On today?s episode you?re going to learn about labor induction. I covered this topic 3 years ago and there is new information in this updated episode. I get a lot of requests to talk about this and I get why. It?s one of those topics that makes a lot of pregnant people nervous. You may have heard horror stories about induction and pitocin. Plus there?s concern about the cascade of interventions or increasing the risk for c-section - so I get it. And on today?s episode I will answer your questions and shed some light on what labor induction is all about!

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-What labor induction is

-Why labor may be induced (you?ll be surprised to hear that there are only 2 reasons)

-When induction is NOT appropriate

-How labor is induced and the efficacy of different methods

-What constitutes a failed induction

-Which questions to ask before being induced

 

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode183

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Megan is here to share her experience of moving cross country during her pregnancy, having to find a new OB, and then needing to be induced at 39 weeks. Although things didn't go exactly as she would have liked she was ultimately very happy with her experience and she says a big part of that was because of the education that she got from being a member of The Birth Preparation Course!

We talk a lot in this episode about the shortcomings of the American healthcare system when it comes to pregnancy and birth. Even with the best care staff you?re oftentimes very much on your own. Megan does a great job of exemplifying how to pick up where medical care leaves off by educating herself and asking others in her community for help.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-What made Megan choose to sign up for the birth prep course

-How Megan got proactive with her birth experience

-What it was like for Megan to have PUPPP

-What cholestasis is and how it affected Megan?s pregnancy

-How childbirth education helped Megan to understand vacuum assisted delivery and feel more confident when it came time to make that decision

-How she worked through breastfeeding issues

-When she decided it was time to be done with nursing and how that made her feel

 

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode182

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Hearing the word ?hormones? is a bit like nails on a chalkboard to an OB/GYN. There is so much misinformation out there that it?s hard not to feel skeptical about this topic. However, today?s guest, Dr. Heather Rhodes, takes a balanced, science-based approach to her work that I find really refreshing.

Dr. Rhodes is a holistic pharmacist with a passion for women's health. Haven?t heard of a ?holistic pharmacist? before? Neither had I! She?ll tell you all about it in the episode - essentially it means that she?s taking what she learned form pharmacology and applying it to holistic hormone healthcare. I love getting to the root cause of issues and her approach is all about treating the cause more than the symptoms.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-Why Heather chose to classify herself as a holistic pharmacist

-What made her decide to focus her work on hormone balance

-Which hormones are most important for fertility and overall health

-How she defines hormone balance / imbalance

-Why she advocates for a combination of traditional and modern medicine

-How hormones are affected by our daily choices

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode181

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

The placenta is an incredible organ (that?s right, it?s an organ!). Developing soon after conception, it is your baby?s lifeline to your body - literally. Everything the fetus needs is delivered through the umbilical cord which is connected to the placenta.

Nutrients and oxygen are brought in while carbon dioxide and wastes are taken out. Hormones to regulate pregnancy are secreted and your body?s rejection of the fetus is prevented. All of this happens within the placenta. It?s really an amazing part of your body and I know you?re going to love learning all about it including what it does, the most common issues that can occur (placenta abruption, placenta previa, placenta accreta) as well as information about consuming the placenta, and lotus birth (where the placenta is left attached to the baby to fall off naturally). 

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-What the placenta is and what it does

-What happens when there are concerns with the placenta

-What the most common placental issues are

-What puts you at higher risk

-How common it is to have problems with the placenta

-What makes placenta accreta so dangerous

-Why some parents choose to consume the placenta

-What lotus birth is and whether it provides any benefits

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode180

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Deundria?s birth took a lot of unexpected twists and turns. She went into labor a month early, switched care teams at 34 weeks, and was diagnosed with COVID while in labor! But because she decided to pursue childbirth education during her pregnancy, she was able to roll with the punches.

This was her third pregnancy and she knew she wanted something different this time. After negative experiences with epidurals during her first two births, she decided to try for unmedicated this time. In order to do this successfully, she knew she needed childbirth education and she actually chose to take my birth plan class! What she learned helped her to make empowered decisions for herself and you?re going to hear all about that today.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-How the birth plan class helped Deundria spot red flags in her medical care

-What were some of those indicators that her medical team wasn?t a good fit

-What made the midwife prenatal care experience so much better

-How Deundria was treated differently by staff as soon as she received the positive COVID diagnosis

-How the medical team induced labor without pitocin

-How her doula helped her with pain management during birth despite the fact that she wasn?t allowed in the room

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode179

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

We talk a lot on this show about pregnancy and birth (of course!) but we don?t talk as much about what happens after that. That?s where today?s guest, Lindsay C. M. Garrett, LCSW comes in. An expert in the field of adoption, parent preparation, and child welfare, she has spent ten years supporting parents at The Gladney Center for Adoption.

Her background may be in adoption but no matter how you choose to approach parenthood she?s got great practical advice that I know everyone can find useful. This episode can hopefully remind you that it?s ok to feel your feelings and reach out to your support system.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-How the challenges of adoption inspired Lindsay to focus her career on preparing parents to have children

-Why it?s important to explore your fears leading up to parenthood

-How establishing strong communication with your partner beforehand can help in coparenting later

-What some specific strategies are for building a sustainable support system

-What are some ideas for things you can ask for when you reach out for help

-What it means to define your family?s mission statement and values

 

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode178

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

I?ve talked about advanced reproductive age before but I realized I?d never devoted an entire episode to it. After having a lot of requests for this subject, I decided to cover it today. More and more people are opting to delay parenthood. However there seems to be a commonly accepted myth that the minute you turn 35 you can no longer expect to have a healthy baby or a vaginal birth.

What defines a healthy age to get pregnant is on a spectrum. It depends on too many factors to list here so you?ll have to listen to the episode! The bottom line is that if you want to have a baby in your thirties, forties, or even fifties, you can likely expect positive outcomes!

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-How common it is to get pregnant over the age of 35

-Why some people are choosing to delay having children

-How the advancing of age can correlate to higher rates of miscarriage

-How age affects the prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities and congenital anomalies

-How preexisting conditions, especially hypertension and diabetes, can affect the chances of these issues

-What the effects are on morbidity and mortality

-How pregnancy care differs according to age

-How age affects rates of induction and c-section

-How children can benefit from being raised by older parents

-Why you should plan for your family?s future if you decide to get pregnant when you are older

 

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode177

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

This is really a great story of managing through a difficult and unexpected birth course. After a completely uneventful and easy pregnancy, around 37 weeks Christina felt like something just wasn?t right so she went to the hospital. She was subsequently diagnosed with something called HELLP syndrome, one of the most severe forms of preeclampsia. After being transferred to another hospital, she ultimately delivered via c-section and you are going to hear all about her experience today.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-How quickly and easily Christina and her husband got pregnant

-What it was like for Christina to be pregnant and working in-person during the height of COVID

-How staying active helped with her pregnancy symptoms

-Why she took an interest in hypnobirthing and what she did to prepare

-How she approached researching and getting ready for an unmedicated birth

-What HELLP syndrome is and how it is managed

-How Christina and her husband?s differing careers facilitate coparenting

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode176

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Ep 175: F the Snapback with Endocrinologist and Obesity Medicine Specialist, Dr. Katy Brown

 

This episode is being brought to you by Bamboobies. Use the code ?ALLABOUT? to get 40% of full price items through Oct 23.

Wouldn?t you want to learn about postpartum weight loss from an expert in weight management? Well you are in luck because that?s exactly who we have in today?s episode. Dr. Katy Brown is a board certified endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist and she is also a new mom!

I really like her approach because it comes from a place of gratitude rather than judgment. There?s no pressure to start early or lose quickly. Instead, it?s all about baby steps. Have patience with yourself and focus on what you?re already doing well. Your body just did something amazing!

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-Why postpartum weight management is important

-Why BMI is not a perfect tool for measuring health

-When you should start thinking about losing weight after giving birth - the answer may surprise you

-How much breastfeeding really impacts weight loss

-How many pounds you should realistically be losing per week

-How often it?s helpful to weigh yourself

-Who should seek the help of a care provider like Kate and what to expect

-How hormones actually do (and don?t) affect weight management

 

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode175

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

This episode is being brought to you by Bamboobies. Use the code ?ALLABOUT? to get 40% of full price items through Oct 23.

Today we?re talking about what happens if there is a suspicion that your baby is big. I originally did an episode about this back in 2019 but since then I?ve had so many people reach out and ask about this subject that I thought I should revisit it and update it.

I think it?s coming up more often because more doctors seem to be doing routine third trimester ultrasounds which actually aren?t necessary. These ultrasounds aren?t great at identifying whether or not your baby will be large and can lead to unnecessary interventions down the road. In this episode, we?ll get into the indicators you actually want to pay attention to and the outcomes and treatments you should be aware of for a suspected big baby.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-How much does a baby have to weigh in order to be considered ?big,? or having macrosomia

-What factors can increase the risk of having a big baby

-How macrosomia is diagnosed

-How accurate (and necessary) ultrasound screening is in identifying baby size

-Who should be getting screened

-What kinds of complications can be caused by having a larger baby

-How you can help yourself with some prevention strategies and management options

 

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode174

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

This episode is being supported by Bamboobies. Check out their amazing reusable nursing pads at bamboobies.com.

In this birth story episode, you?ll hear about Lauren and how she got both everything she wanted for her birth AND everything she didn?t want. After a beautiful birth that went smoothly, Lauren experienced a rare obstetric emergency called uterine inversion where the uterus turns inside out after birth. She lost a lot of blood and had to be rushed to the OR. Fortunately the repair went well and today she?s feeling grateful that the medical staff was able to save her life.

Now I?m going to be honest, sometimes I worry about sharing these rarer incidents because I don?t want to scare you or for you to think that I?m choosing more ?sensational? stories. But then I remember that I am here to share the truth of pregnancy, share the truth of birth. Knowledge is power and you need to know what the possibilities are. Not because you can control the outcomes but because being prepared can make scary situations less overwhelming.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-Why you shouldn?t let a low pain tolerance stop you from trying for an unmedicated birth; you don?t know what you can do

-How Lauren approached her birth wishes with flexibility

-Why she chose to have a doula and how it affected her birthing experience

-What an inverted uterus is and how it is repaired

-What makes an inverted uterus so dangerous

-What it was like for Lauren to recover from such a traumatic birth

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode173

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

 

This episode is being supported by Bamboobies. Check out their amazing reusable nursing pads at bamboobies.com.

So y?all I?mma be honest. I was straight fangirling about recording this interview. Dr. Chelsea Jackson Roberts is an internationally-celebrated Peloton yoga teacher and scholar. I?ve done dozens and dozens of Chelsea?s yoga and meditation classes so it was really special for me to be able to chat with her. She?s currently 30 weeks pregnant and has some really special insight about how yoga and meditation have helped her along the way.

The number one thing I?d like for you to take away from this episode is that yoga and meditation are for EVERYONE. Yes, that means you. You don?t have to come to the mat looking a certain way or be super flexible. Just start. Make the practice your own and find what feels good for you. 

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-What inspired Chelsea to shift from being an elementary school teacher to getting a PhD and becoming a yoga and meditation instructor

-How yoga helped her manage stress as a school teacher

-What inspired her to introduce mindfulness to the classroom and what the outcomes were

-How yoga can have a positive impact on kids

-What kind of training Chelsea went through to become an instructor

-What the benefits of yoga are during pregnancy specifically

-How yoga has helped Chelsea with her own changing body during pregnancy

-What the benefits are of simply breathing and being present

-How and why Chelsea incorporates all different genres of music into her classes

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode172

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Trigger Warning: this episode involves a full term baby dying 13 days after a home birth.

 

Today?s episode is obviously a difficult subject. I don?t talk much about home birth - if folks want to have a home birth I support that but it is not my lane. 

