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Medical recommendations surrounding eating and drinking in labor are evolving, but not quite where they should be.
In this episode learn the rationale for restricting eating and drinking in labor, why it's outdated, what our current guidelines are, and my evidence based recommendations for eating and drinking in labor.
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Nicole (yes, another Nicole!) is here to share her empowering story of a successful VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) followed by a challenging postpartum. Because she was intentional about her care team, she set herself up for success in the ways that she was able to control.
However, nobody could control the liver issues her daughter would experience after birth. It took four hospital transfers and a five-week stay in the NICU before her baby was stable enough to come home. While Nicoleâs birth story had a different ending than she expected, she took on the challenges with incredible strength and patience.
In this Episode, Youâll Learn About:Why Nicole needed a C-section with her first babyHow she set herself up for a successful VBACHow her doula brought the whole birthing team togetherWhy it was worth the effort for Nicole to find the right doctorHow long she labored and pushed after inductionWhen medical staff realized that babyâs health problems required a hospital transferWhy her daughter required so many hospital transfers and how far she was taken for careHow long she spent in the NICUHow the community around Nicole and her family supported her through this difficult time--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode272
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In this short episode I'm answering this listener question from Cat!
"Hi Dr. Nicole! Long time listener & love your podcast!!. Question for you - a friend of mine recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl but unfortunately her birth didn't go as planned. She got to the hospital at 7.5cm, got an epidural, and then they told her she was "having too many contractions, 5 in 10 mins, and the limit is 6" so they gave her Terbutaline/Brethine to slow down her labor. I have listened to hundreds of birth stories and never heard of this! Then, of course, her labor stopped progressing, so they gave her pitocin a few hours later and well... you know what happened after that. I'm curious if you could do a short episode on the drug they used to slow down labor? Curious how common it is and learning more about the 6 contractions in 10 minutes rule? I definitely had more than that with both of my births, but maybe it's because I didn't have an epidural? Thanks so much!"
If you have a question that you want me to answer, shoot me a DM on Instagram @drnicolerankins!
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In this episode Iâm chatting with Rachel Somerstein about her traumatic experience having a C-section without adequate anesthesia. Already a professional journalist, this experience led Rachel to write her first book, Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section. In Invisible Labor Rachel weaves her personal narrative and investigative journalism with medical, social, and cultural history to reveal the surprising evolution of the cesarean section: from its days being practiced on enslaved and âunfitâ women, to the ways modern technology promotes its overuse.
Itâs very common not to prepare for the possibility of a cesarean birth (Rachel didnât). Even if you are completely healthy and it seems unlikely, you need to understand that a C-section is possible. If you want to know which questions to ask in order to understand if itâs medically necessary and what your options are, you need to be educated on all potential outcomes.
In this Episode, Youâll Learn About:Why Rachel didnât plan for a C-sectionWhat happened when she told her OB she wasnât numb during surgeryHow this experience affected her ability to bond with her new babyWhat long-term effects she experienced as a result of her traumatic birthHow therapy helped her discover that she wanted a second baby but fear was holding her backWhy itâs important to find a care team that enthusiastically supports your decision to try for a VBACWhat challenges came with giving birth in 2020How her recovery was different in her first versus second birthHow she processed her internalized stigmas about cesarean birth--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode271
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Lauren DMed me on Instagram and asked me to talk about CMV and pregnancy so here it is!
In this short episode you'll learn
What is CMVHow itâs transmittedHow it can impact pregnancyHow itâs diagnosedHow it can be prevented or treatedIf you have a question you want me to answer in an upcoming episode, shoot me a DM on Instagram @drnicolerankins!
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Ginny had an elective labor induction that went so smoothly she calls it a âdream.â But that doesnât mean that everything about her pregnancy experience was easy. Multiple people in her personal life experienced birth-related complications while Ginny was pregnant including stillbirth. This caused Ginny a lot of anxiety. Also, she struggled with depression - both during pregnancy and postpartum.
Learn how Ginny was able to successfully navigate these challenges in this great episode!
In this Episode, Youâll Learn About:Why Ginny scheduled an inductionWhat subchorionic hemorrhaging meansHow she initially felt about inductionHow she made her hospital room feel like homeWhich induction medications and pain management she receivedHow the epidural made her feelWhat made her so happy with her birthing teamHow work helped Ginny find herself after pregnancy--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode270
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Epidurals provide excellent pain relief during labor but there are risks and side effects. Learn how epidurals work and things you need to know before you get one.
