Ep 293: Own Your Hospital Birth Experience with the B.I.R.T.H. Blueprint
What if I told you that understanding your birth environment is one of the most powerful ways to take charge of your birth? When you know what to expect at every stage—from check-in to how labor progress is assessed—you can make informed choices and feel more confident. That’s exactly what we’re talking about today with The B.I.R.T.H. Blueprint, a simple way to understand the lay of the land in labor and truly own your birth experience.The B.I.R.T.H. Blueprint is actually part of my brand-new Birth With Power Pathway online childbirth education class, launching this May! This course is designed to help you take charge of your birth with confidence and clarity. While I’m putting the finishing touches on the class, enjoy a sneak peek at one of the most important lessons!In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:B - Begin at Arrival: What to expect when you arrive at the hospitalI - IV Fluids & Monitoring: How it works & how to stay mobileR - Refuel: Eating and drinking in labor - What’s really safe to eat in laborT - Track Progress: How labor progress is assessedH - Hustle or Hold Still?: Movement & positioning during labor--Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode293Check 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/DRNICOLE* Give Armoire a try and get up to 50% off your first month, that’s up to $125 OFF! Just visit armoire.style/DRNICOLE* Head to AvocadoMattress.com today and save up to ten percent on certified organic mattresses. Dream of Better – for you and the planet. - https://www.avocadogreenmattress.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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The Truth About Pitocin: What It Is, How It Works, and When It’s Used
Heard scary stories about Pitocin? You’re not alone—and you deserve real information, not fear. In this quick and powerful episode, I’m sharing 10 fast facts about Pitocin: what it is, how it works, and what you actually need to know before it’s offered during labor. Walk away feeling informed, prepared, and empowered to make the best choices for your birth.Want more tips to help you feel calm, confident, and empowered for birth? Get my weekly email, The Birth With Power Brief. You'll get exclusive insights, real talk, and practical tools delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up at drnicolerankins.com/email.Our Sponsors:* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month! - https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE* Give Armoire a try and get up to 50% off your first month, that’s up to $125 OFF! Just visit armoire.style/DRNICOLE* Head to AvocadoMattress.com today and save up to ten percent on certified organic mattresses. Dream of Better – for you and the planet. - https://www.avocadogreenmattress.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Ep 292: Two Epidurals, Then Unmedicated: What Danica Learned (and Didn’t Expect)
Epidural or unmedicated: how do you know what’s right for you? Danica has done both and in this episode she takes us through her journey of having two epidural births followed by an unmedicated one—her biggest baby yet! She shares what worked, what didn’t, and how she felt in those first moments postpartum. It’s going to surprise you. If you’re weighing your pain management options, you won’t want to miss this episode!In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:What it felt like to labor unmedicated after two epidural birthsWhy she chose epidurals for her first two babiesHow support from her sisters-in-law helped her decision-makingWhich position gave her the most reliefHow her labor progressed quickly—especially after her water brokeWhat made the moments after birth harder than she expectedWhat her postpartum recovery felt like compared to her previous birthsWhy she’s glad she experienced both medicated and unmedicated birth--Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode292Check 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/DRNICOLE* Give Armoire a try and get up to 50% off your first month, that’s up to $125 OFF! Just visit armoire.style/DRNICOLE* Head to AvocadoMattress.com today and save up to ten percent on certified organic mattresses. Dream of Better – for you and the planet. - https://www.avocadogreenmattress.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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48:20
A Supported Birth is a Safe Birth: Creating Your Circle of Support
The right support can make all the difference in your birth experience. 💕 From your doctor to your partner to your labor nurse, your Circle of Support should empower and uplift you every step of the way.In this episode, I break down exactly who should be on your birth team and how to ensure they align with YOUR birth wishes. Because a supported birth is a safe birth! LINKS MENTIONEDHow To Choose A Doula - drnicolerankins.com/episode218Our Sponsors:* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month! - https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE* Give Armoire a try and get up to 50% off your first month, that’s up to $125 OFF! Just visit armoire.style/DRNICOLE* Head to AvocadoMattress.com today and save up to ten percent on certified organic mattresses. Dream of Better – for you and the planet. - https://www.avocadogreenmattress.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
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Ep 291: Breath, Movement & Birth: Why Every Pregnancy Can Benefit from Yoga with Dr. Shilpa Babbar
Did you know that practicing prenatal yoga can actually shorten your labor by up to three hours? Or that simple breathing techniques might help manage your blood pressure during pregnancy? In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Shilpa Babbar, a double board-certified maternal-fetal medicine specialist, researcher, and yoga instructor. We dive deep into the science-backed benefits of prenatal yoga, how it can support you physically and emotionally, and the misconceptions that might be holding you back. Tune in to learn why yoga is more than just movement—it's a powerful tool for pregnancy and birth!In this Episode, You’ll Learn About:How prenatal yoga differs from other types of yogaWhich yoga poses and practices should be avoided during pregnancyWhat recent research reveals about prenatal yoga’s benefitsWhich common pregnancy issues it can help withHow breathing techniques can support blood pressure regulation during pregnancyHow yoga can potentially shorten labor and increase the chances of vaginal birthWhat role yoga and breathwork can play in labor preparation and pain managementWhy integrative medicine is gaining traction among high-risk pregnancy doctors--Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode291Check 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/DRNICOLE* Give Armoire a try and get up to 50% off your first month, that’s up to $125 OFF! Just visit armoire.style/DRNICOLE* Head to AvocadoMattress.com today and save up to ten percent on certified organic mattresses. Dream of Better – for you and the planet. - https://www.avocadogreenmattress.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Birth With Power is the go-to podcast for expecting mothers who want to take charge of their birth experience.Hosted by Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins, a practicing, board-certified OB/GYN with over 20 years of experience and thousands of births attended, this podcast delivers accurate, expert advice, real birth stories, and honest conversations to get you informed and empowered.Through solo episodes, guest interviews, and inspiring birth stories, you’ll get the tools to navigate pregnancy, labor, and postpartum with calm and confidence.Whether you’re planning your first birth or your fourth, Birth With Power will help you approach the journey feeling strong, prepared, and empowered.Subscribe today and take charge of your birth!
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