However I thought it was important to share this story for a number of reasons. Sometimes the potential complications of home birth are downplayed and although this is a rare thing that happened it?s important to share it.

Due to past medical trauma, Erica opted for a home birth. Her prenatal care was great. She got lots of attention and personal care that she may not have been able to get in a traditional setting. However, after the fact she began to realize that the potential dangers associated with home births had not been fully communicated. She was basically as prepared as an expectant parent could be but you just can?t know everything.

There are a LOT of lessons in here that apply to birth in general, as well as pregnancy loss in general. I know it can feel like even talking about these kinds of worst case scenarios will manifest them, but loss is not contagious. It?s important to have a dialogue around the scary parts of birth in order to be better prepared.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About: -What made Erica decide to have a home birth

-What research she did to prepare for her birth - it was a lot!

-How she felt that the potential dangers of home birth were minimized by her home birth care team

-What went wrong during her birth and how her care providers handled it

-When and why she was transferred to the hospital

-How hospital staff made her feel worse instead of better by not being trauma informed

-What her postpartum recovery was like - don?t forget that even if she doesn?t have her baby with her she still had to go through the same postpartum

-Why she?s choosing a scheduled cesarean for her next birth

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode171

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

In this episode of the podcast you?re going to learn what it means to be Rh negative and the implications for pregnancy. The short story is that Rh negative has to do with your blood type. If you?re Rh negative and your baby is Rh positive, it can potentially cause problems for the baby.

Alloimmunization is what occurs when an RH negative mom's immune system is exposed to the baby?s Rh positive cells. When this happens the mom's immune system may attack the baby's red blood cells.

There are effective treatments and not all exposure will necessarily result in alloimmunization however it?s very important to take this seriously. If you take one thing away from this episode it?s that prevention is key. It's the best thing to keep your baby safe.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-What the blood group systems are and what that means

-What the most common blood types are

-What alloimmunization is and when it occurs

-How to prevent it

-What are the fetal/neonatal consequences of alloimmunization

-What types of screenings are done

-What rhogan is, how it works, and the safety of it

-What can you do if alloimmunization has occurred

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode166

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

In honor of our family adopting a new dog, I decided to rebroadcast this episode about making sure your dog and new baby get along!

This is a delightful interview with Michelle Stern from Pooch Parenting. Michelle is a mom, certified dog behavior consultant and trainer, and a former teacher of 16 years. She uses positive-reinforcement based methods for training based on the latest science of animal learning and behavior, and she loves helping families create safe, loving and thriving homes for dogs and humans alike.

Michelle and I talk about why you absolutely need to have a plan for bringing your baby home and introducing them to your dog. We discuss ways to prepare your dog for baby's arrival, how to nip any potentially troublesome habits in the bud, and why it's important to protect your relationship with your dog even as your family changes.

We also chat about dog breeds and what you should look for when you're considering adding a dog to your young family. Michelle is so knowledgeable, practical and fun - you all are going to love hearing her expertise!

And if you're curious about our new dog, her name is Maggie and she's a lab/terrier mix that we adopted from a local shelter. Head to my Instagram (@drnicolerankins) to see some pics of her!

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About: -Concrete things you can do to prepare your dog for the arrival of your new baby -Why you need to make sure your dog is comfortable being behind a barrier before you bring baby home -What should happen on the day you bring the baby home and how to keep everyone safe & happy -Michelle's thoughts on dog breeds and young kids and what you should consider for when thinking about getting a new do -What the best time is to bring a new dog into your family -What to think about when getting a dog from a breeder versus from a shelter  

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode89

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

This episode is being brought to you by Ellement prenatal supplements.

I talk a lot about how all birth is natural and having a cesarean is no exception. I?ve had two myself, after all. Today?s guest, Meghan, opted for a semi elective gentle cesarean. In this episode she gets into what that looked like for her and why she made the decisions she did.

Now, Meghan?s birth story takes place in Texas. During her pregnancy she had a scare with a potential genetic issue. Her story brings into sharp focus how Roe v. Wade can directly impact the safety of birthing people and the decisions families are able to make. If you want to help, please support reputable organizations.

 

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About: -What a semi elective gentle cesarean is -Why Meghan chose to switch care teams early on and how it impacted her delivery -Why she encourages that everyone get an amnio (amniocentesis) if they want to - it?s pretty simple -Why she leaned towards a c-section from the outset -How she and her doctor made a birth plan together -How Meghan and her husband chose to incorporate working with a doula

 

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode166

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

I have been wanting to have a midwife on the show for a long time. It?s a big topic and I knew I had to get it right. That?s why I?m so thrilled to have Gianna Fay on the show today. Gianna Fay is a Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP-BC). She has been a part of 600+ births and has worked in a variety of settings including out of hospital birth centers, large hospital teaching facilities, smaller community hospitals and private practice.

Throughout her career, she has seen pregnant families struggle with navigating the maternity care system. Race and socioeconomic status impact every part of the delivery process and that can make getting the help of a midwife inaccessible for some. After having worked in so many different birthing settings, Gianna has decided to work within the hospital system so that she can make her skills and expertise available to everyone.

This episode is being brought to you by Ellement prenatal supplements.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About: -Why Gianna felt called to become a midwife -What types of practice models she has worked in -What people can expect when working with a midwife who is hospital based -How midwives and physicians work together -What the difference is between a midwife and a doula

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode166

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

This a special episode of the podcast where I?m extending the warmest of warm invitations to my brand new membership All About Pregnancy & Birth: The Inner Circle.

This is THE place to get the content, community, and connection you need to help you have the beautiful pregnancy and birth you deserve.

It?s evidence-based information taught by yours truly as well as a private supportive community that fosters peace, calm, and ease.

The membership is only open for a limited time at a low founding members price.  Head to drnicolerankins.com/innercircle to join today.

