Reprise]: Miscarriage; Evening Primrose Oil; Safe Bed-Sharing; Failure to Descend; Pushing; High Blood PressureFor this November Q&A, please enjoy the full, extended version of one of our top Q&As from season 3, where we discuss: Weight loss after having a baby--can you lose too much too fast? What tests should be done if you've had multiple miscarriages? Can you give us the scoop on Evening Primrose oil for getting labor started--is it helpful or hurtful, and what does the research show? How do I handle my mother-in-law who keeps giving me keepsakes for the baby that I don't want? Is there a way to safely bed-share with your baby w...
2024-11-271h 03Down to Birth#284 | September Q&A: The Midwife-Client Relationship; Ghosting Your Induction; 2-Step Delivery; Postpartum Resentment; Platypelloid Pelvis; No FERWelcome to the September Q&A episode with Cynthia & Trisha. Today, we begin with discussing the problem of increased reliance on Google searches and googling our way to answers that require deep introspection and self-trust rather than an automated and potentially biased and generalized result.In our first question, Cynthia & Trisha debate one woman's question on whether or not she should stay with a midwife she does not feel emotionally connected to or fire her late in the game and choose free birth instead. Additionally, we answer the following:My midwife is m...
2024-09-2553 minDown to Birth#264 | Breastfeeding Q&A: Pacifiers, Pumping, Bottles, Domperidone & IGT, Flat Nipples, Weaning and Breast ImplantsWelcome to our first breastfeeding-only Q&A with Trisha & Cynthia. Trisha is a Certified Nurse-Midwife and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant with thousands of hours of clinical experience. Today's episode follows the format of our regular monthly Q&A episodes, where women call in with questions and we wrap up with Quickies at the end, but this time it's your breastfeeding questions only. Today Trisha answers questions such as: Can I introduce a pacifier to my exclusively breastfed baby at two and a half weeks?Is it a nursing strike or weaning: Help! My eleven-month-old is refusing my b...
2024-05-0832 minDown to Birth#262 | April Q&A: Prenatal Vitamins, Premature Rupture of Membranes, Painless Breech Birth, Precipitous Labor, HypnoBirthing, Prenatal HypertensionWelcome to the April Q&A episode with Cynthia & Trisha. Today, we invite you to guess the two things that Cynthia and Trisha will never talk about on the podcast. Hint: They are not scandalous or controversial. Shoot us a DM with your guesses! Next, hear the most annoying habits from our podcast community regarding their partners. As for our questions this month, here we go:I had a pain-free breech vaginal birth. Why do some women experience pain at birth and others don't?My second baby was born precipitously at home. Should I plan for my third...
2024-04-2448 minDown to Birth#254 | February Q&A: Vomiting in Labor, Cord Traction, Pacifiers, Probiotics and Plugged Ducts, Breast Milkshake, PPH, Bicornuate UterusWelcome to the February Q&A with Cynthia & Trisha. To kick things off, we share some of your New Year's Resolutions--don't miss this as Trisha makes Cynthia momentarily speechless! Next, we dive into your questions beginning with: Is cord traction really necessary to birth the placenta? Another woman explains that she always throws up in labor right when her water breaks and asks if this is normal. Also, a new mother is curious if giving her baby a pacifier will be harmful or helpful...and more. In our extended version of today's episode, we answer several more questions about t...
2024-02-2843 minDown to Birth#223 | July Q&A: Prolapsed Cord, Tearing & Sutures, PROM, Nursing & Tooth Decay, Irish Twins, Breastmilk Calorie Concerns, Breech Birth, Pet PeevesWelcome to the July Q&A episode with Cynthia & Trisha. Today, we kick off the conversation with a story of an OB commenting on the "tightness" of a woman's perineum. Next, we jump into our questions on when sutures are or are not needed after a tear; placenta previa and a prolapsed cord; the risk of infection after rupture of membranes when GBS negative; how to get oxytocin flowing when your spouse is not present at birth; are there risks in pregnancy and postpartum if you have Irish twins; could I have birthed my frank breech baby vaginally even t...
2023-07-2642 minDown to Birth#201 | February Q&A: Tongue-Tie & Bodywork, Cervical Exams, Ovulation, Postpartum Baths, Placenta Accreta, Forceps, Synthetic Fragrances, TearingIt's time for our monthly Q&A episode with your Down to Birth Show hosts Cynthia & Trisha. After a quick chat about the brutally cold weather (how unoriginal), we jump right into our listener-submitted questions beginning with: How important or helpful is body-work for tongue-tied babies?Is there ever a legit reason for a cervical check in late pregnancy?When exclusively breastfeeding, when should you introduce a bottle and start saving milk for going back to work?What supplements should you take in pregnancy, particularly related to iodine?Can you take a bath postpartum after a vaginal birth?H...
2023-02-2243 minDown to Birth#176 | August Q&A: Multiple Miscarriages; Evening Primrose Oil; Safe Bed-Sharing; Breastmilk Stashes; Failure to Descend; Pushing; High Blood PressureHello! It is the last Wednesday of the month, and you know what that means. We are here with our August Q&A episode. Today, Cynthia & Trisha are discussing weight loss after having a baby--can you lose too much too fast? What tests should be done if you've had multiple miscarriages? Can you give us the scoop on Evening Primrose oil for getting labor started--is it helpful or hurtful? How do I handle my mother-in-law who keeps giving me keepsakes for the baby that I don't want? Is there a way to safely bed-share with your baby without investing in...
2022-08-3142 minDown to BirthBonus Episode | Midwives Under Assault by Hospital Administrators"There is something going on against midwives, against birth centers, and against choice for women." Cathy Parisi is the director of the Connecticut Childbirth & Women's Center in Danbury, Ct since 1999. The center is the only free standing birth center in Connecticut and promotes physiologic birth under the midwifery model of care, offering women choice, freedom, and empowered decision making in their care in the birth center itself or across the street at Danbury hospital. Recently, the hospital administration cited more than one midwife for practicing "out of their scope of care" and revoked one midwifes' privileges to attend birth a...
2022-06-2036 minDown to Birth#131 | Cynthia Mini: Nonviolent Communication for Building ConnectionThis week's mini-side provides a scope into dozen of emotions we can feel, especially when home with baby postpartum. Cynthia provides an explanation of Nonviolent Communication - the communication method developed by clinical psychologist Marshall Rosenberg - for better connection in our interpersonal relationships. It's about feelings, but it's ultimately about needs. * * * * * * * * * *Connect with us on Instagram @DownToBirthShow, where we post new information daily related to pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum. You can reach us at Contact@DownToBirthShow.com. We are always happy to hear from our listeners and appreciate questions for our monthly Q&A ep...
