All About Pregnancy & Birth

Sorry, the first file was initially cut off. Here's the full episode. Enjoy! __________________ Wow! Can you believe it's been 200 episodes?! Thank you, thank you, thank you for being on this journey with me. If you had asked me a few years ago if I thought I was going to be a podcaster, I probably would've said “What's a podcast?” I never could've imagined having this opportunity to help and serve so many people beyond what I do at the bedside. Whether I realized it or not, I was guided along a path here. Thanks to God, the “Universe,” or whatever it may be, I wound up in the right place to do the most good. Everything fell into place and I'm so grateful to have what I never knew I wanted. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -How my medical school epiphany struck me -What aspects of medicine I was specifically drawn to -How I wrestled with parting from a career in academia -Why it's important to remember that you can get what you want and not be happy -How the universe lined up some coincidences that set me on my way to becoming an OB/GYN hospitalist -What a twisty-turny path it was to go from a health coaching side-hustle to this podcast -How this show has changed my life -What's next… -- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode200 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way  

Wow! Can you believe it's been 200 episodes?! Thank you, thank you, thank you for being on this journey with me. If you had asked me a few years ago if I thought I was going to be a podcaster, I probably would've said “What's a podcast?” I never could've imagined having this opportunity to help and serve so many people beyond what I do at the bedside. Whether I realized it or not, I was guided along a path here. Thanks to God, the “Universe,” or whatever it may be, I wound up in the right place to do the most good. Everything fell into place and I'm so grateful to have what I never knew I wanted. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -How my medical school epiphany struck me -What aspects of medicine I was specifically drawn to -How I wrestled with parting from a career in academia -Why it's important to remember that you can get what you want and not be happy -How the universe lined up some coincidences that set me on my way to becoming an OB/GYN hospitalist -What a twisty-turny path it was to go from a health coaching side-hustle to this podcast -How this show has changed my life -What's next… -- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode200 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way  

I am particularly delighted with Haley's birth story! She was just about as prepared as you can be. Not only did she do childbirth education (including taking my birth prep course!) but she prepared physically. Before she and her husband even started trying she was taking vitamins, minding her physical fitness, and getting tests at the doctor. In this episode we literally laugh and cry. Her birth was relatively straight-forward. What makes this story so special is the joy you can hear in Haley's voice when she talks about her birth experience and meeting her baby. Tune in for an interview that will remind you what makes birth beautiful. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -Why I call Haley “textbook” prepared -How knowledge made her feel empowered in her decisions -How she and her provider came to a compromise over induction -How she was able to instinctively tell when labor was starting -What her husband did to support her every step of the way -What her nurse did to advocate for Haley's needs -Why her sister encouraged her to go to the ER four days after giving birth -How pelvic floor therapy helped her postpartum -- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode199 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way  

So today we're talking about how to get ready for the hospital, specifically what to pack. Packing your hospital bag can feel stressful and getting ready in advance will give you one less thing to worry about when the time comes. Of course there's more you can do to prepare for your trip than just packing. I also offer some helpful logistical tips to make navigating your labor and birth easier. As an OB/GYN I've seen a lot of what works and what doesn't and I'd love to share some of that knowledge with you today!   In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -What it means to “pre-register” with the hospital and how it can make your birth easier -Why it's a good idea to visit the hospital and find labor and delivery ahead of time -What “GBS” refers to and why your GBS status is important -What to bring for while you're in labor -What to bring for after your baby is born -What to bring for going home -What not to bring -What your partner should bring -Why it doesn't matter what you look like "down there"   -- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode198 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Continuing on the topic of mental health, this week's episode is an interview with the CEO and founder of Canopie, Anne Wanlund. Canopie is an app that works in tandem with top perinatal mental health experts to give parents access to clinically-effective therapies. Their mission is to make mental wellness support universal and a standard part of pregnancy and postpartum care. I appreciate the preventative approach of Anne's work. It helps bridge the gap between those who need care and the services that can help them. Her own experience inspired her to create a solution: something streamlined, easy to use, and affordable - she's even working to make it FREE! I want you to know that I am not being compensated for this episode. I think Canopie is doing great work and I just love to bring you all information about tools that may be helpful in your pregnancy, birth and postpartum journey. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -How prevalent perinatal issues are -How screening tools are deficient -What the financial and societal impacts are of maternal mental health issues -What types of preventions are shown to be effective -What the Canopie app is and who it works for -How shame and stigma stop some people from seeking mental health care -What research has been done to evaluate the effectiveness of the app -How Canopie interfaces with traditional mental health services   -- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode197 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

This week's episode is a rebroadcast because my husband Falcon and I are taking a much needed trip togther with just the two of us. And in the spirit of he and I taking some time together, I chose an episode that you and your partner can listen to together! I interview David Arrell, author of Welcome to Fathrhood: The Modern Man's Guide to Pregnancy, Childirth, and Fatherhood. Grab your partner so you both can take a listen and soak up all the goodness in this episode. I know you are going to enjoy it and find it really helpful!   In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -How to be a supportive and attentive teammate through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum -Why it's important to look at parenthood as “teamwork,” as opposed to “women's work” -How to handle people who challenge a more progressive approach to fatherhood / being a stay at home dad -What inspired David to write his book -How to use code words to ask for or offer support during pregnancy -What kinds of obstacles are being created by covid -Why hiring a doula can be helpful for both partners during birth   -- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode101 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

In this episode we have Marielis sharing her experience with postpartum psychosis. I usually don't do two birth stories in a row but in light of the Lindsay Clancy case I thought it was important to release this one today. If you haven't heard about it yet, Lindsay Clancy strangled her three children and is now a paraplegic as a result of a suicide attempt. It is suspected that this was due to postpartum psychosis. Postpartum psychosis is relatively rare, occurring in only 1 to 2 births out of 1,000. And homicidal behavior is uncommon among those with the diagnosis. Psychosis is a disturbance in an individual's perception of reality which can manifest in the form of delusions and hallucinations among other symptoms. This is what Marielis experienced after giving birth. Once she realized something was wrong, she did everything right: listened to her intuition, communicated that she felt off, sought help early, and followed through on her medication and therapy plan. Today she is doing well and wants to spread awareness in hopes of preventing future tragedies. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -What psychosis felt like for Marielis -What the early signs were that something was wrong -How her condition made her feel about her baby -Why being a woman of color made her hesitant to seek care -How her family supported her during her mental health crisis -How Marielis's psychosis was treated -What risk factors increase the likelihood of postpartum psychosis -When postpartum psychosis presents after birth -- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode196 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

This is a delightful birth story episode from a fellow physician! Claudia is an orthopedic sports surgeon, currently stationed with the Air Force in Anchorage, Alaska. She gave birth at the same military facility where she works and loved her experience. Even though she went into pregnancy at a (barely) advanced maternal age and with pre-existing borderline hypertension, she was still able to have the vaginal birth she wanted. Being in the “at risk” category doesn't necessarily predict how your birth will go. A different hospital might have pushed for a c-section instead of waiting for interventions to work. Induction can be long!! Hers was Tuesday to Thursday. You have to be patient with the process and fortunately her care team was. I love how one of the doctors in the practice asked if she had birth wishes. This is how it should be done. Fortunately Claudia came prepared with a birth plan she'd made the right way (using The Birth Preparation Course) and went over it with her team before she went into labor. If she hadn't done that she may not have gotten the outcome she did. This story goes so many places and I know you're going to learn a lot from Claudia's experience.   In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -How Claudia and her partner got pregnant without any treatment right after visiting an infertility specialist -How her experience as a physician influenced her expectations of birth -How she felt about giving birth in the military overall -Why she and her care team opted for induction -Which pain management option she liked and which one she hated -When and why her team decided to implement different interventions to move her labor along -How she felt when her doctor said they needed to consider a c-section after she'd been trying for vaginal for so long -How well she recovered after a 3rd degree tear by immediately requesting pelvic floor physical therapy -How her baby's latching issues were resolved -What she wished she'd have known about the postpartum “baby blues”   -- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode195 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Today's guest, Liesel Teen, BSN, RN, is a labor and delivery nurse and the founder of Mommy Labor Nurse. I have been wanting to have a labor and delivery nurse on for a long time because I know how important they are to the birth experience. We obviously have quite a bit of overlap in what we do but I never want to come in front of you like I'm the only one with information to help you through your pregnancy and birth. Now of course I offer fantastic information but it's great to have more than one trusted source. We come from different backgrounds, different experiences, and we bring that to our work. It can also be reassuring to hear the same thing from multiple experts. Different people present information in different ways and you may just find that one educator's style works for you better than another. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -What exactly does a labor and delivery (L&D) nurse do during labor and birth -What are some misconceptions about L&D nurses -How L&D nurses work with doulas, doctors, and midwives -What should you expect from your L&D nurse -What you should do if you are not happy with your L&D nurse -What are some tricks and tips that Liesel has learned from her career   -- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode194 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

I cannot believe I graduated from medical school in 2002! Looking back at my career, a lot of wild things have happened. On this podcast I get to bring you expert advice, education on important topics, and all kinds of birth stories. But for this episode, I thought I'd do something a little more lighthearted and share 10 interesting things from my two-decade career. I will be talking about some of the difficult things that happen in my specialty, as well. Some of these stories are going to be a little bit gruesome - I give a warning in the episode before going into anything graphic so you can skip ahead. Overall you are going to enjoy it and hopefully you find these stories funny or relatable. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -What makes it impossible for the hospital to prepare your epidural before you arrive -Why all kinds of reactions to the arrival of your baby are ok -Why certain items absolutely should not be inserted into a vagina! -Why you should think about how your actions affect can others in a public space -How even I, after 20 years in practice, am not able to predict how quickly a birth might progress -Why faster is not necessarily better when it comes to labor -Why we need to monitor placenta previa so carefully -How we medical providers could be more sensitive to our patients feelings -What a notarized birth plan is and what it means (or honestly doesn't mean) --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode193 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

This is the first birth story of 2023 and it's such a wonderful, happy, joyful one. Tes's pregnancy journey included an ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, and an almost IVF cycle that was halted by Covid shutdowns. At 43 years old she gave birth to a healthy baby girl. I really like how she maintains a positive attitude but is still honest about the hard parts. She's real about loss, frustration, and pain - and she admits that yes, she did cuss but she never cussed at anyone.   In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -What age Tes and her partner were when they decided to try and get pregnant -Whether she conceived with or without IVF -How the onset of the pandemic affected her pregnancy plans -How she managed pregnancy loss -Why Tes looked at being a patient of “advanced maternal age” as a good thing -What made her care team so special -How her pain management affected her birth -Why she was rushed to an emergency procedure after her daughter was born   --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode192 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

This is the first time I'm having more than one guest on at a time and I'm super excited to have both. Today I'm joined by Doreen Bloch and Dr. Nathan S. Fox. Doreen is the CEO and founder of Ellement, the first personalized prenatal supplement system. And Nathan is a board-certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist and an advisor at Ellement. Ellement was actually a sponsor of the podcast last year and I invited them to come back because what they're doing with prenatal supplements is pretty cool. The short story is that, unlike most prenatals, these supplements are made specifically for each individual person based on their unique needs or dietary preferences. I love the idea of things being more personalized and less one size fits all; I think that's the future of where supplements and healthcare overall are headed. Please know that I have no financial interest here. They are no longer sponsoring the podcast - I just want to share things with you that I think are important and useful. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -Why we recommend prenatal vitamins -When you should start taking them -What the difference is between folic acid and methylfolate -What role supplements should serve in pregnancy nutrition -How prenatals can be deficient -Why individualized care is important -How Doreen's personal experience with pregnancy and birth inspired her to start Ellement -How the cost of Ellement stacks up against other prenatals or mixing and matching vitamins   --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode191 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