Warning: this episode contains discussion of pregnancy loss

Technology is going to increasingly become part of the way we live and the way that we care for ourselves physically and emotionally; smartphones are here to stay and it?s important to figure out how to use that technology to our advantage. And that?s why I?m so excited to chat with Simmone Taitt.

Simmone Taitt is the CEO and Founder of Poppy Seed Health, a telehealth app that offers a unique type of support for pregnant and postpartum people. Taitt comes to this work through the highly personal experience of navigating her own pregnancy loss in an inequitable medical system. Her work has been covered by Fast Company, Vogue, Insider, CBS Mornings with Gayle King, and more.

This episode is being brought you by Ellement Prenatal Supplements.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About: How Simmone?s personal experience with loss lead her to found Poppy Seed Health How the Poppy Seed app works What makes texting a great format for support Why the app offers support specifically from doulas, nurses, and midwives How equity is incorporated into the app How Poppy Seed Health makes sure people who don?t have resources have access to the app

 

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode166

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Hey there! I?m still on vacation this week and spending some time with my family so enjoy this rebroadcast birth story episode from Brooke. This is just a really lovely birth story of an unmedicated hospital birth.

Now I know you love birth stories because you tell me that those are your favorite episodes. So what if I told you that there will be a way for you to easily listen to all the birth stories? Or all the ones that are vaginal births? Or you can listen to all the birth stories that were an unmedicated birth? And not only that but you can get exclusive access to bonus birth story episodes? Well if that sounds like something you would love I?m going to be sharing all the details about it when I get back so make sure you?re subscribed and you tune in to hear all about it.

In the meantime enjoy this birth story episode with Brooke.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-Why Brooke decided to become a doula after her first pregnancy experience

-How a pelvic floor physical therapist helped her handle abdominal separation and improved her pushing during labor

-How Brooke prepared herself mentally for her birth, including with visualization and meditation

-What it was like giving birth with only her husband and doula present with the rest of her family on the phone

-How Brooke has felt postpartum and during her modified laying in period

-Why holistically prepping for your pregnancy will help you have the best experience possible while being prepared for the unpredictability of pregnancy and birth

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode93

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

 

Hey there! I?m on vacation this week and spending some time with my family so enjoy this rebroadcast episode of the podcast with birth photographer Tavia Redburn. I used to think that birth photography was a bit of a luxury, but the more I learned about it the more I started to think that all parents should consider whether they'd like to have a photographer present for their birth.

To talk about all things birth photography, we're joined by the wonderful Tavia Redburn. Tavia is a birth & newborn photographer in Oklahoma, and she also trains other new birth photographers. 

Tavia and I talk about her journey to birth photography, how her own births affect her approach to her work, and what you should ask a photographer before you hire them. She also talks about why new parents should consider hiring a photographer for their first birth, rather than wishing they had later. 

We also digress a bit and talk about some of the things Tavia has seen during the many labors and births she has been present at. She shares her own story and why it's so important to advocate for yourself at every point in your pregnancy and birth journey. 

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

How and why Tavia became a birth & newborn photographer  Why it's important to be clear about your expectations and wishes before your birth What the hiring process for a birth photographer is like Questions to ask a birth photographer before you hire them Some of the things Tavia has witnessed in her role as a fly on the wall during many labors and births Why you should consider hiring a birth photographer for your first birth

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode59

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

In this episode of the podcast, being brought to you by Ellement prenatal supplements, we have Tarynn sharing her birth story. Tarynn is actually one of the members of The Birth Preparation Course. Things didn?t go exactly as planned with her birth, in fact they went exactly the opposite. Now it would be easy for me to only share birth stories from course students where everything went great but that would be dishonest of me. The reality is that sometimes things don?t go as you?d like, despite having done great childbirth education. Birth is an unpredictable process that can?t be controlled. But that doesn?t mean childbirth education isn?t important. Tarynn was thankful for the podcast and Birth Preparation Course as they helped her adjust on the fly and do what was necessary to get her baby home safe.

Baby Eleanor and Tarynn are doing well now but it took some time to get there. In sharing her story Tarynn hopes she can help others learn the value in being adaptable and shine a light on what she calls that ?mama strength we all have inside of us?.

 

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-Why it?s ok to switch doctors if it doesn?t feel like a good fit

-How COVID affected Tarynn?s prenatal care and birth

-How Tarynn decided to be induced at the last minute - and why she has some regrets about that

-How her induction ended in an emergency C-section

-What happened when both she and her baby developed sepsis

-How her baby ended up in a NICU hospital nearly two hours away

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode166

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

This is the 3rd episode in a series about preterm birth. The first episode, 163, was about risk factors for preterm birth. 164 was about preterm labor which accounts for 40-50% of preterm birth. That episode covered what preterm labor is, how to recognize it, and how it?s treated. In this episode you will learn about preterm premature (or prelabor) rupture of membranes (PPROM).

 

Approximately one third of preterm births are associated with PPROM. Prelabor rupture of membranes, or PROM, refers to membrane rupture before the onset of uterine contractions - when this occurs before 37 weeks it is called PPROM. In this episode we?ll get into how common PPROM is and how it can be treated. Though the cause is unknown, there are risk factors that you can be aware of and ways to manage it that improve outcomes for your baby.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About: In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-What PPROM is and how common it is

-What the risk factors are

-How it?s diagnosed - it?s not always straightforward

-What warning signs to look out for

-What questions your doctor might ask if you are concerned you?re experiencing PPROM

-How your doctor determines the clinical course

-What ?expectant management? is

-What the outcomes for PPROM babies can be

 

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode164

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Preterm labor might not mean what you think it does. You?ll learn all about what it is (and isn?t) in this episode. This is the second in a three part series on preterm birth - you can go back and listen to the previous episode if you?d like to hear about some of the risk factors.

