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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Factor: http://factormeals.com/drnicole50


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

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

Some of you may have heard about the tragic incident in Atlanta involving a case of shoulder dystocia during childbirth. In light of this case, I thought I’d take the opportunity to explain exactly what shoulder dystocia is, how likely it is to occur, and what makes it so dangerous.

I delve into this topic in more detail in the episode, but essentially shoulder dystocia occurs when a baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind the pelvic bone during delivery. Nine times out of ten the situation will resolve with no harm to the birthing person or baby. However, there’s no way to predict when it might happen so maternity care providers like myself need to stay prepared to handle it during childbirth.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What shoulder dystocia is
• How likely is it to occur
• What some of the common risk factors are
• Why addressing dystocia needs to happen as quickly as possible
• What hospitals and medical providers do to stay prepared to handle it
• What maneuvers are used to deal with shoulder dystocia
• Which injuries are most common
• How to reduce complications
• How care decisions should be made
• What to do after baby comes out

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode223

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

This Dr. Nicole Says episode is about the August 2023 CDC study examining mistreatment and discrimination in birth.

Approximately one in five (20.4%) respondents reported experiencing at least one type of mistreatment.

28.9% of respondents reported experiencing at least one form of discrimination during maternity care.

Yet, 90.5% of respondents were satisfied with the care they received during pregnancy Why is that?

I break all of it down and you'll also learn how you can avoid mistreatment.

Link to CDC Study

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

It’s not very often we get to speak to someone who plans for an induction. But when Rachel’s husband only had TWO DAYS of parental leave and was assigned an out-of-town position, induction was the perfect solution!

What she wanted was an unmedicated birth preferably without Pitocin and incredibly that’s what she got! However, it wasn’t by accident. Rachel refers to herself as “type A” and she was very, very prepared (including taking The Birth Preparation Course!). All of her planning paid off because she was able to give birth with her husband at her side and they’ve even gone on to have a second baby since. You’re going to love this story!

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What a preconception consultation is and how it helped Rachel
• Why she thinks we should abandon the term “morning sickness”
• How she struggled with self-blaming thoughts after an accidental fall at 7 months
• What made the birth plan class so much more valuable to her than a generic birth wish sheet
• Why she wanted an unmedicated birth
• How she knew it was time to push
• What makes her feel like postpartum parents are being underserved

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode222

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