I'm kicking off the new year with a really important episode about physiologic birth. I was inspired to cover this topic by our guest from episode 168, CNM Gianna Fay. She wrote to me asking if I would be willing to cover it and my response was - sure… but how? It's not a topic that OB/GYNs are taught much if anything about. The term gets used a lot in the online space but it's not often defined. So I decided to roll up my sleeves and see what information I could find. I learned about it myself and I'm going to share that information with you today. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -How normal physiologic birth is defined -Which factors disrupt physiologic childbirth -What are the benefits of normal physiologic birth -Whether any one position should be mandated or prescribed -What are the factors that influence physiologic birth -Why it's vital for your medical team to support your wishes -What makes it necessary to intervene --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode190 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Welcome to the last episode of the year! As always I'm incredibly grateful that you are spending some of your time with me today. So in this episode I am sharing the most downloaded episodes of 2022 from each of the main categories of the show: birth stories, expert interviews, and solo episodes. I love producing this podcast because I not only get to share my knowledge with you but I actually get to learn and grow as an OB through these interviews. Now I often do listener shoutouts and today I want to do a listener shoutout to YOU, to every single person who is listening to me right now. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you do to listen, support, and share the podcast. It just means the world to me. I love getting messages saying that you appreciate the show and what it has done for you, for your pregnancy,  and for your birth experience. It truly warms my heart and keeps me going during the times when this work gets challenging. I hope you enjoy this episode and as always, don't forget that you deserve a beautiful pregnancy and birth. Here Are the Most Downloaded Episodes of 2022: -Episode 154: Karrah's Birth Story - Easy Pregnancy, Difficult Birth -Episode 145: Crystal's Birth Story - Laughing Through the Pain -Episode 148: Taylor's Birth Story - Easy Births Do Happen -Episode 152: Fitness and Pregnancy with 9Round Exercise Specialist MacKenzie Rowand -Episode 158: How to Prepare for Postpartum with Nicole Makowka of LOOM -Episode 146: What Your Genetics Can Tell You with Genetic Counselor Ushta Davar Canteenwalla -Episode 147: Let's Talk About Due Dates -Episode 160: 9 Tips for an Unmedicated (Often Referred to as “Natural”) Birth -Episode 153: Breech Birth - Updated!   --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode189 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Krysti's birth was everything she wanted. Due to her mosaic Turner's syndrome, she struggled with infertility. But after only one cycle of IVF she was able to conceive! Her labor progressed very quickly and she had to speak up for herself to convince her care team that she was actually in labor. In fact things moved so fast that she gave birth right in a triage room. It goes to show that we can't predict what birth will be like, we can only prepare. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -What mosaic Turner's syndrome is and what it means for pregnancy -What made Krysti feel like she might be going into labor -What her attitude was towards pain management -How giving birth outside of a birthing room affected her experience -What her pain experience was like having a sunny side up birth -How she struggled to adjust to her new body after giving birth -What kinds of unexpected consequences came along with overproducing milk   --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode188 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

If you've listened to me for a while or followed me on Instagram then you may know that I love yoga, so I'm always happy to chat about it on the podcast. Lara Heimann is a yoga instructor, physical therapist, and creator of the LYT Yoga Method. She is a mother of two and has created a special pre/post natal series on her platform to help expecting and new parents build and hold onto energy. You know how I feel about “the snapback.” That's not what this is about. Lara's and my discussion focuses instead on how movement and strength building can help you to have a healthier and happier pregnancy. As your belly grows you will need a stronger back to support it; as your breasts get bigger, you'll want stronger shoulders to hold them. Connect with your body, learn to listen to it, and give it what it needs. You're going to learn all kinds of helpful skills for wellness in this episode!   In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -What made Lara want to become a yoga instructor -How her approach is different -How paying attention to the way we move impacts all other areas of our lives -Why posture is so important -How a movement practice - whether it's yoga or not - can make you better equipped to handle pregnancy, birth, and postpartum recovery -What types of movement and poses you can do during pregnancy -How improper posture and a sedentary lifestyle can drain energy   --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode187 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

In today's episode I'm revisiting the subject of how obesity affects pregnancy. Originally, I covered this topic in 2019 but I feel like I missed the mark. It was a bit too negative and, to be honest, I have some weight bias that I've been working on. So I want to come back to it today. I know that weight in general can be a sensitive topic but it's something that we need to discuss because it affects quite a few women during pregnancy. Up top I'd like to acknowledge that size is not the only indicator of health and that body positivity is important. However, we gotta understand the facts about the effects of obesity because without the facts you don't have the info you need to have your best pregnancy and birth. --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode186 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Erin is sharing the amazing story of her successful VBAC. Despite her first birth ending in a cesarean after pushing for 2 hours, she was crystal clear that she wanted to try for a vaginal birth for her next pregnancy. In order to have the best chance of success she took it upon herself to get incredibly prepared, including childbirth education and making different choices in her pregnancy care. You have to find a supportive provider and hospital if you want to try for a VBAC; actually for whatever you want for your birth. Many doctors would have discouraged Erin's birth wishes but she sought out a team that was willing to try and make it work. Having agency and being listened to is so important for getting the birth you want and that's just what happened for Erin. This is a great birth story and I know you're going to love it as much as I did!   --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode185 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

My first daughter was born premature and had to spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit (AKA the NICU or the ICU nursery). This week's episode has all the information I wish I'd known then, and I am so happy to be sharing it with you. Today we're joined by Dr. Terri Major-Kincade, a practicing medical doctor and champion for premature babies and their families.  Dr. Terri and I start off talking about what the NICU is three of the main reasons babies are admitted to the ICU nursery. We also talk about what parents can do to advocate for themselves and their baby, what kind of emotional support is available for NICU families, and five questions you can ask your care providers weekly so you are on the same page about baby's medical care.  --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode76 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