2021-10-2510 minDown to Birth#123 | Trisha Mini: Orgasmic Birth: What is it and How Does it Work?What does it really mean to have an orgasmic birth? Sure, you might have a “birthgasm,” but more likely you’ll feel the ecstasy of the physiological birth process. In today’s minisode, Trisha walks us through the complex interplay of hormones that brings us to ecstasy in birth and what it takes to get there. This show is sponsored by:Postpartum Soothe*Beautiful Births and Beyond Doula Services**Use promo code DOWNTOBIRTH**********Send us a textNeeded
2021-09-1309 minDown to Birth#116 | Surviving an Amniotic Fluid Embolism, Birth Trauma, and Its Impact on PostpartumTrigger Warning: This episode contains sensitive content around birth and birth trauma and may not be for everyone. Kayleigh describes the birth of her son as the worst day of her life; and it literally was because she actually died during birth. Her son was born via emergency cesarean as she was being resuscitated on the operating table after experiencing an Amniotic Fluid Embolism. She and her baby survived and are healthy and well but the lasting trauma and post-traumatic stress is something she is still working through two years later. As a survivor and therapist, she is...
2021-08-0445 minDown to Birth#107 | Trisha Mini: Where You Should Give BirthHello friends! When you first become pregnant, the next question is where and with whom will I give birth? In today's mini sode, Trisha helps you to determine the best place for you to give birth. You may be surprised to learn that you have the answer more than we do, but we can tell you the most important question to ask yourself and how to create your best birth space. Take a listen to today's mini-sode and reach us on Instagram @DownToBirthShow with any feedback or on our website at www.DownToBirthShow.com Thanks for listening, and we'll s...
2021-06-2111 minDown to Birth#103 | Give Birth Like a Feminist with Milli Hill* * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To Birth Show, please subscribe and share with your pregnant and postpartum friends.Between episodes, connect with us on Instagram @DownToBirthShow to see behind-the-scenes production clips and join the conversation by responding to our questions and polls related to pregnancy, childbirth and early motherhood. You can reach us at Contact@DownToBirthShow.com or call (802) 438-3696 (802-GET-DOWN). We are always happy to hear from our listeners and appreciate questions for our monthly Q&A episodes. To join our monthly newsletter, text "...
2021-06-0243 minDown to Birth#98 | Breastfeeding Mini: Prevention, Causes, and Treatment of Plugged DuctsIn today's mini-episode, Trisha explains how and why we get clogged or plugged ducts and provides guidance on how to recognize them, how to prevent them, and simple steps to resolve them quickly to keep you breastfeeding comfortably. If your plugged duct does not resolve within 24-48 hours seek the help of a professional lactation consultant. * * * * * * * * * *Send us a textNeeded
2021-05-1013 minDown to Birth#96 | April Q&A: A little About Us; Risks of IVF; Uterine Massage; Postpartum Essentials; Pre-term Birth; Birth Prep Tips; Low Lying PlacentasThis month's Q&A kicks off with a couple personal questions of Cynthia and Trisha about their dream travel and what they admire in themselves and in each other. After our little heart-to-heart, we get down to business discussing: Pregnancy & birth risk associated with IVF; why you don't need painful uterine massage after birth; what our "must-have" items are for new moms and baby; tips for preventing pre-term birth; tips for preparing for birth related to teas, supplements, & foods; how to handle a low-lying placenta; and the likelihood of your baby coming early if you were born early. See...
2021-04-2837 minDown to Birth#87 | Postpartum Rage: The Outburst-Guilt-Shame CyclePostpartum rage is among the lesser known perinatal mood and anxiety disorders that can impact postpartum women and even their partners. Unfortunately, what women don’t understand is that sometimes anger comes more easily than tears, and it doesn’t mean that anything is fundamentally wrong with them or with their character; but rather, they are suffering from one particular manifestation of postpartum depression or anxiety. Postpartum rage can look like: snapping at your children or partner, yelling more than usual, swearing, or even throwing things across the room. Any type of unexpected, intense outburst can signal a one-time or ong...
2021-03-1733 minDown to Birth#86 | Breastfeeding Mini: The Three Most Common Challenges for Breastfeeding MomsIn today's minisode, Trisha reviews the three most common challenges that breastfeeding moms experience: Engorgement, Nipple Pain, and Supply issues. She briefly explains why they occur and offers simple steps to recognize and resolve each issue so that you may comfortably and easily continue your breastfeeding journey. See other episodes on breastfeeding:#33 | Breastfeeding Mini: Out With The Rules, In With Your Instincts#44 | Breastfeeding Mini: The First Week of Breastfeeding and Why it Matters Most#56 | Breastfeeding Mini: The Importance of Establishing Your Milk S...
2021-03-1517 minDown to Birth#84 | Lynne's Last Minute Home Birth After Two C-SectionsFor Lynne, giving birth via Cesarean just didn't feel like giving birth. Learning she was pregnant with her third and having had two prior C-sections, she wanted a different experience. After meeting a friend for lunch who was planning a home birth, she got curious and started exploring options and digging into the research on VBAC. While giving birth at home felt outside her comfort zone, she planned to hire a home birth midwife to support her through the early labor hours at home, before eventually heading to the hospital for a vaginal birth. Once in...
2021-03-0335 minDown to Birth#83 | February Q&A: Plus-Size Pregnancy; What to Wear During Birth; Waking a Sleeping Baby; Implications of a Subchorionic Hematoma; Waterbirth & Baby's First Breath; Best Times to PumpOur February Q&A episode is here! Today, we discuss a wide variety of topics from the influence of medical rhetoric on our decisions in pregnancy and birth to the implications of being plus-size in pregnancy to the best time to pump your breastmilk. We have a lengthy discussion on what to wear in pregnancy and seriously question why hospitals still promote the classic hospital gown for birthing?! We talk about the physiologic mechanisms that protect babies from breathing under water during a water birth and why water birth is a wonderful option for low-risk birth. We touch on sub...
2021-02-2434 minDown to Birth#82 | Birth Story Mini: Stefanie's Home Birth After C-Section (HBAC)“I would give birth like that ten more times!” In today’s mini-sode Stefanie tells her story of choosing a homebirth VBAC (HBAC) for her second birth after knowing she would absolutely not return to the hospital to have her next baby. Despite going into to labor just before 37 weeks, Stefanie was fully committed to her HBAC birth and beautifully supported by her midwives, doulas, and partner through the entire experience. * * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To Birth Show, please subscribe and share with your pregnant and postpartum friends.Between episodes...
2021-02-2216 minDown to Birth#81 | Andrea Left the Hospital AMA (Against Medial Advice) to Avoid InductionAndrea was thirty-three years-old and experiencing a low-risk healthy pregnancy when she went in for her prenatal visit at five days past her guess date and - it just so happened - the week of Christmas and New Year's. Her OB informed her that she would need to be induced. In response to her question, "What happens if we wait for labor to begin on its own," he replied, "Your baby is going to die." A few days later, when she went in for a routine check-up, her amniotic fluid level was slightly low, and her doctor tol...
2021-02-1725 minDown to Birth#80 | Roundtable: Mothers Who've MiscarriedApproximately 1 in 5 known pregnancies result in miscarriage before 12 weeks, and 1 in 4 women have experienced a miscarriage in their lifetime. Despite it being a relatively common experience, it is often left unspoken of, leaving mothers heartbroken and shrouded in feelings of guilt and failure. Today, Amanda, Nicole and Meghan share their heartfelt stories, expressing the deep emotions surrounding their losses. Amanda suffered three miscarriages between the birth of her two boys, and deeply regretted going to the hospital when her first miscarriage occurred. Nicole, who works in the medical field, opted for a DNC, but did so only wh...
