This episode is a first for the podcast: I’m sharing a home birth story. While I primarily focus on hospital births, I wanted to learn more and see what we might take away from this experience to make hospital births better.

Lauren joins me to share her beautiful, deeply thoughtful journey into birthing from home after having her first baby in a hospital. This wasn’t a choice she made lightly - she did her research, worked with a trained provider, and had a backup plan in place. What she found was a level of trust, respect, and personalized care that’s worth talking about. Even if home birth isn’t on your radar, this story offers powerful lessons that anyone preparing for birth can take to heart.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• Why Lauren chose home birth for her second delivery
• How she weighed the risks and benefits of hospital vs home birth
• Who made up her support team
• How she prepared for the possibility of a hospital transfer
• What changed when Lauren labored in a space that was hers
• Which position she gave birth in
• What it was like to rest in her own bed right after birth
• How the birth certificate and paperwork were handled

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode295

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Make 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 Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE


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

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

Did you know your blood type can impact not just your current pregnancy, but future ones too? In this Thursday short episode, I’m breaking down what it means to be RH negative, how RhoGAM works, and why this small shot can prevent serious complications. Every woman and birthing person deserves to understand how something so simple can make such a big difference!

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 Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE


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

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

What if you're not ready to stop breastfeeding but you're burned out from the constant demands? Or maybe you’re thinking of breastfeeding beyond the baby stage? In this episode I'm talking with Erin Harris, a certified lactation educator and the creator of Nursing Mamas, about the very real and rarely discussed world of extended breastfeeding.

I am so excited to talk about this topic because I’ve never talked about it before and honestly, I haven’t really heard that much about it, and I suspect the listeners will feel the same. If you’re nursing past that first year, or thinking about it, this episode is a must listen!

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What extended breastfeeding actually means
• How Erin’s personal journey led her to supporting others
• How to recognize breastfeeding burnout
• What the four emotional stages of extended nursing look like
• How to tell when it’s time to wean — for you or your toddler
• What the real benefits and challenges of toddler nursing are
• Why boundaries are essential for extended nursing
• How toddler nursing compares to infant nursing
• What it’s like to breastfeed a baby and a toddler at the same time

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode294

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Make 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 Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE


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

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

Just because labor moves fast doesn’t mean pushing will! In this powerful storytime episode, I take you into the delivery room with me for a birth that had a fast start, a long push, and a beautiful ending. You’ll learn why patience, positioning, and the right support team are everything—plus what to expect when birth doesn’t follow the script.

Only for subscribers, so make sure you're signed up!

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 Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE


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

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

What if I told you that understanding your birth environment is one of the most powerful ways to take charge of your birth? When you know what to expect at every stage—from check-in to how labor progress is assessed—you can make informed choices and feel more confident. That’s exactly what we’re talking about today with The B.I.R.T.H. Blueprint, a simple way to understand the lay of the land in labor and truly own your birth experience.

The B.I.R.T.H. Blueprint is actually part of my brand-new Birth With Power Pathway online childbirth education class, launching this May! This course is designed to help you take charge of your birth with confidence and clarity. While I’m putting the finishing touches on the class, enjoy a sneak peek at one of the most important lessons!

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• B - Begin at Arrival: What to expect when you arrive at the hospital
• I - IV Fluids & Monitoring: How it works & how to stay mobile
• R - Refuel: Eating and drinking in labor - What’s really safe to eat in labor
• T - Track Progress: How labor progress is assessed
• H - Hustle or Hold Still?: Movement & positioning during labor

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode293

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Make 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 Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE


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

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

Heard scary stories about Pitocin? You’re not alone—and you deserve real information, not fear. In this quick and powerful episode, I’m sharing 10 fast facts about Pitocin: what it is, how it works, and what you actually need to know before it’s offered during labor. Walk away feeling informed, prepared, and empowered to make the best choices for your birth.

Want more tips to help you feel calm, confident, and empowered for birth? Get my weekly email, The Birth With Power Brief. You'll get exclusive insights, real talk, and practical tools delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up 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

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE


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

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

Epidural or unmedicated: how do you know what’s right for you? Danica has done both and in this episode she takes us through her journey of having two epidural births followed by an unmedicated one—her biggest baby yet! She shares what worked, what didn’t, and how she felt in those first moments postpartum. It’s going to surprise you. If you’re weighing your pain management options, you won’t want to miss this episode!

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• What it felt like to labor unmedicated after two epidural births
• Why she chose epidurals for her first two babies
• How support from her sisters-in-law helped her decision-making
• Which position gave her the most relief
• How her labor progressed quickly—especially after her water broke
• What made the moments after birth harder than she expected
• What her postpartum recovery felt like compared to her previous births
• Why she’s glad she experienced both medicated and unmedicated birth

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode292

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Make 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 Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE


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

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

The right support can make all the difference in your birth experience. 💕 From your doctor to your partner to your labor nurse, your Circle of Support should empower and uplift you every step of the way.

In this episode, I break down exactly who should be on your birth team and how to ensure they align with YOUR birth wishes. Because a supported birth is a safe birth! 

LINKS MENTIONED

How To Choose A Doula - drnicolerankins.com/episode218

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 Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE


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

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

Did you know that practicing prenatal yoga can actually shorten your labor by up to three hours? Or that simple breathing techniques might help manage your blood pressure during pregnancy? In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Shilpa Babbar, a double board-certified maternal-fetal medicine specialist, researcher, and yoga instructor. We dive deep into the science-backed benefits of prenatal yoga, how it can support you physically and emotionally, and the misconceptions that might be holding you back. Tune in to learn why yoga is more than just movement—it's a powerful tool for pregnancy and birth!

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• How prenatal yoga differs from other types of yoga
• Which yoga poses and practices should be avoided during pregnancy
• What recent research reveals about prenatal yoga’s benefits
• Which common pregnancy issues it can help with
• How breathing techniques can support blood pressure regulation during pregnancy
• How yoga can potentially shorten labor and increase the chances of vaginal birth
• What role yoga and breathwork can play in labor preparation and pain management
• Why integrative medicine is gaining traction among high-risk pregnancy doctors

--

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode291

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Make 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 Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE


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

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

What if the key to a calm, confident birth was all in your mindset?

In this episode, I introduce the MAMA Mindset, part of my new Birth with Power Pathway framework.

You’ll learn how Meditation, Affirmations, Movement, and an Attitude of gratitude can transform the way you approach birth—helping you feel calm, confident, and empowered.

Tune in to discover simple yet powerful strategies to train your mind for the beautiful birth experience you deserve! 

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 Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE


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

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