Bad news, everyone: losing sleep is part of having a baby. However, the good news is that there are things you can do to help your baby (and you!) catch more of that oh-so-important shut eye. You can stick to a sleep schedule or have a special bedtime routine so your baby knows when it’s time to wind down. And for some, products may help, as well. 

Tara Willaims is a mom of four and the founder and CEO of Dreamland Baby. When she could not find a weighted blanket that her six-month-old could safely wear to help him sleep, she decided to create her own. The result was a doctor-approved, evenly-weighted, wearable sleep sack. Now, of course there is no one-size-fits-all sleep solution, but Tara created her company because it helped her baby sleep and it just might help your little one, too!

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

-Why Tara started Dreamland Baby

-What is a sleep sack, what is a sleep swaddle, and what is the difference

-Why might it be helpful to use a sleep sack or a sleep swaddle

-Why might it be helpful to use a weighted sleep product

-What did Dreamland Baby do to ensure their product is safe

-What are some tips that new parents can use to promote better sleep for their newborns

-How to protect your sleep during the newborn period

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode155

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

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Just because an outcome is unlikely doesn’t mean it isn’t going to happen. Birth stories are entertaining and heart-warming, but don’t forget that they are also educational. Learning about other people’s births will expose you to different possibilities. And that’s exactly what today’s guest, Karrah, did.

A self proclaimed “podcast junkie,” Karrah filled the time during her pregnancy with long walks while listening to birth stories - stories she heard on this podcast, actually! Even though her pregnancy went smoothly, she knew she couldn’t only plan for the birth that she wanted - she needed to think about all kinds of labor experiences. And it’s a good thing she did because her simple pregnancy ended in a very difficult labor.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

-Why Karrah decided to go the OB route for her prenatal care

-How The Birth Preparation Course helped Karrah get ready for her birth

-Why you should consider all complications a possibility for you

-What methods Karrah tried in order to induce labor at home

-How hospital staff made her feel empowered

-How she used movement to ease labor pain

-What chorioamnionitis is and what it felt like for Karrah

-How difficult the process of healing from a third degree tear is

-How isolated Karrah felt in her experience with a physically and emotionally traumatic birth

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode154

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Learn more about donating your cord blood and get up to $100 Amazon gift card! --> thecordbloodgroup.com/drnicole

Our Sponsors:
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Today you’ll learn about what happens if your baby is breech. I originally talked about this three years ago and it came to mind because recently I did a surprise vaginal breech birth and after that I had folks saying they wanted to come to me with their breech babies so they could have a vaginal birth. I’d love to be able to see everyone who asked but breech birth is not that simple.Now what does breech mean? Breech is when a baby’s butt is closer to the vagina than the head. It’s quite common in early pregnancy, however it’s actually a very small percentage of babies that are breech at term. Most breech babies are normal, however there are some malformations and mild deformations that can result. There are signs you and your doctor can look out for so you can choose the right management options. From turning the baby to cesarean, one way or another your birth team can help you have a happy and healthy baby.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

-What is breech presentation

-How common is it

-What risk factors can increase the chances of having a breech baby

-What are the different types of breech presentation and why do they matter

-How to tell if your baby is breech

-What are the treatment options for managing a breech pregnancy

-What are some alternative methods you could try in order to turn your baby

-What happens after a breech birth

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode153

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Learn more about donating your cord blood and get up to $100 Amazon gift card! --> thecordbloodgroup.com/drnicole

Our Sponsors:
* 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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Pregnancy doesn’t mean putting your fitness on pause. MacKenzie Rowand is a new mom and exercise specialist with 9Round. She has an extensive background in wellness and there’s a lot to learn from her personal journey with fitness and pregnancy. She continually had to change the way she ate and exercised during all parts of pregnancy and through recovery. Flexibility and meeting yourself where you are is the key to staying fit during pregnancy.