Now in today?s episode I?m not going to talk about what happens if you have a preterm birth, i.e. the outcomes for baby. Today is only about what happens when you experience preterm labor and how it is treated. Though preterm labor is one of the leading causes of preterm birth, it?s often treatable (50% of those who have preterm labor will not have a preterm birth) and you can go on and continue with your pregnancy relatively normally.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-What are the signs and symptoms of preterm labor

-When is it time to seek medical attention

-How is preterm labor diagnosed

-When is it better not to stop a preterm birth

-What are the medications used to stop labor (called tocolytics)

-What does recovery from preterm labor like

-What interventions are not proven to work

 

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode163

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Today?s episode is one that I?ve had in the works for quite a while. A lot of folks have been asking for it so I?m excited to bring you this episode about preterm birth. I will follow up this one with episodes on the two most common causes of preterm birth so stay tuned for those, as well.

Preterm birth is relatively common. There are some physical risk factors that you can't do anything about (like your height!) and there are behavioral factors that you are able to change, some more effective than others. Ultimately, there?s not a lot that we can do that will have an impact on whether you have a preterm birth or not but I?ll go over what we can.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-What is preterm birth

-How common is it

-What are some of the risk factors

-How does reproductive history impact level of risk

-What role do genetic factors play

-How does race affect the likelihood of preterm birth

-How to reduce risks

-What are some possible treatments

 

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode163

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

This is a difficult birth story episode. Molly experienced an induction before her due date, was denied an epidural at the hospital, and was denied the ability to get up and move around during labor despite having an uncomplicated pregnancy.

One of Molly?s regrets is that she took her doctor?s advice to skip birth education and birth planning. Molly felt blindsided by the twists and turns her birth took and wishes that she could have been more informed and confident so she could advocate for herself. She came away from the experience traumatized and disappointed in most of the interactions she had with hospital staff. In the end, though, Molly brought home her healthy baby daughter and gave her possibly the cutest name ever: Juniper.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-Why was Molly scheduled for an induction at 40 weeks

-What Molly wished she had known before having her induction

-What it?s like to have a negative reaction to pain medication

-How the attitude of staff can affect the overall birthing process

-How Molly handled latching issues with her baby

-What it was like coping with postpartum OCD

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode162

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

This is a really fun episode about music! I really do wish I had this information when I was pregnant. I know it feels natural for a lot of us to sing to our babies and it turns out there?s a reason for that. As our guest Vered Benhorin explains, there may well be some compelling science behind the benefits of music both before and after birth.

A mother of three, Vered knows a thing or two (or three!) about birth and babies. Music was a powerful tool for her in parenthood and was central to her pre-mom life. Now a music therapist and psychotherapist, she has developed classes and techniques for parents to integrate the power of song into their babies lives.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-How Vered?s path shifted from aspiring rockstar to musical mom

-How music helped her connect with her baby

-Why it is so beneficial to sing to your baby during pregnancy

-How songs can help in developing a routine

-How to choose what songs to sing

-How to reframe what makes a ?good? singing voice

-Why Vered recommends a labor playlist

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode161

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

In today?s episode you?re going to learn 9 tips for having an unmedicated birth. This is an episode I initially did over 3 years ago. From time to time I like to go back and revisit older episodes as new information comes out or I learn new things. So we are revisiting those 9 things with some additional tidbits of advice.

Why do I say unmedicated instead of natural? Well, because that?s what it is! It?s giving birth without medication (most often people mean without an epidural). All birth is natural - procreation, continuing the species, that?s natural. The way that you manage pain doesn?t affect whether it?s natural or not.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-What are some questions you should ask yourself before committing to an unmedicated birth

-Why unmedicated birth requires a commitment

-Why you need to communicate your wishes to your support team in advance

-What makes preparation so vital to an unmedicated birth

-Why it?s a good idea to stay home as long as possible

-How to know when it?s time to go to the hospital

-Why you want to stay with the pain instead of fighting it

-What are the advantages of seeking out a nurse who has experience with unmedicated birth

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode160

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Sydni had her son at 19 and is now 25. Even though Sydni?s story is from a few years ago, there?s still a lot to learn from it. She had her baby a little early at 36 weeks and you?ll hear about how, after a slower start, things went super fast - so fast it shocked her mother and caused her to faint at the hospital!

She had her baby at a young age and although it forced her to step up, her partner at the time didn?t necessarily do the same. She also found out that some of her friends weren?t necessarily true friends. But now Sydni?s getting ready to get married, she?s in school and happy and doing well. You really do become a new person after you have a baby and Sydni was really intentional about becoming a better version of herself which is amazing.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-How rotating through all of the doctors at the practice made Sydni feel comfortable giving birth with whomever was on staff

-What made Sydni opt for an epidural after having planned for an unmedicated birth

-What it was like to jump from 6cm to 9 ½cm in five minutes

-Why it?s ok to prioritize your wishes and needs over what your friends and family might want

-How and why she plans to do things differently with the next baby

-Who stayed in her life and who didn?t after she became a mom

-How she shifted her life from being a teen to being a parent

-How her baby inspired her to change for the better

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode159

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

The earlier you can start thinking about the postpartum period, the better. Just like all other parts of birth, everyone?s postpartum experience will be different. There are both physical and mood disorders that can affect some people. Oftentimes even experienced care providers can overlook planning for this crucial period and that?s why Nicole Makowka is here today. Nicole is a licensed marriage and family therapist and an expert in early childhood development. She is also the Head of Education & Wellbeing at LOOM - an online platform for sexual and reproductive wellbeing. She has developed postpartum curricula for LOOM and has a lot of wonderful insight into how to be better prepared for what comes after pregnancy and birth.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-Why you should talk to your doctor about postpartum care beforehand

-What are some common emotions people can feel postpartum

-How common is postpartum ambivalence  and why it?s completely ok

-Where is the line between what is tolerable and what is something that needs clinical attention

-What a ?collective care map? is and why it?s a good idea to create one

-Why you should feel empowered to ask those around you for help

-What is LOOM and how is it helping birthing people

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode158

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

This episode is about racial disparities in ob/gyn and its release coincides with Black maternal health week. Founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, BMHW is a week of awareness, activism, and community building intended to deepen the national conversation about Black maternal health in the US.

