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Rachel always wanted to be a mother, but before she could begin that journey, she felt it was important to get off of depression and anxiety medication. After spending three months weaning off her meds, she very quickly got pregnant. Her pregnancy, although a source of great excitement, also brought unexpected difficulties, including two falls - and then her water broke during her baby shower!
A breech baby, a failed turning procedure (external cephalic version), intubation during her cesarean for a “panic attack”, and more added up to a traumatic birth experience. Rachel gets a bit emotional and teary during her story and you can understand why. Her birth was definitely a challenge and there's so much to learn from her story. I cannot wait for you to hear it.
In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:How Rachel and her psychiatrist created a plan to safely stop medicationWhat tactics she used to manage anxiety and depression symptomsHow limited food options triggered old disordered eating strugglesHow lower back and hip pain caused daily difficulties with mobilityWhy she wishes she would’ve chosen a different providerHow the epidural created a sensation of being unable to breatheWhy she underwent general anesthesia for her C-sectionWhat her healing process was likeWhether or not she’ll return to psychiatric medication--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode280
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In this short episode I address this really thoughtful comment from a listener -
"I've noticed that Dr. Rankins' position statements have gotten stronger on the negatives of a hospital birth over time (in the year+ that I've been listening). For instance her opening introduction now frames hospitals as a system that "too often takes away power from women over what happens in their own bodies." When she first started I think this was phrased more as "it can undermine women" or something a little softer. I've noticed the types of guests she welcomes onto the podcast are also more likely to have this stronger mentality against/suspicious of/worried about hospital births. I guess I'm curious if this reflects a true change in Dr. Rankins' position as she continued to gain knowledge herself through the podcast community, or if this reflects her willingness to simply say what she's known more strongly now, or if this is a trend of worsening conditions in hospitals. And overall does Dr. Rankins feel that hospital births still provide an overall positive service to women (do the goods outweigh the bads, especially for women who come in prepared with some knowledge), or does she feel that the scales are now tipped more negatively? I guess an updated "bird's eye" view of the whole system in the US might be helpful for some of us trying to understand the overall context as we work through our individual choices available to us in our regions. (For context on myself, if it matters/helps, my first birth was unmedicated in a hospital setting with a doula -- the doula was excellent, the overall birth experience was just ok, the after birth care was very good.)"
If you want to let me know your thoughts about the podcast head to drnicolerankins.com/survey!
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Dealing with nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is no fun. You’ve probably heard of “morning sickness” but that’s a misnomer - queasiness can happen at any time of day (and during any stage of pregnancy too). The good news is, for most people, it’s nothing to worry about. Even though it’s uncomfortable (and sometimes downright miserable), it’s generally not harmful to you or your baby.
In this episode, you’ll learn about triggers, warning signs, and relief options for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. It’s a challenging part of pregnancy, and it’s common so we need to talk about it! I’ll also touch upon hyperemesis gravidarum, which is when nausea and vomiting escalates to a more serious condition and a level of severity that requires more intense medical attention.
In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:How common pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting areWhether symptoms can harm you or babyWhat some of the underlying causes areWhen digestive issues typically occur during pregnancyWhat hyperemesis gravidarum involves and how it’s handledHow pregnancy sickness is evaluated and treatedHow diet, acupressure, and ginger could helpWhich medication options are availableWhy cannabis isn’t recommended for symptom managementWhen to visit your doctor for help--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode279
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How did a birth described as “a series of traumatic events” end up being the best experience of Jenna’s life? Despite all of the unexpected challenges, getting through the 65 hour labor and birth helped her find peace and confidence in her intuition.
Jenna’s story reminds us that it’s okay to feel both grateful to a medical team and to feel upset about how certain aspects of care were handled. It’s well beyond time to stop saying that “all that matters is a healthy baby”—the full experience matters, too. I’m so excited for you to hear Jenna’s journey and how she navigated this incredibly challenging birth.
In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:Why Jenna booked a preconception consultationHow polyhydramnios and gestational diabetes affected the pregnancyWhy she opted for a 39-week inductionWhich interventions her team used to help progress laborWhat challenges her baby’s position presentedHow she managed through a failed epidural experienceHow her intuition and persistence led to an emergency C-sectionWhat an Erb’s Palsy diagnosis meant for her baby’s recoveryWhat role postpartum therapy played in reframing her experience--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode278
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In honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month this October, in this episode we have secondary infertility and baby loss survivor Bernice Quesenberry (and quick note I inadvertently mispronounced her last name in the episode, my apologies!). She has repurposed her pain into something positive by starting a national nonprofit called Chasing the Rainbows, which offers FREE, trauma-informed support for those facing infertility, miscarriage, and infant loss.
If you’ve experienced pregnancy or infant loss, it can feel very isolating because it’s not talked about often in media & mainstream culture. But you are not alone - unfortunately it’s a very common part of people's journey to being parents. I hope you never need this episode but if you do or know someone who might need it, then it's here with all of these amazing resources to help you.
In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:Why trauma-informed care is crucial in supporting those experiencing baby lossHow reproductive trauma occurs and how frequently it happensWhat makes it difficult to find mental health support after baby lossHow peer mentorship and support groups provide a sense of connection and support during healingWhat the grief journey may look likeWhat you should (and shouldn’t) do to support someone after pregnancy or infant lossHow grief from infant loss impacts mental healthHow to honor the memory of a lost baby while continuing with life--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode277
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I just turned 50 - yes, 50! I know people - and women especially - can feel some kind of way about sharing their age. But I have no problem with sharing my age because every day is truly a gift. To mark this milestone, I wanted to take a few moments to reflect, express my gratitude, share some thoughts on what helped me get here, and what’s next.
This episode is also a bit different, as I want to take time to honor two people very dear to me - my late father, who passed away just last month, and my sister, who I lost over 10 years ago. Though I still miss them deeply, I feel immense gratitude for the time we shared, and their memories serve as a constant reminder to appreciate life and the people in it. It’s a bit of a different episode today, but I know you’ll enjoy it!
In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:Why it doesn’t matter who you call family - it just matters that you spend time with themWhy it’s so important to value your own timeWhether you should invest in things or experiencesWhere true joy and happiness come fromHow staying true to your values can keep your peace of mindWhy you should shoot your shot - even if you’re scared!How real clarity comes from action, not overthinkingWhy embracing both joy and difficulty is key to living fully--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/276
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This episode may be about the NICU but it’s for any and every person who’s having a baby. The reason I say that is because it’s actually way more common than you think that a baby needs to receive intensive care. Nearly 40% of babies who go to the NICU are full-term.
As a mom of two NICU babies, let me tell you: it’s the NICU nurses who are at your side. NICU nurses are angels and today’s guest is one! Mary Farrelly, a certified NICU nurse and trained doula, is leading the way in helping parents navigate the NICU journey. You know I always say it’s important to listen to real experts - and today’s guest is exactly that!
In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:What NICU stands for and what the levels areWhy babies go to the NICUWhat NICU nurses do and what training is requiredHow to include the NICU in your birth planWhy blending NICU nurse and doula roles benefits familiesWhich procedures are commonly used in the NICUWhat emotional support looks like for families post-NICU--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode275
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Martha hoped and prepared for a low intervention birth and ended up getting just about every intervention! She tried everything to get labor to start on its own but she ultimately was induced at 41 weeks. After 40 hours of labor with no pain medication other than nitrous oxide, she opted for an epidural. Soon after she was advised to get a non-emergency C-section because unfortunately things had plateaued.
The C-section was fortunately not traumatic but it was the opposite of what she wanted. Her postpartum was beautiful but she also needed time to grieve the loss of the birthing experience she had hoped for. Today, she is feeling grateful to be bonded with her baby and wants listeners to take this story as a reminder that even if you have a challenging pregnancy and birth you can have a joyful and "easy" postpartum.
In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:How she was envisioning her birth when she was preparing for itWhy she opted for midwives in a hospital settingHow she bargained for specifically 41 weeks and 3 daysWhich methods she used to try and induce laborWhy she preferred Cytotec to CirvidilWhether a balloon or Pitocin were helpfulWhy she said yes to an epidural and how she responded to itWhat doctors mean when they refer to your baby as “sleepy” during laborWhy she was grateful her doctor used a clear curtain during the C-section--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode274
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This episode was inspired by a message from long-time listener Sierra. She has experienced multiple miscarriages and, though she appreciated the episodes I have done discussing pregnancy loss, there are some issues specific to recurrent miscarriage that I haven’t gotten into yet. Sierra says “You've had some women who gave birth stories that had elements of miscarriage or infertility, but most of the discussions with them focus on the living children they had afterwards.”
A successful pregnancy following miscarriage is the norm, it’s true. But for some, that’s not the full story. If you’re going through this painful experience, I hope this episode brings you both practical information and reassurance that you’re not alone. Even if you don’t think this episode applies to you, don’t shy away from it out of fear. Staying informed is empowering, not tempting fate!
In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:What the difference is between miscarriage and recurrent miscarriageHow common single miscarriage is compared to recurrentWhat causes are often behind pregnancy lossWhich treatment options are availableHow likely a successful pregnancy is after miscarriageWhat the emotional impact of a pregnancy loss can beHow to support someone who’s had a miscarriageWhat to say to someone who has recently experienced loss--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode273
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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.
Join my next FREE LIVE birth plan class! - drnicolerankins.com/birthplan
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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 Nicole’s birth story had a different ending than she expected, she took on the challenges with incredible strength and patience.
In this Episode, You’ll 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 baby’s 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 I’m 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 “unfit” women, to the ways modern technology promotes its overuse.
It’s very common not to prepare for the possibility of a cesarean birth (Rachel didn’t). 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 it’s medically necessary and what your options are, you need to be educated on all potential outcomes.
In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:Why Rachel didn’t plan for a C-sectionWhat happened when she told her OB she wasn’t 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 it’s 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 it’s transmittedHow it can impact pregnancyHow it’s 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 “dream.” But that doesn’t 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, You’ll 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, you’re 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 there’s 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 you’re going to learn all about these and why they’re important in this episode.
In this Episode, You’ll 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 he’s back with more helpful tips.
Welcome to Fatherhood (or WTF as it’s 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, it’s 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, You’ll Learn About:What the “Dude Zone” is and why it’s importantWhich two traps are on the way from the Dude Zone to the Dad ZoneWhat it means to “team up” vs “team out”Which 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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