Stop fighting and listen to your body! This doesn't mean what you think.....

Make A Birth Plan The RIGHT Way - Free Class!

Check out The Birth Preparation Course and get calm, confident, and empowered for your birth.

If you like this podcast please support it at drnicolerankins.com/support.

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Bobbie: https://www.hibobbie.com
* Check out Ritual at get 40% off your first month for a limited time: https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE


Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birth-with-power/donations

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Amniotic fluid (AF) is the liquid that surrounds your baby after the first few weeks of pregnancy. An adequate amount of amniotic fluid is absolutely, positively critical for fetal health. If it’s too low, there can be a risk of severe fetal deformations, umbilical cord compression, and in extreme cases, fetal death. On the other side, if it’s too high, there’s a range of other fetal disorders that can occur affecting both you and your baby. Neither extreme is very common, but they both require monitoring and special care.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What the purpose of amniotic fluid is
• What it is made up of
• Where it comes from
• How it is measured
• How low and high AF can affect development

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode251

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

If you like All Abou Pregnancy & Birth consider supporting it financially! You can do so here.

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Bobbie: https://www.hibobbie.com
* Check out Ritual at get 40% off your first month for a limited time: https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE


Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birth-with-power/donations

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

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

Social media will have you believing you have to do SO MUCH when you are having a baby. I'm here to tell you that you don't! Learn exactly that things you don't have to do just because you're having a baby.

Make A Birth Plan The Right Way - FREE Class!

Click here to support All About Pregnancy & Birth!

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Bobbie: https://www.hibobbie.com
* Check out Ritual at get 40% off your first month for a limited time: https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE


Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birth-with-power/donations

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

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

This week’s guest is Dr. Andrea Wadley. She is board certified in both pediatrics AND breastfeeding medicine. In fact she’s one of only 100 physicians in the country who is board certified in breastfeeding medicine. With all of the unreliable information out there, it’s so important to seek out authorities like her.

It would be great if your doctor was an expert in breastfeeding but the fact is, whether it’s your OB/GYN or pediatrician, that’s rarely the case. That’s where you’re going to have to take some initiative. Educate yourself, seek out a lactation consultant, and of course listen to this episode with Dr. Wadley! Even if you can’t visit her in person, you can find all kinds of resources and ways to connect with her through the links below!

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What makes Dr. Wadley’s model of care unique
• Which factors can affect milk production
• What to expect with breastfeeding in the first 24 hours
• What is colostrum and how much is normal to produce
• When to consider using formula
• What the average timeline is for milk coming in
• Why having a proper latch is crucial
• Whether you should try hand expression

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode250

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

If you love All About Pregnancy & Birth, please support it here!

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Bobbie: https://www.hibobbie.com
* Check out Ritual at get 40% off your first month for a limited time: https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE


Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birth-with-power/donations

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

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

I have a terrible time with seasonal allergies! And I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you have a hard time too, they might get worse in pregnancy. Get info on medication-free techniques (where I recommend you start) and medications to help with those turrrrible seasonal allergies!

Also, please do me a big favor and leave a review of the podcast in Apple podcasts. It's SUCH a huge help!

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Bobbie: https://www.hibobbie.com
* Check out Ritual at get 40% off your first month for a limited time: https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE


Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birth-with-power/donations

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

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

I think this might be the first time I’ve had a guest describe their birth as “beautiful,” “joyful,” and even “relaxing”! Erin wasn’t expecting to be somebody who loved her birth story but she absolutely does. Today, she’s here to share her perspective that a hospital birth can be beautiful.

I didn’t realize until we started talking, but Erin actually gave birth in the hospital where I work! I was not a part of her birth but I know her doctor, nurses, and midwife. It was so nice to hear from a patient perspective that the place I work provides a great experience and validates that hospital birth can be beautiful!