2021-02-1046 minDown to Birth#79 | Cynthia Mini: What is Medical Rhetoric?Medical Rhetoric involves language designed to have a persuasive or impressive effect on its audience, but often lacks sincerity or meaningful content. How can you tell when your obstetrician or medical provider is using rhetoric to persuade, discourage or manipulate you into going along with a particular course of action without first offering you any information or data that would be useful in your decision-making? Share your stories of rhetoric with us @downtobirthshow on Instagram or at www.DownToBirthShow.com. * * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To Birth Show, please su...
2021-02-0807 minDown to Birth#78 | Christina's Run From Induction to a Home Birth with Group B StrepWhen Christina showed up at the hospital with ruptured membranes and GBS+ status, the hospital informed her that she was not allowed to leave—not even to return home to get her hospital bag. According to Christina, every cell in her body told her to run. She made a few phone calls, started crying while she searched for a way out, and soon found herself driving across state lines to see a home birth midwife for another opinion.This is Christina's remarkable story of following her intuition even when faced with rational medical advice. Her deci...
2021-02-0327 minDown to Birth#77 | January Q&A: Co-sleeping; Prodromal Labor; Switching Providers; Third Babies; Conceiving While Breastfeeding; Vaginal Dryness; Baby-Led Weaning; Hep-Locks and IVsThis month's Q&A is packed with valuable information! Check it out below:Did you Co-Sleep with your babies?I am thinking about leaving my provider. What do you recommend I say or do?Do you have any tips for prodromal labor?Is it common to have vaginal dryness while breastfeeding?Is it true that the 3rd baby can be a "wild card?" And if so, is there anything I can do?Do I need to make any changes to my breastfeeding schedule if I am trying t...
2021-01-2737 minDown to Birth#76 | Birth Story Mini: Tara's Empowered Birth During CovidAfter losing her first baby in utero at five months, Tara and her husband became pregnant again and quickly realized they were with a large group of rotating obstetricians who didn't feel quite right for them. After switching to a midwifery practice and preparing with HypnoBirthing, Tara had a beautiful birth amid COVID protocols, but not without some obstacles along the way, including dehydration, meconium and a hospital transfer. With the support of her husband and midwives, and getting creative with various positions during a 3-hour pushing stage, Tara birthed her baby in what felt "almost like a romantic...
2021-01-2514 minDown to Birth#74 | Table For Five: Author Ted Yang Gives Voice To Fathers Who've Lost A BabyWhen Ted Yang learned his wife was pregnant, life felt amazing! He was married to the love of his life, had a fulfilling and lucrative career, and was expecting not one but three babies. But his world was turned upside down when he found himself facing the reality of premature birth, one infant loss, and two premature babies fighting for their lives. His experience as a loss father left him feeling alone in a society which fails to adequately support mothers of loss and premature infants, let alone fathers. Ted tells his story today in hopes of i...
2021-01-1342 minDown to Birth#73 | Trisha Mini: The Six Week Postpartum Visit: No, I'm Not Ready to Have SexThe six week postpartum visit is generally the time when new moms get the green light to return to having sex, yet so many (more than 80%) are not ready to do so. In today's mini-sode Trisha digs into the meaning of the six week postpartum visit and discusses how we can do better in supporting mothers in the postpartum transition. * * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To Birth Show, please subscribe and share with your pregnant and postpartum friends.Between episodes, connect with us on Instagram @DownToBirthShow to see behind-the-scenes pr...
2021-01-1105 minDown to Birth#72 | The Winding Road Through Postpartum with Claude Racine-ValinskyYou may remember professional dancer and choreographer Claude Racine-Valinsky from episode #28. Claude came back on the show today to talk about her postpartum experience – the battle she’s having with the body she’s always counted on; the resentment she feels toward the husband she adores; and the knowledge that her son’s physical and emotional wellness has not merely integrated into her life but has taken center stage. Through her forthright language and tears, what emerges in this episode is a woman taking an honest look at her marriage, motherhood, and even her own childhood, with a wisdom and compa...
2021-01-0639 minDown to Birth#71 | December Q&A: Postpartum Hair Loss; Fear of Childbirth; Sex During Pregnancy; Postpartum Resentment; Induction for High Blood Pressure; A Mother's Stress on Baby; Co-Lactation in Same-Sex ParentsOur last episode of 2020 is here and it's loaded with great questions! Have you wondered why so many women experience significant hair loss postpartum? How much does a mother's experience of stress impact her baby? Why do I feel so resentful toward my husband? My OB wants to induce me for a past history of high blood pressure even though my blood pressure is currently normal. What's up with my sex drive in pregnancy? And, is it possible to experience a pain free birth? Thank you to all of our listeners and our community. What a wonderful year...
2020-12-3037 minDown to Birth#70 | Home Birth on Little Cranberry Island Breaks 93-Year StreakOn a little island off the coast of Maine, reside only sixty-five year round residents. The last woman to give birth on the island was Erin's grandmother ninety-three years ago. On September 26th, Azalea Belle Gray was born peacefully at home with her five siblings nearby, after a long and tiring prodromal labor followed by a swift and sudden active stage. Today's home birth story is as heart-warming as it is historical and represents the profound importance of community and family. * * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To Birth Show, please subscribe and sha...
2020-12-2312 minDown to Birth#69 | Birth Story Mini: Courtney's Birth Managing Rh Incompatibility with RhoGamIn this birth story mini episode, Courtney shares the story of her second son's birth, which involved managing her pregnancy with a RhoGam shot due to her Rh incompatibility (which occurs when a mother's blood type is negative and her baby's is positive). Courtney's birth took place during the earlier part of the Covid pandemic and despite these unforeseen obstacles, particularly after having had an easy birth with her first son, her second birth went well and very quickly.* * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To Birth Show, please subscribe and share with y...
2020-12-2112 minDown to Birth#68 | Our Five Must-Hear Episodes of 2020While we still have a few more episodes going live before the end of the year, Trisha and Cynthia spend this episode looking back at the 67 episodes published thus far in season one, since the launch of Down To Birth last New Year's. Disclaimer: One of the episodes may not be suitable for everyone, as it deals with stillbirth. But check out why we selected these as our top five, and hear snippets of the episodes through our discussion. To listen to any of our "Top Five" click here:#5: Episode 38: Your Dog and Newborn...
2020-12-1628 minDown to Birth#67 | Leah's Birth Story: From Trauma to Triumph in Two Dramatically Different BirthsLeah’s first-birth trauma began the moment she arrived at the hospital and continued during an unusually difficult, even dangerous postpartum recovery period. She was the last person to believe her second baby would arrive quickly, vaginally and naturally among a joyful staff of midwives and nurses. In this episode, Leah discusses the details around her first birth: What happened, how she was treated, how she regained control over her provider relationship and healed herself mentally and emotionally before conceiving her second baby and facing her fears all over again. Leah's story is one of moving through her tra...
2020-12-0938 minDown to Birth#66 | Informed Pregnancy: Interview with Dr. Elliot BerlinDr. Elliot Berlin is a chiropractor and doula who has a knack for getting babies to assume the best position for birth. He's become an integral part of the Los Angeles county natural birth community and is the host of the Informed Pregnancy Podcast. He believes every woman should have the birth they desire and provides the tools and knowledge he feels make all the difference. In this episode with Elliot, we discuss women's choices when it comes to birth, and the variance in care among providers. Can a breech baby be born vaginally? (Yes!) Does he think all pr...
