This week’s episode is a Power Replay of one of the most important messages you need to hear..

We often hear the phrase, “just be happy to have a healthy baby.” But that mindset overlooks something deeply important - your birth experience matters too. In this short but powerful episode, I share why it's not only okay to have birth wishes beyond physical health, it's necessary.

Birth is a rare and transformational event. Of course you want a healthy baby. But you also deserve to be listened to, respected, and treated with compassion throughout the process. Your emotional well-being and how you’re treated during labor and delivery are just as vital as your physical health.

Let this episode be a reminder: the bare minimum is physical health. You deserve so much more.

👩🏾‍⚕️ Ready to stay informed and empowered? Join my email list for updates, resources, and support at drnicolerankins.com/email

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

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This week’s episode is a Power Replay and we’re diving into one of the most fascinating parts of pregnancy that often doesn’t get enough attention - the placenta! Yep, it’s an organ, and it's your baby’s lifeline throughout pregnancy. This episode is packed with essential info every expecting parent should know.

You'll learn all about what the placenta does, where it forms, and how it supports your baby’s growth and development. I also break down common (but thankfully rare) complications like placenta abruption, placenta previa, and placenta accreta, including who’s at risk and why they matter.

We also explore some of the more debated practices—placenta encapsulation and lotus birth. Curious about eating your placenta or leaving it attached to your baby? I’ve got you covered with the facts and what to think about before making your decision.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What the placenta is and how it functions
• How and why placental issues occur
• What makes conditions like placenta accreta so serious
• The real deal on placenta encapsulation
• Why some parents choose lotus birth and whether it's beneficial
• 
  

Whether you're preparing for your first birth or brushing up your knowledge, this episode will leave you more informed and empowered about this incredible organ.

🎧 Tune in now—and don’t forget to join my email list for more empowering pregnancy content at drnicolerankins.com/email

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This episode is a power replay and it's one worth tuning into if you've ever wondered: Is it okay to drink coffee while I'm pregnant?

Join me as we dive into what the research says (and doesn't say) about caffeine during pregnancy. We'll talk about why the data is mixed, what a “safe” amount of caffeine looks like, and how things like brewing method and even your body’s metabolism affect caffeine's impact. I’ll also share what I did during my own pregnancies and how to be mindful about your caffeine intake without stressing too much.

Plus, I point you to a helpful resource from the Center for Science in the Public Interest that gives you the caffeine content of your favorite drinks (Starbucks lovers, take note!).

Whether you're newly pregnant, trying to conceive, or even breastfeeding, this episode is packed with the practical info you need to enjoy your daily cup (or two) with peace of mind.

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a replay or a new episode!

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This week's episode is a Power Replay that’s packed with essential info every expecting parent should hear.

Amniotic fluid might not be something you think about every day, but let me tell you, it plays a huge role in your baby’s health. Whether it’s too little or too much, the amount of amniotic fluid matters. And understanding it can help you feel more confident and informed as you navigate your pregnancy journey.

In this replay, I’m breaking it all down for you:

• What exactly is amniotic fluid and why it's so important
• What it's made of and how it's created
• How we measure it (and why those measurements matter)
• What happens when there’s too little (oligohydramnios) or too much (polyhydramnios)
• What causes these conditions and how we manage them
• 
  

I'll also share personal insights from my own pregnancies—yes, I had polyhydramnios myself—and what that experience was like.

Whether you're preparing for birth or just want to deepen your understanding, this episode is a must-listen.

👉🏽 Be sure to sign up for my email list at drnicolerankins.com/email to stay in the know and get even more empowering pregnancy info delivered right to your inbox.

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This episode is a Power Replay you’ll definitely want to hear! If you’re pregnant and wondering whether it’s really a big deal to sleep on your back — or why your sleep feels so off in general — this short episode has the answers.

Tune in as I dive into:

• How your sleep changes across each trimester
• Why back sleeping is discouraged (and what the real risks are)
• What “supine hypotensive syndrome” means for you and your baby
• Easy strategies to help you get better rest (including why chamomile tea might not be your friend!)
• 
  

And if you ever wake up on your back and panic? Don’t! I explain why it’s not something to stress about and what to do instead.

Get the reassurance and tips you need to sleep better during pregnancy.

Want more helpful info like this? Be sure to sign up for my email list at drnicolerankins.com/email!

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This week’s episode is a power replay of a listener favorite all about... your due date! Yep, that little date carries a whole lot of weight. From test scheduling to birth decisions, your due date impacts nearly everything during pregnancy, which is why it’s so important to get it right.

But here’s the truth: only about 4% of babies are actually born on their due date. In this updated episode, I explain why I actually hate the term “due date” and what I think we should be doing instead. You’ll learn how due dates are determined, why accuracy matters so much, what a suboptimally dated pregnancy means, and what your real options are if you go past your due date.

We also talk about the risks of late-term and post-term pregnancies, and why informed, individualized decision-making is the most empowering approach.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why your due date is so much more than just a countdown
• The most accurate way to determine your due date (hint: it's all about timing)
• What happens if your pregnancy goes beyond 40 or even 42 weeks
• Why due dates shouldn’t be treated like expiration dates
• What stillbirth risk actually looks like — and how it changes week by week
• Your options if you go past your due date and how to make the best choice for you
• 
  

✨ Ready to stay informed and empowered throughout your pregnancy journey? Join my email list at drnicolerankins.com/email for exclusive updates, discounts, and more expert tips delivered straight to your inbox.

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It’s Power Replay time! In this quick and fun storytime episode, I’m sharing how I found out I was pregnant with both of my sweet girls and let’s just say, all of my OB/GYN training went right out the window both times!

You’ll hear the unexpected twists and honest moments from my own journey to motherhood, including how I nearly scheduled surgery before realizing I was pregnant and how I completely missed the signs the second time around. Yes, even OB/GYNs can be totally surprised by a positive test!

Plus, I share a few tips about pregnancy tests and early signs that might surprise you too.

If you’ve got your own “I didn’t know I was pregnant” story, I’d love to hear it! DM me on Instagram @drnicolerankins or email me through my website.

✨ Don’t miss the chance to join my email list for even more insights, tips, and support: drnicolerankins.com/email

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This episode is a Power Replay that’s packed with gems to guide you through your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey with confidence and grace.

With nearly 15 years of experience as an OBGYN and thousands of births under my belt, I know firsthand that while birth is unpredictable, you can absolutely be prepared. In this replay, I’m sharing 11 powerful, must-know tips that will help you be calm, confident, and empowered—no matter what your birth looks like or where it happens.

From building a support system and preparing for the unexpected, to taking care of yourself and bonding with your baby before they’re even born, these tips are relevant whether it’s your first baby or your fifth. Trust me, you’ll want to take notes.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• How to make the most of every prenatal care visit
• The importance of attending all your checkups and being prepared for them
• What a strong support system looks like and why it matters
• How to have better communication with your birth partner
• Sweet ways to bond with your baby during pregnancy
• Why self-care is necessary, not selfish
• Tools for managing the stress that comes with this transformational time

If you want to feel more grounded, informed, and in control during this journey, this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 Tune in now and take the first step toward a beautiful experience.

👉🏽 Be sure to sign up for my email list for more pregnancy and birth tips at drnicolerankins.com/email

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This power replay episode is a must-listen if you’re wondering whether baby aspirin should be part of your pregnancy care plan.

In this short and information-packed replay, I break down everything you need to know about baby aspirin—what it is, why it’s prescribed, and most importantly, who should be taking it. You’ll learn how this simple, low-cost medication can significantly reduce the risk of preeclampsia and related pregnancy complications like preterm birth and growth restriction.

We’ll also talk about when to start taking baby aspirin, how much is recommended, and which risk factors make someone a good candidate. Spoiler alert: you may be eligible even if your pregnancy seems low-risk.

If you’re looking for clarity and peace of mind around this common prenatal recommendation, this episode has you covered.

👉🏽 Want more evidence-based tips like this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for my email list at drnicolerankins.com/email.

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This week’s episode is a Power Replay that felt especially timely to revisit at the midpoint of the year. It’s a great moment to pause, reflect, and recommit to the values and visions that matter most for pregnancy, birth, and maternal health.

In this heartfelt episode, I share 10 loving-kindness wishes inspired by Metta meditation—a practice rooted in compassion and goodwill. Originally shared at the start of 2025, these wishes are just as powerful now as they were then, and they continue to represent what I want for the people I serve and for the world we live in.

These wishes speak to safety, respect, support, empowerment, healing, and more. They are for you, your loved ones, and anyone walking the path of parenthood. Let them be affirmations, reminders, or moments of pause throughout your day.

Whether you’ve heard this before or it’s your first time, I hope it offers inspiration, healing, and connection.

💌 Be sure to join my email list at drnicolerankins.com/email so you never miss updates, insights, and support for your pregnancy and birth journey.

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