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• Why she fainted in her wedding dress
• How she managed high blood pressure caused by pregnancy
• When she decided to go to the hospital (and why she went back home)
• How long she labored at home
• Which pain management option she wanted
• How she stayed calm through the pain
• How long she pushed
• What parental support her job provided

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode249

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

If you like this podcast, please help support it! You can do so here - drnicolerankins.com/support

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Bobbie: https://www.hibobbie.com
* Check out Ritual at get 40% off your first month for a limited time: https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE


Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birth-with-power/donations

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

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

In this shorty episode I'm answering a listener question that was sent to me via Instagram DM -

"Hi Dr. Rankins! I love your podcast and just signed up for your free birth class. I’m [in my first trimester]. This is my first pregnancy and I’m a little nervous. I was born with one kidney and a bicornuate uterus. I am learning I may be at higher risk for breech and may have to have a c-section. Maybe this can be a small topic for a future podcast. Any information you have about women with a “heart-shaped” uterus giving birth would be amazing, and if vaginal birth is possible. Thank you for all you do! You are wonderful! -Monica:)"

If you want me to answer your question on an upcoming episode, shoot me a DM on Instgram @drnicolerankins and be sure to follow me while you're there!

Check out my FREE birth plan class! drnicolerankins.com/birthplan

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Bobbie: https://www.hibobbie.com
* Check out Ritual at get 40% off your first month for a limited time: https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE


Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birth-with-power/donations

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

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

This episode is all about helping you during those first six weeks postpartum! The reality is that once you get discharged from the hospital, your doctor likely won't see you for six weeks. Experts recommend some degree of contact within the first three weeks postpartum. However, the reality is that it isn’t common. So in this episode, you're going to get some great information to help you during that time.

This episode is taken from The Birth Preparation Course, my online childbirth education class that gets you calm, confident, and empowered to have the beautiful birth you deserve. Of course this podcast is fantastic. It’s great for helping you get information and I put my heart and soul into it, but inside of The Birth Preparation Course you get important visual information and a structured format to help you really be READY for birth. Even if you don't choose my Birth Preparation Course for childbirth education, please choose something. It is so, so important and you should not skip it.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What physical transformations happen after birth
• How your body will be changed forever (and why that’s not a bad thing)
• How long it can take for your hair and weight to go back to normal
• Which items you need for baby to get started - it’s not as much as you think!
• What your baby needs more than anything else
• Why you don’t need to be too picky about where your baby sleeps
• Why you shouldn’t buy a lot of things in advance
• What my top 10 tips are to help with the first six weeks

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode248

Check out The Birth Preparation Course use the code DRNICOLE and get an additional 10% off!

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

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Bobbie: https://www.hibobbie.com
* Check out Ritual at get 40% off your first month for a limited time: https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE


Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birth-with-power/donations

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

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

IV (intravenous) fluids are extremely common and even routine during labor but are they really necessary?

In this shorty episode I’ll break that down for you!

You’ll learn

• what IV fluids are
• why they're given during labor
• My recommendation for IV fluids during labor

use the code DRNICOLE and get 10% off my online childbirth education class, The Birth Preparation Course!

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Bobbie: https://www.hibobbie.com
* Check out Ritual at get 40% off your first month for a limited time: https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE


Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birth-with-power/donations

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

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

If you’ve been listening to this show for a while, you’ll know that I’m a big proponent of doulas. What you might not know is that doulas can assist at all kinds of births - even planned cesareans!

Today’s guest, Hehe Stewart, is the founder of Tranquility by HeHe Maternity Concierge and is a doula herself. Finding the right support for your birth can be overwhelming and there is a ton of good information in here to help you make informed and empowered choices.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What kinds of births are doulas appropriate for
• How doula support differs based on the type of birth
• What you can expect from a doula during pregnancy
• How doulas can provide partner support
• What advocacy looks like in different scenarios
• When your doula should meet you at the hospital
• What you can expect from your birth doula postpartum

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode247

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Bobbie: https://www.hibobbie.com
* Check out Ritual at get 40% off your first month for a limited time: https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE


Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/birth-with-power/donations

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

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