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!

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.

• Why Rachel didn’t plan for a C-section
• What happened when she told her OB she wasn’t numb during surgery
• How this experience affected her ability to bond with her new baby
• What long-term effects she experienced as a result of her traumatic birth
• How therapy helped her discover that she wanted a second baby but fear was holding her back
• Why it’s important to find a care team that enthusiastically supports your decision to try for a VBAC
• What challenges came with giving birth in 2020
• How her recovery was different in her first versus second birth
• How she processed her internalized stigmas about cesarean birth

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode271

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the Right Way

Lauren DMed me on Instagram and asked me to talk about CMV and pregnancy so here it is!

In this short episode you'll learn

• What is CMV
• How it’s transmitted
• How it can impact pregnancy
• How it’s diagnosed
• How it can be prevented or treated

If you have a question you want me to answer in an upcoming episode, shoot me a DM on Instagram @drnicolerankins!

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!

• Why Ginny scheduled an induction
• What subchorionic hemorrhaging means
• How she initially felt about induction
• How she made her hospital room feel like home
• Which induction medications and pain management she received
• How the epidural made her feel
• What made her so happy with her birthing team
• How work helped Ginny find herself after pregnancy

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode270

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the RIGHT Way

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!

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.

• How vaccines protect you and your baby
• Whether 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 pregnant
• The four vaccines that are recommended and why - Flu, Tdap, COVID, and RSV
• What the risks and side effects are
• Which vaccines are not safe during pregnancy

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode269

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Make a Birth Plan the RIGHT Way

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/pain

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!

• What the “Dude Zone” is and why it’s important
• Which two traps are on the way from the Dude Zone to the Dad Zone
• What it means to “team up” vs “team out”
• Which challenges dads are most worried about
• How often dads deal with postpartum depression
• How partners can be supportive through each trimester
• How to redefine masculinity in the role of fatherhood

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode268

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

Register for the class How to Create a Birth Plan the Right Way