I'm really excited to bring this interview to you today. Our guest, Cheryl Sew Hoy, is CEO & Founder of Tiny Health, a gut microbiome startup that focuses on expecting parents and their babies. I met Cheryl because she reached out to me about being a medical advisor for Tiny Health and I was happy to do so. I do want to be transparent: my role as medical advisor does involve financial compensation but that's not why I agreed to the role or why I wanted to have her on the podcast. My fascination with the microbiome actually goes back a long way. When I was a faculty member in academic medicine at the beginning of my career, that's what I had planned to research. If you don't know, the microbiome is the collection of microbes (bacteria, fungi, viruses) that live in and on us - we actually have at least as many microbes as human cells! Now, the microbiome and how it affects health is an emerging area of study so keep that in mind if you decide to pursue testing. However I really believe that as time goes on we're only going to learn more and more about its importance. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -Why are gut and vaginal health testing important during pregnancy or even when trying to conceive -How Cheryl's own experience lead her to start Tiny Health -How microbes are passed along to baby -What factors impact the vaginal and gut microbiome -What vaginal seeding is and how exactly it's done -What the most common microbes are and which ones you want -How the Tiny Health tests work, the results and reports you get, and some surprising results they've found --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode184 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

On today's episode you're going to learn about labor induction. I covered this topic 3 years ago and there is new information in this updated episode. I get a lot of requests to talk about this and I get why. It's one of those topics that makes a lot of pregnant people nervous. You may have heard horror stories about induction and pitocin. Plus there's concern about the cascade of interventions or increasing the risk for c-section - so I get it. And on today's episode I will answer your questions and shed some light on what labor induction is all about! In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -What labor induction is -Why labor may be induced (you'll be surprised to hear that there are only 2 reasons) -When induction is NOT appropriate -How labor is induced and the efficacy of different methods -What constitutes a failed induction -Which questions to ask before being induced   --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode183 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Megan is here to share her experience of moving cross country during her pregnancy, having to find a new OB, and then needing to be induced at 39 weeks. Although things didn't go exactly as she would have liked she was ultimately very happy with her experience and she says a big part of that was because of the education that she got from being a member of The Birth Preparation Course! We talk a lot in this episode about the shortcomings of the American healthcare system when it comes to pregnancy and birth. Even with the best care staff you're oftentimes very much on your own. Megan does a great job of exemplifying how to pick up where medical care leaves off by educating herself and asking others in her community for help. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -What made Megan choose to sign up for the birth prep course -How Megan got proactive with her birth experience -What it was like for Megan to have PUPPP -What cholestasis is and how it affected Megan's pregnancy -How childbirth education helped Megan to understand vacuum assisted delivery and feel more confident when it came time to make that decision -How she worked through breastfeeding issues -When she decided it was time to be done with nursing and how that made her feel   --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode182 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Hearing the word “hormones” is a bit like nails on a chalkboard to an OB/GYN. There is so much misinformation out there that it's hard not to feel skeptical about this topic. However, today's guest, Dr. Heather Rhodes, takes a balanced, science-based approach to her work that I find really refreshing. Dr. Rhodes is a holistic pharmacist with a passion for women's health. Haven't heard of a “holistic pharmacist” before? Neither had I! She'll tell you all about it in the episode - essentially it means that she's taking what she learned form pharmacology and applying it to holistic hormone healthcare. I love getting to the root cause of issues and her approach is all about treating the cause more than the symptoms. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -Why Heather chose to classify herself as a holistic pharmacist -What made her decide to focus her work on hormone balance -Which hormones are most important for fertility and overall health -How she defines hormone balance / imbalance -Why she advocates for a combination of traditional and modern medicine -How hormones are affected by our daily choices --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode181 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

The placenta is an incredible organ (that's right, it's an organ!). Developing soon after conception, it is your baby's lifeline to your body - literally. Everything the fetus needs is delivered through the umbilical cord which is connected to the placenta. Nutrients and oxygen are brought in while carbon dioxide and wastes are taken out. Hormones to regulate pregnancy are secreted and your body's rejection of the fetus is prevented. All of this happens within the placenta. It's really an amazing part of your body and I know you're going to love learning all about it including what it does, the most common issues that can occur (placenta abruption, placenta previa, placenta accreta) as well as information about consuming the placenta, and lotus birth (where the placenta is left attached to the baby to fall off naturally).  In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -What the placenta is and what it does -What happens when there are concerns with the placenta -What the most common placental issues are -What puts you at higher risk -How common it is to have problems with the placenta -What makes placenta accreta so dangerous -Why some parents choose to consume the placenta -What lotus birth is and whether it provides any benefits --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode180 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Deundria's birth took a lot of unexpected twists and turns. She went into labor a month early, switched care teams at 34 weeks, and was diagnosed with COVID while in labor! But because she decided to pursue childbirth education during her pregnancy, she was able to roll with the punches. This was her third pregnancy and she knew she wanted something different this time. After negative experiences with epidurals during her first two births, she decided to try for unmedicated this time. In order to do this successfully, she knew she needed childbirth education and she actually chose to take my birth plan class! What she learned helped her to make empowered decisions for herself and you're going to hear all about that today. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -How the birth plan class helped Deundria spot red flags in her medical care -What were some of those indicators that her medical team wasn't a good fit -What made the midwife prenatal care experience so much better -How Deundria was treated differently by staff as soon as she received the positive COVID diagnosis -How the medical team induced labor without pitocin -How her doula helped her with pain management during birth despite the fact that she wasn't allowed in the room --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode179 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

We talk a lot on this show about pregnancy and birth (of course!) but we don't talk as much about what happens after that. That's where today's guest, Lindsay C. M. Garrett, LCSW comes in. An expert in the field of adoption, parent preparation, and child welfare, she has spent ten years supporting parents at The Gladney Center for Adoption. Her background may be in adoption but no matter how you choose to approach parenthood she's got great practical advice that I know everyone can find useful. This episode can hopefully remind you that it's ok to feel your feelings and reach out to your support system. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -How the challenges of adoption inspired Lindsay to focus her career on preparing parents to have children -Why it's important to explore your fears leading up to parenthood -How establishing strong communication with your partner beforehand can help in coparenting later -What some specific strategies are for building a sustainable support system -What are some ideas for things you can ask for when you reach out for help -What it means to define your family's mission statement and values   --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode178 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

