Birth With Power

By Dr. Nicole C. Rankins

Birth With Power is the go-to podcast for expecting mothers who want to take charge of their birth experience.

Hosted by Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins, a practicing, board-certified OB/GYN with

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4.8

638638 ratings

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FAQs about Birth With Power:

How many episodes does Birth With Power have?

The podcast currently has 447 episodes available.

Birth With Power episodes:

October 08, 2024Ep 275: What EVERYONE Who’s Pregnant Needs To Know About The NICU with Mary Farrelly, RN
This episode may be about the NICU but it’s for any and every person who’s having a baby. The reason I say that is because it’s actually way more common than you think that a baby needs to receive intensive care. Nearly 40% of babies who go to the NICU are full-term.
As a mom of two NICU babies, let me tell you: it’s the NICU nurses who are at your side. NICU nurses are angels and today’s guest is one! Mary Farrelly, a certified NICU nurse and trained doula, is leading the way in helping parents navigate the NICU journey. You know I always say it’s important to listen to real experts - and today’s guest is exactly that!
In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:
What NICU stands for and what the levels are
Why babies go to the NICU
What NICU nurses do and what training is required
How to include the NICU in your birth plan
Why blending NICU nurse and doula roles benefits families
Which procedures are commonly used in the NICU
What emotional support looks like for families post-NICU

--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode275
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 BetterHelp and get 10% off: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Bobbie: https://www.hibobbie.com
* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month : https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE
* Check out the sale at Avocado Green Mattress: https://AvocadoGreenMattress.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
...more
56min
October 01, 2024Ep 274: Martha’s Birth Story - Low Intervention Hopes, High Intervention Reality, and Joy Despite It All
Martha hoped and prepared for a low intervention birth and ended up getting just about every intervention! She tried everything to get labor to start on its own but she ultimately was induced at 41 weeks. After 40 hours of labor with no pain medication other than nitrous oxide, she opted for an epidural. Soon after she was advised to get a non-emergency C-section because unfortunately things had plateaued.
The C-section was fortunately not traumatic but it was the opposite of what she wanted. Her postpartum was beautiful but she also needed time to grieve the loss of the birthing experience she had hoped for. Today, she is feeling grateful to be bonded with her baby and wants listeners to take this story as a reminder that even if you have a challenging pregnancy and birth you can have a joyful and "easy" postpartum.
In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:
How she was envisioning her birth when she was preparing for it
Why she opted for midwives in a hospital setting
How she bargained for specifically 41 weeks and 3 days
Which methods she used to try and induce labor
Why she preferred Cytotec to Cirvidil
Whether a balloon or Pitocin were helpful
Why she said yes to an epidural and how she responded to it
What doctors mean when they refer to your baby as “sleepy” during labor
Why she was grateful her doctor used a clear curtain during the C-section

--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode274
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 BetterHelp and get 10% off: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Bobbie: https://www.hibobbie.com
* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month : https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE
* Check out the sale at Avocado Green Mattress: https://AvocadoGreenMattress.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
...more
1h 6min
September 24, 2024Ep 273: Bringing Miscarriage Out Of The Shadows
This episode was inspired by a message from long-time listener Sierra. She has experienced multiple miscarriages and, though she appreciated the episodes I have done discussing pregnancy loss, there are some issues specific to recurrent miscarriage that I haven’t gotten into yet. Sierra says “You've had some women who gave birth stories that had elements of miscarriage or infertility, but most of the discussions with them focus on the living children they had afterwards.”
A successful pregnancy following miscarriage is the norm, it’s true. But for some, that’s not the full story. If you’re going through this painful experience, I hope this episode brings you both practical information and reassurance that you’re not alone. Even if you don’t think this episode applies to you, don’t shy away from it out of fear. Staying informed is empowering, not tempting fate!

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:
What the difference is between miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage
How common single miscarriage is compared to recurrent
What causes are often behind pregnancy loss
Which treatment options are available
How likely a successful pregnancy is after miscarriage
What the emotional impact of a pregnancy loss can be
How to support someone who’s had a miscarriage
What to say to someone who has recently experienced loss

--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode273
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 BetterHelp and get 10% off: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Bobbie: https://www.hibobbie.com
* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month : https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE
* Check out the sale at Avocado Green Mattress: https://AvocadoGreenMattress.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
...more
38min
September 12, 2024 Eating and Drinking In Labor - It’s fine!
Medical recommendations surrounding eating and drinking in labor are evolving, but not quite where they should be.
In this episode learn the rationale for restricting eating and drinking in labor, why it's outdated, what our current guidelines are, and my evidence based recommendations for eating and drinking in labor.
Join my next FREE LIVE birth plan class! - drnicolerankins.com/birthplan

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 and get 10% off: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Bobbie: https://www.hibobbie.com
* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month : https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE
* Check out the sale at Avocado Green Mattress: https://AvocadoGreenMattress.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
...more
16min
September 10, 2024Ep 272: Nicole’s Birth Story - An Empowering VBAC Followed By a Five-Week NICU Stay
Nicole (yes, another Nicole!) is here to share her empowering story of a successful VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) followed by a challenging postpartum. Because she was intentional about her care team, she set herself up for success in the ways that she was able to control.
However, nobody could control the liver issues her daughter would experience after birth. It took four hospital transfers and a five-week stay in the NICU before her baby was stable enough to come home. While Nicole’s birth story had a different ending than she expected, she took on the challenges with incredible strength and patience.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:
Why Nicole needed a C-section with her first baby
How she set herself up for a successful VBAC
How her doula brought the whole birthing team together
Why it was worth the effort for Nicole to find the right doctor
How long she labored and pushed after induction
When medical staff realized that baby’s health problems required a hospital transfer
Why her daughter required so many hospital transfers and how far she was taken for care
How long she spent in the NICU
How the community around Nicole and her family supported her through this difficult time

