All About Pregnancy & Birth

Normally the umbilical cord has 3 vessels - 2 arteries and one vein. What does it mean when your baby's umbilical cord has 2 vessels instead of 3? How do you know if this is a concern for your baby? I answer this listener question from Jessica in this episode! If you have a question you'd like me to answer, shoot me a DM on Instagram @drnicolerankins. Our Sponsors: * Check out Dr. Mom Butt Balm: drmombuttbalm.com * Check out Informed Pregnancy Media: www.informedpregnancy.tv * Download the FamilyAlbum app today and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time! * Head to byheart.com/podcast my code DRNICOLE for a great deal! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, you'll learn all the tests that are recommended during pregnancy. I’ll break things down by trimester and talk about why the tests are done and what the results of the tests mean. You can use this information to prepare for upcoming tests or go back and ask questions about ones that were done in the past. The bulk of testing is done in the first trimester. Early screening is vital for the health of you and your baby. Healthcare doesn’t often focus on preventative care so use this opportunity to be proactive and plan ahead. In this Episode, You’ll Learn About: -- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode257 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Our Sponsors: * Check out Dr. Mom Butt Balm: drmombuttbalm.com * Check out Informed Pregnancy Media: www.informedpregnancy.tv * Download the FamilyAlbum app today and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time! * Head to byheart.com/podcast my code DRNICOLE for a great deal! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The term high risks gets used a lot and can mean very different things depending on your unique circumstances. Learn what "high risk" actually means as well as questions you need to ask if you've been told you're "high risk". Join me in my free LIVE class Make A Birth Plan The Right Way! Grab your seat at drnicolerankins.com/birthplan Our Sponsors: * Check out Dr. Mom Butt Balm: drmombuttbalm.com * Check out Informed Pregnancy Media: www.informedpregnancy.tv * Download the FamilyAlbum app today and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time! * Head to byheart.com/podcast my code DRNICOLE for a great deal! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mallory Whitmore knows her stuff about formula! She’s a certified infant feeding tech, leader of education at Bobbie–the only mom-founded and mom-run U.S. formula brand–and she’s the face behind The Formula Mom, an online platform for infant feeding info and support. To be clear, she’s not against breastfeeding, quite the opposite in fact! Her mission is to help parents make informed, confident, and supported infant feeding decisions–without guilt or shame. If that means all breastmilk, all formula, or someplace in between, all that matters is that your baby gets the nutrition they need! In this Episode, You’ll Learn About: -- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode256 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Our Sponsors: * Check out Dr. Mom Butt Balm: drmombuttbalm.com * Check out Informed Pregnancy Media: www.informedpregnancy.tv * Download the FamilyAlbum app today and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time! * Head to byheart.com/podcast my code DRNICOLE for a great deal! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Making a birth plan is a really important part of helping you have the birth you want. A birth plan helps you think through the things that you want for your birth and communicate your wishes with your birth team. To make the most of your birth plan, be sure to ask your doctor the 4 key questions you'll learn in this short episode! And to learn 4 more questions to ask as well as how to approach the process, tips to get your doctor and nurses to pay attention and what to include, join me in my FREE LIVE class Make A Birth Plan The RIGHT Way. Register at drnicolerankins.com/birthplan Our Sponsors: * Check out Dr. Mom Butt Balm: drmombuttbalm.com * Check out Informed Pregnancy Media: www.informedpregnancy.tv * Download the FamilyAlbum app today and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time! * Head to byheart.com/podcast my code DRNICOLE for a great deal! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Amy had what she calls an "easy pregnancy". The birth was the difficult part. Her labor came on quickly and then stalled. While hospital staff nudged her along by breaking her water and administering Pitocin, it became clear that something was wrong. Amy was sick - she was showing symptoms of infection. As she faded in and out of consciousness, her family and care team discussed the options. Eventually it was decided that a C-section was the best choice. After birth, Amy didn't get her “TV moment" with her baby. Her son was taken to the NICU and she had to spend a week in the hospital. Once they were reunited, it was still difficult to feel connected. She wanted to share her story to help others feel less alone. I guarantee you, you are going to be on the edge of your seat and really learn a lot from Amy's birth story. In this Episode, You’ll Learn About: -- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode255 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Our Sponsors: * Check out Dr. Mom Butt Balm: drmombuttbalm.com * Check out Informed Pregnancy Media: www.informedpregnancy.tv * Download the FamilyAlbum app today and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time! * Head to byheart.com/podcast my code DRNICOLE for a great deal! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dysmorphic milk ejection reflex, also known as D-MER, is a condition experienced by lactating women and individuals where you feel a sudden, brief, and very intense negative emotional response just before milk letdown or release. Learn about this important and underrecognized condition in this short episode. Join me LIVE on April 30th for my FREE class - Make A Birth Plan The RIGHT Way! Grab your spot at drnicolerankins.com/birthplan Our Sponsors: * Check out Dr. Mom Butt Balm: drmombuttbalm.com * Check out Informed Pregnancy Media: www.informedpregnancy.tv * Download the FamilyAlbum app today and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time! * Head to byheart.com/podcast my code DRNICOLE for a great deal! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode is being released during Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17). Black Maternal Health Week was created by The Black Mamas Matter Alliance, a national coalition created to ensure all Black Mamas have the rights, respect, and resources to thrive before, during, and after pregnancy. In this episode you’re going to learn about pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality. Specifically, you’ll learn about the racial disparities in obstetric care as well as causes and solutions. You'll also learn how to keep yourself safe and how to help other pregnant people, too. In this Episode, You’ll Learn About: -- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode254 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Our Sponsors: * Check out Dr. Mom Butt Balm: drmombuttbalm.com * Check out Informed Pregnancy Media: www.informedpregnancy.tv * Download the FamilyAlbum app today and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time! * Head to byheart.com/podcast my code DRNICOLE for a great deal! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Black Maternal Health week is April 11-17th! In this short episode I'm sharing some facts about Black Maternal Health. As I've done before, during Black Maternal Health week I'm collecting donations to giveaway spots in my online childbirth education class, The Birth Preparation Course. I'd love for my community to come together and donate enough to give away 10 spots! Please donate whatever you can at drnicolerankins.com/help. Our Sponsors: * Check out Dr. Mom Butt Balm: drmombuttbalm.com * Check out Informed Pregnancy Media: www.informedpregnancy.tv * Download the FamilyAlbum app today and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time! * Head to byheart.com/podcast my code DRNICOLE for a great deal! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I love connecting you with other physicians who have a real heart and passion for caring for people and that’s exactly what you’re going to get in this episode with Dr. Jess. Since she was 10 years old, Dr. Jess Daigle (@momandme_md) knew she wanted to be a pediatrician and neonatologist. Now a board-certified pediatrician and CEO of Mom & Me MD, a concierge practice that focuses on providing in-home care and support for moms and babies after a NICU stay, she has made that dream a reality and then some. Dr Jess’s dedication to NICU care is rooted in her own challenging experiences with pregnancy and birth including a loss at 19 weeks and bedrest for 65 days followed by a preterm birth with her second pregnancy. Her passion and commitment for her work really shines through in this episode and you can’t help but listen to her and think “Man, I would love for her to be my doctor!”. We have a great conversation about 5 areas to prepare for when you’re having a baby (mom, baby, relationships, household, and career) as well as the importance of advocating for oneself and asking questions. In this Episode, You’ll Learn About: -- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode253 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Our Sponsors: * Check out Dr. Mom Butt Balm: drmombuttbalm.com * Check out Informed Pregnancy Media: www.informedpregnancy.tv * Download the FamilyAlbum app today and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time! * Head to byheart.com/podcast my code DRNICOLE for a great deal! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this short episode I answer this question from Bailey: I was wondering if you could speak on partial-molar pregnancy in your podcast? My husband and I recently lost our baby due to this and I had to go through with a d&c, and this was something I hadn’t heard of until it happened to us. Thank you. If you have a question you want me to answer in the podcast shoot me a DM on Instagram @drnicolerankins! Our Sponsors: * Check out Dr. Mom Butt Balm: drmombuttbalm.com * Check out Informed Pregnancy Media: www.informedpregnancy.tv * Download the FamilyAlbum app today and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time! * Head to byheart.com/podcast my code DRNICOLE for a great deal! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Andrea planned an induction at 39 weeks, but things didn't go as anticipated. She thought that her water broke just after 38 weeks and went to the hospital. It turned out that it didn't, but her blood pressure was high and her baby had turned to a transverse position - which is basically going across the uterus - and no matter how hard we try, a baby is not going to fit through the vagina that way. So she ended up having to have a C-section. A lot of things did not go great with her experience. Quite honestly, some of the things she experienced were just plain awful. Most of the nurses were great but one in particular made her feel like she was failing as a mom. Plus there were some other not ideal experiences which she’ll explain in the episode. These experiences resulted in postpartum depression and anxiety. Now, despite those challenges, she's also going to share how she’s taking care of herself now. Working with a postpartum coach and a pelvic floor physical therapist have helped her grieve the vaginal birth she wanted but didn't have. In this Episode, You’ll Learn About: -- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode252 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Our Sponsors: * Check out Dr. Mom Butt Balm: drmombuttbalm.com * Check out Informed Pregnancy Media: www.informedpregnancy.tv * Download the FamilyAlbum app today and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time! * Head to byheart.com/podcast my code DRNICOLE for a great deal! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Stop fighting and listen to your body! This doesn't mean what you think..... Make A Birth Plan The RIGHT Way - Free Class! Check out The Birth Preparation Course and get calm, confident, and empowered for your birth. If you like this podcast please support it at drnicolerankins.com/support. Our Sponsors: * Check out Dr. Mom Butt Balm: drmombuttbalm.com * Check out Informed Pregnancy Media: www.informedpregnancy.tv * Download the FamilyAlbum app today and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time! * Head to byheart.com/podcast my code DRNICOLE for a great deal! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Amniotic fluid (AF) is the liquid that surrounds your baby after the first few weeks of pregnancy. An adequate amount of amniotic fluid is absolutely, positively critical for fetal health. If it’s too low, there can be a risk of severe fetal deformations, umbilical cord compression, and in extreme cases, fetal death. On the other side, if it’s too high, there’s a range of other fetal disorders that can occur affecting both you and your baby. Neither extreme is very common, but they both require monitoring and special care. In this Episode, You’ll Learn About: -- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode251 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way If you like All Abou Pregnancy & Birth consider supporting it financially! You can do so here. Our Sponsors: * Check out Dr. Mom Butt Balm: drmombuttbalm.com * Check out Informed Pregnancy Media: www.informedpregnancy.tv * Download the FamilyAlbum app today and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time! * Head to byheart.com/podcast my code DRNICOLE for a great deal! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Social media will have you believing you have to do SO MUCH when you are having a baby. I'm here to tell you that you don't! Learn exactly that things you don't have to do just because you're having a baby. Make A Birth Plan The Right Way - FREE Class! Click here to support All About Pregnancy & Birth! Our Sponsors: * Check out Dr. Mom Butt Balm: drmombuttbalm.com * Check out Informed Pregnancy Media: www.informedpregnancy.tv * Download the FamilyAlbum app today and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time! * Head to byheart.com/podcast my code DRNICOLE for a great deal! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week’s guest is Dr. Andrea Wadley. She is board certified in both pediatrics AND breastfeeding medicine. In fact she’s one of only 100 physicians in the country who is board certified in breastfeeding medicine. With all of the unreliable information out there, it’s so important to seek out authorities like her. It would be great if your doctor was an expert in breastfeeding but the fact is, whether it’s your OB/GYN or pediatrician, that’s rarely the case. That’s where you’re going to have to take some initiative. Educate yourself, seek out a lactation consultant, and of course listen to this episode with Dr. Wadley! Even if you can’t visit her in person, you can find all kinds of resources and ways to connect with her through the links below! In this Episode, You’ll Learn About: -- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode250 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way If you love All About Pregnancy & Birth, please support it here! Our Sponsors: * Check out Dr. Mom Butt Balm: drmombuttbalm.com * Check out Informed Pregnancy Media: www.informedpregnancy.tv * Download the FamilyAlbum app today and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time! * Head to byheart.com/podcast my code DRNICOLE for a great deal! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I have a terrible time with seasonal allergies! And I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you have a hard time too, they might get worse in pregnancy. Get info on medication-free techniques (where I recommend you start) and medications to help with those turrrrible seasonal allergies! Also, please do me a big favor and leave a review of the podcast in Apple podcasts. It's SUCH a huge help! Our Sponsors: * Check out Dr. Mom Butt Balm: drmombuttbalm.com * Check out Informed Pregnancy Media: www.informedpregnancy.tv * Download the FamilyAlbum app today and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time! * Head to byheart.com/podcast my code DRNICOLE for a great deal! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I think this might be the first time I’ve had a guest describe their birth as “beautiful,” “joyful,” and even “relaxing”! Erin wasn’t expecting to be somebody who loved her birth story but she absolutely does. Today, she’s here to share her perspective that a hospital birth can be beautiful. I didn’t realize until we started talking, but Erin actually gave birth in the hospital where I work! I was not a part of her birth but I know her doctor, nurses, and midwife. It was so nice to hear from a patient perspective that the place I work provides a great experience and validates that hospital birth can be beautiful! In this Episode, You’ll Learn About: Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode249 Check out The Birth Preparation Course Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way If you like this podcast, please help support it! You can do so here - drnicolerankins.com/support Our Sponsors: * Check out Dr. Mom Butt Balm: drmombuttbalm.com * Check out Informed Pregnancy Media: www.informedpregnancy.tv * Download the FamilyAlbum app today and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time! * Head to byheart.com/podcast my code DRNICOLE for a great deal! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this shorty episode I'm answering a listener question that was sent to me via Instagram DM - "Hi Dr. Rankins! I love your podcast and just signed up for your free birth class. I’m [in my first trimester]. This is my first pregnancy and I’m a little nervous. I was born with one kidney and a bicornuate uterus. I am learning I may be at higher risk for breech and may have to have a c-section. Maybe this can be a small topic for a future podcast. Any information you have about women with a “heart-shaped” uterus giving birth would be amazing, and if vaginal birth is possible. Thank you for all you do! You are wonderful! -Monica:)" If you want me to answer your question on an upcoming episode, shoot me a DM on Instgram @drnicolerankins and be sure to follow me while you're there! Check out my FREE birth plan class! drnicolerankins.com/birthplan Our Sponsors: * Check out Dr. Mom Butt Balm: drmombuttbalm.com * Check out Informed Pregnancy Media: www.informedpregnancy.tv * Download the FamilyAlbum app today and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time! * Head to byheart.com/podcast my code DRNICOLE for a great deal! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode is all about helping you during those first six weeks postpartum! The reality is that once you get discharged from the hospital, your doctor likely won't see you for six weeks. Experts recommend some degree of contact within the first three weeks postpartum. However, the reality is that it isn’t common. So in this episode, you're going to get some great information to help you during that time. This episode is taken from The Birth Preparation Course, my online childbirth education class that gets you calm, confident, and empowered to have the beautiful birth you deserve. Of course this podcast is fantastic. It’s great for helping you get information and I put my heart and soul into it, but inside of The Birth Preparation Course you get important visual information and a structured format to help you really be READY for birth. Even if you don't choose my Birth Preparation Course for childbirth education, please choose something. It is so, so important and you should not skip it. In this Episode, You’ll Learn About: -- Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode248 Check out The Birth Preparation Course use the code DRNICOLE and get an additional 10% off! Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way Our Sponsors: * Check out Dr. Mom Butt Balm: drmombuttbalm.com * Check out Informed Pregnancy Media: www.informedpregnancy.tv * Download the FamilyAlbum app today and start creating a legacy of love one photo at a time! * Head to byheart.com/podcast my code DRNICOLE for a great deal! Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy