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Welcome to the April Q&A episode! Today's episode begins with your answers to our question: How do you cope when you are at your breaking point in parenting? If you are looking for some creative ideas, you will find them here! And someone, please tell us where one Mississippi, two Mississippi came from?

Next, we get down to birth and answer the following questions:

• Why do some women choose unmedicated, physiological births despite societal pressures and perceived difficulties? Why not just get the epidural?
• Is it ok to push if you are not fully dilated? How dangerous is this and what is the risk with early pushing?
• My friend had to have an emergency cesarean when her baby was already in the vaginal canal. They pushed the baby back up and caused severe damage to her vaginal tissue. Was this necessary or were her providers just impatient?

In the extended version of today's episode, which you can hear by subscribing on Apple Podcasts or joining any of our Patreon tiers, we answer these additional questions:

• What are the risks of using castor oil to induce labor?
• If I had a big baby in my first pregnancy, does it mean I will have gestational diabetes in my next pregnancy? Does it even mean I had gestational diabetes in my first? My doctors put this in my records with no evidence beyond a big, healthy baby.
• How do I gently night wean?

In quickies, we discuss tongue ties and white tongues, hemorrhage and C-section, breath work resources for labor, retained placentas, protein for breastfeeding, decreasing milk supply, risk of infection with broken water, windmilling the placenta, and lastly, if you would only watch one movie for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Plus, don't miss today's long and hilarious outtake.

Watch the full videos of all our episodes on YouTube!

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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

Use promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for all sponsors.

Connect with us on Patreon for our exclusive content.
Email Contact@DownToBirthShow.com
Instagram @downtobirthshow
Call us at 802-GET-DOWN

Watch the full videos of all our episodes on YouTube!

Work with Cynthia:
203-952-7299
HypnoBirthingCT.com

Work with Trisha:
734-649-6294

Please remember we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed medical provider for all your healthcare matters.

Send us a text

What happens when we invite our children into the sacred space of birth? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Morgan MacDermott, a naturopathic doctor, perinatal health specialist, and mother of four, to talk about the transformative experience of having siblings present at birth. We tackle the key questions: Should all children be present at birth, and if not, which considerations should be considered? Will they be scared? Will the mother be able to stay focused? What happens if they get uncomfortable, and how much do you really need to prepare them for witnessing birth?

Children at birth isn't what every woman wants, which is the most important factor to consider. We discuss why some women dream of this option, and how our own children responded to being present at their younger siblings' births.

This conversation is for any parent who wants to challenge the fear-based cultural narrative around birth and raise children who understand that birth is not something to fear—but something to trust and witness with reverence and awe.

Morgan MacDermott on Instagram

Remember to watch our full episodes on YouTube!

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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 Not a Sponsor but HIGHLY recommended: ENERGYbits Save 20%

Use promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for all sponsors.

Connect with us on Patreon for our exclusive content.
Email Contact@DownToBirthShow.com
Instagram @downtobirthshow
Call us at 802-GET-DOWN

Watch the full videos of all our episodes on YouTube!

Work with Cynthia:
203-952-7299
HypnoBirthingCT.com

Work with Trisha:
734-649-6294

Please remember we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed medical provider for all your healthcare matters.

Send us a text

Today we’re talking about one of the most important—and misunderstood—topics in maternity care: the unnecessary cesarean. In the U.S., about one in three babies is born by C-section, but in physiologic birth settings, that number can be as low as 2–4%. So what’s driving the difference?

In this episode, Cynthia and Trisha unpack the many layers behind the rising cesarean rate and offer a grounded, evidence-based approach for avoiding surgery when it isn’t truly needed. From provider practices to birth environments, timing to interventions, we explore what really makes a difference in protecting your ability to give birth naturally.

We also talk about the deeper side of birth: how your nervous system, your sense of safety, and your trust in your body all play a powerful role in how birth unfolds. If you’ve ever been told you might need a C-section because your baby is “too big,” or you’re wondering how to stack the odds in your favor for a physiological birth—this episode is for you.

Watch the full videos of all our episodes 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

Use promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for all sponsors.

Connect with us on Patreon for our exclusive content.
Email Contact@DownToBirthShow.com
Instagram @downtobirthshow
Call us at 802-GET-DOWN

Watch the full videos of all our episodes on YouTube!

Work with Cynthia:
203-952-7299
HypnoBirthingCT.com

Work with Trisha:
734-649-6294

Please remember we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed medical provider for all your healthcare matters.

Send us a text

In honor of Black Maternal Health Week, we’re joined by Stephanie Etienne and Kanika Harris, creators of the documentary Listen to Me. The film follows the pregnancy and birth journeys of several black women. It reveals a devastating reality: Black mothers in the U.S. and U.K. are dying in childbirth at far higher rates than white women regardless of education, income, or resources.

Kanika shares the heartbreaking story of losing her twin babies after a sudden onset of preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. Though she arrived at the hospital by ambulance, bleeding and in critical condition, she was still stopped at the front desk and asked for insurance information before being evaluated. The tragedy was compounded when her husband, Jua, was advised not to tell Kanika the whole story about the fate of her babies, out of concern that Kanika might not survive if she received the devastating news while her own health was so tenuous.

We talk with Stephanie and Kanika about why they made the film, what they want every pregnant woman to know, and how Black families are often treated with suspicion or disregard in medical spaces. They also speak of the grief carried by partners, families, and entire communities when a mother is lost.

Listen to Me

Listen to Me on Instagram

Watch the full videos of all our episodes 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

Use promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for all sponsors.

Connect with us on Patreon for our exclusive content.
Email Contact@DownToBirthShow.com
Instagram @downtobirthshow
Call us at 802-GET-DOWN

Watch the full videos of all our episodes on YouTube!

Work with Cynthia:
203-952-7299
HypnoBirthingCT.com

Work with Trisha:
734-649-6294

Please remember we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed medical provider for all your healthcare matters.

Send us a text

What if sleeping beside your baby isn’t dangerous—but actually protective? In this episode, we talk about one of the most instinctive things mothers do—and one of the most feared and judged: co-sleeping. Today's guest is Isadora Ambrose, founder of Happy Co-Sleeper and a certified holistic infant sleep specialist.

Why are parents told to never sleep with their babies when every cell in their body wants to keep them close at night? Isadora breaks down what makes co-sleeping safe (and what makes it unsafe), how studies are often misinterpreted, and why so many parents end up co-sleeping anyway—without the right support or setup. We discuss breastfeeding, chest-sleeping, the role of the mother’s body in keeping babies safe, and how co-sleeping protects against sleep deprivation and unsafe sleep situations. (You'll also hear Isadora's opinion on the SNOO!)

We also explain how co-sleeping changes as your child grows—what to do as your baby becomes a toddler, how to bring a new sibling into the mix, and how to keep your relationship intact while sharing sleep with your child.

This is an honest, reassuring conversation for anyone who's ever felt torn between what feels natural and what they've been told is “safe.”

Happy Co-Sleeper

Isadora on Instagram

Remember to watch our full episodes 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 packNot a Sponsor but HIGHLY recommended: ENERGYbits Save 20%

Use promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for all sponsors.

Connect with us on Patreon for our exclusive content.
Email Contact@DownToBirthShow.com
Instagram @downtobirthshow
Call us at 802-GET-DOWN

Watch the full videos of all our episodes on YouTube!

Work with Cynthia:
203-952-7299
HypnoBirthingCT.com

Work with Trisha:
734-649-6294

Please remember we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed medical provider for all your healthcare matters.

Send us a text

Cynthia and Trisha are back with the March Q&A episode! This one kicks off with a fun discussion on things that our Instagram followers think people should know but don’t—like how, when you say you’re eating a kiwi, you’re actually referring to either a kiwi bird or, worse, a person from New Zealand!

In today’s Q&A episode, we answer these questions:

1. Do I need to schedule a cesarean at 40 weeks if I’m planning a VBAC? My OB says I do.
2. How do I know when it’s time to wean from breastfeeding, and how can I do it without feeling guilty?
3. What are my options if my state says it’s illegal to give birth at home after a previous cesarean?

In the extended, ad-free version, available on Patreon and Apple subscriptions, we cover:

• My second birth was only 45 minutes long, and my baby was born in the car on the way to the hospital. How can I prevent or better prepare for a rapid birth with my third baby?
• Will dropping a pumping session with my eleven-week-old baby affect my milk supply?
• How long is too long to wait to deliver the placenta, and how can I help it come out more quickly?

Finally, in the "quickies" segment, we touch on a variety of topics, including alternatives to Pitocin, botox while breastfeeding, swimming in public pools during the third trimester, finances & family planning, and dealing with the awkward situation of being told your baby can't attend a baby shower—and much more!

Remember you can watch all our episodes now in full video format on the Down to Birth YouTube channel!

Thank you, as always, for your fantastic questions! Keep them coming to our hotline at 802-438-3696. We promise we won’t answer! :)

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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%
Use promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for all sponsors.
DrinkLMNT -- Purchase LMNT with this unique link and get a FREE sample pack

Not a Sponsor but HIGHLY recommended: ENERGYbits

Remember to watch our full episodes on YouTube!

Connect with us on Patreon for our exclusive content.
Email Contact@DownToBirthShow.com
Instagram @downtobirthshow
Call us at 802-GET-DOWN

Watch the full videos of all our episodes on YouTube!

Work with Cynthia:
203-952-7299
HypnoBirthingCT.com

Work with Trisha:
734-649-6294

Please remember we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed medical provider for all your healthcare matters.

Send us a text

In today's episode, Dr. Jenn Simmons shares her powerful journey from a leading breast cancer surgeon to an advocate for functional medicine and holistic health. Drawing from her personal experience with illness and healing, Dr. Simmons discusses the dangers and limitations of traditional breast cancer screening with mammography and offers insight into safer, more effective alternatives like QT imaging, the ARIA test, and the importance of self-breast exams.

This conversation is especially relevant for pregnant and postpartum mothers who want to make informed decisions about their health. We cover how lifestyle choices, metabolic health, and early detection practices can play a significant role in breast cancer prevention.

If you've ever questioned mammography, you were right to do so. Today, we offer evidence-based alternatives to conventional care, expose the myths and dangers of mammography, and teach you about the most important tool that you already have to help detect and prevent breast cancer.

Dr. Jenn Simmons on Instagram

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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

Use promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for all sponsors.

Connect with us on Patreon for our exclusive content.
Email Contact@DownToBirthShow.com
Instagram @downtobirthshow
Call us at 802-GET-DOWN

Watch the full videos of all our episodes on YouTube!

Work with Cynthia:
203-952-7299
HypnoBirthingCT.com

Work with Trisha:
734-649-6294

Please remember we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed medical provider for all your healthcare matters.

Send us a text

Labor dystocia, often labeled as "failure to progress," is the leading reason for cesarean birth in the United States. At its core, prolonged labor is frequently influenced by suboptimal fetal positioning, as well as the mother’s biomechanics, anatomy, and physiology. In this episode, we delve into the true causes of labor dystocia and explore how intentional movement and positioning—both during pregnancy and labor—can promote a smoother, more efficient birth.

Our discussion covers:

• The definitions of labor dystocia and why there is no universal consensus;
• How fetal positioning impacts labor progress and ways to optimize it;
• The effects of maternal posture, movement, and soft tissue balance during pregnancy and birth;
• Understanding biomechanics in making space for the baby and easing labor challenges;
• How the medical model misinterprets and over-manages normal variations in labor; and
• Practical strategies to prevent and resolve labor dystocia naturally.

When a mother and baby are doing well in labor there is no upper limit to how long her labor can go. No woman should be diagnosed with failure to progress, a term we reject. This episodes provides insights and tips to optimize your labor and your baby's position and reduced the chances of experiencing a long, difficult labor.

Molly O'brien

Molly on Instagram

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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

Use promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for all sponsors.

Connect with us on Patreon for our exclusive content.
Email Contact@DownToBirthShow.com
Instagram @downtobirthshow
Call us at 802-GET-DOWN

Watch the full videos of all our episodes on YouTube!

Work with Cynthia:
203-952-7299
HypnoBirthingCT.com

Work with Trisha:
734-649-6294

Please remember we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed medical provider for all your healthcare matters.