My NICU baby is turning 16 this week! So I'm sharing 5 things I remember from that difficult time.

Also if you have a baby in the NICU, do check out episode 76 of the podcast with neonatologist Dr. Terri Major-Kincade. It's the episode I wish I had when I had my NICU baby! https://drnicolerankins.com/episode76/

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual Prenatals and get 25% off! https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE
* Give Armoire a try and get up to 50% off your first month, that’s up to $125 OFF! Just visit armoire.style/DRNICOLE
* Head to AvocadoMattress.com today to save 10% on all bedding and 50% on clearance bedding!


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

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

Why does Dr. Lauren Cook call Gen-Z and Millennials “Generation Anxiety”? There are a lot of reasons and you’re going to learn about them - and a lot more - in this fascinating episode on mental health.

 Whether you’re pregnant, in the postpartum, or even if you’re still trying, a lot of challenging feelings can come up. Today’s guest is a clinical psychologist and a mother. She brings a healthy blend of science and personal experience and I know you’re going to learn a lot from her!

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What makes anxiety different from stress
• How to tell if your anxiety is normal
• How psychological issues can manifest during pregnancy and postpartum
• How to recognize and treat mental health challenges
• What role therapy can play
• When to consider medication
• What the difference is between therapy and coaching

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode232

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual Prenatals and get 25% off! https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE
* Give Armoire a try and get up to 50% off your first month, that’s up to $125 OFF! Just visit armoire.style/DRNICOLE
* Head to AvocadoMattress.com today to save 10% on all bedding and 50% on clearance bedding!


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

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

This week’s episode is a rebroadcast all about midwifery care. It's a “Dr. Nicole Favorite” because the midwifery model of care is outstanding. All of us who work in maternal health should learn about it, implement midwifery care aspects into the care we provide, and you should look for these elements in the care you receive regardless of whether or not you have a midwife.

I was initially inspired to do this episode after hearing Heidi (episode 119) talk about how her midwife worked so well with a physician in order to help her have a beautiful birth. I’ve been working with midwives since my residency training and currently work with midwives today. I fully support working collaboratively with midwives to help provide the best care for patients.

So enjoy this Dr. Nicole's favorite episode all about midwifery!

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What midwifery is and what values midwives uphold
• What makes each category of midwifery different: certified nurse midwives, certified midwives, and certified professional midwives
• How education and training varies across classifications
• How the scope of midwifery extends beyond pregnancy and birth
• Whether insurance covers midwifery
• How models of midwifery vary from state to state
• What collaborative agreements are and how they can help or hinder the care midwives provide
• Why it’s so important for physicians and midwives to work together

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode120

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual Prenatals and get 25% off! https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE
* Give Armoire a try and get up to 50% off your first month, that’s up to $125 OFF! Just visit armoire.style/DRNICOLE
* Head to AvocadoMattress.com today to save 10% on all bedding and 50% on clearance bedding!


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

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

In this short episode you're going to learn my honest thoughts about the term pregnant people.

I'd love to hear your thoughts about this! Shoot me a message through my website drnicolerankins.com/contact or send me a DM on Instagram @drnicolerankins.

And Make A Birth Plan The RIGHT Way in my free class! Sign up here.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual Prenatals and get 25% off! https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE
* Give Armoire a try and get up to 50% off your first month, that’s up to $125 OFF! Just visit armoire.style/DRNICOLE
* Head to AvocadoMattress.com today to save 10% on all bedding and 50% on clearance bedding!


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

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

I’ve heard and been a part of a LOT of birth stories but I have never heard a birth story quite like this one. Vincia’s second birth was the epitome of precipitous labor. Baby number one arrived two days past his due date after 36 hours of labor - eight hours medicated with Pitocin and an epidural. For the second time around she was dreaming of fifteen hours of labor or less. She never could’ve imagined that it was going to be less than three hours from her first contraction to her baby being born.

They had planned for a hospital birth. Their bags were packed, childcare was secured, and the car was warm. But her daughter had different plans. Thankfully, all of their childbirth education (including my podcast and childbirth education course) prepared Vincia and her husband to handle the unexpected home birth. I couldn’t wait to hear her story, and you’re going to love it!

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• How Vincia could tell she was pregnant
• Why physicians need to do a better job of addressing weight during pregnancy
• What made getting a doula so important to Vincia and her family
• Why she tried to stay home longer for her second labor
• What her husband did to assist her during contractions
• How long it took her to progress to active labor
• How her husband and in-laws worked as her delivery team

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode231

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual Prenatals and get 25% off! https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE
* Give Armoire a try and get up to 50% off your first month, that’s up to $125 OFF! Just visit armoire.style/DRNICOLE
* Head to AvocadoMattress.com today to save 10% on all bedding and 50% on clearance bedding!


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

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

This is called an umbilical cord prolapse and it’s a true obstetric emergency.

The cord can get squeezed and cut off blood supply to the baby.

Listen to learn the unique way I handled this situation.

Make A Birth Plan The RIGHT Way! - FREE Class drnicolerankins.com/birth-plan

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual Prenatals and get 25% off! https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE
* Give Armoire a try and get up to 50% off your first month, that’s up to $125 OFF! Just visit armoire.style/DRNICOLE
* Head to AvocadoMattress.com today to save 10% on all bedding and 50% on clearance bedding!


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

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

Hypnosis during labor and birth has come up several times on the podcast and today I’m interviewing an expert. Kerry Tuschhoff is a doula, birth instructor, and founder of Hypnobabies. No, they don’t hypnotize babies :). It’s an online resource for hypnosis classes and courses for childbirth.

Kerry was shocked at how severe the pain of childbirth was and decided to dedicate herself to finding a way to make it easier. That path led her to hypno-anesthesia and eventually becoming a professional hypnotherapist. She has so many great tips and lots of good resources to share in this episode!

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What hypnosis actually is
• Who is a good candidate for hypnotherapy and who is not
• How hypnosis is used during childbirth
• Why you may want to practice meditation and visualization
• How your birth partner can support your hypnobirth 
• How hypnosis can help your birthing partner

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode230

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual Prenatals and get 25% off! https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE
* Give Armoire a try and get up to 50% off your first month, that’s up to $125 OFF! Just visit armoire.style/DRNICOLE
* Head to AvocadoMattress.com today to save 10% on all bedding and 50% on clearance bedding!


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

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

In this quick story time episode you'll hear how I found out I was pregnant with both of our girls.

Spoiler alert - somehow all my OB/GYN knowledge and training went out the window both times :)!

Use the code DRNICOLE to get 20% off your first order of personalized prenatal vitamins at helloellement.com

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual Prenatals and get 25% off! https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE
* Give Armoire a try and get up to 50% off your first month, that’s up to $125 OFF! Just visit armoire.style/DRNICOLE
* Head to AvocadoMattress.com today to save 10% on all bedding and 50% on clearance bedding!


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

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

If you’re considering VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), this episode is a must listen! Most individuals with one (or two!) prior low transverse cesareans can consider VBAC. But you MUST bring it up early with your healthcare provider to be sure they will support your wishes, because not all doctors support it and some are not forthcoming about that. With VBAC, you avoid major surgery and the recovery time can be quicker but it’s not the appropriate option for everyone and there are risks. You can weigh the risks and benefits and decide if it’s the right choice for you. And if you decide to try for a VBAC, this episode will set you up for success!

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What a vaginal birth after cesarean entails
• Who is and is not a candidate
• What’s the most important thing to do if you’re interested in trying for a vaginal birth
• What the risks and benefits are
• Which factors are associated with a successful trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC)
• Which scenarios make doctors uncomfortable with the procedure and what the evidence-based recommendations are for management
• What a low-intervention TOLAC looks like

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode229

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual Prenatals and get 25% off! https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE
* Give Armoire a try and get up to 50% off your first month, that’s up to $125 OFF! Just visit armoire.style/DRNICOLE
* Head to AvocadoMattress.com today to save 10% on all bedding and 50% on clearance bedding!


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

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

I LOVE a great doula!

But I see too much pressure placed on them to save the day for pregnant women and that's not fair.

Check out The Birth Preparation Course: drnicolerankins.com/enroll

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual Prenatals and get 25% off! https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE
* Give Armoire a try and get up to 50% off your first month, that’s up to $125 OFF! Just visit armoire.style/DRNICOLE
* Head to AvocadoMattress.com today to save 10% on all bedding and 50% on clearance bedding!


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

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