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.
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Resources Mentioned:

• Labor Pain Management Playbook (free): drnicolerankins.com/labor

Today, we’re talking all about chiropractic care in the postpartum period—what it is and how it may help you heal after giving birth. Now listen, I know some doctors can be quick to dismiss things like chiropractic care or other so-called “alternative” approaches. But I really believe it's important that we expand our lens and stay open to options outside the traditional box—especially when those options may offer real benefits for postpartum healing and wellness.

In this episode, we’re welcoming back award-winning prenatal chiropractor and childbirth educator, Dr. Elliot Berlin. He was a guest on the podcast way back on episode 44 and he’s back to talk about how chiropractic care can support your body during recovery. If you're curious about safe, effective ways to care for your body after baby, this one's for you!

• How personal fertility struggles shifted Dr. Berlin from medicine to holistic care
• What chiropractors really do (and no it doesn’t always involve cracking)
• How restoring joint motion supports recovery
• What the postpartum “golden window” is and how it makes chronic issues easier to resolve
• What physical stress pregnancy places on joints, muscles, and posture
• Whether chiropractic care is safe after giving birth
• How laser therapy can support C-section recovery and pelvic floor healing
• How integrating physical therapy and chiropractic care can improve outcomes
• What to look for in a chiropractor
• Why postpartum recovery works best with team-based, collaborative care

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode303

Feel calm and confident before birth with the $37 Mindset Bundle! Grab it at drnicolerankins.com/calm.

If you’ve ever wondered how you’ll let your baby go one day, this one’s for you.

In this episode, my husband Falcon takes over the mic and interviews me the very week we dropped our oldest—who started life in the NICU—off at college! It’s a raw, unscripted conversation about the joy, grief, pride, and growth tucked inside every goodbye. I share how NICU memories never really leave, why presence matters more than perfection, and the mindset shift that helped me loosen my grip while keeping our bond strong.

You’ll hear:

• How our NICU beginning still shapes my heart today
• The one mindset that made move-in day gentler (presence > perfection)
• How I prepared myself (not just my teen) for launch
• Why honoring your child’s personality builds lifelong confidence
• The NICU resources I wish I’d had back then

Resources Mentioned:

• Episode 76: Navigating the NICU with neonatologist Dr. Terry Major-Kincade drnicolerankins.com/episode76

What happens when you actually pause—without guilt, without pressure? Clarity shows up. Peace returns. Purpose sharpens.

This mini episode is me sharing five lessons from my summer reset—family first, listening for divine guidance, returning to my core values, remembering I am what I teach, and using social media with intention. I’m back with more joy, more clarity, and a big update on the Birth with Power Pathway.

You’ll learn:

• Why time with family is never a regret—and how presence restores you.
• How stillness opens space to hear what you’ve been asking for.
• The 3 values that ground Birth with Power: service, authenticity, simplicity.
• A reminder that you can be calm, confident, and powerful—because I live it, too.
• A healthier way to use social media (yes, I deleted the apps from my main phone).

Resources Mentioned:

• Join my email list for first access + launch bonus: drnicolerankins.com/email.
• Follow me on Instagram: @drnicolerankins.

This Power Replay episode brings back a candid and heartfelt discussion where I share my personal perspective on the term “pregnant people.” It’s a short but powerful conversation about identity, inclusion, and why language matters in the world of pregnancy and birth.

You’ll hear how I navigate using terms like “pregnant woman” and “pregnant person,” and how my experiences as a Black woman and as a parent have shaped my approach. This episode is all about honoring diverse identities while still seeing and affirming yourself.

Whether you’ve never thought much about this topic or it’s something that sparks strong feelings for you, I hope you’ll listen with an open heart.

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Send me a message through my website at drnicolerankins.com/contact or DM me on Instagram @drnicolerankins.

👉🏽 Sign up for my email list to stay connected and get more great pregnancy and birth content: drnicolerankins.com/email

This episode is a power replay and one you don’t want to miss!

We’re revisiting one of the most insightful and important topics I've covered: physiologic birth. I was inspired to do this episode by Certified Nurse Midwife Gianna Fay, who raised a critical question - how do we define and support physiologic birth, especially in a hospital setting?

As an OB/GYN, I wasn’t taught much about this, and I had to dig in and learn myself. In this episode, I break down what physiologic birth really means, what disrupts it, why it’s beneficial, and how YOU can be supported in having one.

You’ll learn:

• How normal physiologic birth is defined
• Which factors can disrupt the process (and how many of them are routine in hospitals)
• What benefits physiologic birth can offer to both you and your baby
• Why hospital protocols often contradict best practices
• The truth about pushing techniques, fetal monitoring, labor positions, and more
• How you can advocate for yourself and demand change in a system slow to evolve
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Whether you're planning a physiologic birth or not, this episode will leave you informed, empowered, and ready to make the best decisions for your birth experience.

👉🏽 Be sure to sign up for my email list for more helpful resources at drnicolerankins.com/email.

You deserve a beautiful pregnancy and birth!

This week’s episode is a Power Replay of one of the most important messages you need to hear..

We often hear the phrase, “just be happy to have a healthy baby.” But that mindset overlooks something deeply important - your birth experience matters too. In this short but powerful episode, I share why it's not only okay to have birth wishes beyond physical health, it's necessary.

Birth is a rare and transformational event. Of course you want a healthy baby. But you also deserve to be listened to, respected, and treated with compassion throughout the process. Your emotional well-being and how you’re treated during labor and delivery are just as vital as your physical health.

Let this episode be a reminder: the bare minimum is physical health. You deserve so much more.

👩🏾‍⚕️ Ready to stay informed and empowered? Join my email list for updates, resources, and support at drnicolerankins.com/email

This week’s episode is a Power Replay and we’re diving into one of the most fascinating parts of pregnancy that often doesn’t get enough attention - the placenta! Yep, it’s an organ, and it's your baby’s lifeline throughout pregnancy. This episode is packed with essential info every expecting parent should know.

You'll learn all about what the placenta does, where it forms, and how it supports your baby’s growth and development. I also break down common (but thankfully rare) complications like placenta abruption, placenta previa, and placenta accreta, including who’s at risk and why they matter.

We also explore some of the more debated practices—placenta encapsulation and lotus birth. Curious about eating your placenta or leaving it attached to your baby? I’ve got you covered with the facts and what to think about before making your decision.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What the placenta is and how it functions
• How and why placental issues occur
• What makes conditions like placenta accreta so serious
• The real deal on placenta encapsulation
• Why some parents choose lotus birth and whether it's beneficial
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Whether you're preparing for your first birth or brushing up your knowledge, this episode will leave you more informed and empowered about this incredible organ.

🎧 Tune in now—and don’t forget to join my email list for more empowering pregnancy content at drnicolerankins.com/email