What happens when you’re a physician and you experience a childbirth-related injury? Are you treated any differently? Today’s guest experienced exactly that and you’re going to hear her unique perspective. Gina is an ophthalmology resident who had a birth complication that left her paralyzed in one leg. She has regained her mobility but this very rare injury still has lasting effects.

Despite being a physician herself, Gina faced dismissiveness from her medical team. In fact, one nurse even told her people with more medical backing actually get worse care because they have “more knowledge.” You don’t always know ahead of time when you’ll need to advocate for yourself. It is an absolute must that you are ready to do so.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What caused Dr. Gina Yu’s rare postpartum nerve injury
• What her team initially thought caused the injury versus what tests revealed
• How positional adjustments during labor could prevent nerve damage
• What steps she took to regain mobility after paralysis
• How she balanced recovery with caring for her newborn
• How support systems played a critical role in her recovery
• How gratitude helped her cope with trauma and uncertainty
• Why postpartum challenges often go overlooked in healthcare
• How her injury changed her perspective on patient care

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode285

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right Way

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual! Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

When exploring ‘alternative’ therapies, it’s crucial to understand the training and qualifications of practitioners. Although licensure and certification aren’t guarantees, they certainly help give you some assurance that the person is trained and capable. This week’s guest, Meaghan Beames, is a Registered Massage Therapist and Craniosacral Therapist who teaches perinatal professionals how to incorporate CST into their practices.

Now, I will be honest, I was a little hesitant about this episode. While craniosacral therapy is offered at many mainstream big institutions like the Cleveland Clinic, Duke, or Harvard, some folks say that craniosacral therapy is pseudoscience and it's relatively new in pregnancy and infants. But I ultimately decided that this is important information to share. I learned a lot and you will too.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What craniosacral therapy is and how it works
• Which pregnancy and infant conditions craniosacral therapy can help with
• How craniosacral therapy works and which areas of the body it targets
• How many sessions are typically recommended
• What to look for in a craniosacral therapist 
• What research says about the effectiveness of craniosacral therapy

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode284

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right Way

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual! Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I’ve said it many times: the only predictable thing about birth is that it’s unpredictable. But you can absolutely navigate that unpredictability by being prepared - which is exactly what Alexa did. After what she calls a “smooth pregnancy,” things took some surprising twists and turns which ended in a cesarean birth.

At 35 weeks, her husband noticed she was unusually swollen and urged her to visit the doctor. What was supposed to be a checkup turned into delivery day! It was determined that she actually did have preeclampsia and, though at first she hoped she would be able to spend a couple more weeks on bed rest waiting, her baby had different plans.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• Why being pregnant alongside friends made a difference for Alexa
• When she decided to start looking for a doula and how she made her decision
• How Alexa and her family initially reacted to her swelling /// What signs of swelling Alexa experienced before her diagnosis
• What steps her husband took after noticing her swelling
• Why Alexa was hospitalized after her checkup
• When Alexa learned her baby was breech and how it changed the birth plan
• What factors led to Alexa’s C-section
• What it was like giving birth where her husband works
• What challenges Alexa faced during recovery
• Which support systems helped Alexa through postpartum depression

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode283

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right Way

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual! Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Head to drnicolerankins.com/blackfriday to get 50% Off The Birth Preparation Course for Black Friday!

Giving birth in the hospital feels scary.

It’s a system that too often takes a paternalistic approach and takes away power from women over what happens in their own bodies. #facts

Not all doctors and hospitals are bad but you don’t know who’s who without knowing the right questions to ask.

You also won’t know how to advocate for yourself if you’re not educated. 

I teach you the questions to ask and the info you need to know.

No coordinating schedules or awkward ice breakers.

Do it on your time and at your own pace.

With your partner from the comfort of your own home.

Comprehensive childbirth education for under $150.

Plus pregnancy affirmations for FREE to start getting your mindset right today.

Sale ends Dec 2nd. See you inside!

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual! Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Did you know that almost one in ten pregnancies in the United States is affected by gestational diabetes? While that might sound scary, the good news is that with the right information and care, people with gestational diabetes will most likely have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.

When it’s time to be screened, don’t focus on “passing” the test. If you have gestational diabetes, you want to know so you can treat it effectively. Many people can manage it with dietary changes so don’t stress too much if you don’t get the results you want. Just take the test - then manage the results with confidence. Listen to this episode to help you!

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What gestational diabetes is and how common it is
• What complications it can pose for parent and baby
• How glucose tests are used in diagnosis
• How pregnancy hormones can affect blood sugar levels
• How GDM is treated: both with and without medication
• How it affects pregnancy and birth management
• What its lasting effects can be

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode282

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right Way

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual! Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I have a FANTASTIC Black Friday Sale coming! Join my email list at drnicolerankins.com/email so you'll be the first to get notified!

You've heard of low intervention birth but what does it mean? In this episode I share how a low intervention birth under my care unfolded. Here's a peak -

• 8 AM - cervical check and 4 cm
• Intermittent monitoring, saline lock, moving, eating and drinking
• 8 PM - second cervical check and 6 cm
• starting pushing at 1130 PM
• and listen to hear the rest!

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual! Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Did you know the U.S. is one of just four countries in the world - and the only developed nation - without guaranteed paid maternity leave? While we’ve made great strides in workplace fairness, the fight for equity is far from over. In a country where pregnancy can still jeopardize someone’s career, these protections are more crucial than ever. That’s why advocates like today’s guests are so important.

Jack Tuckner is a workplace rights attorney who specializes in gender discrimination, including pregnancy-related issues, and Catherine Kreider is a lawyer and doula. Through their legal work and advocacy, they’ve been instrumental in advocating for laws like the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and strengthening protections for expectant workers. Make sure you know your rights, document everything, and don’t hesitate to seek out a local attorney if you need support - advocacy starts with awareness!

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What constitutes pregnancy discrimination in the workplace
• Who qualifies for protections under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
• Why documenting workplace interactions is critical for protecting your rights
• When and how to notify your employer about your pregnancy
• How to request accommodations during pregnancy
• Whether state or federal laws provide better protections for pregnant workers

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode281

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right Way

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual! Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this shorty episode I answer this listener question from Kate. And if you want me to answer a question for you DM me on Instagram @drnicolerankins or shoot me a message on my website contact form!

"I was checked at 5 cm, started feeling pressure after a few hours, and then a really strong urge to push after another few hours. I was unmedicated, so I could really feel those sensations, but was told to push against this urge and, I quote, ""hold it in"" because I was only at 8 cm and that I would tear my cervix if I pushed. This kept going for about an hour, at which point they called the doctor, who said, I quote again, “8, maybe 9, I guess you could push if you want to”. I wasn’t really able to talk, so I just pushed and everything went well. But then I started wondering why my body would give me such a powerful urge to push if it was too early. Is it possible that 9 cm was as far as my cervix would dilate? I’m a really small person, does that play a role? Does everyone get as far as 10? I’m curious and would love to hear more about this."

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual! Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 medication
• What tactics she used to manage anxiety and depression symptoms
• How limited food options triggered old disordered eating struggles
• How lower back and hip pain caused daily difficulties with mobility
• Why she wishes she would’ve chosen a different provider
• How the epidural created a sensation of being unable to breathe
• Why she underwent general anesthesia for her C-section
• What her healing process was like
• Whether or not she’ll return to psychiatric medication

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode280

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right Way

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual! Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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!

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual! Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy