The Down to Birth Podcast team, Cynthia Overgard & Trisha Ludwig, join Blyss and Dr. Stu to talk about red flags when seeking a practitioner so you can feel empowered to make the best choice for your pregnancy and birthing experience. They also discuss a high-profile mom’s birthing story, unpacking the hospital tyranny she experienced and her call for change.-------------Cynthia’s Bio:Cynthia Overgard is the founder of HypnoBirthing of Connecticut. In addition to producing the podcast, Down to Birth, Cynthia teaches live, interactive online classes and workshops on a regular monthly basis and runs a weekly postpartum support group. After experiencing her own beautiful and empowered water-birth to her 8 lb 14 oz son in 2005 and later to her 9 lb 7 oz daughter in 2009, Cynthia resigned from a fulfilling corporate career at MasterCard and as an adjunct Professor of Finance of ten years at University of Connecticut to transition into the field of prenatal education and advocacy. She is an expert in HypnoBirthing and is trained in Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders through Postpartum Support International.Trisha’s Bio:Trisha Ludwig is a Certified Nurse-Midwife and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant with a Master’s degree from Yale School of Nursing. After practicing as a homebirth midwife, she started a holistic gynecology and women’s health practice, which she ran for 10 years. She is passionate about supporting and optimizing women’s transitions through major shifts such as pregnancy, postpartum, peri-menopause, and menopause. She believes in treating health issues on the physical, emotional, and spiritual levels.In this episode of Birthing Instincts:Hospital tyranny: Candace Owens’ birth story A practitioner’s protocol for due datesBeing mindful of the language a practitioner usesRoutine use of vaginal examines in laborWhy appointment wait times matterInaccuracies about placentas aging, failing, or thinningHow women benefit from eating & drinking in laborFreedom of movement & different positions for giving birthThis show is supported by:LMNT | Go to drinklmnt.com/birthinginstincts to get a free sample pack!Resources:Candance Owen’s Podcast: My Birth Story - Why The Hospital Threatened to Send CPS and Charge Me with a MisdemeanorConnect with Cynthia & Trisha:Instagram: @downtobirthshow / @trishaoludwig / @cynthiaovergard Podcast: Down to BirthCynthia’s website: HypnoBirthingCT.com Connect with Dr. Stu:Instagram: @birthinginstinctsWebsite: birthinginstincts.comConnect with Blyss:Instagram: @birthingblyssWebsite: birthingblyss.comThis show is produced by Soulfire Productions