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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

    --

    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

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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

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  • So many parents feel like they have to choose between sleep and breastfeeding and today’s guest, Hillary Sadler, says that's not the case - and she knows what she’s talking about! A registered nurse, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and mom of four, Hilary is a true expert in the art of balancing feeding and sleep.

    Getting enough sleep is going to be vital for your mental health. I’ve said it a hundred times and I’ll say it again: To have a healthy baby, you’ve gotta have a healthy parent. Do future-you a favor and understand the link between feeding and sleep before baby comes home.

    In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:How “quality, effective, efficient” feeds can impact sleepWhat the biological link is between feeding and sleepWhy you should think about your sleep goalsHow to maximize your newborn’s wake time What makes an efficient feeding patternWhat the five S’s areWhy you should approach day feeding and night feeding differently

    --

    Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode259

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  • For many parents, selecting where they’re going to give birth is an important part of the planning process. However, Jodi lives on a small island with only one hospital and didn’t have a choice in the matter.

    Though she and her baby are healthy, the birth was intensely challenging. Jodi’s pain went under-treated and many procedures were done without adequate communication. While I want to acknowledge that rural and remote medicine is complex, the pain Jodi suffered is unacceptable.

    In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:How long it took to get from Jodi’s home to the hospitalHow her “advanced maternal age” affected the care she receivedWhy she was unable to leave the bed during deliveryWhy doctors were in a hurry to get the baby outHow doctors could’ve done a better job of communicatingWhether forceps are still commonly usedWhat it was like for Jodi to experience an episiotomy & forceps delivery without adequate pain managementWhat steps were taken to deliver/remove the placenta

    --

    Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode258

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  • Normally the umbilical cord has 3 vessels - 2 arteries and one vein. What does it mean when your baby's umbilical cord has 2 vessels instead of 3? How do you know if this is a concern for your baby? I answer this listener question from Jessica in this episode!

    If you have a question you'd like me to answer, shoot me a DM on Instagram @drnicolerankins.



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  • In this episode, you'll learn all the tests that are recommended during pregnancy. I’ll break things down by trimester and talk about why the tests are done and what the results of the tests mean. You can use this information to prepare for upcoming tests or go back and ask questions about ones that were done in the past.

    The bulk of testing is done in the first trimester. Early screening is vital for the health of you and your baby. Healthcare doesn’t often focus on preventative care so use this opportunity to be proactive and plan ahead.

    In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:Which tests are recommended and done during pregnancyWhy you should register for access to your electronic medical recordsWhy we don’t want you to go into birth having low plateletsWhat happens in the case of an RH negative parent and an RH positive babyWhich conditions can be passed on from parent to babyWhy we screen for several STIsWhat we can learn from analyzing a urine sampleWhy genetic testing is doneWhat an anatomy scan looks forWhy it’s important to check for and address gestational diabetes

    --

    Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode257

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  • The term high risks gets used a lot and can mean very different things depending on your unique circumstances. Learn what "high risk" actually means as well as questions you need to ask if you've been told you're "high risk".

    Join me in my free LIVE class Make A Birth Plan The Right Way! Grab your seat at drnicolerankins.com/birthplan



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  • Mallory Whitmore knows her stuff about formula! She’s a certified infant feeding tech, leader of education at Bobbie–the only mom-founded and mom-run U.S. formula brand–and she’s the face behind The Formula Mom, an online platform for infant feeding info and support.

    To be clear, she’s not against breastfeeding, quite the opposite in fact! Her mission is to help parents make informed, confident, and supported infant feeding decisions–without guilt or shame. If that means all breastmilk, all formula, or someplace in between, all that matters is that your baby gets the nutrition they need!

    In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:How formula compares to breast milkWhich “bioactive components” are found in breast milkWhat parents should look for in a formula - ignore the marketing hype!What types of formula are availableHow to figure out which formula is right for youWhat signs can indicate a formula is not working for your babyHow long you should give it before you switch to a different formulaHow to feed a combination of breastmilk and formulaWhat actually makes DIY formula riskyWhy it’s so important to destigmatize formula feedingWhat the difference is between absolute risk and relative risk

    --

    Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode256

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  • Making a birth plan is a really important part of helping you have the birth you want. A birth plan helps you think through the things that you want for your birth and communicate your wishes with your birth team. To make the most of your birth plan, be sure to ask your doctor the 4 key questions you'll learn in this short episode!

    And to learn 4 more questions to ask as well as how to approach the process, tips to get your doctor and nurses to pay attention and what to include, join me in my FREE LIVE class Make A Birth Plan The RIGHT Way. Register at drnicolerankins.com/birthplan



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  • Amy had what she calls an "easy pregnancy". The birth was the difficult part. Her labor came on quickly and then stalled. While hospital staff nudged her along by breaking her water and administering Pitocin, it became clear that something was wrong.

    Amy was sick - she was showing symptoms of infection. As she faded in and out of consciousness, her family and care team discussed the options. Eventually it was decided that a C-section was the best choice.

    After birth, Amy didn't get her “TV moment" with her baby. Her son was taken to the NICU and she had to spend a week in the hospital. Once they were reunited, it was still difficult to feel connected. She wanted to share her story to help others feel less alone. I guarantee you, you are going to be on the edge of your seat and really learn a lot from Amy's birth story.

