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

All About Pregnancy & Birth

Ep150: 9 Tips For Choosing the Right OB Doctor

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

Ep 149: Making Dreams Come True with Surrogate Ashley Greene

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

Ep148: Taylor’s Birth Stories - Easy Births Do Happen

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

Ep147: Let’s Talk About Due Dates

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 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

Ep146: What Your Genetics Can Tell You with Genetic Counselor Ushta Davar Canteenwalla

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

Ep145: Crystal’s Birth Story - Laughing Through the Pain

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

Ep144: Three Year Anniversary!

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 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

[REBROADCAST] A Father's Perspective on Pregnancy & Birth with Falcon Rankins

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 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way

[REBROADCAST] My Birth Stories

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

[SPECIAL EP] Taking A Break

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 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

Ep143: A Holistic Approach with Fertility Coach Elizabeth King

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 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Help out the show and be entered into a drawing for an Amazon giftcard by taking our listener survey Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Ep142: MeLynn’s Birth Story - Prenatal Mental Health Treatment

Diet is a vital component of prenatal healthcare which can often be overlooked. Today educator and registered dietician Stephanie Lauri joins us to give this subject the attention it deserves. After realizing there was a need for more accessible and reliable information on prenatal nutrition, Stephanie dedicated herself to creating a resource for expectant mothers. There are some surprising dos and don’ts in this episode. Stephanie lets us in on what exactly your body needs during pregnancy and where to find it. She also has some tricks and tips for getting proper nutrition during this time even if vegetables don’t sound appealing! In this Episode, You’ll Learn About: -What are the qualifications to become a dietician -What the difference is between a nutritionist and a dietician -Why it is important to begin focusing on nutrition even before becoming pregnant -How to choose the right prenatal vitamin for you -What are some powerhouse foods for pregnancy -Why you shouldn’t focus on weight -What are some recommendations for vegans and vegetarians Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode141 The Birth Preparation Course is on sale for Black Friday Help out the show and be entered into a drawing for an Amazon giftcard by taking our listener survey Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Ep141: Prenatal Nutrition with Pregnancy Dietician Stephanie Lauri

This is a birth story episode that really warmed my heart. Tiffany used knowledge to overcome fears around being a woman of color getting pregnant and giving birth. As someone who researches everything, she knew she needed to be prepared with information to go through the birth process, especially as a first time mom. Tiffany says “Finding Dr. Rankins, a Black woman like myself, gave me the courage to face birth and pregnancy head on. Most importantly, I was empowered to advocate for myself because I had the knowledge I needed to do so.” A lot of the things she talks about are really problems ALL women can face, regardless of race. The medical system can take away the power women have over what happens to their own bodies. Education is one of the most powerful tools you can have at your disposal to ensure you get the care you need. Tiffany’s experience with the birth prep class helped her to trust her own body and have a beautiful birth. In this Episode, You’ll Learn About: -What made Tiffany apprehensive about getting pregnant and giving birth -What her pregnancy was like including some uncomfortable encounters -How the birth prep course helped her prepare for her birth -How an experience of losing consciousness and vomiting influenced her birth -How she was able to have beauty in her birth even though it didn’t go exactly as planned -Why she had to stop breastfeeding and how she handled the feelings that came along with that difficult decision -How doctors treated her differently depending on whether her husband accompanied her to appointments   Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode140 Register for my free birth plan class - How to Make a Birth Plan That Works. Check out The Birth Preparation Course Help out the show and be entered into a drawing for an Amazon giftcard by taking our listener survey Register for the new class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Ep140: Tiffany’s Birth Story - The Power of Birth Education

Today’s episode is about stillbirth. This is a difficult topic but I’ve actually had several people reach out to me about it. I see stillbirths maybe a handful of times a year, so it’s not extremely common, but common enough that it’s important to talk about. Stillbirth rates have been decreasing over recent decades. This is surely due in part to advances in medical care, however prenatal care only accounts for a fraction of the causes of stillbirth. In fact, over a quarter of stillbirths are unexplained. The factors that we can pinpoint are not necessarily straight-forward. Of course age and overall health going into pregnancy are important determinants, but one of the biggest factors is actually being black. Episode 117 on Maternal Morbidity and Mortality goes into some of the statistics on the dangers of being black and giving birth in the American medical system. There are some trends we can look at, such as when in pregnancy a stillbirth is most likely to happen or which medical conditions can contribute, but ultimately there is no reliable way to predict stillbirth and proper prenatal care plus identifying and treating any conditions promptly is the best we can do. Not all stillbirths can be prevented but there are a lot of common sense measures moms can take. In this Episode, You’ll Learn About: -What is the definition of stillbirth -How common is it -When in pregnancy is stillbirth most likely to occur -What are the risk factors -How does race factor into stillbirth rates -What are the most common causes -What are some strategies for prevention   Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode139 Register for my free birth plan class - How to Make a Birth Plan That Works. Check out The Birth Preparation Course Help out the show and be entered into a drawing for an Amazon giftcard by taking our listener survey Register for the new class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Ep139: Stillbirth

The All About Pregnancy and Birth Podcast is your go to source for comprehensive, evidence-based, holistic information to help you have your best pregnancy and birth. Pregnancy and birth can sometimes feel scary and overwhelming. But with the help of Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins, they don't have to be! Nicole has been an ob/gyn physician for over 10 years and has helped hundreds of women through their pregnancy and birth. She’s here to help you by breaking down topics in an easy to understand manner, sharing women’s birth stories, and interviewing interesting and innovative experts.

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All About Pregnancy & Birth

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