Ep 310: What I'm Thankful For After 20+ Years as an OB-GYN
This Thanksgiving, I’m inviting you into my heart.After more than two decades in obstetrics, raising a family, and building this platform — I’m pausing to name what I’m deeply grateful for. It’s more than a holiday checklist. This is about honoring the anchors that carry me through birth work and life.Whether you’re cooking, commuting, or just catching your breath, I hope this episode reminds you to reconnect with what’s holding you up this season.In this special episode, I share:How my body is still showing up strong at 51 (yoga poses included!)What I’ve learned from 20 years of marriage and motherhoodWhy my OB-GYN skills go beyond technique — and why that mattersThe power of a team that truly supports womenHow you — yes, you — keep this platform alive and impactfulResources Mentioned:Serial Season 1 (my first podcast love!)Our Sponsors:* Check out Ritual and get 40% off for the best sale of the season : https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE* Check out Uncommon Goods and get 15% off: https://uncommongoods.com/drnicoleAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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17:25
Ep 309: The Oral Health–Fertility Link No One’s Talking About
What if the key to your fertility isn’t just in your hormones—but in your mouth?In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with Dr. Katie Lee, dentist, entrepreneur, and author of Saved by the Mouth, to uncover the powerful connection between oral health and reproductive outcomes. We break down how bacteria in your mouth can influence conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, and even stillbirth—and what you can do to protect your fertility, pregnancy, and long-term health.You’ll Learn:How oral bacteria affect fertility and pregnancy outcomesWhy inflammation in your gums triggers inflammation throughout your bodyThe truth about dental care during pregnancy (and why skipping the dentist could backfire)How salivary testing works—and what it can reveal about your reproductive healthEveryday oral care habits that protect your fertilityResources Mentioned:Dr. Katie Lee: collectivehealthsociety.comSaved by the Mouth by Dr. Katie LeeFollow Dr. Lee on InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out Ritual and get 40% off for the best sale of the season : https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE* Check out Uncommon Goods and get 15% off: https://uncommongoods.com/drnicoleAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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35:49
Subchorionic Hematomas: Here’s What You Need to Know
Bleeding early in pregnancy can be terrifying — but in many (even most) cases, it’s not as dangerous as it seems.In this short episode, I’m unpacking what it means when you’re told there’s a subchorionic hematoma. I’ll walk you through what’s actually happening in your body, how it’s diagnosed, what it means for your baby, and — most importantly — why it’s usually not your fault.You’ll learn:What a subchorionic hematoma is and how common it really isWhy it happens (and why you didn’t cause it)How doctors monitor it over timeWhat to expect with follow-up ultrasoundsPractical tips to protect your peace during the waiting periodResources Mentioned:Follow me on Instagram for more pregnancy education: @drnicolerankinsOur Sponsors:* Check out Ritual and get 40% off for the best sale of the season : https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE* Check out Uncommon Goods and get 15% off: https://uncommongoods.com/drnicoleAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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10:08
Ep 308: From IVF to Fast Labor: What Dr. Allison Learned on Both Sides of Birth
What happens when a perinatal psychologist — who supports women through fertility and birth trauma — becomes the patient herself?In this honest and heartfelt episode, I chat with Dr. Allison Altman, a Bay Area psychologist who specializes in women’s mental health and trauma, about her deeply personal journey through infertility, IVF, and an unexpectedly fast hospital birth. Allison opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of pregnancy after infertility, how her professional training shaped her experience, and why advocacy and flexibility made all the difference.In this episode, you’ll learn:What it’s really like to go through IVF — and how uncertainty takes a toll on your mental healthHow anxiety can show up during pregnancy after infertility (and what helps)What an IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) diagnosis means and how to navigate induction decisionsHow Allison balanced her birth preferences with hospital protocols — and why she said “no” to breaking her water earlyThe surprising speed of her labor (from 4 cm to baby in 20 minutes!) and how she processed it afterwardWhy setting up postpartum support before birth matters more than you thinkResources Mentioned:Dr. Allison Altman’s websiteThe Birth With Power Pathway — my online childbirth classOur Sponsors:* Check out Ritual and get 40% off for the best sale of the season : https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE* Check out Uncommon Goods and get 15% off: https://uncommongoods.com/drnicoleAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Ep 307: Informed Consent Isn’t a Form — It’s a Conversation
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by medical jargon or unsure what’s really in the medications you’re offered — you’re not alone.In this episode, I sit down with Alexandra Galaska, founder of Just the Inserts, to talk about what true informed consent looks like and how to decode medical product information with confidence. From navigating medication inserts to advocating for yourself in pregnancy and postpartum, this conversation will help you feel grounded — not fearful — in your choices.You’ll Learn:What informed consent really means (and why it’s more than signing a form)How to find and read medication and vaccine insertsThe CLEAR framework for informed decision-makingHow to balance medical recommendations with your personal valuesHow to ask your provider informed, respectful questions during pregnancy and birthResources Mentioned:Just the Inserts – Free Training & ResourcesIs Your Doctor Right For Your Birth? - Dr. Nicole’s Question GuideOur Sponsors:* Check out Ritual and get 40% off for the best sale of the season : https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE* Check out Uncommon Goods and get 15% off: https://uncommongoods.com/drnicoleAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Birth With Power is the go-to podcast for expecting mothers who want to take charge of their birth experience.Hosted by Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins, a practicing, board-certified OB/GYN with over 20 years of experience and thousands of births attended, this podcast delivers accurate, expert advice, real birth stories, and honest conversations to get you informed and empowered.Through solo episodes, guest interviews, and inspiring birth stories, you’ll get the tools to navigate pregnancy, labor, and postpartum with calm and confidence.Whether you’re planning your first birth or your fourth, Birth With Power will help you approach the journey feeling strong, prepared, and empowered.Subscribe today and take charge of your birth!
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