And no need to take notes, you can grab my comprehensive guide to managing pain in labor here!
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In today's episode, youâre going to learn about vaccines and pregnancy. Vaccines -also called immunizations- are important in order to help prevent moms and babies from getting certain potentially serious infections. I know thereâs a lot of concern about vaccines. But let me assure you, although vaccines are not risk free, they are very safe.
There are 2 vaccines that are recommended to be up to date prior to pregnancy - MMR and Varicella, as well as 4 vaccines that are recommended during pregnancy - Flu, Tdap, COVID, and RSV. I want to make sure you have the latest information in order to stay safe so youâre going to learn all about these and why theyâre important in this episode.
In this Episode, Youâll Learn About:How vaccines protect you and your babyWhether vaccines are safe and effective (they are!)Why the best time to get a couple of important vaccines (MMR and Varicella) is before you get pregnantThe four vaccines that are recommended and why - Flu, Tdap, COVID, and RSVWhat the risks and side effects areWhich vaccines are not safe during pregnancy--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode269
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In this short episode you'll learn about medications to manage pain in labor that are not an epidural, specifically opioid medications and nitrous oxide. You'll learn how they work, the side effects, risks, pros and cons of each.
Grab the free guide to managing pain in labor - drnicolerankins.com/pain
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David Arrell is a coach, consultant, and returning guest! About three years ago David joined us for a conversation about the WTF moments of fatherhood. Since then, his empire of dad advice has grown and heâs back with more helpful tips.
Welcome to Fatherhood (or WTF as itâs appropriately called at times) is his fatherhood brand. What began with a book is now a podcast, blog, and even a course! As a partner, itâs not always easy to know how to show up in the most supportive and helpful way. If only there was a how-to guide. Well thanks to David, there is!
In this Episode, Youâll Learn About:What the âDude Zoneâ is and why itâs importantWhich two traps are on the way from the Dude Zone to the Dad ZoneWhat it means to âteam upâ vs âteam outâWhich challenges dads are most worried aboutHow often dads deal with postpartum depressionHow partners can be supportive through each trimesterHow to redefine masculinity in the role of fatherhood--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode268
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In this short episode you'll learn why it's really important to think about labor pain differently, tips to approach a medication free birth, and techniques to manage pain.
Grab my free labor pain management guide here!
Join The Birth Preparation Course here (use code DRNICOLE for an additional 10% off!).
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Katie calls her second birth an amazing experience - night and day from her first. The standard hospital birth she had for her first baby was fine, but this time she wanted a more holistic prenatal experience. This led her to a private birth center with a group of amazing midwives.
I don't usually share birth center birth stories because Iâm not familiar with that setting. For the podcast, I tend to âstay in my laneâ, which is the hospital setting. However if I want to improve our maternal health care system, I need to learn about diverse birth experiences. I learned a lot from this birth center episode and I know you will too!
In this Episode, Youâll Learn About:What made Katie realized she wasnât satisfied with her first birth experienceHow a playgroup conversation led her to the birth center she lovedHow the midwives made her feel safe and respectedWhy she felt shame when she was diagnosed with gestational diabetesWhich steps she took to control her gestational diabetesWhy she almost left the birthing center partway through laborHow an emotional release may have progressed her labor--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode267
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In this shorty episode I answer this question from Keri.
"Hi Dr. Nicole! I love the podcast and have a question for the Q&A. I have a 2 year old daughter. Easy pregnancy and delivery at 40w6d and healthy baby! At the hospital, it is routine to send the placenta to pathology. The report stated that I had âpatchy chorangiosisâ with a note that it is associated with tobacco or drug use during pregnancy and a bunch of other medical issues. This was alarming to me, but Google did not provide much information, but it seems rare to have with a healthy pregnancy. Thinking about baby #2. Should this be a concern? Thank you for the podcast!"
If you have a question you want me to answer shoot me a DM on Instagram @drnicolerankins!
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This episode is one I originally did back in 2020. Since it comes up from time to time and can be a contentious topic, I decided to rebroadcast it today.
In this episode, Iâll walk you through what circumcision is, its benefits and risks, and why some families choose to have this elective procedure. There are also some ethical questions you may want to consider before choosing to have your baby circumcised, so I talk about those too. My own thinking around this procedure has changed over time and maybe yours will too!
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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode75
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If you like the way I approach pregnancy and birth then youâre going to love this conversation with pediatrician Dr. Joel Warsh. He has a really balanced, common-sense approach to pediatrics that blends modern medicine with non-Western elements.
In addition to pregnancy and parenting advice, he recommends small changes you can make today that will impact your health in the future. We have a great conversation about wellness and I know youâre going to learn a lot of practical tips!
In this Episode, Youâll Learn About:Why Dr. Warsh transitioned away from traditional pediatrics to integrative medicineWhat integrative medicine and integrative parenting refer toHow the U.S. medical system falls shortWhy we should apply a balanced approach to traditional and modern medicineHow integrative parenting can help with common infant challengesWhat constitutes a non-toxic homeWhy we should shift more focus to preventative careWho makes a good candidate for home birth--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode266
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In this birth story episode, youâre going to hear what a true emergency cesarean is like. Lillie was induced due to gestational diabetes and preeclampsia at 37 weeks. After 36 hours in labor, just as she was transitioning to push, her baby went into distress and she was rushed to the operating room for an emergency cesarean birth.
Now Lillie felt like this was a pretty scary and traumatic birth but one of the things that really helped her was that she had learned about all possible birthing situations. Knowing what to expect isn't going to prevent trauma but it most certainly can make things easier.
In this Episode, Youâll Learn About:How long Lillie took to prepare for parenthood once she decided to have a babyWhich health concerns she had coming into the pregnancyWhy she specifically sought out a Black woman OB-GYNWhy she saw a maternal fetal medicine specialist for her pregnancyWhy pitocin canât be administered continuouslyHow many attempts it took to place the epiduralHow a nurse with conveniently small hands helped dislodge Lillieâs baby from her pelvis--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode265
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July is Fibroid Awareness Month, so today Iâm re-airing an episode on what happens when you have fibroids during pregnancy. Iâve actually gotten quite a few questions about this, more than I expected, and the questions indicate that thereâs a lot of uncertainty and misunderstandings about this topic.
In this rebroadcast episode, youâll learn what fibroids are, the risk factors and symptoms associated with fibroids, how fibroids are managed during pregnancy, how fibroids affect mom and baby during pregnancy, and also the impact of having myomectomy (fibroid removal) before pregnancy. Let's get into the episode on uterine fibroids and the impact they have on pregnancy!
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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode103
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Dr. Ream describes first-time parenthood as an experience that rocked her world. When she found herself crying and screaming because her baby wouldnât fall asleep, she knew she needed to seek help. Of course, she had heard of postpartum anxiety and depression but postpartum rage was something she hadnât been prepared for.
When she went looking for support and didnât turn up much, she decided to solve the problem herself. She is a licensed clinical psychologist who completed additional training to specialize in perinatal mental health. After that, she went on to found Psyched Mommy, the largest social media platform focusing on perinatal mental health. Postpartum rage and anger isn't something that we talk about enough âor even at allâ so I'm really excited that we are diving into this important topic today!
In this Episode, Youâll Learn About:What defines postpartum rageHow it relates to postpartum depressionWhat makes some people more susceptibleHow shame can prevent parents from seeking helpWhat the cycle of anger isHow sleep fits into the equationWhy itâs important to look at anger as a âcheck engine lightâWhat steps can be taken to address rage--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode264
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Erica experienced two miscarriages prior to the birth story we're going to hear today. After over a year and a half of heartbreaking loss, this pregnancy was completely normal - no nausea, no sickness, no pain.
Now at 38 weeks, some symptoms developed that caused her doctor to recommend induction. Erica wanted an unmedicated birth and youâre going to learn all about how she used movement for pain management in this great episode. I felt so inspired by her strength and I know you will too!
In this Episode, Youâll Learn About:Why Ericaâs OB recommended inductionWhich medications were used to induce laborWhy she felt unhappy with the initial on-call doctorHow she describes the sensation of her water breakingWhat made her feel better about the new doctor at shift changeWhy the presence of a travel nurse trained as a doula was serendipitousWhy she opted for a hands-and-knees birthing position--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode263
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Real talk: things have been a little crazy for me these past couple weeks and I didnât have an opportunity to record a new episode. So, I decided to pick one of my favorites to replay: physiologic birth.
The reason I chose this is because itâs a term that gets mentioned a lot on social media but doesnât get defined. Itâs also a term that -quite honestly- I didnât fully understand before I made this episode. I learned a lot when I researched and wrote this episode and I know you will too.
In this Episode, Youâll 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 itâs vital for your medical team to support your wishes
-What makes it necessary to intervene
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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode190
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