This is a special rebroadcast of one of my most essential postpartum episodes — a clear, compassionate conversation about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) and how to recognize when you need support. This episode will help you clearly know what’s “normal,” what’s not, or when to consider treatment.

I’m joined by Dr. Stephanie Waggle — psychiatrist, perinatal mental health–certified physician, cancer survivor, marathon runner, and passionate advocate for improving maternal mental health care. With over 17 years of experience, she brings a rare mix of clinical expertise, research knowledge, and deep empathy for the mental health challenges people face during pregnancy and postpartum.

Together, we break down what PMADs truly look like, why they’re much more than “postpartum depression,” and how to make informed decisions about medication and therapy — including what to do if you were taking medication before pregnancy or are considering restarting postpartum.

This conversation is especially powerful if you’ve ever had intrusive thoughts, felt overwhelmed by anxiety, or been unsure whether what you’re experiencing is simply “new mom adjustment” or something more.

What you’ll learn:

• What PMADs include (it’s far more than postpartum depression)
• How common these conditions really are — in both birthing parents and partners
• Risk factors and why even those without them can still develop PMADs
• How to recognize the difference between baby blues and clinical depression
• What intrusive thoughts are — and why having them does not mean you’re unsafe or “crazy”
• When to seek help and where to turn for reliable support
• How psychiatrists approach medication decisions before, during, and after pregnancy
• The truth about breastfeeding, medication safety, and making choices that protect both you and your baby
• A breakdown of the first FDA-approved medication specifically for postpartum depression — and what you need to know

Resources Mentioned:

• Postpartum Support International: www.postpartum.net
• Improve Life - Dr. Waggle’s practice
• MommyMeds app

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard: Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital
• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You: Ask the right questions and spot red flags early
• Labor Pain Management Playbook: Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Note: This episode is a rebroadcast as part of our Postpartum Power Replay series — spotlighting vital postpartum conversations to support your mental health, your confidence, and your well-being during a season when you deserve exceptional care.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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

This is a special rebroadcast of one of our most-loved postpartum episodes, a powerful and practical conversation for any parent navigating life after the NICU. Whether you’re currently in the thick of it or simply want to feel more prepared, this replay will leave you feeling supported, grounded, and seen.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jessica Daigle — pediatrician, NICU hospitalist, and founder of Mom & Me MD — whose passion for caring for NICU families shines through in everything she does. With warmth and clarity, Dr. Jess breaks down what truly affects families after a NICU stay, how to ease the transition home, and how parents can let go of unnecessary guilt and step into confidence.

Her insights come from both her professional expertise and her deeply personal journey: miscarriage, extreme preterm delivery, and raising two NICU graduates. This episode is a gift for any parent who needs reassurance, practical tools, or simply a reminder that they’re not alone.

What you’ll learn:

• The five areas of life most impacted when you bring home a new baby (especially after the NICU)
• How to release guilt and self-blame when birth or postpartum don’t go as planned
• Key questions every NICU parent should feel empowered to ask
• Why advocacy and communication with the care team matter
• How to prepare for postpartum while you’re still pregnant
• Practical tips for building support systems that actually make life easier
• 
  

Resources Mentioned:

• Mom & Me MD (concierge NICU + 4th trimester care)
• Dr. Jess on Instagram: @momandme_md

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard: Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital
• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You: Ask the right questions and spot red flags early
• Labor Pain Management Playbook: Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Note: This episode is a rebroadcast as part of our Postpartum Power Replay series — sharing conversations that make postpartum feel more supported, less overwhelming, and filled with the kind of guidance every new parent deserves.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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

This is a special rebroadcast of one of our most downloaded postpartum episodes, and for good reason. This conversation is for you if your birth didn’t go the way you hoped.

In this replay, I sit down with Kaylee Summers — the Birth Trauma Mama — to unpack what birth trauma actually is, why it’s so common, and how you can begin to heal. Kaylee brings both clinical expertise and lived experience as an amniotic fluid embolism survivor, and her honesty, clarity, and compassion make this episode a must listen if you had a traumatic birth experience.

