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PODCAST

Birth With Power

Dr. Nicole C. Rankins

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

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

10:29

[POWER REPLAY] Consent During Birth Is A MUST

Birth With Power ·

2025/07/08

👋🏾 This episode is a Power Replay of one of the most important messages I’ve ever shared — nothing should happen to you during your birth without your consent. Period.Whether it's a vaginal exam, breaking your water, starting Pitocin, or performing an episiotomy, your provider must have a clear, informed discussion with you about the benefits, risks, and alternatives, and receive your explicit consent before doing anything.In this short but powerful “Dr. Nicole Says” episode, I walk you

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4:31

Rest. Refocus. Realign.

Birth With Power ·

2025/07/01

In this short and personal episode, I share a personal update, what’s coming next, and an invitation to reflect on where you might need rest too.Our Sponsors:* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month - https://ritual.com/DRNICOLEAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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23:01

Ep 302: Feeling Your Baby Move - What’s Normal,...

Birth With Power ·

2025/06/24

Today we’re talking about something that is beautiful, powerful, and yes—potentially life-saving: feeling your baby move. In addition to the emotional connection, it’s also an important way to stay in tune with their wellbeing. But there’s a lot of inaccurate advice and fear out there. You’ll hear so many opinions about kick counts, what’s normal, and when you should call your doctor. It can feel incredibly confusing. So today I’m giving you the info you need on understanding your baby’s movement so

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44:43

Ep 301: Melissa’s Birth Story - From Miscarriage to...

Birth With Power ·

2025/06/17

After experiencing a miscarriage, Melissa decided to heal, both emotionally and physically, before trying again. In this episode, she shares how therapy and doing her homework helped her process the loss and feel ready to try again.From the exhaustion of prodromal labor to the raw intensity of pushing and a third-degree tear, Melissa shares a beautifully honest and empowering account of her journey. There’s so much goodness in this episode—real talk, helpful tips, and lessons that can truly make a

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39:11

Ep 300: The Silent Danger Behind Pregnancy Itching...

Birth With Power ·

2025/06/10

Intense pregnancy itching might be a sign of a serious condition called cholestasis of pregnancy—a liver disorder that affects pregnancy and can increase the risk of stillbirth. In honor of ICP Awareness Month this June, I’m joined by Donna Benavides, founder of the nonprofit ICP Care, to talk about her personal journey after tragically losing her first son due to cholestasis of pregnancy.Donna is here to share what everyone should know about this rare but potentially dangerous pregnancy

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19:13

Ep 299: How to Protect Your Power and Avoid an...

Birth With Power ·

2025/06/03

Episiotomy is not routine anymore, but it hasn't gone away. If it's done without your consent or because your doctor's in a hurry, that’s a problem. So let's talk about it! Because when you understand what an episiotomy really is, when it's actually needed, and how to protect yourself from one that isn't needed, that's when you step into your power.I first covered this topic back in 2020 but I want to circle back to it because I’d like to come out harder with my thoughts

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51:41

Ep 298: From Birth Center to OR: Navigating An...

Birth With Power ·

2025/05/27

In the last birth story episode, episode 295, I shared a story of a home birth that went beautifully. Today, we’re exploring the other side of that experience—because while out-of-hospital births can be wonderful, they can also come with real risks. My guest, Megan, joins me to share her second birth story, which started at a standalone birth center and turned into a life-threatening emergency involving a cord prolapse and an urgent hospital transfer.This is an emotional and important conversation

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43:59

Ep 297: Can’t Sleep During Pregnancy or Postpartum?...

Birth With Power ·

2025/05/20

Struggling to sleep during pregnancy or postpartum? You are definitely not alone. And it’s not just about being tired - it’s a chronic condition that deserves attention. Up to 80% of women experience insomnia by the third trimester, and many continue to struggle even two years postpartum. So if you’re having trouble, seek help.In this episode, I’m joined by clinical psychologist and sleep specialist Dr. Daniella Marchetti to break down why sleep can feel so elusive in motherhood and what you can do

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33:53

Ep 296: What Hospital Birth Can Learn from Home Birth

Birth With Power ·

2025/05/13

I never intended to talk much about home birth—mainly because I’ve never attended one myself. But here we are. Why? Because if we’re serious about making hospital birth safer, more respectful, and more empowering, we have to take a close look at what home birth gets right.This episode is not about debating home versus hospital birth. It’s about asking a better question: what actually works? I walk you through the reasons some women choose home birth, what the research says about its safety, and—most

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18:49

The 10 Best and Worst Parts of Being a Mom

Birth With Power ·

2025/05/08

With Mother’s Day around the corner, I want to share something really personal—what it’s actually like to be a mom (or mommy as my girls call me :)). In this episode, I’m getting real about the 10 best and worst things about motherhood. Whether you're already a mom or you're pregnant and wondering what lies ahead, this one’s for you. It’s honest, raw, and from the heart—because motherhood deserves to be seen in all its messy, beautiful truth.Our Sponsors:* Get 25% off your first month at

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53:35

Ep 295: Creating Emotional Safety in Birth: A Home...

Birth With Power ·

2025/05/06

This episode is a first for the podcast: I’m sharing a home birth story. While I primarily focus on hospital births, I wanted to learn more and see what we might take away from this experience to make hospital births better.Lauren joins me to share her beautiful, deeply thoughtful journey into birthing from home after having her first baby in a hospital. This wasn’t a choice she made lightly - she did her research, worked with a trained provider, and had a backup plan in place. What she found was a

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12:42

How a Simple Blood Test Can Protect Future Pregnancies

Birth With Power ·

2025/05/01

Did you know your blood type can impact not just your current pregnancy, but future ones too? In this Thursday short episode, I’m breaking down what it means to be RH negative, how RhoGAM works, and why this small shot can prevent serious complications. Every woman and birthing person deserves to understand how something so simple can make such a big difference!Our Sponsors:* Get 25% off your first month at ritual.com/DRNICOLE. Start Ritual or add Essential Prenatal to your subscription today.!*

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49:01

Ep 294: What Extended Breastfeeding Really Looks Like...

Birth With Power ·

2025/04/29

What if you're not ready to stop breastfeeding but you're burned out from the constant demands? Or maybe you’re thinking of breastfeeding beyond the baby stage? In this episode I'm talking with Erin Harris, a certified lactation educator and the creator of Nursing Mamas, about the very real and rarely discussed world of extended breastfeeding.I am so excited to talk about this topic because I’ve never talked about it before and honestly, I haven’t really heard that much about it, and I

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19:02

Fast Labor, Long Pushing—Why Patience Matters in...

Birth With Power ·

2025/04/24

Just because labor moves fast doesn’t mean pushing will! In this powerful storytime episode, I take you into the delivery room with me for a birth that had a fast start, a long push, and a beautiful ending. You’ll learn why patience, positioning, and the right support team are everything—plus what to expect when birth doesn’t follow the script.Only for subscribers, so make sure you're signed up!Our Sponsors:* Check out Ritual and get 25% off your first month! - https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE* Give

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26:27

Ep 293: Own Your Hospital Birth Experience with the...

Birth With Power ·

2025/04/22

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

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16:23

The Truth About Pitocin: What It Is, How It Works,...

Birth With Power ·

2025/04/17

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

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48:20

Ep 292: Two Epidurals, Then Unmedicated: What Danica...

Birth With Power ·

2025/04/15

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

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15:19

A Supported Birth is a Safe Birth: Creating Your...

Birth With Power ·

2025/04/10

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

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46:16

Ep 291: Breath, Movement & Birth: Why Every Pregnancy...

Birth With Power ·

2025/04/08

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

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13:09

The MAMA Mindset: A Powerful Approach for a Confident...

Birth With Power ·

2025/04/03

What if the key to a calm, confident birth was all in your mindset? In this episode, I introduce the MAMA Mindset, part of my new Birth with Power Pathway framework. You’ll learn how Meditation, Affirmations, Movement, and an Attitude of gratitude can transform the way you approach birth—helping you feel calm, confident, and empowered. Tune in to discover simple yet powerful strategies to train your mind for the beautiful birth experience you deserve! Our Sponsors:* Check out Ritual and get 25% off

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