Your wellness during pregnancy is so personal. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Remember that you’re growing a whole person inside of you and give yourself some grace. What matters is that you get moving.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

-How pregnancy changed MacKenzie’s exercise routine

-How her fitness helped in her labor, birth, and recovery

-When she decided it was time to get back to exercise after giving birth

-What her workout routine looked like postpartum

-How she felt about her new postpartum body

-How exercise can help with pregnancy, both mentally and physically

-Which exercises to do (and which exercises to avoid) during pregnancy

-Why you should listen to your body when exercising during and after pregnancy

-What are some nutrition recommendations for during and after pregnancy

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode152

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Learn more about donating your cord blood and get up to $100 Amazon gift card! --> thecordbloodgroup.com/drnicole

Our Sponsors:
* 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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Brittany had a pretty long labor. It lasted for over 36 hours before she had a cesarean. She was induced at 39 weeks and 4 days by her own choice and with the support of her doctor. However, as we all know, birth does not always go according to plan. After the first few hours she had dilated to 3-4cm, but an entire day later she had not progressed.

What sticks out to me in this story is the care team Brittany had around her. They listened to and communicated with her and did not push her in any direction. When it came time for her to undergo a c-section, the doula was allowed to be in the OR with her, something that doesn’t happen very often. Even though her son had to be taken to the NICU after birth, she and her husband were given the opportunity to hold him first. This birth story shows that it’s truly worth the effort to find the right care team for you.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

-Why it’s ok to choose a healthcare provider who you feel like you can relate to

-What made Brittany decide it was time to be induced

-What is placental abruption and how doctors detected it in Brittany’s case

-Why Brittany and her care team ultimately opted for a cesarean

-What the emotional impacts of feeding difficulties can be

-Why it’s so important to talk more about postpartum anxiety

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode151

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Learn more about donating your cord blood and get up to $100 Amazon gift card! --> thecordbloodgroup.com/drnicole

Our Sponsors:
* 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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In today’s episode I'm sharing 9 important tips to help you make sure you have the right doctor for you during your prenatal care. Emphasis on YOU because it really is going to be individualized to your unique needs. A doctor who may be great for one person may not be great for another. There is not a one size fits all approach.In order for you to find the right doctor you’re going to need to ask a lot of questions and it’s very important that you ask the right ones. Think about what you want for your birth and then start searching for a doctor who can support those wishes. Always listen to your gut and remember that it’s your birth and your body - you deserve to have a doctor who supports you and makes you feel respected.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

-How your choice in doctor can impact your overall birth experience

-How vital it is to listen to your gut when selecting an OB

-Why it’s better to switch doctors earlier on in your pregnancy rather than later

-Which questions should you ask when determining if an OB is right for you

-Why you should ask your doctor questions that require a specific and intentional answer as opposed to yes or no

-What broader aspects of your care are wrapped up in which doctor you choose

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode150

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Learn more about donating your cord blood and get up to $100 Amazon gift card! --> thecordbloodgroup.com/drnicole

Our Sponsors:
* 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!


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In this episode we’re talking to Ashley Greene who is a surrogate. I wanted to chat with her because I know I have a lot of listeners who are not yet pregnant and I thought it would be good to talk about this as an option to expand your family. There may also be some folks who are curious about being a surrogate and what it’s like. Plus, I personally just wanted to know more about the subject. I learned a lot from my conversation with Ashley and I know you will, too.A surrogate can make a family's wish to have a baby a reality. Some people ask why go this route? Why not adoption? My answer to that is that, ultimately, it’s a very personal decision. There is no right or wrong choice. What matters is that the surrogate and the intended parent know what to expect and can help each other bring a baby into the world.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

-How Ashley decided it was the right time for her to become a surrogate

-What are the reasons that intended parents might choose surrogacy

-How long can it take to match with a surrogate

-How involved are the intended parents in the pregnancy and birth

-What are some of the legal aspects (spoiler alert: it’s complex)

-How does someone go about becoming a surrogate and what makes someone a good candidate for surrogacy

-How compensation is determined

-What are the costs associated with a surrogacy

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode149

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Learn more about donating your cord blood and get up to $100 Amazon gift card! --> thecordbloodgroup.com/drnicole

Our Sponsors:
* 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!


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This birth story is a little different because we’re going to talk a little bit about all 3 of Taylor’s births. Her stories are really a metaphor for life; you have some good moments and some not as good moments and we all have to work at managing that. As a matter of fact her mother told her she should not share her stories because everyone would hate her. But I wanted to share her story because I want you to know that easy births absolutely can and do happen.

However, just because her births were easy does not mean that her whole experience was ideal. Taylor had been diagnosed with a severe case of PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and was told that it would be nearly impossible for her to get pregnant. Of course, this did not turn out to be the case. Each of her three pregnancies came with its own set of difficulties: gallbladder removal with her first, an early baby for her second, and during her third she had a pap test come back with severely abnormal precancerous cells. Through all the ups and the downs she keeps it real and keeps me laughing.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

-Why we should be telling patients that getting pregnant may be “challenging” as opposed to “nearly impossible”

-How it made Taylor feel to be told she likely couldn’t get pregnant

-How she handled recovering from both birth and a gallbladder removal at the same time

-Why medical staff should have listened to Talylor when she said she knew her own body

-Why she decided to commute a whole state away for her oncological care

-What a “LEEP” procedure is and why Taylor needed to undergo it

-Why she chose to have a student deliver her third baby

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode148

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Learn more about donating your cord blood and get up to $100 Amazon gift card! --> thecordbloodgroup.com/drnicole

Our Sponsors:
* 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!


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Today you’re going to learn all about your due date. It’s more than just giving you an idea of when your baby is going to be born - really all decisions during pregnancy revolve around it so it’s crucial that we get it right.

It’s important to understand that a due date is an estimate. Only 4 percent of women deliver on their due date. There are different methods used to determine it, each with varying degrees of accuracy. I actually wish we’d stop giving a specific date and instead offer a range of dates that we expect you’ll deliver. But even with imperfect estimations, it’s vital that you get the most accurate date possible to help determine when certain tests should be conducted or to inform the decision of whether or not to induce labor. This episode has so much great information to help you feel confident as you get closer to your due date!

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

-Why is an accurate due date crucial

-How important it is to understand that it’s an estimate

-How is a due date estimated

-What is a suboptimally dated pregnancy and how best to handle it

-What happens when you go past your due date

-What does late term or post term pregnancy mean and who is at a higher risk

-What are your options if you go past your due date

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode147

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Learn more about donating your cord blood and get up to $100 Amazon gift card! --> thecordbloodgroup.com/drnicole

Our Sponsors:
* 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!


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This week we are talking with genetic counselor Ushta Davar Canteenwalla. There are so many testing options these days but very little support to understand the nuances to ultimately help people decide what the best test is for them. As we’ve discussed time and time again on the show, knowledge is power. People who are informed in advance about their testing options make better decisions, have more meaningful conversations with their OB or midwife, and are better prepared for potential curveballs.

As a board certified licensed genetic counselor with over 16 years experience in clinical genetics, Ushta is here to discuss what exactly genetic testing entails and how it can help expectant parents. Hopefully this interview will bring some clarity and confidence about choosing the best genetic tests.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

-What is a genetic counselor

-Who should consider seeing a genetic counselor, either before or during pregnancy

-What is genetic testing and what different types are available

-Which factors should people consider when deciding whether to get genetic testing

-What role does family history play in genetic testing

-What can (and CAN’T) genetic testing tell you

-What happens if you get abnormal results

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode146

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Learn more about donating your cord blood and get up to $100 Amazon gift card! --> thecordbloodgroup.com/drnicole

Our Sponsors:
* 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