What you’ll learn:

• What “birth trauma” really means (and why it’s more common than most people think)
• Why trauma is subjective — and why your experience matters
• The signs and symptoms of birth trauma in the early postpartum period
• How treatment works, including what EMDR and other trauma-focused therapies actually do
• When (and how) to seek support if you’re struggling after birth
• The role communication and care team dynamics play in shaping your birth experience

Resources Mentioned:

• Kaylee’s Instagram + TikTok: @thebirthtrauma_mama
• The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast
• Postpartum Support International provider directory
• Touchstone Institute provider directory

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard: Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital
• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You: Ask the right questions and spot red flags early
• Labor Pain Management Playbook: Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Note: This episode is a rebroadcast as part of my December “Postpartum Power Replay” series — revisiting some of the most powerful episodes to support you during a season when postpartum needs often go unseen.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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

This episode is your invitation for a softer season, a clearer mind, or just a moment to breathe before the year ends. It will feel like a nice warm exhale.

In this reflective end-of-year episode, I’m sharing the milestones, challenges, and growth that shaped my 2025 — from sending my NICU graduate to college, to navigating perimenopause, to choosing rest over hustle. I’m also walking you through the non-negotiable holiday boundaries that matter most during pregnancy and postpartum, and how to give yourself permission to honor what you need this season.

You’ll learn:

– Why rest is a necessary part of preparing for birth, postpartum, and motherhood

– How I’m protecting my peace during the holidays — and how you can too

– Simple, clear scripts for setting boundaries with family and visitors

– What my family milestones taught me about growth, identity, and motherhood

– Why I’m stepping back for the remainder of December (and how you can build your own pause)

Resources Mentioned:

Instagram: @drnicolerankins

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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

Hospital birth may not be the right path for every OB/GYN.

This week, I’m in conversation with Dr. Nathan Riley, an OB-GYN and palliative care physician who left conventional medicine to support home birth and midwifery-led care. We talk about what the system gets wrong, what it does right, and how honoring true autonomy can transform the birth experience.

You’ll hear two OBs with very different paths, get real about training gaps, liability fears, and what actually supports healthy birth. Whether you’re planning a home birth, a hospital birth, or you’re just curious about your options, this is an episode that challenges assumptions and opens possibilities.

You’ll learn:

• Why Dr. Riley left the hospital system — and what he does now
• How hospital training limits women’s birth choices
• What really happens during an emergency C-section
• The untold truth about vaginal breech birth
• What autonomy actually looks like in labor (and how to prepare for it)

Resources mentioned:

• Dr. Nathan Riley on Instagram
• Born Free Method
• Beloved Holistics

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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

Today’s episode is a little different. I’m sharing a home birth story! Home birth can be safe, supported, and deeply empowering when planned well.

In this birth story, I’m joined by Leah, a writer, mom of two, and aspiring childbirth educator who planned a home birth after a positive but impersonal hospital birth with her first child. Despite navigating insurance barriers, and anticipating a large baby, Leah created the low-intervention experience she wanted, and welcomed her 11-pound daughter after just a three-and-a-half-hour labor. 

Her story is full of advocacy, intuition, humor (yes, she was poked in the eye mid-contraction), and practical insights you’ll walk away with.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What made Leah choose a planned home birth after a hospital birth
• How she advocated for weight-inclusive prenatal care
• The realities of insurance challenges for home birth families
• How she prepared mentally and physically for a fast, intense labor
• Why her postpartum experience at home was dramatically different — and better
• What she wants every pregnant person to know about big babies and birth options

Resources Mentioned:

• Bradley Method book: Natural Childbirth the Bradley Way

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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

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 motherhood
• Why my OB-GYN skills go beyond technique — and why that matters
• The power of a team that truly supports women
• How you — yes, you — keep this platform alive and impactful

Resources Mentioned:

Serial Season 1 (my first podcast love!)

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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

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 outcomes
• Why inflammation in your gums triggers inflammation throughout your body
• The 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 health
• Everyday oral care habits that protect your fertility
• 
  

Resources Mentioned:

• Dr. Katie Lee: collectivehealthsociety.com
• Saved by the Mouth by Dr. Katie Lee
• Follow Dr. Lee on Instagram

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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

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 is
• Why it happens (and why you didn’t cause it)
• How doctors monitor it over time
• What to expect with follow-up ultrasounds
• Practical tips to protect your peace during the waiting period
• 
  

Resources Mentioned:

• Follow me on Instagram for more pregnancy education: @drnicolerankins

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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

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 health
• How anxiety can show up during pregnancy after infertility (and what helps)
• What an IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) diagnosis means and how to navigate induction decisions
• How Allison balanced her birth preferences with hospital protocols — and why she said “no” to breaking her water early
• The surprising speed of her labor (from 4 cm to baby in 20 minutes!) and how she processed it afterward
• Why setting up postpartum support before birth matters more than you think
• 
  

Resources Mentioned:

• Dr. Allison Altman’s website
• The Birth With Power Pathway — my online childbirth class

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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

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 inserts
• The CLEAR framework for informed decision-making
• How to balance medical recommendations with your personal values
• How to ask your provider informed, respectful questions during pregnancy and birth

Resources Mentioned:

• Just the Inserts – Free Training & Resources
• Is Your Doctor Right For Your Birth? - Dr. Nicole’s Question Guide

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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

You’ve heard it all—“Tylenol causes autism” vs. “Totally safe.” Safe doesn’t mean risk-free, and you deserve the full picture.

If you’re pregnant and dealing with headache, fever, or pain, this short episode gives you a clear, guilt-free way to think about acetaminophen (Tylenol). I walk you through what the research actually says, why observational studies can confuse the conversation, and how to make a smart, individualized decision with your clinician.

You’ll learn:

• Why “safe” ≠ “risk-free,” and how OBs should communicate benefits vs. risks
• What big studies say about acetaminophen and neurodevelopment—and what they don’t prove
• Why untreated fever and significant pain carry their own real risks in pregnancy
• A simple decision framework: lowest effective dose, shortest time, with guidance
• Non-drug options to consider for pain (PT, yoga, chiropractic)

Resources Mentioned:

• Evaluation of the evidence on acetaminophen use and neurodevelopmental disorders using the Navigation Guide methodology (cautious, judicious use; association ≠ causation)
• Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy and Children’s Risk of Autism, ADHD, and Intellectual Disability (no association in sibling-controlled analyses)

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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

Vaginal exams are one of the most common — and most misunderstood — parts of labor. They can empower you or leave you feeling powerless. The difference? Knowing what they really mean.

In this episode, I’m giving you a sneak peek inside The Birth With Power Pathway, my upcoming childbirth education program. We’ll demystify vaginal exams — what they measure, how often they should be done, and how to make them more comfortable and respectful. By the end, you’ll understand how to stay informed, set boundaries, and keep your power every step of the way.

You’ll learn:

• What dilation, effacement, and fetal station actually measure
• How to interpret those numbers (and why they can vary between providers)
• How often vaginal exams are typically done — and when you can say “no”
• Tips to make exams more comfortable and less painful
• What true informed consent looks like during labor

Resources Mentioned:

The Birth With Power Pathway — join the waitlist: drnicolerankins.com/email

Follow me on Instagram: @drnicolerankins

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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

When Ashley’s hands and feet started to itch, she almost brushed it off as “just another pregnancy symptom.” But that simple sign turned out to be something much more serious — intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP). This condition can significantly increase the risk of stillbirth.

In this episode, Ashley shares how she faced ICP not once, but twice — from an unexpected early labor that left no time for pain meds to finding peace and confidence in her second birth. Her story is a raw and empowering reminder to trust your instincts, speak up when something feels off, and lean on your care team.

You’ll learn:

• What ICP is and why early detection matters
• How Ashley’s lightning-fast first birth unfolded (and what she wishes she’d known)
• How her second birth experience was completely different — and healing
• Practical signs to watch for if you ever experience unexplained itching
• Why listening to your body can literally save lives
• 
  

Resources Mentioned:

• ICP Care — support and information for families affected by ICP

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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

If you’re planning a hospital birth, you may be wondering whether an epidural is right for you. You’re not alone—and you deserve clear, practical guidance.

In this episode, I walk you through five essential truths about epidurals—from how well they work (and when they don’t) to timing, side effects, movement, and what they do not do to your cesarean risk. You’ll leave feeling informed, confident, and ready to make the choice that fits you.

You’ll learn:

• Why epidurals are highly effective—yet not “magic”—and what hot spots and uneven relief mean in real life.
• How timing works (IV, fluid bolus, anesthesiologist availability) and realistic relief onset.
• When you can request one (spoiler: anytime—even fully dilated in select cases).
• Common side effects vs. rare complications—and simple ways we manage them.
• Why there’s no true “walking epidural,” but how we adjust dosing so you can push effectively.
• 
  

Resources Mentioned:

• Labor Pain Management Playbook (free): drnicolerankins.com/labor

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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

Today, we’re talking all about chiropractic care in the postpartum period—what it is and how it may help you heal after giving birth. Now listen, I know some doctors can be quick to dismiss things like chiropractic care or other so-called “alternative” approaches. But I really believe it's important that we expand our lens and stay open to options outside the traditional box—especially when those options may offer real benefits for postpartum healing and wellness.

In this episode, we’re welcoming back award-winning prenatal chiropractor and childbirth educator, Dr. Elliot Berlin. He was a guest on the podcast way back on episode 44 and he’s back to talk about how chiropractic care can support your body during recovery. If you're curious about safe, effective ways to care for your body after baby, this one's for you!

In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:

• How personal fertility struggles shifted Dr. Berlin from medicine to holistic care
• What chiropractors really do (and no it doesn’t always involve cracking)
• How restoring joint motion supports recovery
• What the postpartum “golden window” is and how it makes chronic issues easier to resolve
• What physical stress pregnancy places on joints, muscles, and posture
• Whether chiropractic care is safe after giving birth
• How laser therapy can support C-section recovery and pelvic floor healing
• How integrating physical therapy and chiropractic care can improve outcomes
• What to look for in a chiropractor
• Why postpartum recovery works best with team-based, collaborative care

_________

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode303

Feel calm and confident before birth with the $37 Mindset Bundle! Grab it at drnicolerankins.com/calm.

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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

If you’ve ever wondered how you’ll let your baby go one day, this one’s for you.

In this episode, my husband Falcon takes over the mic and interviews me the very week we dropped our oldest—who started life in the NICU—off at college! It’s a raw, unscripted conversation about the joy, grief, pride, and growth tucked inside every goodbye. I share how NICU memories never really leave, why presence matters more than perfection, and the mindset shift that helped me loosen my grip while keeping our bond strong.

You’ll hear:

• How our NICU beginning still shapes my heart today
• The one mindset that made move-in day gentler (presence > perfection)
• How I prepared myself (not just my teen) for launch
• Why honoring your child’s personality builds lifelong confidence
• The NICU resources I wish I’d had back then

Resources Mentioned:

• Episode 76: Navigating the NICU with neonatologist Dr. Terry Major-Kincade drnicolerankins.com/episode76

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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

This Power Replay episode brings back a candid and heartfelt discussion where I share my personal perspective on the term “pregnant people.” It’s a short but powerful conversation about identity, inclusion, and why language matters in the world of pregnancy and birth.

You’ll hear how I navigate using terms like “pregnant woman” and “pregnant person,” and how my experiences as a Black woman and as a parent have shaped my approach. This episode is all about honoring diverse identities while still seeing and affirming yourself.

Whether you’ve never thought much about this topic or it’s something that sparks strong feelings for you, I hope you’ll listen with an open heart.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message through my website at drnicolerankins.com/contact or DM me on Instagram @drnicolerankins.

👉🏽 Sign up for my email list to stay connected and get more great pregnancy and birth content: drnicolerankins.com/email

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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

This episode is a power replay and one you don’t want to miss!

We’re revisiting one of the most insightful and important topics I've covered: physiologic birth. I was inspired to do this episode by Certified Nurse Midwife Gianna Fay, who raised a critical question - how do we define and support physiologic birth, especially in a hospital setting?

As an OB/GYN, I wasn’t taught much about this, and I had to dig in and learn myself. In this episode, I break down what physiologic birth really means, what disrupts it, why it’s beneficial, and how YOU can be supported in having one.

You’ll learn:

• How normal physiologic birth is defined
• Which factors can disrupt the process (and how many of them are routine in hospitals)
• What benefits physiologic birth can offer to both you and your baby
• Why hospital protocols often contradict best practices
• The truth about pushing techniques, fetal monitoring, labor positions, and more
• How you can advocate for yourself and demand change in a system slow to evolve
• 
  

Whether you're planning a physiologic birth or not, this episode will leave you informed, empowered, and ready to make the best decisions for your birth experience.

👉🏽 Be sure to sign up for my email list for more helpful resources at drnicolerankins.com/email.

You deserve a beautiful pregnancy and birth!

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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

This week’s episode is a Power Replay of one of the most important messages you need to hear..

We often hear the phrase, “just be happy to have a healthy baby.” But that mindset overlooks something deeply important - your birth experience matters too. In this short but powerful episode, I share why it's not only okay to have birth wishes beyond physical health, it's necessary.

Birth is a rare and transformational event. Of course you want a healthy baby. But you also deserve to be listened to, respected, and treated with compassion throughout the process. Your emotional well-being and how you’re treated during labor and delivery are just as vital as your physical health.

Let this episode be a reminder: the bare minimum is physical health. You deserve so much more.

👩🏾‍⚕️ Ready to stay informed and empowered? Join my email list for updates, resources, and support at drnicolerankins.com/email

Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power

Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth:

• Hospital Tour Scorecard — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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