To be honest I?m actually a bit tired of talking about disparities. The problems and root causes are well documented yet things are getting worse. People don?t want to talk about racism or are actively trying to suppress efforts to talk about race. But not talking about it doesn?t make the underlying issues go away. Helping address this problem starts with LISTENING. So especially if you are not Black, take a moment and listen (I explain why I say this in the episode). I hope that by the end you have some empathy and the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

Also - if you are a Black woman, it?s ok to skip this episode. I understand that it can be traumatizing to repeatedly hear about these disparities.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-What does disparity mean

-What are the statistics on racial disparities in healthcare

-What are the causes of these disparities

-How racism affects care and outcomes

-What does the term weathering refer to

-How I have been personally treated differently on the basis of race

-Why it matters if you speak up about race in your own community

-How you can help (donate to the groups linked below!)

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode157

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

In this episode we?re talking about headaches in pregnancy. Headaches are common in general and also in pregnancy so I thought I?d tackle this topic. We will be focusing on primary headache syndromes today. A ?primary headache? is when the headache itself is the disorder, whereas a ?secondary headache? refers to one that is a symptom of an underlying issue. I do talk about when it?s time to take a headache seriously and talk to your doctor.

Primary headaches can be pre-existing (i.e., they began before pregnancy) or can occur for the first time during pregnancy, postpartum, or breastfeeding. Depending on what kind of headaches you suffer from, pregnancy may make the condition more or less severe. Both headache treatments and the headaches themselves can have an effect on your pregnancy so it?s important to learn about your options and make informed decisions.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-How common are headaches

-What are the different types of primary headaches

-What are the characteristics of the most common primary headaches

-How headaches can affect pregnancy outcomes

-What are some medication and non-medication treatments

-What are some preventative measures you can take

-What medications are safe to use while breastfeeding

-How to tell when a headache might be a sign of a more serious problem

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode156

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

I needed to take a little break this week but will be back next week with a brand new episode!

In the meantime DM me on Instagram with the word REST and I'll send you a coupon code to get a discount on The Birth Preparation Course! I'm on instagram @drnicolerankins. 

Take some time to REST if you need to and I'll see you next week!

Bad news, everyone: losing sleep is part of having a baby. However, the good news is that there are things you can do to help your baby (and you!) catch more of that oh-so-important shut eye. You can stick to a sleep schedule or have a special bedtime routine so your baby knows when it?s time to wind down. And for some, products may help, as well. 

Tara Willaims is a mom of four and the founder and CEO of Dreamland Baby. When she could not find a weighted blanket that her six-month-old could safely wear to help him sleep, she decided to create her own. The result was a doctor-approved, evenly-weighted, wearable sleep sack. Now, of course there is no one-size-fits-all sleep solution, but Tara created her company because it helped her baby sleep and it just might help your little one, too!

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-Why Tara started Dreamland Baby

-What is a sleep sack, what is a sleep swaddle, and what is the difference

-Why might it be helpful to use a sleep sack or a sleep swaddle

-Why might it be helpful to use a weighted sleep product

-What did Dreamland Baby do to ensure their product is safe

-What are some tips that new parents can use to promote better sleep for their newborns

-How to protect your sleep during the newborn period

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode155

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Just because an outcome is unlikely doesn?t mean it isn?t going to happen. Birth stories are entertaining and heart-warming, but don?t forget that they are also educational. Learning about other people?s births will expose you to different possibilities. And that?s exactly what today?s guest, Karrah, did.

A self proclaimed ?podcast junkie,? Karrah filled the time during her pregnancy with long walks while listening to birth stories - stories she heard on this podcast, actually! Even though her pregnancy went smoothly, she knew she couldn?t only plan for the birth that she wanted - she needed to think about all kinds of labor experiences. And it?s a good thing she did because her simple pregnancy ended in a very difficult labor.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-Why Karrah decided to go the OB route for her prenatal care

-How The Birth Preparation Course helped Karrah get ready for her birth

-Why you should consider all complications a possibility for you

-What methods Karrah tried in order to induce labor at home

-How hospital staff made her feel empowered

-How she used movement to ease labor pain

-What chorioamnionitis is and what it felt like for Karrah

-How difficult the process of healing from a third degree tear is

-How isolated Karrah felt in her experience with a physically and emotionally traumatic birth

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode154

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Today you?ll learn about what happens if your baby is breech. I originally talked about this three years ago and it came to mind because recently I did a surprise vaginal breech birth and after that I had folks saying they wanted to come to me with their breech babies so they could have a vaginal birth. I?d love to be able to see everyone who asked but breech birth is not that simple.

Now what does breech mean? Breech is when a baby?s butt is closer to the vagina than the head. It?s quite common in early pregnancy, however it?s actually a very small percentage of babies that are breech at term. Most breech babies are normal, however there are some malformations and mild deformations that can result. There are signs you and your doctor can look out for so you can choose the right management options. From turning the baby to cesarean, one way or another your birth team can help you have a happy and healthy baby.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-What is breech presentation

-How common is it

-What risk factors can increase the chances of having a breech baby

-What are the different types of breech presentation and why do they matter

-How to tell if your baby is breech

-What are the treatment options for managing a breech pregnancy

-What are some alternative methods you could try in order to turn your baby

-What happens after a breech birth

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode153

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Pregnancy doesn?t mean putting your fitness on pause. MacKenzie Rowand is a new mom and exercise specialist with 9Round. She has an extensive background in wellness and there?s a lot to learn from her personal journey with fitness and pregnancy. She continually had to change the way she ate and exercised during all parts of pregnancy and through recovery. Flexibility and meeting yourself where you are is the key to staying fit during pregnancy.

