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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 partnersRisk factors and why even those without them can still develop PMADsHow to recognize the difference between baby blues and clinical depressionWhat 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 supportHow psychiatrists approach medication decisions before, during, and after pregnancyThe truth about breastfeeding, medication safety, and making choices that protect both you and your babyA breakdown of the first FDA-approved medication specifically for postpartum depression — and what you need to know Resources Mentioned: Postpartum Support International: www.postpartum.netImprove Life - Dr. Waggle’s practiceMommyMeds 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 hospitalHow to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You: Ask the right questions and spot red flags earlyLabor 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. Our Sponsors: * Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE 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 plannedKey questions every NICU parent should feel empowered to askWhy advocacy and communication with the care team matterHow to prepare for postpartum while you’re still pregnantPractical tips for building support systems that actually make life easierResources 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 hospitalHow to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You: Ask the right questions and spot red flags earlyLabor 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. Our Sponsors: * Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE 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 mattersThe signs and symptoms of birth trauma in the early postpartum periodHow treatment works, including what EMDR and other trauma-focused therapies actually doWhen (and how) to seek support if you’re struggling after birthThe role communication and care team dynamics play in shaping your birth experience Resources Mentioned: Kaylee’s Instagram + TikTok: @thebirthtrauma_mamaThe Birth Trauma Mama PodcastPostpartum Support International provider directoryTouchstone 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 hospitalHow to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You: Ask the right questions and spot red flags earlyLabor 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. Our Sponsors: * Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE 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 Our Sponsors: * Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE 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 nowHow hospital training limits women’s birth choicesWhat really happens during an emergency C-sectionThe untold truth about vaginal breech birthWhat autonomy actually looks like in labor (and how to prepare for it) Resources mentioned: Dr. Nathan Riley on InstagramBorn Free MethodBeloved 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 Our Sponsors: * Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE 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 birthHow she advocated for weight-inclusive prenatal careThe realities of insurance challenges for home birth familiesHow she prepared mentally and physically for a fast, intense laborWhy her postpartum experience at home was dramatically different — and betterWhat 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 Our Sponsors: * Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE 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 motherhoodWhy my OB-GYN skills go beyond technique — and why that mattersThe power of a team that truly supports womenHow 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 Our Sponsors: * Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE 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 outcomesWhy inflammation in your gums triggers inflammation throughout your bodyThe 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 healthEveryday oral care habits that protect your fertilityResources Mentioned: Dr. Katie Lee: collectivehealthsociety.comSaved by the Mouth by Dr. Katie LeeFollow 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 Our Sponsors: * Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE 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 isWhy it happens (and why you didn’t cause it)How doctors monitor it over timeWhat to expect with follow-up ultrasoundsPractical tips to protect your peace during the waiting periodResources Mentioned: Follow me on Instagram for more pregnancy education: @drnicolerankinsFree 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 Our Sponsors: * Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE 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 healthHow anxiety can show up during pregnancy after infertility (and what helps)What an IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) diagnosis means and how to navigate induction decisionsHow Allison balanced her birth preferences with hospital protocols — and why she said “no” to breaking her water earlyThe surprising speed of her labor (from 4 cm to baby in 20 minutes!) and how she processed it afterwardWhy setting up postpartum support before birth matters more than you thinkResources Mentioned: Dr. Allison Altman’s websiteThe 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 Our Sponsors: * Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE 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 insertsThe CLEAR framework for informed decision-makingHow to balance medical recommendations with your personal valuesHow to ask your provider informed, respectful questions during pregnancy and birth Resources Mentioned: Just the Inserts – Free Training & ResourcesIs 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 Our Sponsors: * Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE 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. risksWhat big studies say about acetaminophen and neurodevelopment—and what they don’t proveWhy untreated fever and significant pain carry their own real risks in pregnancyA simple decision framework: lowest effective dose, shortest time, with guidanceNon-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 Our Sponsors: * Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE 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 measureHow 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 painfulWhat 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 Our Sponsors: * Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE 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 mattersHow Ashley’s lightning-fast first birth unfolded (and what she wishes she’d known)How her second birth experience was completely different — and healingPractical signs to watch for if you ever experience unexplained itchingWhy listening to your body can literally save livesResources 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 Our Sponsors: * Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE 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 Our Sponsors: * Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadogreenmattress.com/DRNICOLE Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy