Amanda wanted to share the experience of her “incredibly beautiful” c-section today, so other pregnant people can hear that it doesn’t have to be scary or traumatic. She describes her experience as “gentle and empowering” and wants more people to spread the word that cesarean doesn’t need to be feared or considered “less than.”

Now, I usually don’t share birth stories from other countries because I don’t know the system and I can’t comment on it. But sometimes it’s nice to hear about other places because we can learn from them and discover ways we can improve in our system. Amanda is from Canada, and she really opened my eyes to the way an obstetrics system could better serve expectant parents.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What makes the Canadian healthcare system so different from the American system
• Why Amanda’s OB suggested induction
• What Amanda wanted for her birth vs what she got
• Why she opted for a c-section instead of continuing to try with pitocin
• How she felt about cesareans and epidurals before her personal experience with theme
• What her C-section felt like
• Why it’s important to be on the lookout for postpartum anxiety
• Why it’s ok to have mixed feelings about your birth
• How you can help make the American healthcare system better

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode228

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We need to stop saying just be happy to have a healthy baby.

Birth is a special event that doesn’t happen very often. So of course you have wishes beyond just physical health for this beautiful life changing event.

Now, unfortunately not everyone sees things that way. There are doctors, nurses, and even family members or friends who will tell you “just be happy to have a healthy baby”.

And yes of course you want a healthy baby, but beyond that, I know you want to be listened to and you want to be treated with compassion, dignity and respect, and you deserve nothing less.

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Addressing stillbirth can be a sensitive and challenging topic but it’s an essential one. Like with anything else in birth, it’s always better to learn about every possible outcome, even the ones you don’t want. Besides educating yourself, it’s important to listen to this episode because parents who have experienced stillbirth don’t deserve to suffer in silence. Avoiding their stories out of fear that it might affect your own pregnancy denies support to those who need it most. If it happened to you, wouldn’t you want others to hear your story?

Elizabeth started the non-profit Aaliyah in Action after her personal experience with stillbirth. Losing her daughter during pregnancy made her acutely aware of the system’s lack of support for grieving parents. In response, she stepped up to fill that gap, now offering the helping hand she wishes she would’ve had during that challenging time.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• How Elizabeth channeled her grief into helping other families
• How she learned about her baby’s passing and figured out the process for delivery
• Why she still tried to stick to her birth plan and brought in her doula
• Why Aaliyah in Action prefers to send packages to hospitals rather than directly to homes (though they do that, too!)
• What comes in the self-care packages
• What are some dos and don’ts for supporting those who have suffered a loss

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode227

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In this shorty episode you'll get a play by play of what it was like when I recently cared for a patient who had a low intervention hospital birth. Here are a few things that were included -

• no IV fluids (but a saline lock)
• intermittent monitoring
• limited cervical exams (I only did 2 during her more than 12 hours of labor)
• encouraging moving
• eating and drinking as she desired
• and more!

Check out my online childbirth education class The Birth Preparation Course - drnicolerankins.com/enroll

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In this episode, you’re going to learn about cesarean births - both planned and unplanned. I’ve actually had two cesarean births, one unplanned and one planned. I want to show some love to fellow cesarean parents because it’s essential, whether you’re planning a cesarean or not, to understand what might happen. Being prepared for the possibility of a c-section is crucial, as it can be the right choice for you or your baby’s health. And it’s ok to feel upset about having a cesarean but don’t let it overshadow the joy of becoming a new parent. If it does, don’t hesitate to ask for help.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• Which factors could lead to a planned cesarean
• What happens during a c-section from start to finish
• How the hospital might implement “enhanced recovery” strategies both before and after birth
• How spinal anesthesia works and why it is the preferred method
• Who will be in the operating room
• What the surgery feels like
• What a family-centered cesarean is and why I recommend you ask for it

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode226

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On your skin. That’s where your baby should be right after birth!

The benefits of skin to skin contact include:

• An easier transition to newborn life
• More stable breathing and temperature
• Helps with breastfeeding
• Promotes bonding

Check out The Birth Preparation Course , my online childbirth education class that gets you calm. confident, and empowered to have a beautiful birth.

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When Meg was already trying for the ambitious goal of an unmedicated VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), the hospital didn't think she could also have a water birth. But she proved them wrong when she gave birth in the tub.

Her first baby was breech. Despite trying everything she could to turn her, she was unable to and in the end had a c-section. Even though the birth went well, she was disappointed that she didn't have the experience she wanted. Even though she knew there was a chance it wouldn’t work out, she decided to try for a VBAC on her second birth. In this incredible birth story you’ll hear all about how her birth wishes came true.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What about Meg’s first birth made her want a VBAC
• What lead to her first birth being a cesarean
• How hypnobirthing helped her access the trauma from her c-section
• When she went into labor for her second birth
• What comfort measures she used during her unmedicated birth
• How she combined instinct and what she learned from childbirth education to successfully deliver her baby vaginally
• How she managed to have a water birth despite the hospital’s doubts

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode225

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Nothing should happen to you during your birth without your consent.

That means before

➡️ Vaginal exams

➡️ Breaking your water

➡️ Starting pitocin

➡️ Episiotomy

there’s a discussion about the benefits, risks, and alternatives and your provider needs to receive your explicit consent before proceeding.

This places YOU at the center of your birth which is exactly how it should be.

The Birth Preparation Course

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Sometimes, you realize that your Plan B was your Plan A all along. When Julia chose to become a solo mom, there were a lot of decisions to be made. She meditated, traveled, journaled, and more.

This path of independent maternity felt right to her so she set out to learn as much about alternative families as she could. She decided to do this by having conversations with real people which inspired her podcast Stork’d. She’s on a mission to share through personal experience, both hers and others’, what it looks like to create your own happiness.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• Why Julia opted to be a solo mom
• What made her select insemination over adoption
• How her friends and family responded to her choice to be an independent parent
• How she found the confidence to stand firm in her decision to be a solo mother
• Which factors she took into consideration when choosing a sperm donor
• What the donor selection process was like
• What it was like to navigate prenatal care as a solo parent
• What the positives and negatives were of living with her parents postpartum

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode224

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
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Sometimes, you realize that your Plan B was your Plan A all along. When Julia chose to become a solo mom, there were a lot of decisions to be made. She meditated, traveled, journaled, and more.

This path of independent maternity felt right to her so she set out to learn as much about alternative families as she could. She decided to do this by having conversations with real people which inspired her podcast Stork’d. She’s on a mission to share through personal experience, both hers and others’, what it looks like to create your own happiness.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• Why Julia opted to be a solo mom
• What made her select insemination over adoption
• How her friends and family responded to her choice to be an independent parent
• How she found the confidence to stand firm in her decision to be a solo mother
• Which factors she took into consideration when choosing a sperm donor
• What the donor selection process was like
• What it was like to navigate prenatal care as a solo parent
• What the positives and negatives were of living with her parents postpartum

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode224

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

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