Rest. Refocus. Realign.

In this short and personal episode, I share a personal update, what’s coming next, and an invitation to reflect on where you might need rest too.Our Sponsors:* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month - https://ritual.com/DRNICOLEAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today we’re talking about something that is beautiful, powerful, and yes—potentially life-saving: feeling your baby move. In addition to the emotional connection, it’s also an important way to stay in tune with their wellbeing. But there’s a lot of inaccurate advice and fear out there. You’ll hear so many opinions about kick counts, what’s normal, and when you should call your doctor. It can feel incredibly confusing. So today I’m giving you the info you need on understanding your baby’s movement so you can feel calm, confident, and empowered through every kick, roll, and twist.In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:When you should start feeling your baby moveWhat's normal for fetal movement and what's notHow to tune into your baby's pattern without stressing yourself outWhen counting kicks can be a helpful tool—and when it’s not necessaryWhat the research says about tracking fetal movement and preventing stillbirthWhen to see your doctor or midwife for changes in your baby’s activityFull website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode302Feel calm and confident before birth with the $37 Mindset Bundle! Grab it at drnicolerankins.com/calm.Our Sponsors:* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month - https://ritual.com/DRNICOLEAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

After experiencing a miscarriage, Melissa decided to heal, both emotionally and physically, before trying again. In this episode, she shares how therapy and doing her homework helped her process the loss and feel ready to try again.From the exhaustion of prodromal labor to the raw intensity of pushing and a third-degree tear, Melissa shares a beautifully honest and empowering account of her journey. There’s so much goodness in this episode—real talk, helpful tips, and lessons that can truly make a difference for your own birth experience.In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:What Melissa experienced during her miscarriageHow therapy helped her process the loss and feel ready to try againHow soon she got pregnant for the second timeWhen she learned she had a fibroid and what it meantHow she educated herself before giving birthWhy she chose midwifery care and how her provider’s approach influenced her birth experienceWhat it felt like to go through prodromal labor for days before true labor beganWhat made labor so much harder than she expectedWhich degree of tearing she had during deliveryWhat surprised her about postpartum healing_________Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode301Feel calm and confident before birth with the $37 Mindset Bundle! Grab it at drnicolerankins.com/calm.Our Sponsors:* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month - https://ritual.com/DRNICOLEAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Intense pregnancy itching might be a sign of a serious condition called cholestasis of pregnancy—a liver disorder that affects pregnancy and can increase the risk of stillbirth. In honor of ICP Awareness Month this June, I’m joined by Donna Benavides, founder of the nonprofit ICP Care, to talk about her personal journey after tragically losing her first son due to cholestasis of pregnancy.Donna is here to share what everyone should know about this rare but potentially dangerous pregnancy complication. She’s sharing her critical insights about symptoms to watch for, the importance of self-advocacy, and how to get the right care. If you’re pregnant or planning to be, this is must-know information to help you protect your baby and your peace of mind.In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:What the signs and symptoms of cholestasis of pregnancy areWho is most likely to experience cholestasis of pregnancyWhat testing and treatment involveHow long test results can take—and why timing mattersWhether cholestasis of pregnancy can be preventedHow to advocate for yourselfWhich kinds of support can make a difference in your careHow ICP can affect future pregnancies_________Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode300Feel calm and confident before birth with the $37 Mindset Bundle! Grab it at drnicolerankins.com/calm.Our Sponsors:* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month - https://ritual.com/DRNICOLEAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episiotomy is not routine anymore, but it hasn't gone away. If it's done without your consent or because your doctor's in a hurry, that’s a problem. So let's talk about it! Because when you understand what an episiotomy really is, when it's actually needed, and how to protect yourself from one that isn't needed, that's when you step into your power.I first covered this topic back in 2020 but I want to circle back to it because I’d like to come out harder with my thoughts on consent, power, how doctors' habits can shape your birth, and things you can do to protect yourself. So whether this is brand new for you or something you've heard horror stories about, stay with me because I'm giving you the real deal on what to watch out for in labor so nothing is done to you without your consent.In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:What the biggest predictor of whether you will get an episiotomy isWhy it’s important to discuss your doctor’s approach ahead of timeHow rates have changed over timeWhat the two types are and how they differWhen it may actually be necessary — and how rare that isWhat language during labor can signal an episiotomy is about to happenWhat the healing process is like and when to seek pelvic floor support--Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode299Feel calm and confident before birth with the $37 Mindset Bundle — grab it at drnicolerankins.com/calm.Our Sponsors:* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month - https://ritual.com/DRNICOLEAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In the last birth story episode, episode 295, I shared a story of a home birth that went beautifully. Today, we’re exploring the other side of that experience—because while out-of-hospital births can be wonderful, they can also come with real risks. My guest, Megan, joins me to share her second birth story, which started at a standalone birth center and turned into a life-threatening emergency involving a cord prolapse and an urgent hospital transfer.This is an emotional and important conversation about the realities of rare birth complications, the gaps that can exist between birth centers and hospitals, and why it’s so important to ask questions—no matter where you’re giving birth. And yes, even if you're planning a hospital birth, there are key lessons here around communication, continuity of care, and preparing for the unexpected. Megan’s story is one of strength, resilience, and ultimately, healing—and I’m honored to share it with you.In This Episode, You’ll Learn About:Why Megan chose a hospital for her first baby and a birthing center for her secondWhat a cord prolapse is and why it’s a true obstetric emergencyHow her low-risk birth escalated to a life-threatening situationWhy relationships between birthing centers and hospitals are so importantWhat happens when the nearest hospital isn’t fully equipped for labor and deliveryWhy her cord prolapse required immediate delivery through emergency C-sectionHow Megan is healing from birth trauma and preparing for a future VBAC--Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode298Check out The Birth Preparation CourseRegister for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right WayOur Sponsors:* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month - https://ritual.com/DRNICOLEAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Struggling to sleep during pregnancy or postpartum? You are definitely not alone. And it’s not just about being tired - it’s a chronic condition that deserves attention. Up to 80% of women experience insomnia by the third trimester, and many continue to struggle even two years postpartum. So if you’re having trouble, seek help.In this episode, I’m joined by clinical psychologist and sleep specialist Dr. Daniella Marchetti to break down why sleep can feel so elusive in motherhood and what you can do about it. We’re talking real strategies, the truth about melatonin and Benadryl, and why “sleep when the baby sleeps” just doesn’t cut it. Tune in—this episode might just change your nights.In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:What really causes insomnia during pregnancy & how it’s different than just having a tough nightHow long it takes most people to seek help for sleep issuesHow common insomnia is in pregnancy and postpartumHow sleep slips through the cracks during pregnancy careWhich sleep disorders are most common during pregnancyWhy quality rest matters so muchWhat CBT-I is (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia) — and why it worksWhen to seek help for insomniaWhat sleep hygiene meansWhether or not sleep trackers are actually useful--Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode297Check out The Birth Preparation CourseRegister for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right WayOur Sponsors:* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month - https://ritual.com/DRNICOLEAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I never intended to talk much about home birth—mainly because I’ve never attended one myself. But here we are. Why? Because if we’re serious about making hospital birth safer, more respectful, and more empowering, we have to take a close look at what home birth gets right.This episode is not about debating home versus hospital birth. It’s about asking a better question: what actually works? I walk you through the reasons some women choose home birth, what the research says about its safety, and—most importantly—what lessons the hospital system needs to learn from the home birth model.In This Episode, You’ll Learn About:Why some people choose home birthWho attends a safe birth at home and why training mattersHow many U.S. births actually happen at homeWhat the data says about safetyWhy fewer medical interventions happen at homeHow often planned home births transfer to hospitalsWho out-of-hospital birth is for—and who it’s not forHow the U.S. falls short on midwife-hospital teamworkWhy emotional safety is just as important as clinical safety--Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode296Check out The Birth Preparation CourseRegister for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right WayOur Sponsors:* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month - https://ritual.com/DRNICOLEAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

With Mother’s Day around the corner, I want to share something really personal—what it’s actually like to be a mom (or mommy as my girls call me :)). In this episode, I’m getting real about the 10 best and worst things about motherhood. Whether you're already a mom or you're pregnant and wondering what lies ahead, this one’s for you. It’s honest, raw, and from the heart—because motherhood deserves to be seen in all its messy, beautiful truth.Our Sponsors:* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month - https://ritual.com/DRNICOLEAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode is a first for the podcast: I’m sharing a home birth story. While I primarily focus on hospital births, I wanted to learn more and see what we might take away from this experience to make hospital births better.Lauren joins me to share her beautiful, deeply thoughtful journey into birthing from home after having her first baby in a hospital. This wasn’t a choice she made lightly - she did her research, worked with a trained provider, and had a backup plan in place. What she found was a level of trust, respect, and personalized care that’s worth talking about. Even if home birth isn’t on your radar, this story offers powerful lessons that anyone preparing for birth can take to heart.In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:Why Lauren chose home birth for her second deliveryHow she weighed the risks and benefits of hospital vs home birthWho made up her support teamHow she prepared for the possibility of a hospital transferWhat changed when Lauren labored in a space that was hersWhich position she gave birth inWhat it was like to rest in her own bed right after birthHow the birth certificate and paperwork were handled--Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode295Check out The Birth Preparation CourseRegister for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right WayOur Sponsors:* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month - https://ritual.com/DRNICOLEAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy