Down to Birth

Cynthia Overgard, a certified hypnobirthing instructor, and Trisha Ludwig, a certified nurse midwife, make a seriously compelling duo. Their chemistry is the engine here -- they push back on each other, finish each other's thoughts, and genuinely seem to enjoy hashing things out. With over 360 episodes and listeners in 90 countries, they've built something that goes well beyond a casual listen. The show bills itself as evidence-based straight talk on pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, and it mostly delivers on that promise. They tackle topics like water birth, VBAC preparation, perineal health, and informed consent with real specificity. No vague reassurances -- they cite studies, bring on expert guests, and walk through the actual data. Their monthly Q&A episodes are a standout feature where they field questions directly from listeners, and the answers tend to be refreshingly direct. What sets this apart from other birth podcasts is the willingness to challenge the conventional medical system without veering into anti-science territory. They'll question routine interventions while still respecting the role of medical professionals. It's a balance a lot of shows in this space struggle with. The 4.8 star rating across 560 reviews backs up what regular listeners already know: this is one of the more thoughtful, well-produced birth podcasts out there. New episodes drop weekly and they also offer extended content through their Patreon, including live monthly events.