All About Pregnancy & Birth

Dr. Nicole C. Rankins
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All About Pregnancy & Birth

You're not alone in your uncertainty about this monumental life stage of pregnancy and birth. If you’re ready to replace the overwhelm of late-night Googling with expert conversations and stories of strength and positivity from women just like you — join us on the top-rated All About Pregnancy & Birth podcast. The All About Pregnancy & Birth podcast is your place for supportive, evidence-based information from Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins, an OB/GYN physician who’s been in practice for over 20 years and has helped nearly 2000 babies into this world. You’ll also learn from innovative experts and hear stories of strength and resilience from parents and moms-to-be experiencing the same overwhelm and excitement as you.

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Ep 282: Gestational Diabetes - Understanding and Managing It For A Healthy Pregnancy

    Did you know that almost one in ten pregnancies in the United States is affected by gestational diabetes? While that might sound scary, the good news is that with the right information and care, people with gestational diabetes will most likely have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. When it’s time to be screened, don’t focus on “passing” the test. If you have gestational diabetes, you want to know so you can treat it effectively. Many people can manage it with dietary changes so don’t stress too much if you don’t get the results you want. Just take the test - then manage the results with confidence. Listen to this episode to help you! In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:What gestational diabetes is and how common it isWhat complications it can pose for parent and babyHow glucose tests are used in diagnosisHow pregnancy hormones can affect blood sugar levelsHow GDM is treated: both with and without medicationHow it affects pregnancy and birth managementWhat its lasting effects can be-- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode282 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right Way Our Sponsors: * Check out Mochi Health at joinmochi.com and use my code DRNICOLE to get $40 Off! * Check out Ritual! Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    40 min

  2. 6 DAYS AGO

    Low Intervention Hospital Birth - Story Time!

    I have a FANTASTIC Black Friday Sale coming! Join my email list at drnicolerankins.com/email so you'll be the first to get notified! You've heard of low intervention birth but what does it mean? In this episode I share how a low intervention birth under my care unfolded. Here's a peak - 8 AM - cervical check and 4 cmIntermittent monitoring, saline lock, moving, eating and drinking8 PM - second cervical check and 6 cmstarting pushing at 1130 PMand listen to hear the rest! Our Sponsors: * Check out Mochi Health at joinmochi.com and use my code DRNICOLE to get $40 Off! * Check out Ritual! Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    12 min

  3. 19 NOV

    Ep 281: Protecting Pregnancy Rights at Work with Women’s Rights Attorney Jack Tuckner and Attorney & Doula Catherine Crider

    Did you know the U.S. is one of just four countries in the world - and the only developed nation - without guaranteed paid maternity leave? While we’ve made great strides in workplace fairness, the fight for equity is far from over. In a country where pregnancy can still jeopardize someone’s career, these protections are more crucial than ever. That’s why advocates like today’s guests are so important. Jack Tuckner is a workplace rights attorney who specializes in gender discrimination, including pregnancy-related issues, and Catherine Kreider is a lawyer and doula. Through their legal work and advocacy, they’ve been instrumental in advocating for laws like the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and strengthening protections for expectant workers. Make sure you know your rights, document everything, and don’t hesitate to seek out a local attorney if you need support - advocacy starts with awareness! In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:What constitutes pregnancy discrimination in the workplaceWho qualifies for protections under the Pregnant Workers Fairness ActWhy documenting workplace interactions is critical for protecting your rightsWhen and how to notify your employer about your pregnancyHow to request accommodations during pregnancyWhether state or federal laws provide better protections for pregnant workers-- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode281 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right Way Our Sponsors: * Check out Mochi Health at joinmochi.com and use my code DRNICOLE to get $40 Off! * Check out Ritual! Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    59 min

  4. 14 NOV

    Listener Q&A - Maybe my cervix doesn’t dilate all the way??

    In this shorty episode I answer this listener question from Kate. And if you want me to answer a question for you DM me on Instagram @drnicolerankins or shoot me a message on my website contact form! "I was checked at 5 cm, started feeling pressure after a few hours, and then a really strong urge to push after another few hours. I was unmedicated, so I could really feel those sensations, but was told to push against this urge and, I quote, ""hold it in"" because I was only at 8 cm and that I would tear my cervix if I pushed. This kept going for about an hour, at which point they called the doctor, who said, I quote again, “8, maybe 9, I guess you could push if you want to”. I wasn’t really able to talk, so I just pushed and everything went well. But then I started wondering why my body would give me such a powerful urge to push if it was too early. Is it possible that 9 cm was as far as my cervix would dilate? I’m a really small person, does that play a role? Does everyone get as far as 10? I’m curious and would love to hear more about this." Our Sponsors: * Check out Mochi Health at joinmochi.com and use my code DRNICOLE to get $40 Off! * Check out Ritual! Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    13 min

  5. 12 NOV

    Ep 280: Rachel’s Birth Story - Weaning Off Anxiety and Depression Meds

    Rachel always wanted to be a mother, but before she could begin that journey, she felt it was important to get off of depression and anxiety medication. After spending three months weaning off her meds, she very quickly got pregnant. Her pregnancy, although a source of great excitement, also brought unexpected difficulties, including two falls - and then her water broke during her baby shower! A breech baby, a failed turning procedure (external cephalic version), intubation during her cesarean for a “panic attack”, and more added up to a traumatic birth experience. Rachel gets a bit emotional and teary during her story and you can understand why. Her birth was definitely a challenge and there's so much to learn from her story. I cannot wait for you to hear it. In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:How Rachel and her psychiatrist created a plan to safely stop medicationWhat tactics she used to manage anxiety and depression symptomsHow limited food options triggered old disordered eating strugglesHow lower back and hip pain caused daily difficulties with mobilityWhy she wishes she would’ve chosen a different providerHow the epidural created a sensation of being unable to breatheWhy she underwent general anesthesia for her C-sectionWhat her healing process was likeWhether or not she’ll return to psychiatric medication-- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode280 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right Way Our Sponsors: * Check out Mochi Health at joinmochi.com and use my code DRNICOLE to get $40 Off! * Check out Ritual! Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    1h 3m

  6. 7 NOV

    My Evolving Thoughts On Hospital Birth - Has It Gotten Worse??

