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 wi...
Ep 288: 10 Wishes for Pregnancy, Birth, and Maternal Health Inspired by Metta Meditation
Get empowering pregnancy and birth tips delivered to your inbox each week! Join my email list here!It’s 2025! In this first episode of the year, I’m sharing 10 wishes for pregnancy, birth, and maternal health inspired by metta meditation, a practice rooted in cultivating goodwill and compassion. I learned about this beautiful practice from Aditi Shah, a Peloton meditation instructor, and today we’re adapting it to reflect on pregnancy, birth, and maternal health through 10 loving-kindness wishes.These wishes are heartfelt hopes for a better, safer, and more equitable world for parents, babies, and families. As you explore them, I encourage you to approach them with an open heart—whether for yourself, someone you know, or for all mothers and families. Carry these wishes with you as affirmations, reminders, or moments of pause in your day. Let’s start 2025 with kindness and care.In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:Why feeling safe and supported is essential during pregnancy and birthWhat respectful and compassionate care looks likeHow access to resources helps families thrive during pregnancy and parenthoodWhat parents need to feel empowered in their decisionsHow patience and care contribute to physical and emotional healing after birthWhat we can do to eliminate inequities in maternal and infant health outcomesWhich experiences help cultivate joy and connectionHow helping birth workers helps familiesWhy prioritizing mental health during pregnancy and parenthood is essentialHow childbirth education transforms the pregnancy and birth experience--Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode288Check out The Birth Preparation CourseRegister for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right WayAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Ep 287: Top Episodes of 2024!
Get more great info to help you have an empowered pregnancy and birth by joining my email list here!It’s that time of year again: I’m recapping the most downloaded episodes of 2024. Think of this as a kind of greatest hits or playlist - a perfect place for you to start if you’re new to the podcast. If you don’t see your favorite episode on this list, remember that earlier episodes have more downloads simply because they’ve been available longer, not because they’re less valuable!We’re closing out the year with over 435,000 downloads in 2024 and the total lifetime downloads are up to 2.6 million! I so appreciate each and every one of you who puts me in your ears and trusts me to help you through your pregnancy and birth experience. In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:How to tell when it’s time to go to the hospitalWhat changes can happen to the body postpartumWhether or not you can have a period while you’re pregnantWhich conditions are screened for in prenatal testsWhat colostrum is and why it’s importantHow to plan for a safer childbirth experienceWhich mental health conditions are common during pregnancyHow feeding patterns influence your baby’s sleepHow a hospital birth can feel joyful and relaxingWhat the difference is between pain and suffering during laborWhat a VBAC is and how to prepare for oneHow much caffeine is safe during pregnancyHow pregnancy can affect intimacy--Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode287Check out The Birth Preparation CourseRegister for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right WayAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Ep 286: Preparing for the Marathon Of Pregnancy with Amy Keifer from Expecting and Empowered
Stay in the know by joining my email list!I know you want to exercise during pregnancy, but what are you supposed to do and how do you do it safely? Amy Keifer from Expecting and Empowered is here to answer that question and more!After starting her personal training career working with pregnant clients, she realized there were a ton of misconceptions still floating around about exercising during pregnancy. That’s why she and her sister created their thriving maternal fitness community. As a registered nurse, doula, personal trainer, and having gone through three unmedicated births, Amy offers invaluable firsthand insight. This is a great conversation and I know you’re going to find it incredibly valuable.In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:Whether you should start strength training during pregnancyHow you can start exercising during pregnancyWhat the benefits are of exercise during pregnancyWhat coping techniques Amy recommends for managing pain during laborHow can movement and labor rituals help you manage contractionsHow water, like a tub or shower, can help alleviate labor painWhy it’s important to understand the stages of labor and what to expect during eachWhy you should take time to familiarize yourself with your birthing optionsWho should be on your support team and what roles they can play during laborWhat are the benefits of practicing breathwork and mindfulness for labor prep--Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode286Check out The Birth Preparation CourseRegister for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right WayAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Ep 285: Gina’s Birth Story - When a Physician Has A Birth Related Injury
What happens when you’re a physician and you experience a childbirth-related injury? Are you treated any differently? Today’s guest experienced exactly that and you’re going to hear her unique perspective. Gina is an ophthalmology resident who had a birth complication that left her paralyzed in one leg. She has regained her mobility but this very rare injury still has lasting effects.Despite being a physician herself, Gina faced dismissiveness from her medical team. In fact, one nurse even told her people with more medical backing actually get worse care because they have “more knowledge.” You don’t always know ahead of time when you’ll need to advocate for yourself. It is an absolute must that you are ready to do so.In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:What caused Dr. Gina Yu’s rare postpartum nerve injuryWhat her team initially thought caused the injury versus what tests revealedHow positional adjustments during labor could prevent nerve damageWhat steps she took to regain mobility after paralysisHow she balanced recovery with caring for her newbornHow support systems played a critical role in her recoveryHow gratitude helped her cope with trauma and uncertaintyWhy postpartum challenges often go overlooked in healthcareHow her injury changed her perspective on patient care--Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode285Check out The Birth Preparation CourseRegister for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right WayAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Ep 284: Keeping an Open Mind with Infant Craniosacral Therapist Meaghan Beames
When exploring ‘alternative’ therapies, it’s crucial to understand the training and qualifications of practitioners. Although licensure and certification aren’t guarantees, they certainly help give you some assurance that the person is trained and capable. This week’s guest, Meaghan Beames, is a Registered Massage Therapist and Craniosacral Therapist who teaches perinatal professionals how to incorporate CST into their practices.Now, I will be honest, I was a little hesitant about this episode. While craniosacral therapy is offered at many mainstream big institutions like the Cleveland Clinic, Duke, or Harvard, some folks say that craniosacral therapy is pseudoscience and it's relatively new in pregnancy and infants. But I ultimately decided that this is important information to share. I learned a lot and you will too.In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:What craniosacral therapy is and how it worksWhich pregnancy and infant conditions craniosacral therapy can help withHow craniosacral therapy works and which areas of the body it targetsHow many sessions are typically recommendedWhat to look for in a craniosacral therapist What research says about the effectiveness of craniosacral therapy--Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode284Check out The Birth Preparation CourseRegister for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right WayAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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.
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