Epidurals provide excellent pain relief during labor but there are risks and side effects. Learn how epidurals work and things you need to know before you get one.

And no need to take notes, you can grab my comprehensive guide to managing pain in labor here!

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In today's episode, you’re going to learn about vaccines and pregnancy. Vaccines -also called immunizations- are important in order to help prevent moms and babies from getting certain potentially serious infections. I know there’s a lot of concern about vaccines. But let me assure you, although vaccines are not risk free, they are very safe.

There are 2 vaccines that are recommended to be up to date prior to pregnancy - MMR and Varicella, as well as 4 vaccines that are recommended during pregnancy - Flu, Tdap, COVID, and RSV. I want to make sure you have the latest information in order to stay safe so you’re going to learn all about these and why they’re important in this episode.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• How vaccines protect you and your baby
• Whether vaccines are safe and effective (they are!)
• Why the best time to get a couple of important vaccines (MMR and Varicella) is before you get pregnant
• The four vaccines that are recommended and why - Flu, Tdap, COVID, and RSV
• What the risks and side effects are
• Which vaccines are not safe during pregnancy

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode269

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the RIGHT Way

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In this short episode you'll learn about medications to manage pain in labor that are not an epidural, specifically opioid medications and nitrous oxide. You'll learn how they work, the side effects, risks, pros and cons of each.

Grab the free guide to managing pain in labor - drnicolerankins.com/pain

Our Sponsors:
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David Arrell is a coach, consultant, and returning guest! About three years ago David joined us for a conversation about the WTF moments of fatherhood. Since then, his empire of dad advice has grown and he’s back with more helpful tips.

Welcome to Fatherhood (or WTF as it’s appropriately called at times) is his fatherhood brand. What began with a book is now a podcast, blog, and even a course! As a partner, it’s not always easy to know how to show up in the most supportive and helpful way. If only there was a how-to guide. Well thanks to David, there is! 

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What the “Dude Zone” is and why it’s important
• Which two traps are on the way from the Dude Zone to the Dad Zone
• What it means to “team up” vs “team out”
• Which challenges dads are most worried about
• How often dads deal with postpartum depression
• How partners can be supportive through each trimester
• How to redefine masculinity in the role of fatherhood

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode268

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month at ritual.com/DRNICOLE!
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In this short episode you'll learn why it's really important to think about labor pain differently, tips to approach a medication free birth, and techniques to manage pain.

Grab my free labor pain management guide here!

Join The Birth Preparation Course here (use code DRNICOLE for an additional 10% off!).

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month at ritual.com/DRNICOLE!
* Head to AvocadoMattress.com today and save up to ten percent on certified organic mattresses. Dream of Better – for you and the planet. - https://www.avocadogreenmattress.com


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Katie calls her second birth an amazing experience - night and day from her first. The standard hospital birth she had for her first baby was fine, but this time she wanted a more holistic prenatal experience. This led her to a private birth center with a group of amazing midwives.

I don't usually share birth center birth stories because I’m not familiar with that setting. For the podcast, I tend to ‘stay in my lane’, which is the hospital setting. However if I want to improve our maternal health care system, I need to learn about diverse birth experiences. I learned a lot from this birth center episode and I know you will too!

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What made Katie realized she wasn’t satisfied with her first birth experience
• How a playgroup conversation led her to the birth center she loved
• How the midwives made her feel safe and respected
• Why she felt shame when she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes
• Which steps she took to control her gestational diabetes
• Why she almost left the birthing center partway through labor
• How an emotional release may have progressed her labor

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode267

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month at ritual.com/DRNICOLE!
* Head to AvocadoMattress.com today and save up to ten percent on certified organic mattresses. Dream of Better – for you and the planet. - https://www.avocadogreenmattress.com


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In this shorty episode I answer this question from Keri.

"Hi Dr. Nicole! I love the podcast and have a question for the Q&A. I have a 2 year old daughter. Easy pregnancy and delivery at 40w6d and healthy baby! At the hospital, it is routine to send the placenta to pathology. The report stated that I had “patchy chorangiosis” with a note that it is associated with tobacco or drug use during pregnancy and a bunch of other medical issues. This was alarming to me, but Google did not provide much information, but it seems rare to have with a healthy pregnancy. Thinking about baby #2. Should this be a concern? Thank you for the podcast!"

If you have a question you want me to answer shoot me a DM on Instagram @drnicolerankins!

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This episode is one I originally did back in 2020. Since it comes up from time to time and can be a contentious topic, I decided to rebroadcast it today.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through what circumcision is, its benefits and risks, and why some families choose to have this elective procedure. There are also some ethical questions you may want to consider before choosing to have your baby circumcised, so I talk about those too. My own thinking around this procedure has changed over time and maybe yours will too!

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode75

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month at ritual.com/DRNICOLE!
* Head to AvocadoMattress.com today and save up to ten percent on certified organic mattresses. Dream of Better – for you and the planet. - https://www.avocadogreenmattress.com


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If you like the way I approach pregnancy and birth then you’re going to love this conversation with pediatrician Dr. Joel Warsh. He has a really balanced, common-sense approach to pediatrics that blends modern medicine with non-Western elements.

In addition to pregnancy and parenting advice, he recommends small changes you can make today that will impact your health in the future. We have a great conversation about wellness and I know you’re going to learn a lot of practical tips!

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• Why Dr. Warsh transitioned away from traditional pediatrics to integrative medicine
• What integrative medicine and integrative parenting refer to
• How the U.S. medical system falls short
• Why we should apply a balanced approach to traditional and modern medicine
• How integrative parenting can help with common infant challenges
• What constitutes a non-toxic home
• Why we should shift more focus to preventative care
• Who makes a good candidate for home birth

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode266

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month at ritual.com/DRNICOLE!
* Head to AvocadoMattress.com today and save up to ten percent on certified organic mattresses. Dream of Better – for you and the planet. - https://www.avocadogreenmattress.com


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In this birth story episode, you’re going to hear what a true emergency cesarean is like. Lillie was induced due to gestational diabetes and preeclampsia at 37 weeks. After 36 hours in labor, just as she was transitioning to push, her baby went into distress and she was rushed to the operating room for an emergency cesarean birth.

Now Lillie felt like this was a pretty scary and traumatic birth but one of the things that really helped her was that she had learned about all possible birthing situations. Knowing what to expect isn't going to prevent trauma but it most certainly can make things easier.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• How long Lillie took to prepare for parenthood once she decided to have a baby
• Which health concerns she had coming into the pregnancy
• Why she specifically sought out a Black woman OB-GYN
• Why she saw a maternal fetal medicine specialist for her pregnancy
• Why pitocin can’t be administered continuously
• How many attempts it took to place the epidural
• How a nurse with conveniently small hands helped dislodge Lillie’s baby from her pelvis

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode265

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month at ritual.com/DRNICOLE!
* Head to AvocadoMattress.com today and save up to ten percent on certified organic mattresses. Dream of Better – for you and the planet. - https://www.avocadogreenmattress.com


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