In this episode you're going to learn exactly what happens during your menstrual cycle. I decided to talk about this because, quite frankly, it’s something that many of us don’t fully understand. We talk about our cycles in relation to pregnancy but there’s a lot more to periods than ovulation! 
 Your cycle can influence so many aspects of your life: libido, mood, energy, skin, appetite, and more! Better understanding your periods can help you make informed decisions regarding reproductive health, fertility, and overall well-being. 
In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:What constitutes a regular menstrual cycleWhat the phases of the cycle areWhich hormones are associated with pregnancyWhen ovulation occursHow to track ovulationHow fertilization and implantation workHow IUDs prevent pregnancyWhether you can really have a period while you’re pregnant
-- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode245 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

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Ep 245: Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle

You&#39;re not alone in your uncertainty about this monumental life stage of pregnancy and birth. If you’re ready to replace the overwhelm of late-night Googling with expert conversations and stories of strength and positivity from women just like you — join us on the top-rated All About Pregnancy &amp; Birth podcast. The All About Pregnancy &amp; Birth podcast is your place for supportive, evidence-based information from Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins, an OB/GYN physician who’s been in practice for nearly 15 years and has helped over 1000 babies into this world. You’ll also learn from innovative experts and hear stories of strength and resilience from parents and moms-to-be experiencing the same overwhelm and excitement as you.

Kids & Family

Parenting

Group B strep, or GBS, is a relatively common bacterial infection found in the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Most people can be carriers and not have any symptoms. However, GBS can present problems for newborns and during pregnancy. I’m doing this episode because some changes have been made since I first covered this topic back in 2019. In 2022 the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) updated guidelines for testing and treating GBS. Staying informed and up-to-date is the best way to keep yourself and your baby safe. 
In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:What group B strep–GBS–is and why it mattersHow common it is and what the chances are that you may be a carrierWhich risk factors increase the likelihood of GBS colonizationHow it can affect pregnancy and newbornsWhat methods are used to screen for and treat GBSWhat the long-term implications can beWhether probiotics have been proven to be effective
-- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode260 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

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Ep 260: Pregnancy & GBS (Group B Strep) - Updated!

So many parents feel like they have to choose between sleep and breastfeeding and today’s guest, Hillary Sadler, says that's not the case - and she knows what she’s talking about! A registered nurse, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and mom of four, Hilary is a true expert in the art of balancing feeding and sleep. Getting enough sleep is going to be vital for your mental health. I’ve said it a hundred times and I’ll say it again: To have a healthy baby, you’ve gotta have a healthy parent. Do future-you a favor and understand the link between feeding and sleep before baby comes home.In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:How “quality, effective, efficient” feeds can impact sleepWhat the biological link is between feeding and sleepWhy you should think about your sleep goalsHow to maximize your newborn’s wake time What makes an efficient feeding patternWhat the five S’s areWhy you should approach day feeding and night feeding differently
-- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode259 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

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Ep 259: Understanding the Link Between Feeding & Sleep with Hillary Sadler of Baby Settler

For many parents, selecting where they’re going to give birth is an important part of the planning process. However, Jodi lives on a small island with only one hospital and didn’t have a choice in the matter. Though she and her baby are healthy, the birth was intensely challenging. Jodi’s pain went under-treated and many procedures were done without adequate communication. While I want to acknowledge that rural and remote medicine is complex, the pain Jodi suffered is unacceptable.In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:How long it took to get from Jodi’s home to the hospitalHow her “advanced maternal age” affected the care she receivedWhy she was unable to leave the bed during deliveryWhy doctors were in a hurry to get the baby outHow doctors could’ve done a better job of communicatingWhether forceps are still commonly usedWhat it was like for Jodi to experience an episiotomy & forceps delivery without adequate pain managementWhat steps were taken to deliver/remove the placenta
-- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode258 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

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Ep 258: Jodi’s Birth Story - Forceps With No Pain Medication

Normally the umbilical cord has 3 vessels - 2 arteries and one vein. What does it mean when your baby's umbilical cord has 2 vessels instead of 3? How do you know if this is a concern for your baby? I answer this listener question from Jessica in this episode! 
 If you have a question you'd like me to answer, shoot me a DM on Instagram @drnicolerankins. 

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Listener Q&A: 2 vessel umbilical cord

In this episode, you'll learn all the tests that are recommended during pregnancy. I’ll break things down by trimester and talk about why the tests are done and what the results of the tests mean. You can use this information to prepare for upcoming tests or go back and ask questions about ones that were done in the past. The bulk of testing is done in the first trimester. Early screening is vital for the health of you and your baby. Healthcare doesn’t often focus on preventative care so use this opportunity to be proactive and plan ahead.In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:Which tests are recommended and done during pregnancyWhy you should register for access to your electronic medical recordsWhy we don’t want you to go into birth having low plateletsWhat happens in the case of an RH negative parent and an RH positive babyWhich conditions can be passed on from parent to babyWhy we screen for several STIsWhat we can learn from analyzing a urine sampleWhy genetic testing is doneWhat an anatomy scan looks forWhy it’s important to check for and address gestational diabetes
-- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode257 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Dr. Mom Butt Balm: drmombuttbalm.com
* Check out Informed Pregnancy Media: www.informedpregnancy.tv
* Head to byheart.com/podcast my code DRNICOLE for a great deal!


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Ep 245: Understanding Your Menstrual Cycle

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