2020-12-0240 minDown to Birth#65 | Birth Story Mini: Jen's First VBAC After Placenta PreviaIn today's mini-episode, Jen shares the story of her first of two VBACs - that is, vaginal birth after Cesarean. Jen's first birth was a scheduled Cesarean due to placenta previa, and having been cleared of that condition the second time around, Jen switched providers when her doctor didn't seem 100% on board with the idea of a VBAC. The midwives she hired believed in her every step of the way. * * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To Birth Show, please subscribe and share with your pregnant and postpartum friends.Between episodes, c...
2020-11-3006 minDown to Birth#64 | November Q&A: Comfort Foods & Breast Milk; Water-Birthing Temperatures; Struggling with Asking For Help; Antenatal Colostrum; Labor Breathing Techniques; Pubis Symphysis Dysfunction; Combating NauseaWe are back with our monthly Q&A! This week we discuss the just right temp for laboring in the water, understanding why it is so hard to ask for help postpartum, how to best breathe in labor, what to do about morning sickness and nausea in early pregnancy; and finally, we bring in physical therapist, Tara Gibson, to help us better understand the impact of pubic symphysis dysfunction during labor. PS: What's the ultimate comfort food: hint, it's drinkable! Tune in to find out. * * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To Bir...
2020-11-2538 minDown to Birth#63 | Planning Your Successful VBACWhat does it take to have a successful VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean)? In this episode, we hear from several women about their successful VBAC stories followed by a discussion between Cynthia and Trisha on what it takes to get there. If 60-80% of VBAC attempts are successful and only 13% of candidates are having them, what is holding them back or standing in their way? Tune in to hear our thoughts on planning the VBAC you desire.* * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To Birth Show, please subscribe and share with your pregnant an...
2020-11-1827 minDown to Birth#62 | Cynthia Mini: Deconstructing "Supportive Partners"I've been doing this work a long time. And from where I sit, I have the unique advantage of being able to observe trends and societal patterns. And there's something I've been trying to figure out for a long time: What's up with postpartum women telling us their partners - especially when those partners are men/husbands - are "supportive"? This doesn't quite sit right with me, and in today's mini-episode, I explore why.After you give it a listen, please message us @downtobirthshow on Instagram or click on our website link below. Do you agree or...
2020-11-1608 minDown to Birth#61 | When Breastfeeding Sucks: Interview with Zainab YateBreastfeeding aversion is a little known and little discussed phenomenon that more than a few mothers experience. Zainab, author of “When Breastfeeding Sucks” and advocate for women who experience breastfeeding as less than wonderful at best and seriously shitty at worst, is here to explain what it is, what it means, and how to work with it...or not because sometimes breast is not best. If you've ever had the overwhelming urge to stop breastfeeding, this episode is for you. * * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To Birth Show, please subscribe and s...
2020-11-1138 minDown to Birth#60 | Love + Marriage + Baby: Interview with Maggie O'Connor, LMFTWe are never more receptive to love (thank you, oxytocin) than in the early months after having a baby. For every couple, bringing home a baby for the first time brings up massive amounts of emotion; and, how we recognize and process these emotions with our partner determines whether we grow closer or more distant during this unique and highly vulnerable life transition. In today's episode, Maggie O'Connor, LMFT, explains how we can strengthen our relationships during this time and identifies the habits and behaviors that help us or hurt us along the way.* * * * * * * * * *If...
2020-11-0436 minDown to Birth#59 | Birth Story Mini: Andrea's Natural BirthIn this episode, one of Cynthia's HypnoBirthing clients, Andrea, shares her pregnancy and birth experience. She wanted a happy, natural birth and describes her process in achieving one, but the predominant thing she feels she learned is that she - and all women - should feel they have choice along the way. That all decisions belong to the birthing mother. * * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To Birth Show, please subscribe and share with your pregnant and postpartum friends. Please also check out our new website at www.downtobirthshow.com and let us k...
2020-11-0212 minDown to Birth#58 | October Q&A: Milk Supply; VBA2C; Second-Pregnancy Symptoms; Urge to Push; Sitz Baths; Vertex Babies Who FlipWhat does it mean if my baby won't stay head down in late pregnancy? Can I prepare my perineum for birth by taking a sitz bath during pregnancy? Let's talk about VBAC/VBA2C and why Failure To Progress (FTP) is NOT a risk factor for another cesarean birth. Here's the biggest worry for new mothers planning to breastfeed: making enough milk and how to do it. What if I get the urge to push before I am fully dilated? How late in pregnancy can I change providers? Am I pregnant? My symptoms are completely different this time. All t...
2020-10-2834 minDown to Birth#57 | Childbirth: A Woman's Awakening with Certified Professional Midwife, Joni StoneJoni Stone is a homebirth midwife of twenty years. After studying neuroscience in undergrad, she earned a Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology with a focus in Spirituality from Columbia. Her work explored the physical changes our brains go through in becoming mothers, and how these changes are akin to the same brain changes that occur after an intense life experience, which may result in spiritual enlightenment. In this episode, she explains the five factors in enlightenment, raises the possibility that traumatic birth may interfere with having those types of experiences, and discusses simple yet powerful techniques for both awareness...
2020-10-2131 minDown to Birth#56 | Breastfeeding Mini: The Importance of Establishing Your Milk Supply in the First MonthIt's not your boobs! It's your baby. One of the biggest misconceptions that new mothers have around breastfeeding is that they won't be able to produce enough milk to meet their baby's needs. And one of the top three reasons that mothers stop breastfeeding is a sense of insufficient milk production, leaving mothers feeling that their bodies and breasts have failed them. In today's minisode I address the critical window of time for establishing a full milk supply and the three biggest culprits that stand in the way of getting there...and your breasts aren't one of them!
2020-10-1910 minDown to Birth#55 | Against Many Odds: Jasmine's Vaginal Delivery After Two Cesarean Sections (VBA2C)When it came to having the birth experience she desired, Jasmine was not giving up. After two prior C-sections, she was determined to have a VBAC. More than forty-eight hours into her third labor with a failed epidural she was exhausted, afraid....and nine centimeters. Three pushes later, despite many odds, her baby was in her arms. Tune in today to hear this inspiring VBA2C birth story.* * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To Birth Show, please subscribe and share with your pregnant and postpartum friends. Please also check out our new w...
2020-10-1431 minDown to Birth#54 | Spinning Babies: Optimizing Your Baby's Position for a Faster, Easier Labor with Gail TullyDo you know why some vaginal births are fast and others slow? Some easy and others difficult, if not impossible? Optimal fetal positioning is the answer and despite what we've been led to believe, head-down is not the whole story. Gail Tully, the world's foremost expert on fetal positioning and founder of Spinning Babies is here with us today to explain how your everyday activities from your job to how you sit, stand and exercise, greatly influence your baby's position at birth. Tune in as Gail details some steps you can take to optimize your baby's position for your...
