What you need to know about epidurals for pain relief in labor

Medical recommendations surrounding eating and drinking in labor are evolving, but not quite where they should be.In this episode learn the rationale for restricting eating and drinking in labor, why it's outdated, what our current guidelines are, and my evidence based recommendations for eating and drinking in labor.Join my next FREE LIVE birth plan class! - drnicolerankins.com/birthplanOur Sponsors:* Check out ByHeart and use my code DRNICOLE for a great deal: byheart.com/podcast* Download FamilyAlbum from the App Store today, and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time. * Get $120 Off Across 4 Boxes, Plus Free Shipping and Free Cookies! Go to gobble.com/DRNICOLE. * Start Ritual or add Essential For Women Prenatal to your subscription today! Head to ritual.com/DRNICOLE for 25% off. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Nicole (yes, another Nicole!) is here to share her empowering story of a successful VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean) followed by a challenging postpartum. Because she was intentional about her care team, she set herself up for success in the ways that she was able to control.However, nobody could control the liver issues her daughter would experience after birth. It took four hospital transfers and a five-week stay in the NICU before her baby was stable enough to come home. While Nicole’s birth story had a different ending than she expected, she took on the challenges with incredible strength and patience.In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:Why Nicole needed a C-section with her first babyHow she set herself up for a successful VBACHow her doula brought the whole birthing team togetherWhy it was worth the effort for Nicole to find the right doctorHow long she labored and pushed after inductionWhen medical staff realized that baby’s health problems required a hospital transferWhy her daughter required so many hospital transfers and how far she was taken for careHow long she spent in the NICUHow the community around Nicole and her family supported her through this difficult time--Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode272Check out The Birth Preparation CourseRegister for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right WayOur Sponsors:* Check out ByHeart and use my code DRNICOLE for a great deal: byheart.com/podcast* Download FamilyAlbum from the App Store today, and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time. * Get $120 Off Across 4 Boxes, Plus Free Shipping and Free Cookies! Go to gobble.com/DRNICOLE. * Start Ritual or add Essential For Women Prenatal to your subscription today! Head to ritual.com/DRNICOLE for 25% off. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this short episode I'm answering this listener question from Cat!"Hi Dr. Nicole! Long time listener & love your podcast!!. Question for you - a friend of mine recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl but unfortunately her birth didn't go as planned. She got to the hospital at 7.5cm, got an epidural, and then they told her she was "having too many contractions, 5 in 10 mins, and the limit is 6" so they gave her Terbutaline/Brethine to slow down her labor. I have listened to hundreds of birth stories and never heard of this! Then, of course, her labor stopped progressing, so they gave her pitocin a few hours later and well... you know what happened after that. I'm curious if you could do a short episode on the drug they used to slow down labor? Curious how common it is and learning more about the 6 contractions in 10 minutes rule? I definitely had more than that with both of my births, but maybe it's because I didn't have an epidural? Thanks so much!"If you have a question that you want me to answer, shoot me a DM on Instagram @drnicolerankins!Our Sponsors:* Check out ByHeart and use my code DRNICOLE for a great deal: byheart.com/podcast* Download FamilyAlbum from the App Store today, and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time. * Get $120 Off Across 4 Boxes, Plus Free Shipping and Free Cookies! Go to gobble.com/DRNICOLE. * Start Ritual or add Essential For Women Prenatal to your subscription today! Head to ritual.com/DRNICOLE for 25% off. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode I’m chatting with Rachel Somerstein about her traumatic experience having a C-section without adequate anesthesia. Already a professional journalist, this experience led Rachel to write her first book, Invisible Labor: The Untold Story of the Cesarean Section. In Invisible Labor Rachel weaves her personal narrative and investigative journalism with medical, social, and cultural history to reveal the surprising evolution of the cesarean section: from its days being practiced on enslaved and “unfit” women, to the ways modern technology promotes its overuse. It’s very common not to prepare for the possibility of a cesarean birth (Rachel didn’t). Even if you are completely healthy and it seems unlikely, you need to understand that a C-section is possible. If you want to know which questions to ask in order to understand if it’s medically necessary and what your options are, you need to be educated on all potential outcomes.In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:Why Rachel didn’t plan for a C-sectionWhat happened when she told her OB she wasn’t numb during surgeryHow this experience affected her ability to bond with her new babyWhat long-term effects she experienced as a result of her traumatic birthHow therapy helped her discover that she wanted a second baby but fear was holding her backWhy it’s important to find a care team that enthusiastically supports your decision to try for a VBACWhat challenges came with giving birth in 2020How her recovery was different in her first versus second birthHow she processed her internalized stigmas about cesarean birth--Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode271Check out The Birth Preparation CourseRegister for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right WayOur Sponsors:* Check out ByHeart and use my code DRNICOLE for a great deal: byheart.com/podcast* Download FamilyAlbum from the App Store today, and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time. * Get $120 Off Across 4 Boxes, Plus Free Shipping and Free Cookies! Go to gobble.com/DRNICOLE. * Start Ritual or add Essential For Women Prenatal to your subscription today! Head to ritual.com/DRNICOLE for 25% off. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Lauren DMed me on Instagram and asked me to talk about CMV and pregnancy so here it is!In this short episode you'll learnWhat is CMVHow it’s transmittedHow it can impact pregnancyHow it’s diagnosedHow it can be prevented or treatedIf you have a question you want me to answer in an upcoming episode, shoot me a DM on Instagram @drnicolerankins!Our Sponsors:* Check out ByHeart and use my code DRNICOLE for a great deal: byheart.com/podcast* Download FamilyAlbum from the App Store today, and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time. * Get $120 Off Across 4 Boxes, Plus Free Shipping and Free Cookies! Go to gobble.com/DRNICOLE. * Start Ritual or add Essential For Women Prenatal to your subscription today! Head to ritual.com/DRNICOLE for 25% off. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Ginny had an elective labor induction that went so smoothly she calls it a “dream.” But that doesn’t mean that everything about her pregnancy experience was easy. Multiple people in her personal life experienced birth-related complications while Ginny was pregnant including stillbirth. This caused Ginny a lot of anxiety. Also, she struggled with depression - both during pregnancy and postpartum.Learn how Ginny was able to successfully navigate these challenges in this great episode!In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:Why Ginny scheduled an inductionWhat subchorionic hemorrhaging meansHow she initially felt about inductionHow she made her hospital room feel like homeWhich induction medications and pain management she receivedHow the epidural made her feelWhat made her so happy with her birthing teamHow work helped Ginny find herself after pregnancy--Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode270Check out The Birth Preparation CourseRegister for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the RIGHT WayOur Sponsors:* Check out ByHeart and use my code DRNICOLE for a great deal: byheart.com/podcast* Download FamilyAlbum from the App Store today, and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time. * Get $120 Off Across 4 Boxes, Plus Free Shipping and Free Cookies! Go to gobble.com/DRNICOLE. * Start Ritual or add Essential For Women Prenatal to your subscription today! Head to ritual.com/DRNICOLE for 25% off. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Epidurals provide excellent pain relief during labor but there are risks and side effects. Learn how epidurals work and things you need to know before you get one.And no need to take notes, you can grab my comprehensive guide to managing pain in labor here!Our Sponsors:* Check out ByHeart and use my code DRNICOLE for a great deal: byheart.com/podcast* Download FamilyAlbum from the App Store today, and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time. * Get $120 Off Across 4 Boxes, Plus Free Shipping and Free Cookies! Go to gobble.com/DRNICOLE. * Start Ritual or add Essential For Women Prenatal to your subscription today! Head to ritual.com/DRNICOLE for 25% off. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In today's episode, you’re going to learn about vaccines and pregnancy. Vaccines -also called immunizations- are important in order to help prevent moms and babies from getting certain potentially serious infections. I know there’s a lot of concern about vaccines. But let me assure you, although vaccines are not risk free, they are very safe.There are 2 vaccines that are recommended to be up to date prior to pregnancy - MMR and Varicella, as well as 4 vaccines that are recommended during pregnancy - Flu, Tdap, COVID, and RSV. I want to make sure you have the latest information in order to stay safe so you’re going to learn all about these and why they’re important in this episode.In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:How vaccines protect you and your babyWhether vaccines are safe and effective (they are!)Why the best time to get a couple of important vaccines (MMR and Varicella) is before you get pregnantThe four vaccines that are recommended and why - Flu, Tdap, COVID, and RSVWhat the risks and side effects areWhich vaccines are not safe during pregnancy--Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode269Check out The Birth Preparation CourseRegister for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the RIGHT WayOur Sponsors:* Check out ByHeart and use my code DRNICOLE for a great deal: byheart.com/podcast* Download FamilyAlbum from the App Store today, and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time. * Get $120 Off Across 4 Boxes, Plus Free Shipping and Free Cookies! Go to gobble.com/DRNICOLE. * Start Ritual or add Essential For Women Prenatal to your subscription today! Head to ritual.com/DRNICOLE for 25% off. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this short episode you'll learn about medications to manage pain in labor that are not an epidural, specifically opioid medications and nitrous oxide. You'll learn how they work, the side effects, risks, pros and cons of each.Grab the free guide to managing pain in labor - drnicolerankins.com/painOur Sponsors:* Check out ByHeart and use my code DRNICOLE for a great deal: byheart.com/podcast* Download FamilyAlbum from the App Store today, and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time. * Get $120 Off Across 4 Boxes, Plus Free Shipping and Free Cookies! Go to gobble.com/DRNICOLE. * Start Ritual or add Essential For Women Prenatal to your subscription today! Head to ritual.com/DRNICOLE for 25% off. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

David Arrell is a coach, consultant, and returning guest! About three years ago David joined us for a conversation about the WTF moments of fatherhood. Since then, his empire of dad advice has grown and he’s back with more helpful tips.Welcome to Fatherhood (or WTF as it’s appropriately called at times) is his fatherhood brand. What began with a book is now a podcast, blog, and even a course! As a partner, it’s not always easy to know how to show up in the most supportive and helpful way. If only there was a how-to guide. Well thanks to David, there is! In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:What the “Dude Zone” is and why it’s importantWhich two traps are on the way from the Dude Zone to the Dad ZoneWhat it means to “team up” vs “team out”Which challenges dads are most worried aboutHow often dads deal with postpartum depressionHow partners can be supportive through each trimesterHow to redefine masculinity in the role of fatherhood--Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode268Check out The Birth Preparation CourseRegister for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right WayOur Sponsors:* Check out ByHeart and use my code DRNICOLE for a great deal: byheart.com/podcast* Download FamilyAlbum from the App Store today, and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time. * Get $120 Off Across 4 Boxes, Plus Free Shipping and Free Cookies! Go to gobble.com/DRNICOLE. * Start Ritual or add Essential For Women Prenatal to your subscription today! Head to ritual.com/DRNICOLE for 25% off. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy