Down to Birth

• #312 | Avoiding the Unnecessary Cesarean: A Five-Step Evidence-Based Approach

  Send us a textToday 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 packENERGYbits--the superfood every mother needs for pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeedingUse promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for all sponsors. Connect with us on Patreon for our exclusive content.Email [email protected] @downtobirthshowCall 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.

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• #311 | Listen to Me: Black Maternal Health, Tragedy, and the Fight for Change

  Send us a textIn 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 MeListen to Me on InstagramWatch 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 packENERGYbits--the superfood every mother needs for pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeedingUse promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for all sponsors. Connect with us on Patreon for our exclusive content.Email [email protected] @downtobirthshowCall 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.

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• #310 | The Co-Sleeping Controversy: Overcoming Fear & Supporting Instincts with Isadora of Happy Co-Sleeper

  Send us a textWhat 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-SleeperIsadora on InstagramRemember 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 [email protected] @downtobirthshowCall 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.

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• #309 | March Q&A: Uterine Rupture Risk; Weaning without Guilt; Home Birth Laws; Timeframes for Placental Birth; Precipitous Birth; Botox and Nursing

  Send us a textCynthia 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:Do I need to schedule a cesarean at 40 weeks if I’m planning a VBAC? My OB says I do.How do I know when it’s time to wean from breastfeeding, and how can I do it without feeling guilty?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! :)**********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 packNot a Sponsor but HIGHLY recommended: ENERGYbitsRemember to watch our full episodes on YouTube! Connect with us on Patreon for our exclusive content.Email [email protected] @downtobirthshowCall 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.

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• #308 | Mammogram Myths: Safer Ways to Screen for Breast Cancer with Dr. Jenn Simmons

  Send us a textIn 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**********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 packENERGYbits--the superfood every mother needs for pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeedingUse promo code: DOWNTOBIRTH for all sponsors. Connect with us on Patreon for our exclusive content.Email [email protected] @downtobirthshowCall 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.

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