2020-10-0747 minDown to Birth#53 | Birth Story Mini: Candra's Back Labor with Group B StrepToday's Birth Story Mini-Episode features Candra, a first-time Mom who had GBS (Group B Strep), release of membranes, antibiotics, vomiting and intense back labor. Despite everything her birth was natural and as soon as her daughter came out, she said she was ready to have another. Candra's story is a great example of how birth can be a good and fulfilling experience even when it's not necessarily "easy" along the way.* * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To Birth Show, please subscribe and share with your pregnant and postpartum friends....
2020-10-0507 minDown to Birth#52 | September Q&A: Hilarious Husbands; Birthing Positions; Flat Nipples; Gentle Cesarean; Unassisted Home-Birth Tips; Anterior PlacentasImagine if your husband left for the hospital without you while you were in labor? What does it mean to have an anterior placenta? How might flat nipples impact your ability to breastfeed? When it comes to positions for giving birth, YOU are in charge. Ever wondered how to prepare for the possibility of an unexpected and unassisted home birth? Whether you are planning a cesarean birth or suddenly shift plans to having one, there are ways to do so feeling more empowered and respected throughout. Tune into to this week’s Q&A with Cynthia & Trisha for the sco...
2020-09-3027 minDown to Birth#51 | Postpartum Incontinence: Author Luce Brett's Journey Through the Wet-Knickered Wilderness to Dry LandShe asks for a list of things that make me leak – my first incontinence homework. I begin: ‘Walking, running, stretching, coughing, sneezing, lifting up a baby, farting, shouting, crying, standing up, long strides, buses, exercise, stairs ...’”This is the beginning of Luce Brett’s book PMSL or How I literally Pissed Myself Laughing and Survived the Last Taboo to Tell the Tale. Today, we interview Luce on her postpartum incontinence journey--a life chapter shrouded in embarrassment, sadness, itchy wetness and bewilderment during a time she had expected to feel elated, joyful, and deeply in love with motherhood and her ba...
2020-09-2331 minDown to Birth#50 | Postpartum Mini: You're Not Going Crazy, It's Probably Postpartum AnxietyHi everyone! In this Postpartum Mini episode Cynthia talks about Postpartum Anxiety, which is four times more common than Postpartum Depression, though it technically falls under the same umbrella. Postpartum anxiety can affect anyone (even fathers and parents who adopt), and is a function of how intensely bonded you are to your baby. The problem is, most people don't know about it. And if you experience intrusive thoughts - like being terrified you'll drop the baby down the staircase, or that your baby will experience a freak accident that you keep playing over and over in your mind...
2020-09-2114 minDown to Birth#49 | Dr. Neel Shah OBGYN: Agency, Dignity, & The Number One Risk Factor for Cesarean BirthDr. Neel Shah, an obstetrician and professor at Harvard medical school, is dedicated to improving maternity care in the United States.Think part-scientist, part-sociologist and you'll see how his work in maternity care has made him a globally-recognized expert in tackling one of the biggest challenges for women giving birth today: the widely variable and sometimes extreme cesarean rate across the nation.Today, Dr. Shah talks to us about one of the simplest yet most effective solutions for improving birth outcomes in the hospital-based maternity system.Dr. Neel Shah Instagram Dr. Neel Shah Twitter
2020-09-1636 minDown to Birth#48 | Becky and Tom's DIY Home BirthToday we're talking with Becky and Tom, one of several HypnoBirthing couples Cynthia has worked with who ended up with an unplanned home birth. When you hear these stories, it's often hard to remember that the couple really believed they were about to get in the car. But some babies don't give quite enough advanced notice and you find yourself having a DIY birth at home!* * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To Birth Show, please subscribe and share with your pregnant and postpartum friends.Between episodes, connect with us on...
2020-09-0920 minDown to Birth#47 | Pregnancy Story Mini - Jess Hears HerselfHi all! One of Cynthia's expecting HypnoBirthing moms had a story to share in class that brought her to tears, and now she's sharing it for all of you. How do you know if you're with the right provider? With so much uncertainty and so few hard facts, a woman's intuition, and often her partner's as well, is hands down the best way to inform this all-important decision. Jess tells you what this experience felt like for her.* * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To Birth Show, please subscribe and share with your...
2020-09-0707 minDown to Birth#46 | Sandy's Secret Home BirthSome things are best kept to ourselves...when Sandy and her husband decided to have a home birth, they also decided to keep their decision just between the two of them. This is a beautiful birth story of trusting ourselves, the parentsof the baby, to know what is best for our desired birth experience.* * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To Birth Show, please subscribe and share with your pregnant and postpartum friends.Between episodes, connect with us on Instagram @DownToBirthShow to see behind-the-scenes production clips and join the...
2020-09-0224 minDown to Birth#45 | August Q&A: Outrageous OB Comments; Pooping in Labor; Mastitis; C-Sections and Genetics; Birth Plans; Children in the Birthing RoomWe are kicking off this month's Q&A with some outrageous, real-life OB comments (#shitmyobsaid) because it is all too common that women are subjected to outlandish untruths and often degrading language. There are plenty of excellent providers out there, so switch if you must!Here's the question on almost every woman's mind: Will I poop in labor and how can I prevent this? Also, do you know the difference between infectious and inflammatory mastitis? It’s important to recognize the early warning signs and take steps to prevent it from becoming a full-blown infection. "If my mo...
2020-08-2636 minDown to Birth#44 | Breastfeeding Mini: The First Week of Breastfeeding and Why it Matters MostHi everyone! Today Trisha continues providing breastfeeding information for those of you who want to know what to expect in that first week of forming a breastfeeding relationship with your newborn. Trisha gives tips as to what makes this process easier and also describes how your investment in this first week will payoff in the long run with an easier breastfeeding experience overall. Thanks for listening, and message us on IG or email us if you have any follow-up questions for our next monthly Q&A episode!* * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down...
2020-08-2411 minDown to Birth#43 | Katie's Birth Story: Twins Born Naturally Against All OddsIn the United States approximately 90% of mothers with twins give birth by C-section, the majority of which are scheduled. Katie Novack of The Wonder List is a travel blogger who never planned on having children. Suddenly she and her husband of 13 years discovered they were not only pregnant - but with twins! They felt a strong desire to bring their babies into the world vaginally and discovered pretty much until the moments the babies came out that this would be no easy feat.Katie's here with us today, just four weeks postpartum, to tell us what happens...
2020-08-1935 minDown to Birth#42 | Birth Story Mini: Rachel's Natural Water BirthIn this birth story mini-episode, Rachel shares the story of her blissful birth using HypnoBirthing and how feeling empowered in her own birthing choices allowed her to have a pain-free and truly thrilling birth experience. * * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To Birth Show, please share with your pregnant and postpartum friends.Between episodes, connect with us on Instagram @DownToBirthShow to see behind-the-scenes production clips and join the conversation by responding to our questions and polls related to pregnancy, childbirth and early motherhood. You can reach us at Contact@DownToBirthShow.com o...
2020-08-1010 minDown to Birth#41 | How the Language We Use Impacts Our Birth: Interview with Sara Pixton of Birth WordsHave you ever wondered why we call it "labor" or say he or she "delivered" my baby? Maybe you felt defeated when your care provider diagnosed you with "failure to progress" or suggested you had an "incompetent cervix". The words we use matter a lot. Sara is a mother, educator, birth worker and founder of Birth Words. With a master's degree in linguistics, she was inspired to fuse her passion for words and birth into a revolutionary movement, bringing awareness to the words we use and reframing our language in a way that gives strength to the birthing woman...
2020-08-0533 minDown to Birth#40 | July Q&A: The Placenta & Advanced Maternal Age; COVID-19 Silver Lining ; Chapped Nipples & Poor Latch; Who Can Have a Natural Birth; Pitocin Postpartum; Unsolicated Family AdviceSo many excellent questions came in for this week's Q&A episode! We begin with a brief discussion on the possibility of a little silver lining for mothers & babies giving birth during Covid-19. Next, we tackle the question of changing placental function based on maternal age, followed by chapped, bleeding nipples two-weeks postpartum and how to fix them. We discuss how all women can access the confidence to give birth naturally and why a shot of Pitocin after the birth of your baby is not only controversial but usually not properly consented to. Finally, one women is persuaded by he...
2020-07-2935 minDown to Birth#39 | HypnoBirthing Mini: How and Why Affirmations WorkHi everyone! We're back today with another HypnoBirthing mini. Regardless of whether you have taken - or plan to take - a HypnoBirthing class before giving birth, we're going to talk about one of the tools in the program that's application to all of us: Affirmations. How do they work? What do they have to do with your belief system? And how can you use them toward preparing your most important birthing organ? (Hint: It's not your uterus.) Tune in to get the inside scoop on how the human brains works, and how this little-understood powerhouse of ours can...
2020-07-2713 minDown to Birth#38 | Your Dog And Newborn: Interview with Heather Corum from Canine CompanyWe love dogs and we love babies, so what is the best way to bring your baby home when you already have a dog in the house? All of us at the DTB show are dog owners and dog lovers, and we thought this was not only a fun, but also an important topic for new parents. Today, we have Heather Corum from Canine Company to give us the dog's perspective on what it's like when baby comes home and to teach us all the ways to train your dog for a safe, smooth transition to one big happy...
2020-07-2230 minDown to Birth#37 | Hospital To Home: A Midwife's Perspective with NYC Midwife Chloë LubellChloë Lubell is a midwife living and working in New York City. She has worked in a number of different settings including public hospitals, private hospitals, birth centers, and homes. After the birth of her own daughter she transitioned out of the hospital to grow a new practice: Cosmos Midwifery.Chloë’s story shares why a hospital-based midwife made the change to home birth practice and details her experiences feeling unsupported in the hospital and unable to make the changes to the system she knew were necessary to improves health outcomes for all, regardless of insurance status, soci...
2020-07-1534 minDown to Birth#36 | Birth Story Mini: Tiffany's Breech-Baby Cesarean followed by Natural VBACHey, everyone! We've got another great birth story for you on this mini-episode Monday. Tiffany shares the birth stories of each of her sons. Tiffany's first birth was incredibly arduous; after hours of laboring and pushing, her baby started to emerge breech, resulting in an emergency Cesarean section. During her second pregnancy, Tiffany invested extra energy to fetal positioning exercises, and to practicing hypnosis to keep her in a calm, positive state through her second labor. Her hard work paid off, and you'll hear just how quickly Tiffany's VBAC (vaginal birth after Cesarean) was!If you'd like...
2020-07-1314 minDown to Birth#35 | Sex: From Pain To Pleasure: Interview with Women's Physical Therapist, Dr. Lauren CriglerSex after childbirth. The topic everyone’s thinking about, but hesitates to bring up. Whether it’s pleasurable or painful, we can put a lot of guilt and pressure on ourselves to do things a certain way, or in a certain time period. Dr. Lauren Crigler is sexual wellness therapist and specializes not only in pelvic floor physical therapy, but also in helping couples have more pleasure and connection during sex -- physically and emotionally. Talking to women about painful intercourse, feeling disconnected from their partners or feeling too exhausted to even think about sex is Lauren’s every...
2020-07-0837 minDown to BirthBonus Episode | Trisha's Take on the recent CDC data and NY Times Article: Study Raises Concerns for Pregnant Women With the CoronavirusIn this bonus mini-sode, Trisha address the questions and concerns related recent data released by the CDC and published in the New York Times article by Apoora Mandavilli: Study Raises Concerns for Pregnant Women With the Coronavirus. Learn what the new CDC data on COVID-19 really means for pregnant women and whether you need to feel especially concerned just because you're pregnant. Tune in for Trisha's take, and get the details.New York Times Article: Study Raises Concerns for Pregnant Women With the Coronavirus* * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To...
2020-07-0306 minDown to Birth#34 | Postpartum Depression: Interview with Jen Schwartz of Motherhood UnderstoodJen Schwartz is the founder and CEO of Motherhood Understood, a community for women affected by pregnancy and postpartum mental health issues.Jen had the perfect fairy tale vision of what life with a baby would look like. But, almost immediately after giving birth, everything felt different and she knew something was not right. She tells of how her mother described “the light going out of her eyes.” Today, she shares with us her journey through both postpartum depression and anxiety and how her recovery inspired her passion for helping to inform, support and heal t...
2020-07-0140 minDown to Birth#33 | Breastfeeding Mini: Out With The Rules, In With Your InstinctsIn this "Mini-sode Monday" episode, Trisha shares the first and most important rule of breastfeeding--there are no rules! In this short episode, she explains how breastfeeding is a right-brained activity and doesn't require logic, thinking, and planning to be successful. In fact, those left-brained functions can be just the thing that interferes with the natural flow and process of establishing an easy, long lasting breastfeeding relationship with your baby. * * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To Birth Show, please share with your pregnant and postpartum friends.Between episodes, connect with us on...
2020-06-2907 minDown to Birth#32 | June Q&A: The Difference Between HypnoBirthing and Bradley, When Formula Might be Needed, What's a Cystocele, When To Allow Family Members at the Birth, Membrane Stripping and Vaginal ExamsIt's the last Wednesday of the month, which means it’s time to answer your pregnancy, breastfeeding, birth and postpartum questions. Today we're discussing birth support and boundaries, especially when it comes to having a family member, like your own mother, attend your birth. Next, we discuss membrane-stripping for full-term pregnant women. Is it safe? Is it effective? How well does it work? Our breastfeeding topic today is around supplementing with formula--when is it really needed and what can you do to increase your supply? Next we dive into HypnoBirthing and discuss how it differs from the Bradley method. Cys...
2020-06-2436 minDown to Birth#31 | Megan of Wilson Family Homestead's Birth Story: Unattended Home Birth in the KitchenWe love a good birth story, and especially one that can’t help but inspire you to give a little or a whole lot more trust to the birth process! Megan, a blogger, homesteader, and lover of all things DIY, founder of the Wilson Family Homestead, joins us today to share the unassisted home birth story of her second child. After three weeks of prodromal labor, Megan figured it was just another night of false labor as she tucked herself into bed...Less than two hours later, she was standing naked on her rustic kitchen floor with her son, Di...