I've talked about advanced reproductive age before but I realized I'd never devoted an entire episode to it. After having a lot of requests for this subject, I decided to cover it today. More and more people are opting to delay parenthood. However there seems to be a commonly accepted myth that the minute you turn 35 you can no longer expect to have a healthy baby or a vaginal birth. What defines a healthy age to get pregnant is on a spectrum. It depends on too many factors to list here so you'll have to listen to the episode! The bottom line is that if you want to have a baby in your thirties, forties, or even fifties, you can likely expect positive outcomes! In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -How common it is to get pregnant over the age of 35 -Why some people are choosing to delay having children -How the advancing of age can correlate to higher rates of miscarriage -How age affects the prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities and congenital anomalies -How preexisting conditions, especially hypertension and diabetes, can affect the chances of these issues -What the effects are on morbidity and mortality -How pregnancy care differs according to age -How age affects rates of induction and c-section -How children can benefit from being raised by older parents -Why you should plan for your family's future if you decide to get pregnant when you are older   --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode176 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

This is really a great story of managing through a difficult and unexpected birth course. After a completely uneventful and easy pregnancy, around 37 weeks Christina felt like something just wasn't right so she went to the hospital. She was subsequently diagnosed with something called HELLP syndrome, one of the most severe forms of preeclampsia. After being transferred to another hospital, she ultimately delivered via c-section and you are going to hear all about her experience today. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -How quickly and easily Christina and her husband got pregnant -What it was like for Christina to be pregnant and working in-person during the height of COVID -How staying active helped with her pregnancy symptoms -Why she took an interest in hypnobirthing and what she did to prepare -How she approached researching and getting ready for an unmedicated birth -What HELLP syndrome is and how it is managed -How Christina and her husband's differing careers facilitate coparenting --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode176 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Ep 175: F the Snapback with Endocrinologist and Obesity Medicine Specialist, Dr. Katy Brown   This episode is being brought to you by Bamboobies. Use the code “ALLABOUT” to get 40% of full price items through Oct 23. Wouldn't you want to learn about postpartum weight loss from an expert in weight management? Well you are in luck because that's exactly who we have in today's episode. Dr. Katy Brown is a board certified endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist and she is also a new mom! I really like her approach because it comes from a place of gratitude rather than judgment. There's no pressure to start early or lose quickly. Instead, it's all about baby steps. Have patience with yourself and focus on what you're already doing well. Your body just did something amazing! In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -Why postpartum weight management is important -Why BMI is not a perfect tool for measuring health -When you should start thinking about losing weight after giving birth - the answer may surprise you -How much breastfeeding really impacts weight loss -How many pounds you should realistically be losing per week -How often it's helpful to weigh yourself -Who should seek the help of a care provider like Kate and what to expect -How hormones actually do (and don't) affect weight management   --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode175 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

This episode is being brought to you by Bamboobies. Use the code “ALLABOUT” to get 40% of full price items through Oct 23. Today we're talking about what happens if there is a suspicion that your baby is big. I originally did an episode about this back in 2019 but since then I've had so many people reach out and ask about this subject that I thought I should revisit it and update it. I think it's coming up more often because more doctors seem to be doing routine third trimester ultrasounds which actually aren't necessary. These ultrasounds aren't great at identifying whether or not your baby will be large and can lead to unnecessary interventions down the road. In this episode, we'll get into the indicators you actually want to pay attention to and the outcomes and treatments you should be aware of for a suspected big baby. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -How much does a baby have to weigh in order to be considered “big,” or having macrosomia -What factors can increase the risk of having a big baby -How macrosomia is diagnosed -How accurate (and necessary) ultrasound screening is in identifying baby size -Who should be getting screened -What kinds of complications can be caused by having a larger baby -How you can help yourself with some prevention strategies and management options   --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode174 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

This episode is being supported by Bamboobies. Check out their amazing reusable nursing pads at bamboobies.com. In this birth story episode, you'll hear about Lauren and how she got both everything she wanted for her birth AND everything she didn't want. After a beautiful birth that went smoothly, Lauren experienced a rare obstetric emergency called uterine inversion where the uterus turns inside out after birth. She lost a lot of blood and had to be rushed to the OR. Fortunately the repair went well and today she's feeling grateful that the medical staff was able to save her life. Now I'm going to be honest, sometimes I worry about sharing these rarer incidents because I don't want to scare you or for you to think that I'm choosing more “sensational” stories. But then I remember that I am here to share the truth of pregnancy, share the truth of birth. Knowledge is power and you need to know what the possibilities are. Not because you can control the outcomes but because being prepared can make scary situations less overwhelming. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -Why you shouldn't let a low pain tolerance stop you from trying for an unmedicated birth; you don't know what you can do -How Lauren approached her birth wishes with flexibility -Why she chose to have a doula and how it affected her birthing experience -What an inverted uterus is and how it is repaired -What makes an inverted uterus so dangerous -What it was like for Lauren to recover from such a traumatic birth --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode173 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way  

This episode is being supported by Bamboobies. Check out their amazing reusable nursing pads at bamboobies.com. So y'all I'mma be honest. I was straight fangirling about recording this interview. Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts is an internationally-celebrated Peloton yoga teacher and scholar. I've done dozens and dozens of Chelsea's yoga and meditation classes so it was really special for me to be able to chat with her. She's currently 30 weeks pregnant and has some really special insight about how yoga and meditation have helped her along the way. The number one thing I'd like for you to take away from this episode is that yoga and meditation are for EVERYONE. Yes, that means you. You don't have to come to the mat looking a certain way or be super flexible. Just start. Make the practice your own and find what feels good for you.  In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -What inspired Chelsea to shift from being an elementary school teacher to getting a PhD and becoming a yoga and meditation instructor -How yoga helped her manage stress as a school teacher -What inspired her to introduce mindfulness to the classroom and what the outcomes were -How yoga can have a positive impact on kids -What kind of training Chelsea went through to become an instructor -What the benefits of yoga are during pregnancy specifically -How yoga has helped Chelsea with her own changing body during pregnancy -What the benefits are of simply breathing and being present -How and why Chelsea incorporates all different genres of music into her classes --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode172 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Trigger Warning: this episode involves a full term baby dying 13 days after a home birth.   Today's episode is obviously a difficult subject. I don't talk much about home birth - if folks want to have a home birth I support that but it is not my lane.  However I thought it was important to share this story for a number of reasons. Sometimes the potential complications of home birth are downplayed and although this is a rare thing that happened it's important to share it. Due to past medical trauma, Erica opted for a home birth. Her prenatal care was great. She got lots of attention and personal care that she may not have been able to get in a traditional setting. However, after the fact she began to realize that the potential dangers associated with home births had not been fully communicated. She was basically as prepared as an expectant parent could be but you just can't know everything. There are a LOT of lessons in here that apply to birth in general, as well as pregnancy loss in general. I know it can feel like even talking about these kinds of worst case scenarios will manifest them, but loss is not contagious. It's important to have a dialogue around the scary parts of birth in order to be better prepared. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -What made Erica decide to have a home birth -What research she did to prepare for her birth - it was a lot! -How she felt that the potential dangers of home birth were minimized by her home birth care team -What went wrong during her birth and how her care providers handled it -When and why she was transferred to the hospital -How hospital staff made her feel worse instead of better by not being trauma informed -What her postpartum recovery was like - don't forget that even if she doesn't have her baby with her she still had to go through the same postpartum -Why she's choosing a scheduled cesarean for her next birth --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode171 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

In this episode of the podcast you're going to learn what it means to be Rh negative and the implications for pregnancy. The short story is that Rh negative has to do with your blood type. If you're Rh negative and your baby is Rh positive, it can potentially cause problems for the baby. Alloimmunization is what occurs when an RH negative mom's immune system is exposed to the baby's Rh positive cells. When this happens the mom's immune system may attack the baby's red blood cells. There are effective treatments and not all exposure will necessarily result in alloimmunization however it's very important to take this seriously. If you take one thing away from this episode it's that prevention is key. It's the best thing to keep your baby safe. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -What the blood group systems are and what that means -What the most common blood types are -What alloimmunization is and when it occurs -How to prevent it -What are the fetal/neonatal consequences of alloimmunization -What types of screenings are done -What rhogan is, how it works, and the safety of it -What can you do if alloimmunization has occurred --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode166 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

In honor of our family adopting a new dog, I decided to rebroadcast this episode about making sure your dog and new baby get along! This is a delightful interview with Michelle Stern from Pooch Parenting. Michelle is a mom, certified dog behavior consultant and trainer, and a former teacher of 16 years. She uses positive-reinforcement based methods for training based on the latest science of animal learning and behavior, and she loves helping families create safe, loving and thriving homes for dogs and humans alike. Michelle and I talk about why you absolutely need to have a plan for bringing your baby home and introducing them to your dog. We discuss ways to prepare your dog for baby's arrival, how to nip any potentially troublesome habits in the bud, and why it's important to protect your relationship with your dog even as your family changes. We also chat about dog breeds and what you should look for when you're considering adding a dog to your young family. Michelle is so knowledgeable, practical and fun - you all are going to love hearing her expertise! And if you're curious about our new dog, her name is Maggie and she's a lab/terrier mix that we adopted from a local shelter. Head to my Instagram (@drnicolerankins) to see some pics of her! In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -Concrete things you can do to prepare your dog for the arrival of your new baby -Why you need to make sure your dog is comfortable being behind a barrier before you bring baby home -What should happen on the day you bring the baby home and how to keep everyone safe & happy -Michelle's thoughts on dog breeds and young kids and what you should consider for when thinking about getting a new do -What the best time is to bring a new dog into your family -What to think about when getting a dog from a breeder versus from a shelter   --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode89 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

This episode is being brought to you by Ellement prenatal supplements. I talk a lot about how all birth is natural and having a cesarean is no exception. I've had two myself, after all. Today's guest, Meghan, opted for a semi elective gentle cesarean. In this episode she gets into what that looked like for her and why she made the decisions she did. Now, Meghan's birth story takes place in Texas. During her pregnancy she had a scare with a potential genetic issue. Her story brings into sharp focus how Roe v. Wade can directly impact the safety of birthing people and the decisions families are able to make. If you want to help, please support reputable organizations.   In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -What a semi elective gentle cesarean is -Why Meghan chose to switch care teams early on and how it impacted her delivery -Why she encourages that everyone get an amnio (amniocentesis) if they want to - it's pretty simple -Why she leaned towards a c-section from the outset -How she and her doctor made a birth plan together -How Meghan and her husband chose to incorporate working with a doula   --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode166 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

I have been wanting to have a midwife on the show for a long time. It's a big topic and I knew I had to get it right. That's why I'm so thrilled to have Gianna Fay on the show today. Gianna Fay is a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP-BC). She has been a part of 600+ births and has worked in a variety of settings including out of hospital birth centers, large hospital teaching facilities, smaller community hospitals and private practice. Throughout her career, she has seen pregnant families struggle with navigating the maternity care system. Race and socioeconomic status impact every part of the delivery process and that can make getting the help of a midwife inaccessible for some. After having worked in so many different birthing settings, Gianna has decided to work within the hospital system so that she can make her skills and expertise available to everyone. This episode is being brought to you by Ellement prenatal supplements. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: Why Gianna felt called to become a midwife What types of practice models she has worked in What people can expect when working with a midwife who is hospital based How midwives and physicians work together What the difference is between a midwife and a doula --- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode166 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

This a special episode of the podcast where I'm extending the warmest of warm invitations to my brand new membership All About Pregnancy & Birth: The Inner Circle. This is THE place to get the content, community, and connection you need to help you have the beautiful pregnancy and birth you deserve. It's evidence-based information taught by yours truly as well as a private supportive community that fosters peace, calm, and ease. The membership is only open for a limited time at a low founding members price.  Head to drnicolerankins.com/innercircle to join today.

