All About Pregnancy & Birth Dr. Nicole C. Rankins

Dr. Ream describes first-time parenthood as an experience that rocked her world. When she found herself crying and screaming because her baby wouldn’t fall asleep, she knew she needed to seek help. Of course, she had heard of postpartum anxiety and depression but postpartum rage was something she hadn’t been prepared for.
When she went looking for support and didn’t turn up much, she decided to solve the problem herself. She is a licensed clinical psychologist who completed additional training to specialize in perinatal mental health. After that, she went on to found Psyched Mommy, the largest social media platform focusing on perinatal mental health. Postpartum rage and anger isn't something that we talk about enough –or even at all– so I'm really excited that we are diving into this important topic today!
In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:What defines postpartum rageHow it relates to postpartum depressionWhat makes some people more susceptibleHow shame can prevent parents from seeking helpWhat the cycle of anger isHow sleep fits into the equationWhy it’s important to look at anger as a “check engine light”What steps can be taken to address rage--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode264
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Erica experienced two miscarriages prior to the birth story we're going to hear today. After over a year and a half of heartbreaking loss, this pregnancy was completely normal - no nausea, no sickness, no pain.

Now at 38 weeks, some symptoms developed that caused her doctor to recommend induction. Erica wanted an unmedicated birth and you’re going to learn all about how she used movement for pain management in this great episode. I felt so inspired by her strength and I know you will too!
In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:Why Erica’s OB recommended inductionWhich medications were used to induce laborWhy she felt unhappy with the initial on-call doctorHow she describes the sensation of her water breakingWhat made her feel better about the new doctor at shift changeWhy the presence of a travel nurse trained as a doula was serendipitousWhy she opted for a hands-and-knees birthing position--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode263
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Real talk: things have been a little crazy for me these past couple weeks and I didn’t have an opportunity to record a new episode. So, I decided to pick one of my favorites to replay: physiologic birth.
The reason I chose this is because it’s a term that gets mentioned a lot on social media but doesn’t get defined. It’s also a term that -quite honestly- I didn’t fully understand before I made this episode. I learned a lot when I researched and wrote this episode and I know you will too.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:-How normal physiologic birth is defined
-Which factors disrupt physiologic childbirth
-What are the benefits of normal physiologic birth
-Whether any one position should be mandated or prescribed
-What are the factors that influence physiologic birth
-Why it’s vital for your medical team to support your wishes
-What makes it necessary to intervene

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode190
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It’s a miracle that today’s guest, Kayleigh Summers, is even alive. She is an amniotic fluid embolism survivor and went into cardiac arrest twice during labor. When you hear her story, you’re going to be blown away.
This lived-experience led her to center her career around perinatal trauma. As a licensed clinical social worker, she is supporting families experiencing perinatal trauma and has created a thriving community where survivors can feel less alone.
In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:What birth trauma is and what causes itWhat the symptoms areHow to determine whether or not an experience qualifies as “trauma”How to work through traumatic experiencesWhat EMDR stands for and how it worksWhat role medication plays in treatmentHow a postpartum plan can help prevent birth trauma--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode262
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Sometimes a “beautiful” birth doesn’t mean getting what you wanted - it means making the right decisions for yourself along the way. After being stuck at 5 cm for TWELVE HOURS, Nicole decided that it was time to change course. I’ll give away that she did have a vaginal birth, but it was nothing like she planned or anticipated.
In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:Why Nicole eventually agreed to a low dose of pitocinWhat happened when the pitocin was increasedWhether or not her water brokeHow her partner supported the decision to get an epiduralWhat made her so happy with the anesthesiologistHow quickly she progressed after the epiduralWhy doctors were concerned about her baby’s heart rateHow a lactation consultant helped with breastfeeding issues--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode261
Check out The Birth Preparation Course
Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way


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Group B strep, or GBS, is a relatively common bacterial infection found in the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts. Most people can be carriers and not have any symptoms. However, GBS can present problems for newborns and during pregnancy.
I’m doing this episode because some changes have been made since I first covered this topic back in 2019. In 2022 the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) updated guidelines for testing and treating GBS. Staying informed and up-to-date is the best way to keep yourself and your baby safe.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:What group B strep–GBS–is and why it mattersHow common it is and what the chances are that you may be a carrierWhich risk factors increase the likelihood of GBS colonizationHow it can affect pregnancy and newbornsWhat methods are used to screen for and treat GBSWhat the long-term implications can beWhether probiotics have been proven to be effective--
Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode260
Check out The Birth Preparation Course
Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way


Our Sponsors:
* Practice love every day with Paired, the #1 app for couples. Download the app at https://www.paired.com/DRNICOLE


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