2020-06-1736 minDown to Birth#30 | Birth Story Mini: Three Pushes and Lydia's Baby Was Out - In Triage!Hey, everyone! We've got a great birth story for you on this mini-episode Monday. Lydia shares the story of her second pregnancy and natural birth - it was a fast ride in labor to Yale New Haven Hospital and an even faster ride once they got there! Lydia gave birth to her daughter before they could even get her to the maternity ward!If you'd like to share your own pregnancy, postpartum or birth story, we'd love to hear it! * * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To Birth Show, please share w...
2020-06-1510 minDown to Birth#29 | Birth Control and Your Libido: Interview with Ann Konkoly, Certified Nurse MidwifeToday, we are having a different kind of conversation--one about how to not get pregnant and yet another on how to rev up that lagging sex drive after having kids. We have Ann Konkoly, Certified Nurse Midwife, on the line to give us the run down on the best available contraceptive options from IUDs to implants to the withdrawal method, as well as sharing her tips on how to boost your libido. Be sure not to miss the questions from our community at the end! You are sure to learn some fun facts from this episode. Bedsider
2020-06-1042 minDown to Birth#28 | Claude Racine-Valinsky's Birth Story: No Place Like HomeClaude Racine-Valinsky is a professional dancer and social media influencer who developed determination and grit in an industry that tells pretty much anyone over thirty that they're too old for dance. Refusing to buy into those limitations, her career and social media following skyrocketed in her thirties. So when she and her husband were newly pregnant and expecting their first baby at age 37, and her doctor told her at her pregnancy confirmation that she's too old to have children, Claude took the bold step of ghosting her doctor. It was then that Claude's instinct rose to the surface, and...
2020-06-0339 minDown to Birth#27 | Postpartum Mini: The Link Between Postpartum Depression and Wonderful MothersHey, everyone! It's another Mini-Episode Monday and today I describe the burden we impose on pregnant and postpartum women when we lovingly predict she'll be a "wonderful mother". It may come as a surprise to learn that this term actually has a causal relationship to postpartum depression and anxiety. Where does this come from, what does it mean, and how can we reshape this thought pattern into something that will serve parents better? Listen to this mini-episode and be sure to get in touch with us afterwards by leaving us a voice message at the number below. We'd love...
2020-06-0109 minDown to Birth#26 | May Q&A: Refusing Newborn Interventions, Birthing the Placenta, Breastfeeding Support At Birth, Co-SleepingWe are back with another monthly Q&A episode. This week we have some big topics such as "mandatory" newborn interventions: can I say no to the antibiotic eye ointment and/or the Vitamin K shot? Next, we explain the birth of the placenta: when it happens and what to expect. Also, we address how to get started with breastfeeding immediately following birth--don't miss the one simple first step! Lastly, we talk about co-sleeping: what does it mean, who is it for, and is it safe?Thank you to all of our listeners who submit wonderful and...
2020-05-2729 minDown to Birth#25 | Your Core & Pelvic Floor: Interview with Women's Health Physical Therapist Tara GibsonIn today's episode we're sitting down with physical therapist Tara Gibson, founder of Aligned Life Physical Therapy and Pelvic Wellness, where she works with prenatal and postpartum women in repairing and maintaining a healthy core and pelvic floor.Just think Kegels, sex, abs, peeing when you sneeze, diastasis, and what can be done about scar tissue. Let's learn to how to strengthen, recover and tone where it matters most. Don't miss the incredibly valuable information in this episode on why a healthy core and pelvic floor are essential.Aligned Life Physical TherapyVoices for...
2020-05-2048 minDown to Birth#24 | HypnoBirthing Mini: Group B Strep with Released Membranes and Her Instinct Told Her to Run from InductionHi, Listeners! In this first Monday-Mini-Episode, I share the story of one of my HypnoBirthing clients, Christina, who was diagnosed with Group B Strep at 36 weeks. When her membranes released at 39 weeks, her midwives made the evidence-based recommendation that she go immediately to the hospital for induction and antibiotics, even though labor hadn't yet begun. When she and her husband got to the hospital parking lot, she called me sobbing with the words I'll always remember: "Every cell in my body is telling me not to go into the hospital right now". Listen to find out what she did...
2020-05-1809 minDown to Birth#23 | Lisa Bass's Birth Story: In the Hospital, In a Car, and At HomeOur guest today is blogger and mother-of-six, Lisa Bass, who you may recognize by her social media platform Farmhouse on Boone. Lisa is the epitome of the modern-day natural living mother. She's making sourdough starter one moment and sewing her children's clothes the next, while wearing her baby in a sling and managing her multi-platform business. Her husband is home with her full-time, and they home school.Today Lisa joins us to share how her six birth experiences evolved, from her highly medical first birth to a planned birth center birth, which resulted in an unassisted car...
2020-05-1345 minDown to Birth#21 | April Q&A: Supporting the Immune System in Pregnancy, Painful Postpartum Sex, Your Rights Regarding Separation of Baby After Childbirth, Why You Can Skip the Newborn Bath, What to Expect During the Postpartum Recovery ProcessHow can you stay your healthiest during pregnancy? While the immune system is slightly compromised and worries are higher with COVID-19, there are many healthy, easy ways to keep yourself strong and healthy. Tune in to hear our tips! In this Q&A we also answer questions around experiencing painful, sexual intercourse several months postpartum, the key reasons babies are unnecessarily separated from parents postpartum, why you can skip the newborn bath, and what to expect during recovery from a vaginal birth and how to best support your healing. Oh, and bonus...our favorite natural birth books. Remember you...
2020-04-2936 minDown to BirthBonus Episode | How Doulas Support Couples During COVID-19: Interview with Doula Colleen MyattHey podcast community - We've been getting so many questions around COVID-19, we wanted to dive deeper on how doulas are supporting couples right now. In this bonus episode, we spoke with birth- and postpartum-doula Colleen Myatt to find out how doulas are supporting couples during social distancing and/or while certain hospitals currently disallow doulas from attending couples' births. Colleen is certified through DONA International, and she is also an Evidence Based Birth and Spinning Babies Parent Educator. Thanks for listening and see you for our April Q&A episode on Wednesday!Beautiful Births and Beyond
2020-04-2417 minDown to Birth#20 | Cord Blood Banking and How It Can Help with Diabetes, Cancer, Alzheimer's and Autism: Interview with Marion Welch of Cryo-Cell InternationalWhen it comes to having babies we all agree health matters most. While the benefits of delayed cord clamping are well known, less understood is cord blood banking--that is, saving those stem cells for potential use later on. Marion Welch, cord blood educator from Cryo-Cell International is here today to share some of the promising new developments in this field. Did you know cord blood is being used to treat Alzheimer's, diabetes, cancer and even autism? Marion is taking us on a deep dive to explain how and why an increasing number of parents are incorporating cord...
2020-04-2245 minDown to Birth#19 | Trauma & Childbirth: Lindsay's StoryToday's episode depicts Lindsay’s story of healing from the emotional and physical trauma through her own grief, and how each of her births brought her one step closer to freedom from her past.* * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To Birth Show, please share with your pregnant and postpartum friends!Between episodes, connect with us on Instagram @DownToBirthShow to see behind-the-scenes production clips and join the conversation by responding to our questions and polls related to pregnancy, childbirth and early motherhood. You can reach us at Contact@DownToBirthShow.co...
2020-04-1526 minDown to Birth#18 | Courtney's Birth Story: Baby + Triplets Make FourImagine you've had an easy, natural birth and are ready for baby number two. Then, when your first child is twelve months old, you go for your pregnancy confirmation visit only to hear, "Surprise! Triplets are joining the family!" Courtney is here today to share her roller coaster journey of shock, excitement, self-determination, and ultimately, her peaceful surrender to the cesarean birth she never thought she would have. https://www.multiplesofamerica.org/* * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To Birth Show, please share with your pregnant and postpartum friends! You can...
2020-04-0849 minDown to Birth#16 | March Q&A: COVID-19 Update for Expecting Parents, Uterine Scars & Childbirth, When Your Partner's Birth Plan Differs from Yours, Taking Hot Baths & Sleep Positions in Pregnancy, Missing Out on the Golden Hour PostpartumBefore we get into our regular Q&A episode, we bring you the current information we have on COVID-19 and its impact on pregnancy and breastfeeding. After reviewing the information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), what we know thus far is good news. Sigh of relief. Please tune in to hear more.In this week's Q&A, we answer questions on uterine scars and the impact on vaginal birth versus cesarean section; what to do when your partner wants you to birth in a hospital and you want to...
2020-03-2432 minDown to Birth#15 | Julia's Birth Story: When Bonding Doesn't HappenIf you look up Julia Dzafic’s blog, Lemon Stripes, you’ll find a vibrant young mother sharing her tips on fashion, decor, motherhood, and lifestyle. But today on the podcast, Julia shares a part of her the public hasn’t fully seen: a woman with a history of anxiety who struggled with conception and miscarriage, and who finally conceived and birthed the healthy baby she’d dreamed of, only to feel completely disconnected from the moment of birth. This is the story of a woman who began motherhood merely going through the motions, hiding her disillusion and belie...
2020-03-1838 minDown to Birth#13 | Is Your Provider Right For You? The First Three Questions to Ask.The person we choose to attend our birth is one of the most impactful decisions we can make. Unfortunately, all too often the decision is made by default, choosing our gynecologist or our friend’s OB, or simply someone whose practice is close and convenient. We believe in making an informed and conscientious choice about who we allow to attend our birth. Today, we talk about the first three questions you should consider asking your provider, along with some red flags that would have us running in search of someone better. And most importantly, we identify the one...
2020-03-0435 minDown to Birth#12 | February Q&A: The Banned Frida Mom Ad, Weaning, Ideal Intervals Between Babies, Being High-Risk, High-Lipase Breast Milk, Eating vs. Vomiting in LaborLet's talk about the Frida Mom ad depicting the real truth of a newly postpartum mom, which was banned from airing during the Oscars. Then, what's a mother to do when the pediatrician is suggesting weaning before mother or baby feels ready? Other questions we cover in this episode relate to feeling in control during labor even when you're high-risk; the ideal interval between babies; why some breast milk smells after it's been frozen or sitting out; and the truth about vomiting and/or eating in labor. Tune in today to hear our thoughts and opinions on...
2020-02-2632 minDown to Birth#10 | Cynthia's First Birth Story: Taking Charge of Giving BirthThe story of Cynthia's first birth has been published internationally in various print media between 2007 and 2020, under the the original title Off Her Back and, later, Taking Charge of Giving Birth. Some of those publications include Mothering magazine, Pathways to Family Wellness, and a textbook called Opposing Viewpoints: Childbirth. It's the story of a once-uninformed, overwhelmed woman who channeled her anxiety into educating herself, advocating for herself, and later firing her obstetrician, hiring midwives, and facing her fear of natural childbirth using HypnoBirthing. In the end, she birthed her 8 lb. 14 oz son in exactly three hours from start to...
2020-02-1255 minDown to Birth#8 | Q & A: Waterbirthing, Postpartum Anxiety, Breastfeeding, Velamentous Cords, Self-Advocacy, & When To Go To The HospitalIt’s time for more Q&A! Today we talk about considerations around water birthing, dealing with your feelings around students/interns providing your care, when and how to introduce a bottle to your breastfed baby, understanding signs of postpartum depression, what to do if you have a velamentous cord insertion (and what is that anyway?), and the biggie every first time mother wants to know: “How do I know when it is time to go to the hospital?”Academy of Breastfeeding MedicineBed Sharing & Breastfeeding ProtocolWaterbirth International Postpartum Suppor...
2020-01-2934 minDown to Birth#7 | Jessica's Birth Story: A Footling Breech Baby Coming ThroughIt isn't often we hear stories of women who change providers when their baby is full-term. At her 39 week check-up, Jessica learned her baby was breech...feet first!After facing an impending cesarean section that same day, she took matters into her own hands. This is the story of a woman whose trust in herself was so absolute, she trekked from New York into Amish country to birth her baby not only in the unlikeliest of places, but also in a most unusual position. If you've ever doubted your body's ability to do what it is designed...
2020-01-2243 minDown to Birth#6 | Amazing Husband SyndromeEvery week, Cynthia and Trisha moderate a postpartum support group, where women gain validation and unique insight into one another's thoughts, experiences and comments. Over time, it's clear to see certain patterns emerge within every new group. In this episode we discuss one of them: Why do so many women feel compelled to describe their partners as "amazing" -- not good, not 'doing his best', not human -- but amazing. Thus was born our term Amazing Husband Syndrome. We question why women suffer so much guilt around their mothering while holding their partners to a markedly different standard. While...
2020-01-1736 minDown to Birth#5 | Preterm Babies & the Case for Midwifery Care: Interview with Midwife/Author Amy RomanoCertified Nurse Midwife and award-winning author of Optimal Care in Childbirth: The Case for a Physiologic Approach, Amy Romano, joins us today to share dramatic trends ranging from physiologic to sociologic, which are contributing to poor outcomes in the U.S., especially for black women. What are the risk factors for preterm birth, and do those risk factors impact black and white women differently? What mental and emotional factors are contributing to preterm babies? Finally, Amy discusses the provider/client benefits of a Yale model of care involving group midwifery care.* * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed thi...
2020-01-1541 minDown to Birth#4 | Q & A: Induction, Due Dates, Placenta Previa, Glucose Drink, Ultrasound & Baby's Size, Plugged Ducts, Family BoundariesTune in to our first Q & A session where Cynthia and Trisha offer their thoughts on your questions: to induce or to wait at 41 weeks, alternatives to the one hour glucose tolerance test, ultrasound says my baby may be too big, what happens when you pump a little too much, family member input on birth choices, and what to do about placenta previa. * * * * * * * * * *If you enjoyed this episode of the Down To Birth Show, please share with your pregnant and postpartum friends!Between episodes, connect with us on Instagram @DownToBirthShow to s...
2020-01-0829 minDown to Birth#1 | Is A Healthy Mother & Baby All That Matters?Tune in to our very first episode where Cynthia, Trisha, and Zuzana talk about how they met and why they do what they do. They discuss the significance of birth choices and why a healthy mom and baby is NOT all that matters when it comes to having a baby. This is about women finding their own voice in pregnancy, and about having a birth that's not only safe, but leaves you feeling respected, heard and honored. It's about having a birth that leaves you feeling at peace. Because isn't that ultimately everything?Episode Resources:
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