    In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:How long Amy and her partner worked to get pregnantWhat a “push prep” class is and why Amy recommends itWhy she describes the attending physician as “not friendly”How infection symptoms can affect a pregnancyWhy she considers her breastfeeding experience “a miracle”How therapy helped Amy cope with difficult postpartum feelings

    --

    Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode255

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  • Dysmorphic milk ejection reflex, also known as D-MER, is a condition experienced by lactating women and individuals where you feel a sudden, brief, and very intense negative emotional response just before milk letdown or release.

    Learn about this important and underrecognized condition in this short episode.

    Join me LIVE on April 30th for my FREE class - Make A Birth Plan The RIGHT Way! Grab your spot at drnicolerankins.com/birthplan



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  • This episode is being released during Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17). Black Maternal Health Week was created by The Black Mamas Matter Alliance, a national coalition created to ensure all Black Mamas have the rights, respect, and resources to thrive before, during, and after pregnancy.

    In this episode you’re going to learn about pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality. Specifically, you’ll learn about the racial disparities in obstetric care as well as causes and solutions. You'll also learn how to keep yourself safe and how to help other pregnant people, too.

    In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:How maternal morbidity and mortality are definedHow many people die from pregnancy-related causes each yearHow morbidity and mortality rates vary by raceWhy focusing on Black Mamas is essentialHow to interpret maternal data correctlyWhat the most common causes are of pregnancy-related deathWhat you can do to help

    --

    Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode254

    Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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  • Black Maternal Health week is April 11-17th!

    In this short episode I'm sharing some facts about Black Maternal Health.

    As I've done before, during Black Maternal Health week I'm collecting donations to giveaway spots in my online childbirth education class, The Birth Preparation Course. I'd love for my community to come together and donate enough to give away 10 spots! Please donate whatever you can at drnicolerankins.com/help.



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  • I love connecting you with other physicians who have a real heart and passion for caring for people and that’s exactly what you’re going to get in this episode with Dr. Jess.

    Since she was 10 years old, Dr. Jess Daigle (@momandme_md) knew she wanted to be a pediatrician and neonatologist. Now a board-certified pediatrician and CEO of Mom & Me MD, a concierge practice that focuses on providing in-home care and support for moms and babies after a NICU stay, she has made that dream a reality and then some.

    Dr Jess’s dedication to NICU care is rooted in her own challenging experiences with pregnancy and birth including a loss at 19 weeks and bedrest for 65 days followed by a preterm birth with her second pregnancy. Her passion and commitment for her work really shines through in this episode and you can’t help but listen to her and think “Man, I would love for her to be my doctor!”.

    We have a great conversation about 5 areas to prepare for when you’re having a baby (mom, baby, relationships, household, and career) as well as the importance of advocating for oneself and asking questions.

    In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:How Dr. Jess’s personal experience shapes the kind of physician she isWhy she wishes she would’ve done things differently after pregnancy lossWhat makes Mom & Me MD different from other postpartum care servicesWhich unique emotional struggles affect families with babies in critical careWhat “fourth trimester” refers to and how this period can be more challenging for NICU parentsHow to create a postpartum “9-1-1 Crew”Why you should prepare for postpartum while you’re still pregnant

    --

    Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode253

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  • In this short episode I answer this question from Bailey:

    I was wondering if you could speak on partial-molar pregnancy in your podcast? My husband and I recently lost our baby due to this and I had to go through with a d&c, and this was something I hadn’t heard of until it happened to us. Thank you.

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



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  • Andrea planned an induction at 39 weeks, but things didn't go as anticipated. She thought that her water broke just after 38 weeks and went to the hospital. It turned out that it didn't, but her blood pressure was high and her baby had turned to a transverse position - which is basically going across the uterus - and no matter how hard we try, a baby is not going to fit through the vagina that way. So she ended up having to have a C-section.

    A lot of things did not go great with her experience. Quite honestly, some of the things she experienced were just plain awful. Most of the nurses were great but one in particular made her feel like she was failing as a mom. Plus there were some other not ideal experiences which she’ll explain in the episode. These experiences resulted in postpartum depression and anxiety.

    Now, despite those challenges, she's also going to share how she’s taking care of herself now. Working with a postpartum coach and a pelvic floor physical therapist have helped her grieve the vaginal birth she wanted but didn't have.

    In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:Why she referred to her prenatal doctor’s visits as “conveyer belt care”How insurance limited what services she had access toHow connecting with other expectant parents, both online and in person, helped her through a difficult pregnancyWhich symptoms she experienced (basically every one you can imagine)How she felt when she realized she wasn’t going to have a vaginal birthWhat her c-section felt likeWhat made her unhappy with her lactation supportHow medication has helped with her postpartum depression

    --

    Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode252

    Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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  • Stop fighting and listen to your body! This doesn't mean what you think.....

    Make A Birth Plan The RIGHT Way - Free Class!

    Check out The Birth Preparation Course and get calm, confident, and empowered for your birth.

    If you like this podcast please support it at drnicolerankins.com/support.



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  • Amniotic fluid (AF) is the liquid that surrounds your baby after the first few weeks of pregnancy. An adequate amount of amniotic fluid is absolutely, positively critical for fetal health. If it’s too low, there can be a risk of severe fetal deformations, umbilical cord compression, and in extreme cases, fetal death. On the other side, if it’s too high, there’s a range of other fetal disorders that can occur affecting both you and your baby. Neither extreme is very common, but they both require monitoring and special care.

    In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:What the purpose of amniotic fluid isWhat it is made up ofWhere it comes fromHow it is measuredHow low and high AF can affect development

    --

    Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode251

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