--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode272
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 BetterHelp and get 10% off: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Bobbie: https://www.hibobbie.com
* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month : https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE
* Check out the sale at Avocado Green Mattress: https://AvocadoGreenMattress.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
...more
50min
September 05, 2024 Listener Q&A - how many contractions are too many and what is terbutaline??
In this short episode I'm answering this listener question from Cat!
"Hi Dr. Nicole! Long time listener & love your podcast!!. Question for you - a friend of mine recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl but unfortunately her birth didn't go as planned. She got to the hospital at 7.5cm, got an epidural, and then they told her she was "having too many contractions, 5 in 10 mins, and the limit is 6" so they gave her Terbutaline/Brethine to slow down her labor. I have listened to hundreds of birth stories and never heard of this! Then, of course, her labor stopped progressing, so they gave her pitocin a few hours later and well... you know what happened after that. I'm curious if you could do a short episode on the drug they used to slow down labor? Curious how common it is and learning more about the 6 contractions in 10 minutes rule? I definitely had more than that with both of my births, but maybe it's because I didn't have an epidural? Thanks so much!"
If you have a question that you want me to answer, shoot me a DM on Instagram @drnicolerankins!

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 and get 10% off: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Bobbie: https://www.hibobbie.com
* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month : https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE
* Check out the sale at Avocado Green Mattress: https://AvocadoGreenMattress.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
...more
16min
September 03, 2024Ep 271: The Pain of a C-Section Without Anesthesia with Author Rachel Somerstein
In this episode I’m chatting with Rachel Somerstein about her traumatic experience having a C-section without adequate anesthesia. Already a professional journalist, this experience led Rachel to write her first book, Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section. In Invisible Labor Rachel weaves her personal narrative and investigative journalism with medical, social, and cultural history to reveal the surprising evolution of the cesarean section: from its days being practiced on enslaved and “unfit” women, to the ways modern technology promotes its overuse.
It’s very common not to prepare for the possibility of a cesarean birth (Rachel didn’t). Even if you are completely healthy and it seems unlikely, you need to understand that a C-section is possible. If you want to know which questions to ask in order to understand if it’s medically necessary and what your options are, you need to be educated on all potential outcomes.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:
Why Rachel didn’t plan for a C-section
What happened when she told her OB she wasn’t numb during surgery
How this experience affected her ability to bond with her new baby
What long-term effects she experienced as a result of her traumatic birth
How therapy helped her discover that she wanted a second baby but fear was holding her back
Why it’s important to find a care team that enthusiastically supports your decision to try for a VBAC
What challenges came with giving birth in 2020
How her recovery was different in her first versus second birth
How she processed her internalized stigmas about cesarean birth

--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode271
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 BetterHelp and get 10% off: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Bobbie: https://www.hibobbie.com
* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month : https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE
* Check out the sale at Avocado Green Mattress: https://AvocadoGreenMattress.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
...more
56min
August 29, 2024Listener Q&A - Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and pregnancy
Lauren DMed me on Instagram and asked me to talk about CMV and pregnancy so here it is!
In this short episode you'll learn
What is CMV
How it’s transmitted
How it can impact pregnancy
How it’s diagnosed
How it can be prevented or treated

If you have a question you want me to answer in an upcoming episode, shoot me a DM on Instagram @drnicolerankins!

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 and get 10% off: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Bobbie: https://www.hibobbie.com
* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month : https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE
* Check out the sale at Avocado Green Mattress: https://AvocadoGreenMattress.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
...more
12min
August 27, 2024Ep 270: Ginny’s Birth Story - A Joyous Labor Induction
Ginny had an elective labor induction that went so smoothly she calls it a “dream.” But that doesn’t mean that everything about her pregnancy experience was easy. Multiple people in her personal life experienced birth-related complications while Ginny was pregnant including stillbirth. This caused Ginny a lot of anxiety. Also, she struggled with depression - both during pregnancy and postpartum.
Learn how Ginny was able to successfully navigate these challenges in this great episode!
In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:
Why Ginny scheduled an induction
What subchorionic hemorrhaging means
How she initially felt about induction
How she made her hospital room feel like home
Which induction medications and pain management she received
How the epidural made her feel
What made her so happy with her birthing team
How work helped Ginny find herself after pregnancy
--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode270
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 BetterHelp and get 10% off: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Bobbie: https://www.hibobbie.com
* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month : https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE
* Check out the sale at Avocado Green Mattress: https://AvocadoGreenMattress.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
...more
43min
August 22, 2024 What you need to know about epidurals for pain relief in labor
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!

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 and get 10% off: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Bobbie: https://www.hibobbie.com
* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month : https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE
* Check out the sale at Avocado Green Mattress: https://AvocadoGreenMattress.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
...more
19min

FAQs about Birth With Power:

How many episodes does Birth With Power have?

The podcast currently has 447 episodes available.

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