Birth With Power

Latest Episodes:

Ep144: Three Year Anniversary! Jan 04, 2022

Show notes

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

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Ep143: A Holistic Approach with Fertility Coach Elizabeth King Dec 07, 2021

Show notes

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

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Learn more about donating your cord blood and get up to $100 Amazon gift card! --> thecordbloodgroup.com/drnicole

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ep142: MeLynn’s Birth Story - Prenatal Mental Health Treatment Nov 30, 2021

Show notes

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

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Learn more about donating your cord blood and get up to $100 Amazon gift card! --> thecordbloodgroup.com/drnicole

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ep141: Prenatal Nutrition with Pregnancy Dietician Stephanie Lauri Nov 23, 2021

Show notes

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

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Learn more about donating your cord blood and get up to $100 Amazon gift card! --> thecordbloodgroup.com/drnicole

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ep140: Tiffany’s Birth Story - The Power of Birth Education Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

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

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

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Learn more about donating your cord blood and get up to $100 Amazon gift card! --> thecordbloodgroup.com/drnicole

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ep139: Stillbirth Nov 09, 2021

Show notes

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

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

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Learn more about donating your cord blood and get up to $100 Amazon gift card! --> thecordbloodgroup.com/drnicole

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ep138: How to Be a “Smart Money Mama” with Financial Educator Chelsea Brennan Nov 02, 2021

Show notes

There’s so much to consider when you’re preparing to bring home your bundle of joy, it can be tough to think about money. Money management in parenthood goes so far beyond just paying for diapers and car seats. The healthy money habits you model will positively affect the way your child thinks about money as they grow.

Today’s guest, Chelsea Brennan, is the founder of Smart Money Mamas, a community and platform where moms can learn how to make their money work for them and embrace their ambitions so they can live their fullest lives. An ex-hedge fund manager, Chelsea is now a financial educator who is dedicated to changing the way we talk about money. Her monthly membership community is a place where moms can come to learn to build a positive relationship with wealth.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

-When should you start thinking about money

-How austerity can be counterproductive to healthy money management

-How wealth can be looked at in terms of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

-How to think about money differently

-How men and women often approach money differently

-Why it is important to find out the details of your maternity leave in advance

-How important it can be to plan for worst case scenarios with estate plans and life insurance

-What are some ways to budget for and reduce medical bills

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode138

The New Money Mama Plan (affiliate link)

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Learn more about donating your cord blood and get up to $100 Amazon gift card! --> thecordbloodgroup.com/drnicole

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ep137: Rosana’s Birth Story - How Education Led To An Empowering Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Oct 26, 2021

Show notes

This is a birth story about a successful VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean). After the birth of Rosi’s son resulted in a C-section, she wanted to try for a vaginal birth with her daughter. Her first birth was rewarding but not the experience she had hoped for. After an induction at 41 weeks she spent 30 hours in labor and ultimately delivered via c-section. She didn’t feel as connected to the birth experience as she wanted, and felt this affected bonding with her son.

For the birth of her daughter, she wanted to try for a VBAC. This time Rosi educated herself, weighed her options and made really informed decisions. She let her doctors know her wishes: that she wanted to wait 42 weeks before induction, that she wanted an unmedicated birth, and that she wanted to try for a VBAC. She was able to deliver vaginally and managed pain without medication. Though it isn’t possible to control every aspect of your birth, childbirth education can help you better communicate with medical staff and get the support you need. There's a lot anyone can learn from this episode.

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

-What made Rosi’s first birth a traumatic experience

-Why she decided to educate herself before her second birth

-How childbirth education helped her to advocate for her birth wishes

-Whether her doctors were supportive of her wishes for a VBAC

-Why she chose an unmedicated birth and how she dealt with pain

-What made Rosi question whether or not she made the right choice in getting a VBAC

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode137

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Learn more about donating your cord blood and get up to $100 Amazon gift card! --> thecordbloodgroup.com/drnicole

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ep136: Postpartum Mojo with Maraya Brown Oct 19, 2021

Show notes

Have you heard of postpartum thyroiditis or adrenal exhaustion? Me neither, which is why I invited Maraya Brown onto the podcast! Maraya is a certified nurse midwife turned women’s health coach who’s worked in women’s healthcare for over two decades in many different capacities. She is here to talk about many aspects of postpartum wellness which she encounters through her work, specifically thyroiditis and adrenal exhaustion. Neither one of these things are terribly common, and there’s actually some controversy as to whether adrenal exhaustion is even something that exists. However, I know that our understanding of medicine and what happens in our bodies and women’s health is always evolving. So, selfishly, I invited Maraya on because I wanted to know more about these topics and I think you will want to know more about them, too!

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

-Why Maraya became a women’s health coach

-What is functional medicine and how Maraya uses it in her work

-What is postpartum thyroiditis and what are the symptoms

-What adrenal exhaustion is and what causes it

-What is toxin reduction and how to implement it in your life

-What is oxytocin and how to maximize it in the postpartum

-What are Maraya’s recommendations for gut, thyroid, adrenal, and liver health

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode136

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Take a quick, fun labor pain quiz

Learn more about donating your cord blood and get up to $100 Amazon gift card! --> thecordbloodgroup.com/drnicole

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ep135: Bekah’s Birth Stories - Night and Day Difference Oct 12, 2021

Show notes

Today Bekah shares not one but two birth stories! Her first labor was long, rough, and full of interventions. Her second, however, she describes as “an incredible, redemptive, medication-free experience that made (her) view birth in a whole new light.”

Between her first and second births, Bekah listened to many birth stories. Through these other women’s experiences she learned more about what she wanted and what she wanted to avoid. This is what makes childbirth education so important. Had Bekah known her options going into labor the first time, she would have done things differently.