    In this short episode I address this really thoughtful comment from a listener - "I've noticed that Dr. Rankins' position statements have gotten stronger on the negatives of a hospital birth over time (in the year+ that I've been listening). For instance her opening introduction now frames hospitals as a system that "too often takes away power from women over what happens in their own bodies." When she first started I think this was phrased more as "it can undermine women" or something a little softer. I've noticed the types of guests she welcomes onto the podcast are also more likely to have this stronger mentality against/suspicious of/worried about hospital births. I guess I'm curious if this reflects a true change in Dr. Rankins' position as she continued to gain knowledge herself through the podcast community, or if this reflects her willingness to simply say what she's known more strongly now, or if this is a trend of worsening conditions in hospitals. And overall does Dr. Rankins feel that hospital births still provide an overall positive service to women (do the goods outweigh the bads, especially for women who come in prepared with some knowledge), or does she feel that the scales are now tipped more negatively? I guess an updated "bird's eye" view of the whole system in the US might be helpful for some of us trying to understand the overall context as we work through our individual choices available to us in our regions. (For context on myself, if it matters/helps, my first birth was unmedicated in a hospital setting with a doula -- the doula was excellent, the overall birth experience was just ok, the after birth care was very good.)" If you want to let me know your thoughts about the podcast head to drnicolerankins.com/survey! Our Sponsors: * Check out Mochi Health at joinmochi.com and use my code DRNICOLE to get $40 Off! * Check out Ritual! Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    16 min

  7. 5 NOV

    Ep 279: Nausea and Vomiting In Pregnancy - What To Do To Help

    Dealing with nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is no fun. You’ve probably heard of “morning sickness” but that’s a misnomer - queasiness can happen at any time of day (and during any stage of pregnancy too). The good news is, for most people, it’s nothing to worry about. Even though it’s uncomfortable (and sometimes downright miserable), it’s generally not harmful to you or your baby. In this episode, you’ll learn about triggers, warning signs, and relief options for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. It’s a challenging part of pregnancy, and it’s common so we need to talk about it! I’ll also touch upon hyperemesis gravidarum, which is when nausea and vomiting escalates to a more serious condition and a level of severity that requires more intense medical attention. In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:How common pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting areWhether symptoms can harm you or babyWhat some of the underlying causes areWhen digestive issues typically occur during pregnancyWhat hyperemesis gravidarum involves and how it’s handledHow pregnancy sickness is evaluated and treatedHow diet, acupressure, and ginger could helpWhich medication options are availableWhy cannabis isn’t recommended for symptom managementWhen to visit your doctor for help-- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode279 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right Way Our Sponsors: * Check out Mochi Health at joinmochi.com and use my code DRNICOLE to get $40 Off! * Check out Ritual! Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    36 min

  8. 29 OCT

    Ep 278: Jenna’s Birth Story - Expecting More Than Just “A Healthy Baby”

    How did a birth described as “a series of traumatic events” end up being the best experience of Jenna’s life? Despite all of the unexpected challenges, getting through the 65 hour labor and birth helped her find peace and confidence in her intuition.  Jenna’s story reminds us that it’s okay to feel both grateful to a medical team and to feel upset about how certain aspects of care were handled. It’s well beyond time to stop saying that “all that matters is a healthy baby”—the full experience matters, too. I’m so excited for you to hear Jenna’s journey and how she navigated this incredibly challenging birth. In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:Why Jenna booked a preconception consultationHow polyhydramnios and gestational diabetes affected the pregnancyWhy she opted for a 39-week inductionWhich interventions her team used to help progress laborWhat challenges her baby’s position presentedHow she managed through a failed epidural experienceHow her intuition and persistence led to an emergency C-sectionWhat an Erb’s Palsy diagnosis meant for her baby’s recoveryWhat role postpartum therapy played in reframing her experience-- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode278 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right Way Our Sponsors: * Check out Mochi Health at joinmochi.com and use my code DRNICOLE to get $40 Off! * Check out Ritual! Get 25% off your first month for a limited time at https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

    54 min
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About

You're not alone in your uncertainty about this monumental life stage of pregnancy and birth. If you’re ready to replace the overwhelm of late-night Googling with expert conversations and stories of strength and positivity from women just like you — join us on the top-rated All About Pregnancy & Birth podcast. The All About Pregnancy & Birth podcast is your place for supportive, evidence-based information from Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins, an OB/GYN physician who’s been in practice for over 20 years and has helped nearly 2000 babies into this world. You’ll also learn from innovative experts and hear stories of strength and resilience from parents and moms-to-be experiencing the same overwhelm and excitement as you.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Nicole C. Rankins
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2024
  • Episodes
    354
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    All About Pregnancy & Birth

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