Your wellness during pregnancy is so personal. Don?t compare yourself to anyone else. Remember that you?re growing a whole person inside of you and give yourself some grace. What matters is that you get moving.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-How pregnancy changed MacKenzie?s exercise routine

-How her fitness helped in her labor, birth, and recovery

-When she decided it was time to get back to exercise after giving birth

-What her workout routine looked like postpartum

-How she felt about her new postpartum body

-How exercise can help with pregnancy, both mentally and physically

-Which exercises to do (and which exercises to avoid) during pregnancy

-Why you should listen to your body when exercising during and after pregnancy

-What are some nutrition recommendations for during and after pregnancy

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode152

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Brittany had a pretty long labor. It lasted for over 36 hours before she had a cesarean. She was induced at 39 weeks and 4 days by her own choice and with the support of her doctor. However, as we all know, birth does not always go according to plan. After the first few hours she had dilated to 3-4cm, but an entire day later she had not progressed.

What sticks out to me in this story is the care team Brittany had around her. They listened to and communicated with her and did not push her in any direction. When it came time for her to undergo a c-section, the doula was allowed to be in the OR with her, something that doesn?t happen very often. Even though her son had to be taken to the NICU after birth, she and her husband were given the opportunity to hold him first. This birth story shows that it?s truly worth the effort to find the right care team for you.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-Why it?s ok to choose a healthcare provider who you feel like you can relate to

-What made Brittany decide it was time to be induced

-What is placental abruption and how doctors detected it in Brittany?s case

-Why Brittany and her care team ultimately opted for a cesarean

-What the emotional impacts of feeding difficulties can be

-Why it?s so important to talk more about postpartum anxiety

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode151

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

In today?s episode I'm sharing 9 important tips to help you make sure you have the right doctor for you during your prenatal care. Emphasis on YOU because it really is going to be individualized to your unique needs. A doctor who may be great for one person may not be great for another. There is not a one size fits all approach.

In order for you to find the right doctor you?re going to need to ask a lot of questions and it?s very important that you ask the right ones. Think about what you want for your birth and then start searching for a doctor who can support those wishes. Always listen to your gut and remember that it?s your birth and your body - you deserve to have a doctor who supports you and makes you feel respected.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-How your choice in doctor can impact your overall birth experience

-How vital it is to listen to your gut when selecting an OB

-Why it?s better to switch doctors earlier on in your pregnancy rather than later

-Which questions should you ask when determining if an OB is right for you

-Why you should ask your doctor questions that require a specific and intentional answer as opposed to yes or no

-What broader aspects of your care are wrapped up in which doctor you choose

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode150

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

In this episode we?re talking to Ashley Greene who is a surrogate. I wanted to chat with her because I know I have a lot of listeners who are not yet pregnant and I thought it would be good to talk about this as an option to expand your family. There may also be some folks who are curious about being a surrogate and what it?s like. Plus, I personally just wanted to know more about the subject. I learned a lot from my conversation with Ashley and I know you will, too.

A surrogate can make a family's wish to have a baby a reality. Some people ask why go this route? Why not adoption? My answer to that is that, ultimately, it?s a very personal decision. There is no right or wrong choice. What matters is that the surrogate and the intended parent know what to expect and can help each other bring a baby into the world.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-How Ashley decided it was the right time for her to become a surrogate

-What are the reasons that intended parents might choose surrogacy

-How long can it take to match with a surrogate

-How involved are the intended parents in the pregnancy and birth

-What are some of the legal aspects (spoiler alert: it?s complex)

-How does someone go about becoming a surrogate and what makes someone a good candidate for surrogacy

-How compensation is determined

-What are the costs associated with a surrogacy

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode149

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

This birth story is a little different because we?re going to talk a little bit about all 3 of Taylor?s births. Her stories are really a metaphor for life; you have some good moments and some not as good moments and we all have to work at managing that. As a matter of fact her mother told her she should not share her stories because everyone would hate her. But I wanted to share her story because I want you to know that easy births absolutely can and do happen.

However, just because her births were easy does not mean that her whole experience was ideal. Taylor had been diagnosed with a severe case of PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and was told that it would be nearly impossible for her to get pregnant. Of course, this did not turn out to be the case. Each of her three pregnancies came with its own set of difficulties: gallbladder removal with her first, an early baby for her second, and during her third she had a pap test come back with severely abnormal precancerous cells. Through all the ups and the downs she keeps it real and keeps me laughing.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-Why we should be telling patients that getting pregnant may be ?challenging? as opposed to ?nearly impossible?

-How it made Taylor feel to be told she likely couldn?t get pregnant

-How she handled recovering from both birth and a gallbladder removal at the same time

-Why medical staff should have listened to Talylor when she said she knew her own body

-Why she decided to commute a whole state away for her oncological care

-What a ?LEEP? procedure is and why Taylor needed to undergo it

-Why she chose to have a student deliver her third baby

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode148

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Today you?re going to learn all about your due date. It?s more than just giving you an idea of when your baby is going to be born - really all decisions during pregnancy revolve around it so it?s crucial that we get it right.

It?s important to understand that a due date is an estimate. Only 4 percent of women deliver on their due date. There are different methods used to determine it, each with varying degrees of accuracy. I actually wish we?d stop giving a specific date and instead offer a range of dates that we expect you?ll deliver. But even with imperfect estimations, it?s vital that you get the most accurate date possible to help determine when certain tests should be conducted or to inform the decision of whether or not to induce labor. This episode has so much great information to help you feel confident as you get closer to your due date!

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-Why is an accurate due date crucial

-How important it is to understand that it?s an estimate

-How is a due date estimated

-What is a suboptimally dated pregnancy and how best to handle it

-What happens when you go past your due date

-What does late term or post term pregnancy mean and who is at a higher risk

-What are your options if you go past your due date

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode147

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

This week we are talking with genetic counselor Ushta Davar Canteenwalla. There are so many testing options these days but very little support to understand the nuances to ultimately help people decide what the best test is for them. As we?ve discussed time and time again on the show, knowledge is power. People who are informed in advance about their testing options make better decisions, have more meaningful conversations with their OB or midwife, and are better prepared for potential curveballs.

As a board certified licensed genetic counselor with over 16 years experience in clinical genetics, Ushta is here to discuss what exactly genetic testing entails and how it can help expectant parents. Hopefully this interview will bring some clarity and confidence about choosing the best genetic tests.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-What is a genetic counselor

-Who should consider seeing a genetic counselor, either before or during pregnancy

-What is genetic testing and what different types are available

-Which factors should people consider when deciding whether to get genetic testing

-What role does family history play in genetic testing

-What can (and CAN?T) genetic testing tell you

-What happens if you get abnormal results

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode146

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Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Crystal played roller derby for nine years and even that couldn?t prepare her for her first pregnancy. She not only labored for 30+ hours, had to transfer from the birthing center to a hospital, was diagnosed with gestational hypertension, and her baby had to stay in the NICU, but she was also stung by a swarm of yellow jackets at thirty-eight weeks! Despite all this, she?s able to look back on the whole experience and laugh. Though some people might never want to get pregnant again after all that, Crystal decided to try for baby number two and it turned out to be a redemptive and healing experience. After laboring for only 2.5 hours, she had the unmedicated birth she?d always hoped for and got to enjoy the ?golden hour? which she did not get the first time around.

Crystal?s birth story teaches us an important lesson: you must be prepared for the possibility that things may not go as planned. Birth is an unpredictable process that cannot be controlled. It?s beautiful to have birth wishes and you don?t want to go into the birth experience without knowing what you want, but it?s important to entertain all possibilities and be prepared.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-How different Crystal?s two births really were

-What she wanted from her first birth and what she got

-How truly painful birth can be

-Why it?s important to remember that you can change your mind about your birth wishes

-How her birth experiences differed in a birthing center versus a hospital

-What is HIE and how can it be treated with cooling therapy or ?therapeutic hypothermia?

-Why it?s worth the time and energy to process the trauma that can occur from birth

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode145

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Well first off, welcome to 2022! I took a much needed break at the end of last year and I am feeling mostly ready to head into 2022. I feel better, my mind feels clearer, and I?m excited about what 2022 will bring.

It is hard to believe but this podcast has been around for 3 years! It was Jan 2019, Jan 8th to be exact, that the first 2 episodes were released and here we are 3 years later. I?ve said this before but I never could have predicted what this podcast would mean for me and for you. I am incredibly grateful for this platform and in this episode I?m celebrating by sharing some of the most downloaded episodes. I was actually surprised at some of the episodes and maybe you will be too!

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-What are the themes I?m focusing on in the new year

-Which episode to listen to for information on breastfeeding

-How Dr. Christine Sterling, OB-GYN, is helping new parents in the postpartum period

-Why episode 89 is a must for dog parents

-Which birth story episodes can help prepare you for an unmedicated delivery

-What makes episode 70 a good starting place for learning about labor induction

-Which episode is the most popular for parents looking to learn about prenatal nutrition

 

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode144

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

This week we're revisiting episode 81 where I interview my husband, Falcon. It was really interesting to hear what things felt like from his perspective. I talk a lot about the experience of the birthing person on this podcast, which often means that I don't talk as much about what it feels like to be the supporting partner. So, in this special episode my husband Falcon is joining me to talk about his feelings and experiences during my pregnancies and births.

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode81

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This week I'm rebroadcasting my own birth stories! No filters. No gloss. Just truth. Am I proud of every decision I made during my births? Nope. And I share that with you here today.

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode5

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This is a different episode, one that I hadn?t planned, but I?ve realized is absolutely necessary. I am taking a break. Until January I'm stepping back from social media, limiting email, and I'm not releasing new podcast episodes. I am, however, going to rebroadcast some very special episodes! I'm using this time to rest and come back recharged at the start of the year. I?ll see you back in 3 weeks!

 

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

A lot of my listeners are already expecting, but I know that some of you are either thinking about getting pregnant or already trying. And just like a holistic approach is important to pregnancy and birth, a holistic approach to fertility that considers emotional and physical health is important. But there?s a lot of information out there in regards to fertility, and it can be overwhelming to wade through it all. A fertility coach may be able to help. 

And that?s exactly what today?s guest, Elizabeth King, does. She?s a fertility coach who?s on a mission to help people of all backgrounds conceive a healthy baby and carry to term in a joyful state of mind. After her own experiences with conception and birth, she was inspired to help others who dream of parenthood. She has now helped hundreds of people become parents in 20+ countries around the world!

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-How losing a pregnancy inspired Elizabeth to focus on supporting those experiencing fertility struggles

-What fertility coaching entails

-Who is a good candidate for fertility coaching

-Why it is important not to compare your journey to anyone else?s

-How important it is to connect with and listen to your body

-What are some things people can do to prepare their body and mind for pregnancy

-How helpful it can be to find a curated community - not all information is good information

-What are some common fertility myths

 

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode141

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We often hear about postpartum depression but rarely is prenatal mental health a topic of discussion. MeLynn experienced anxiety and depression during pregnancy and there is a lot to learn from her story. She started by telling her partner how she was feeling, then saw a counselor, and eventually she went on medication. Did you know there are therapists who specialize in prenatal mental health?

Medication is not necessarily the first place to start, but once again, to have a healthy baby you have to have a healthy mom. There is definitely a stigma around psychiatric treatment during pregnancy. Not only was it hard for MeLynn to see medication as an option for herself, but she found herself blindsided by her delivery team?s averse attitude toward her being on pharmaceuticals. She was faced with a lot of stress and confusion in the delivery room as a result. It might be a good idea to check in advance to see what your hospital?s policy is for moms who are on psychiatric medications.

In this Episode, You?ll Learn About:

-What prenatal anxiety and depression were like for MeLynn

-How COVID had a hand in MeLynn finding virtual support

-Why she reached out to a therapist and how she found the right one

-What were some of the techniques she learned from her therapist

-Which pain medication she opted for and how certain she was about her choice

-How the delivery team reacted to her being medicated

-How MeLynn has decided to continue her mental health treatment going forward

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode141

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