Warning: this episode contains discussion of pregnancy loss Technology is going to increasingly become part of the way we live and the way that we care for ourselves physically and emotionally; smartphones are here to stay and it's important to figure out how to use that technology to our advantage. And that's why I'm so excited to chat with Simmone Taitt. Simmone Taitt is the CEO and Founder of Poppy Seed Health, a telehealth app that offers a unique type of support for pregnant and postpartum people. Taitt comes to this work through the highly personal experience of navigating her own pregnancy loss in an inequitable medical system. Her work has been covered by Fast Company, Vogue, Insider, CBS Mornings with Gayle King, and more. This episode is being brought you by Ellement Prenatal Supplements. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: How Simmone's personal experience with loss lead her to found Poppy Seed Health How the Poppy Seed app works What makes texting a great format for support Why the app offers support specifically from doulas, nurses, and midwives How equity is incorporated into the app How Poppy Seed Health makes sure people who don't have resources have access to the app   Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode166 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Hey there! I'm still on vacation this week and spending some time with my family so enjoy this rebroadcast birth story episode from Brooke. This is just a really lovely birth story of an unmedicated hospital birth. Now I know you love birth stories because you tell me that those are your favorite episodes. So what if I told you that there will be a way for you to easily listen to all the birth stories? Or all the ones that are vaginal births? Or you can listen to all the birth stories that were an unmedicated birth? And not only that but you can get exclusive access to bonus birth story episodes? Well if that sounds like something you would love I'm going to be sharing all the details about it when I get back so make sure you're subscribed and you tune in to hear all about it. In the meantime enjoy this birth story episode with Brooke. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -Why Brooke decided to become a doula after her first pregnancy experience -How a pelvic floor physical therapist helped her handle abdominal separation and improved her pushing during labor -How Brooke prepared herself mentally for her birth, including with visualization and meditation -What it was like giving birth with only her husband and doula present with the rest of her family on the phone -How Brooke has felt postpartum and during her modified laying in period -Why holistically prepping for your pregnancy will help you have the best experience possible while being prepared for the unpredictability of pregnancy and birth Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode93 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz  

Hey there! I'm on vacation this week and spending some time with my family so enjoy this rebroadcast episode of the podcast with birth photographer Tavia Redburn. I used to think that birth photography was a bit of a luxury, but the more I learned about it the more I started to think that all parents should consider whether they'd like to have a photographer present for their birth. To talk about all things birth photography, we're joined by the wonderful Tavia Redburn. Tavia is a birth & newborn photographer in Oklahoma, and she also trains other new birth photographers.  Tavia and I talk about her journey to birth photography, how her own births affect her approach to her work, and what you should ask a photographer before you hire them. She also talks about why new parents should consider hiring a photographer for their first birth, rather than wishing they had later.  We also digress a bit and talk about some of the things Tavia has seen during the many labors and births she has been present at. She shares her own story and why it's so important to advocate for yourself at every point in your pregnancy and birth journey.  In this Episode, You'll Learn About: How and why Tavia became a birth & newborn photographer  Why it's important to be clear about your expectations and wishes before your birth What the hiring process for a birth photographer is like Questions to ask a birth photographer before you hire them Some of the things Tavia has witnessed in her role as a fly on the wall during many labors and births Why you should consider hiring a birth photographer for your first birth Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode59 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

In this episode of the podcast, being brought to you by Ellement prenatal supplements, we have Tarynn sharing her birth story. Tarynn is actually one of the members of The Birth Preparation Course. Things didn't go exactly as planned with her birth, in fact they went exactly the opposite. Now it would be easy for me to only share birth stories from course students where everything went great but that would be dishonest of me. The reality is that sometimes things don't go as you'd like, despite having done great childbirth education. Birth is an unpredictable process that can't be controlled. But that doesn't mean childbirth education isn't important. Tarynn was thankful for the podcast and Birth Preparation Course as they helped her adjust on the fly and do what was necessary to get her baby home safe. Baby Eleanor and Tarynn are doing well now but it took some time to get there. In sharing her story Tarynn hopes she can help others learn the value in being adaptable and shine a light on what she calls that “mama strength we all have inside of us”.   In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -Why it's ok to switch doctors if it doesn't feel like a good fit -How COVID affected Tarynn's prenatal care and birth -How Tarynn decided to be induced at the last minute - and why she has some regrets about that -How her induction ended in an emergency C-section -What happened when both she and her baby developed sepsis -How her baby ended up in a NICU hospital nearly two hours away Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode166 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

This is the 3rd episode in a series about preterm birth. The first episode, 163, was about risk factors for preterm birth. 164 was about preterm labor which accounts for 40-50% of preterm birth. That episode covered what preterm labor is, how to recognize it, and how it's treated. In this episode you will learn about preterm premature (or prelabor) rupture of membranes (PPROM).   Approximately one third of preterm births are associated with PPROM. Prelabor rupture of membranes, or PROM, refers to membrane rupture before the onset of uterine contractions - when this occurs before 37 weeks it is called PPROM. In this episode we'll get into how common PPROM is and how it can be treated. Though the cause is unknown, there are risk factors that you can be aware of and ways to manage it that improve outcomes for your baby. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -What PPROM is and how common it is -What the risk factors are -How it's diagnosed - it's not always straightforward -What warning signs to look out for -What questions your doctor might ask if you are concerned you're experiencing PPROM -How your doctor determines the clinical course -What “expectant management” is -What the outcomes for PPROM babies can be   Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode164 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Preterm labor might not mean what you think it does. You'll learn all about what it is (and isn't) in this episode. This is the second in a three part series on preterm birth - you can go back and listen to the previous episode if you'd like to hear about some of the risk factors. Now in today's episode I'm not going to talk about what happens if you have a preterm birth, i.e. the outcomes for baby. Today is only about what happens when you experience preterm labor and how it is treated. Though preterm labor is one of the leading causes of preterm birth, it's often treatable (50% of those who have preterm labor will not have a preterm birth) and you can go on and continue with your pregnancy relatively normally. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -What are the signs and symptoms of preterm labor -When is it time to seek medical attention -How is preterm labor diagnosed -When is it better not to stop a preterm birth -What are the medications used to stop labor (called tocolytics) -What does recovery from preterm labor like -What interventions are not proven to work   Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode163 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Today's episode is one that I've had in the works for quite a while. A lot of folks have been asking for it so I'm excited to bring you this episode about preterm birth. I will follow up this one with episodes on the two most common causes of preterm birth so stay tuned for those, as well. Preterm birth is relatively common. There are some physical risk factors that you can't do anything about (like your height!) and there are behavioral factors that you are able to change, some more effective than others. Ultimately, there's not a lot that we can do that will have an impact on whether you have a preterm birth or not but I'll go over what we can. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -What is preterm birth -How common is it -What are some of the risk factors -How does reproductive history impact level of risk -What role do genetic factors play -How does race affect the likelihood of preterm birth -How to reduce risks -What are some possible treatments   Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode163 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

