Down to Birth

Breastfeeding women have been having a difficult time knowing whether to get the Covid vaccine, given that the vaccine is new and neither the CDC nor vaccine manufacturers have studied whether vaccine ingredients make their way into breast milk. Meanwhile, pregnant and breastfeeding women have been told to get the vaccine despite this lack of research. It has been the historical norm for vaccines not to be tested on pregnant or nursing mothers, making informed consent difficult, if not impossible. We provide no recommendation for or against the Covid vaccine for breastfeeding women, as we believe the decision is only yours to make. Whenever there is unknown/potential risk on either side of a decision, freedom must accompany choice.We do, however, want to empower you to conduct your own research. We begin by demonstrating how easily misleading and biased information makes its way to major news outlets, and how it's carefully designed to look like statistically-valid research when it is actually rhetoric. If you've listened to our podcast before, you know "medical rhetoric" in pregnancy and childbirth is a recurring theme in obstetrics and maternity care, and one of our missions is to help our listeners develop an ear for recognizing rhetoric. In the first half of this episode, we cite specific headlines (e.g. New York Times Parenting; Apple News, Reuters) and point out that the underlying "research" does not adequately support the headline, nor are the sources necessarily independent/objective. In our own quest to find vaccine information for breastfeeding mothers, we invited Dr. Kaytlin Krutsch from Texas Tech University's Infant Risk Center, which, for years, has studied the effects of drugs and medications on breast milk. In September 2021, the Infant Risk research team published the first known study of the Covid vaccine and its possible impact on breastfed newborns. They did this research because curious/concerned breastfeeding moms flooded their call centers all year with questions about the vaccine. Dr. Krutsch shares the results of the Infant Risk team's study while also pointing out the gaps in their own research and what work still needs to be done. Our hope is that, whatever parents choose, they will learn from this episode (a) how to recognize research versus rhetoric in all areas of healthcare; (b) how to interpret whether research is valid and significant, and (c) what is meaSend us Fan Mail Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription orderDrinkLMNT <--  this link for FREE 8-day supplyPrimally Pure:  ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTHPostpartum Soothe: Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTHENERGYBits: <--this link for 20% offJoin Patreon for our exclusive contentIG @downtobirthshowDown to Birth ShowCall 802-GET-DOWNWatch full videos of all episodes on YouTube! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

Did you know that Pitocin is said to be the most abused drug in the world today? Did you know it is used 97% of the time for off-label purposes?  Did you know it is not FDA approved for labor augmentation or the elective induction of labor? And that  Pitocin is not the same as Oxytocin? Join us as Cynthia and Trisha talk through all the things you probably don't know about Pitocin but wish you did,  and how it impacts birth and postpartum.  Send us Fan MailNeeded <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription orderDrinkLMNT <--  this link for FREE 8-day supplyPrimally Pure:  ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTHPostpartum Soothe: Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTHENERGYBits: <--this link for 20% offJoin Patreon for our exclusive contentIG @downtobirthshowDown to Birth ShowCall 802-GET-DOWNWatch full videos of all episodes on YouTube! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

When Julie was 40+4 she had a slow leak but no contractions. Eagerly, she went to the hospital where she was admitted and encouraged to "get things going" by breaking her water.  She started Pitocin and when it came time to push, her baby was born with meconium and shoulder dystocia and was helicoptered to a nearby hospital with a NICU. Devastated, poorly treated by hospital staff, and left in the dark about what was happening to her baby, Julie drove hours to get to her newborn who was being treated for possible brain damage.. Thankfully, her baby was fine, but she was not.  When she became pregnant the second time, she realized in order to overcome her fear and anxiety, she needed to educate herself and take more authority over her own birth experience. She found a home birth midwife who reviewed her medical records, smiled, and said, "This shouldn't have happened and it won't  happen again." Tune in today to hear Julie's redemptive home birth story and how it changed her for life. This show is sponsored by:Postpartum Soothe*Beautiful Births & Beyond**Use promo code DOWNTOBIRTH**********Send us Fan Mail Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription orderDrinkLMNT <--  this link for FREE 8-day supplyPrimally Pure:  ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTHPostpartum Soothe: Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTHENERGYBits: <--this link for 20% offJoin Patreon for our exclusive contentIG @downtobirthshowDown to Birth ShowCall 802-GET-DOWNWatch full videos of all episodes on YouTube! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

It's that time of the month! We are back with our October Q&A. Today, we begin with a recap of fundal massage and postpartum bleeding as Trisha shares a story of postpartum hemorrhage at a recent home birth. Next we jump into our questions including: Can midwives help with pre-conception care and fertility, especially when it comes to PCOS? When should I start kegels after giving birth? Is it ok to take a bath after waters have released? What causes postpartum night sweats? Are there any special positions for labor if you have spinal issues such as scoliosis or spinal fusion? Why does the length of labor vary so much among women? Can I drink coffee in pregnancy? And finally, we wrap with a recap of feelings shared by one woman in our weekly postpartum support group. Check out the chapter markers to skip to specific questions. This show is sponsored by:Postpartum Soothe**Use promo code DOWNTOBIRTH**********Send us Fan Mail Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription orderDrinkLMNT <--  this link for FREE 8-day supplyPrimally Pure:  ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTHPostpartum Soothe: Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTHENERGYBits: <--this link for 20% offJoin Patreon for our exclusive contentIG @downtobirthshowDown to Birth ShowCall 802-GET-DOWNWatch full videos of all episodes on YouTube! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

This 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 episodes. To submit a question, visit the Down To Birth website or send us a voice memo through Instagram messenger. This show is sponsored by:Postpartum Soothe**Use promo code DOWNTOBIRTHConnect with Cynthia and Trisha at:Instagram: @downtobirthshow on InstagramEmail: Contact@DownToBirthShow.comCall: (802) 438-3696 (802-GET-DOWN)Connect with Cynthia:Email: Cynthia@HypnoBirthingCT.com Text: 203-952-7299 to RSVP to attend a free information session live on Zoom. Upcoming dates are posted at HypnoBirthingCT.com. You can also sign up for our "Fourth Trimester Workshop" or Cynthia's HypnoBirthing classes and weekly postpartum support groups at HypnoBirthing of Connecticut. Remember - we're in CT but you can be anywhere. We serve women and couples coast to coast with our live, online monthly HypnoBirthing classes, support groups and prenatal/postpartum workshops. Connect with Trisha at:Email: Trisha.Ludwig@gmail.com for online breastfeeding consulting servicesWe are so grateful for your reviews and shares - we love what we do and thank you all for your support!Please remember we don’t provide medical advice, and to speak with your licensed medical provider related to all your healthcare matters. Thanks so much for joining in the conversation, and see you next week!Send us Fan MailNeeded <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription orderDrinkLMNT <--  this link for FREE 8-day supplyPrimally Pure:  ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTHPostpartum Soothe: Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTHENERGYBits: <--this link for 20% offJoin Patreon for our exclusive contentIG @downtobirthshowDown to Birth ShowCall 802-GET-DOWNWatch full videos of all episodes on YouTube! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

It is a rare OB or midwife who will support a twin home birth. When Krystle learned she was pregnant with not one but two for her fourth and fifth babies, and after having her third baby at home, she knew she was not going back to hospital birth. Instead, she found Dr. Stu Fischbein of @birthinginstincts to assist her in birthing her twins in the comfort of her home. Today we share her inspiring twin home birth story, where Krystle shares how she educated herself on the knowledge, risks, and safety of twin birth and why she was adamant about doing it at home.This show is sponsored by:Postpartum Soothe*Beautiful Births and Beyond Doula Services**Use promo code DOWNTOBIRTH**********Send us Fan MailNeeded <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription orderDrinkLMNT <--  this link for FREE 8-day supplyPrimally Pure:  ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTHPostpartum Soothe: Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTHENERGYBits: <--this link for 20% offJoin Patreon for our exclusive contentIG @downtobirthshowDown to Birth ShowCall 802-GET-DOWNWatch full videos of all episodes on YouTube! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

The third in our series of provider red flags episodes is here. Today,  Cynthia and Trisha talk about the words, behaviors, and "recommendations" that concern us most around third trimester pregnancy topics such as: elective inductions, big babies, due dates, failure to progress, and vaginal exams.  How your provider thinks about, discusses and manages these topics tells you a lot about whether or not your birth goals will be supported.  We are here to give you our best knowledge and advice on when and how to know if your provider is right for you! Don't miss our other two episodes in this series:#124 | Provider Red Flags: Your Second Trimester#118 | Your First Trimester: Provider Red Flags**********Send us Fan MailNeeded <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription orderDrinkLMNT <--  this link for FREE 8-day supplyPrimally Pure:  ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTHPostpartum Soothe: Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTHENERGYBits: <--this link for 20% offJoin Patreon for our exclusive contentIG @downtobirthshowDown to Birth ShowCall 802-GET-DOWNWatch full videos of all episodes on YouTube! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

Dr. Stu Fischbein is an OBGYN in California and one of the very few providers who will attend home breech and twin birth.  Breech babies make up about 6% of pregnancies at term but few women will experience a vaginal breech birth.  98% of providers will not support a vaginal breech birth, not because it is dangerous (because it is not); but rather, because OBGYNs and most midwives no longer have the skills to safely support it.  Dr. Stu has a 100% vaginal breech birth success rate for moms who have already had one baby and an 80% success rate for first-time moms.  He believes we are doing a huge disservice to women by not offering them the option to give birth vaginally with a breech baby because we are not thinking about the down-stream effects, including that the mother will likely have a repeat cesarean if she plans to have more children. Today, Dr. Stu walks us through the myths and misconceptions around breech birth and helps us understand why vaginal breech birth is safe and deserves the same care and support as a head-down vaginal birth.  BirthingInstincts.comBirthingInstincts on IG**********Send us Fan MailNeeded <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription orderDrinkLMNT <--  this link for FREE 8-day supplyPrimally Pure:  ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTHPostpartum Soothe: Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTHENERGYBits: <--this link for 20% offJoin Patreon for our exclusive contentIG @downtobirthshowDown to Birth ShowCall 802-GET-DOWNWatch full videos of all episodes on YouTube! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

Our September Q&A is here!  Today, we open the episode with a discussion around choosing the best pediatrician for you and your baby; next we address shoulder dystocia and postpartum hemorrhage followed by questions such as: How do you handle family dynamics where you and your Mother-in-law have differing ideas about where and how to give birth? Is fundal massage after birth necessary? Do you have any tips on how to prevent a big baby? Is using a Haaka harmful or helpful in breastfeeding? Are hiccups in utero related to cord compression? If I have a history of shoulder dystocia, do I need to have a cesarean next time? How often does someone who is planning a natural birth change their mind and go for the epidural?See chapter markers to skip to a specific question.Thank you to all who have submitted these great questions. We look forward to answering more in our next Q&A the last Wednesday of October.This show is sponsored by:Postpartum Soothe*Beautiful Births and Beyond Doula Services**Use promo code DOWNTOBIRTH**********Send us Fan Mail Needed <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription orderDrinkLMNT <--  this link for FREE 8-day supplyPrimally Pure:  ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTHPostpartum Soothe: Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTHENERGYBits: <--this link for 20% offJoin Patreon for our exclusive contentIG @downtobirthshowDown to Birth ShowCall 802-GET-DOWNWatch full videos of all episodes on YouTube! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.

Giana is one of our Down To Birth Show listeners whose OB had told her to get an induction at 38 1/2 weeks due to a large baby. When she declined, her OB offered a scheduled Cesarean section as an alternative. Giana noticed the OB emphasized the importance of getting the baby out, but ignored the risk factors associated with induction or scheduled Cesarean.  She took matters into her own hands by hiring midwives and planning a home birth. But then doing her home birth, after the baby's head was out, they were facing a clear case of shoulder dystocia. When all was said and done, her baby weighed 10 lbs, 12 oz. Listen to Giana's story about having to move around with just her baby's head out, and why she wouldn't do anything differently if she could plan her birth again from the start. Giana is happy to speak to any listener who would like to connect regarding home birthing.This show is sponsored by:Postpartum Soothe*Beautiful Births and Beyond Doula Services**Use promo code DOWNTOBIRTH**********Send us Fan MailNeeded <-- this link for 20% off your whole subscription orderDrinkLMNT <--  this link for FREE 8-day supplyPrimally Pure:  ingredients good for you and the earth. Promo code: DOWNTOBIRTHPostpartum Soothe: Organic herbal padsicles for healing. Promo code DOWNTOBIRTHENERGYBits: <--this link for 20% offJoin Patreon for our exclusive contentIG @downtobirthshowDown to Birth ShowCall 802-GET-DOWNWatch full videos of all episodes on YouTube! Please note we don’t provide medical advice. Speak to your licensed provider for all healthcare matters.