This is a difficult birth story episode. Molly experienced an induction before her due date, was denied an epidural at the hospital, and was denied the ability to get up and move around during labor despite having an uncomplicated pregnancy. One of Molly's regrets is that she took her doctor's advice to skip birth education and birth planning. Molly felt blindsided by the twists and turns her birth took and wishes that she could have been more informed and confident so she could advocate for herself. She came away from the experience traumatized and disappointed in most of the interactions she had with hospital staff. In the end, though, Molly brought home her healthy baby daughter and gave her possibly the cutest name ever: Juniper. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -Why was Molly scheduled for an induction at 40 weeks -What Molly wished she had known before having her induction -What it's like to have a negative reaction to pain medication -How the attitude of staff can affect the overall birthing process -How Molly handled latching issues with her baby -What it was like coping with postpartum OCD Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode162 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

This is a really fun episode about music! I really do wish I had this information when I was pregnant. I know it feels natural for a lot of us to sing to our babies and it turns out there's a reason for that. As our guest Vered Benhorin explains, there may well be some compelling science behind the benefits of music both before and after birth. A mother of three, Vered knows a thing or two (or three!) about birth and babies. Music was a powerful tool for her in parenthood and was central to her pre-mom life. Now a music therapist and psychotherapist, she has developed classes and techniques for parents to integrate the power of song into their babies lives. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -How Vered's path shifted from aspiring rockstar to musical mom -How music helped her connect with her baby -Why it is so beneficial to sing to your baby during pregnancy -How songs can help in developing a routine -How to choose what songs to sing -How to reframe what makes a “good” singing voice -Why Vered recommends a labor playlist Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode161 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

In today's episode you're going to learn 9 tips for having an unmedicated birth. This is an episode I initially did over 3 years ago. From time to time I like to go back and revisit older episodes as new information comes out or I learn new things. So we are revisiting those 9 things with some additional tidbits of advice. Why do I say unmedicated instead of natural? Well, because that's what it is! It's giving birth without medication (most often people mean without an epidural). All birth is natural - procreation, continuing the species, that's natural. The way that you manage pain doesn't affect whether it's natural or not. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -What are some questions you should ask yourself before committing to an unmedicated birth -Why unmedicated birth requires a commitment -Why you need to communicate your wishes to your support team in advance -What makes preparation so vital to an unmedicated birth -Why it's a good idea to stay home as long as possible -How to know when it's time to go to the hospital -Why you want to stay with the pain instead of fighting it -What are the advantages of seeking out a nurse who has experience with unmedicated birth Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode160 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Sydni had her son at 19 and is now 25. Even though Sydni's story is from a few years ago, there's still a lot to learn from it. She had her baby a little early at 36 weeks and you'll hear about how, after a slower start, things went super fast - so fast it shocked her mother and caused her to faint at the hospital! She had her baby at a young age and although it forced her to step up, her partner at the time didn't necessarily do the same. She also found out that some of her friends weren't necessarily true friends. But now Sydni's getting ready to get married, she's in school and happy and doing well. You really do become a new person after you have a baby and Sydni was really intentional about becoming a better version of herself which is amazing. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -How rotating through all of the doctors at the practice made Sydni feel comfortable giving birth with whomever was on staff -What made Sydni opt for an epidural after having planned for an unmedicated birth -What it was like to jump from 6cm to 9 ½cm in five minutes -Why it's ok to prioritize your wishes and needs over what your friends and family might want -How and why she plans to do things differently with the next baby -Who stayed in her life and who didn't after she became a mom -How she shifted her life from being a teen to being a parent -How her baby inspired her to change for the better Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode159 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

The earlier you can start thinking about the postpartum period, the better. Just like all other parts of birth, everyone's postpartum experience will be different. There are both physical and mood disorders that can affect some people. Oftentimes even experienced care providers can overlook planning for this crucial period and that's why Nicole Makowa is here today. Nicole is a licensed marriage and family therapist and an expert in early childhood development. She is also the Head of Education & Wellbeing at LOOM - an online platform for sexual and reproductive wellbeing. She has developed postpartum curricula for LOOM and has a lot of wonderful insight into how to be better prepared for what comes after pregnancy and birth. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -Why you should talk to your doctor about postpartum care beforehand -What are some common emotions people can feel postpartum -How common is postpartum ambivalence  and why it's completely ok -Where is the line between what is tolerable and what is something that needs clinical attention -What a “collective care map” is and why it's a good idea to create one -Why you should feel empowered to ask those around you for help -What is LOOM and how is it helping birthing people Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode158 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

This episode is about racial disparities in ob/gyn and its release coincides with Black maternal health week. Founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, BMHW is a week of awareness, activism, and community building intended to deepen the national conversation about Black maternal health in the US. To be honest I'm actually a bit tired of talking about disparities. The problems and root causes are well documented yet things are getting worse. People don't want to talk about racism or are actively trying to suppress efforts to talk about race. But not talking about it doesn't make the underlying issues go away. Helping address this problem starts with LISTENING. So especially if you are not Black, take a moment and listen (I explain why I say this in the episode). I hope that by the end you have some empathy and the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. Also - if you are a Black woman, it's ok to skip this episode. I understand that it can be traumatizing to repeatedly hear about these disparities. In this Episode, You'll Learn About: -What does disparity mean -What are the statistics on racial disparities in healthcare -What are the causes of these disparities -How racism affects care and outcomes -What does the term weathering refer to -How I have been personally treated differently on the basis of race -Why it matters if you speak up about race in your own community -How you can help (donate to the groups linked below!) Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode157 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz