All About Pregnancy & Birth
327 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 588 ratingsYou're not alone in your uncertainty about this monumental life stage of pregnancy and birth. If you’re ready to replace the overwhelm of late-night Googling with expert conversations and stories of strength and positivity from women just like you — join us on the top-rated All About Pregnancy & Birth podcast. The All About Pregnancy & Birth podcast is your place for supportive, evidence-based information from Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins, an OB/GYN physician who’s been in practice for nearly 15 years and has helped over 1000 babies into this world. You’ll also learn from innovative experts and hear stories of strength and resilience from parents and moms-to-be experiencing the same overwhelm and excitement as you.
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Episodes
[SPECIAL EPISODE] COVID Vaccine - Update
April 20, 2021 08:00 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MBIt’s been almost 4 months since I did a COVID update and I figured it’s time to revisit the subject. I get lots of questions about the vaccine so let’s talk about the COVID vaccine in relation to fertility, pregnancy, and lactation. On today’s episode I cover the data we have so far including what I get the most questions about: the CDC V-safe COVID-19 Vaccine Pregnancy Registry. And as always I will present the information, give my thoughts where I think it may be helpful, and you can mak...
[SPECIAL EPISODE] COVID Vaccine Update
April 20, 2021 08:00 - 35 minutes - 26 MBIt’s been almost 4 months since I did a COVID update and I figured it’s time to revisit the subject. I get lots of questions about the vaccine so let’s talk about the COVID vaccine in relation to fertility, pregnancy, and lactation. On today’s episode I cover the data we have so far including what I get the most questions about: the CDC V-safe COVID-19 Vaccine Pregnancy Registry. And as always I will present the information, give my thoughts where I think it may be helpful, and you can ma...
Ep111: Michael’s Birth Story - A Dad’s Perspective
April 13, 2021 08:00 - 54 minutes - 49.9 MBIn today’s episode we have a birth story from a dad’s perspective. Mike and his wife listened during their pregnancy (thank you!). He reached out because he felt they had an interesting story to share and I agree. He also wanted to contribute to having more dads share their perspective of birth which I appreciate as well. We’re going to hear about their New Year’s Day baby which was not at all expected but the birth ended up going well. The story is at times funny, also very sweet, and it i...
Ep110: Pregnancy Associated Breast Cancer with Dr. Kristin Robinson
April 06, 2021 08:00 - 55 minutes - 50.9 MBIn this episode you’re going to learn about a really important topic: pregnancy associated breast cancer and breast imaging in pregnancy and while lactating. On today’s episode we have Dr. Kristin Robinson, a board certified radiologist specializing in breast imaging. She educates women about their breast health, including breast density and personal breast cancer risk to help them make informed decisions about breast cancer screening. Find full show notes at drnicolerankins.com/episode11...
Ep109: Choosing the Right Hospital - Updated
March 30, 2021 08:00 - 33 minutes - 38.9 MBIn this episode I’m updating you on what you need to know when choosing a hospital to give birth. I’ve delivered babies at 6 different hospitals during my career. One thing I’ve learned is that the hospital where you deliver has a big influence on your experience giving birth. And specifically you want to know how the hospital approaches birth. Find full show notes at drnicolerankins.com/episode109 and check out all the free pregnancy & birth resources I have for you at drnicolerankins.c...
Ep109: Choosing the Right Hospital - Update
March 30, 2021 08:00 - 33 minutes - 31.1 MBIn this episode I’m updating you on what you need to know when choosing a hospital to give birth. I’ve delivered babies at 6 different hospitals during my career. One thing I’ve learned is that the hospital where you deliver has a big influence on your experience giving birth. And specifically you want to know how the hospital approaches birth. Find full show notes at drnicolerankins.com/episode109 and check out all the free pregnancy & birth resources I have for you at drnicolerankins.com...
Ep108: Kalishia’s Birth Story - Success with Transabdominal Cerclage
March 23, 2021 08:00 - 1 hour - 57.8 MBOn today’s episode of the podcast we have a unique birth story episode from Kalishia. Warning: This episode includes pregnancy loss. Kailishia had a transabdominal cerclage and a successful full term pregnancy after exepreicing a miscarriage at 16 weeks and then a stillbirth at 21 weeks. In this episode, Kalishia walks us through her experience. This episode is a bit longer because you really have to understand her first two pregnancies to understand the 3rd. Find full show notes at dr...
Ep107: The Importance of Birth Stories with Bryn Huntpalmer
March 16, 2021 08:00 - 48 minutes - 44.4 MBBryn Huntpalmer is the founder of The Birth Hour podcast which was featured as one of the 'Top 50 Podcasts" by Time Magazine and has over 13 million downloads to date. She is passionate about helping pregnant people prepare for childbirth through the sharing of empowering and informative birth stories as well as her online evidence-based childbirth course called "Know Your Options". Bryn is also the author of the best-selling book, "The First-Time Mom's Pregnancy Handbook: A Week-by-Week Gu...
Ep106: Prenatal Care Models
March 09, 2021 09:00 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MBThis is a very requested episode on the various models of care during pregnancy and birth. Today I am going to break down all the various options for prenatal care and care during birth in the hospital. There is tremendous variation and you really have to ask your own provider about how it works in their practice. This is important to know, especially for when it comes time for your birth, so you know as much as you can about who is there with you during your birth and you can prepare accor...
Ep105: Emilie’s Birth Story - Every Birth is Different
March 02, 2021 09:00 - 57 minutes - 52.3 MBIt’s another birth story episode today and this one is a completely unmedicated hospital birth in a military hospital. Emilie is a registered nurse and military spouse currently living in Guam. She and her husband Chris have been married for 5 years and have two precious babies, Liam who is 2 and baby Adeleine whose birth story we are going to hear today. In this episode Emilie shares how different her two births have been, her experience with postpartum preeclampsia, and the excellent car...
Ep104: A Hands-On Approach to Addressing Trauma in Pregnancy with Parijat Deshpande
February 23, 2021 09:00 - 46 minutes - 42.6 MBIn today’s episode I’m happy to welcome back Parijat Deshpande. Her unique neurobiological approach has served hundreds of women to manage pregnancy complications and reclaim a safety and trust in their bodies that they thought was eroded forever. Parijat is the author of bestselling book Pregnancy Brain: A Mind-Body Approach to Stress Management During a High-Risk Pregnancy. She is also the host of the popular podcast Delivering Miracles®️. This episode is especially for people who’ve ha...
Ep103: Uterine Fibroids in Pregnancy
February 16, 2021 09:00 - 45 minutes - 41.3 MBToday you’re going to learn about fibroids in pregnancy In this episode, you’ll first learn a bit about fibroids outside of pregnancy because it’s important to understand that in order to understand how they impact pregnancy. After that I’ll explain the risk factors and symptoms associated. I will also explain the safest options for symptom management. Find full show notes at drnicolerankins.com/episode103 and check out all the free pregnancy & birth resources I have for you at drnicolerank...
Ep102: Kelsey’s Birth Story - Expecting the Unexpected
February 09, 2021 09:00 - 54 minutes - 49.9 MBIt’s another birth story episode today and this one is a lot. And by a lot I mean that Kelsey experienced quite a range of different things during her pregnancies and birth. Kelsey joins us to talk about the stress around her first pregnancy, a very wanted pregnancy that she ended because of a fatal genetic condition. She explores how she got pregnant again pretty quickly after that and what that experience was like. Find full show notes at drnicolerankins.com/episode102 and check out all ...
Ep 101: Coaching Dads Through the “WTF” Moments of Fatherhood with David Arrell
February 02, 2021 09:00 - 56 minutes - 51.7 MBDavid Arrell is an Author, Entrepreneur, Consultant, and Men's Coach. He is passionate about coaching men on how to more fully embrace and embody healthy masculinity, especially through the powerful modalities of partnership and parenting. His most recent work in this area is the book Welcome To Fatherhood: The Modern Man's Guide to Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Fatherhood, better known as WTF. In WTF David encourages men to more actively step into their important supportive roles during pregn...
Ep100: How You Can Have A Beautiful Birth
January 26, 2021 09:00 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MBFor this special 100th episode, I wanted to share my unique Beautiful Birth Prep Process with all of you. This is the framework that guides all of my work, especially my new and improved version of The Birth Preparation Course. There are five steps to having a beautiful birth and I will walk through each of them today. I will talk about getting in the right mindset for your pregnancy & birth, preparing for the possibilities, and making birth wishes that really work. Find full show notes at...
Ep99: Kara's Birth Story - Working Through a Very Long Labor
January 19, 2021 08:30 - 1 hour - 55.6 MBIn this birth story episode, Kara shares her experience going through a 40+ hour labor. She talks about physical discomfort during prenatal exams, laboring at home, realizing how strong contractions can be and the moment she met me during her labor. This is a great story packed with valuable information about every stage of pregnancy & birth! Find full show notes at drnicolerankins.com/episode99 and check out all the free pregnancy & birth resources I have for you at drnicolerankins.com/res...
Ep98: Hepatitis In Pregnancy and Birth with Dr. Keisha Reddick
January 12, 2021 08:30 - 40 minutes - 37.2 MBDr. Keisha Reddick is back on the podcast to share what you should know about hepatitis during pregnancy & birth. We talk about what hepatitis is, how common it is, how it's transmitted and much more. We also talk about how having hepatitis might change your prenatal care & delivery and why it is always good to get tested & have a fuller picture of your health. Find full show notes at drnicolerankins.com/episode98 and check out all the free pregnancy & birth resources I have for you at drn...
Ep97: 15 Things You Need to Know Before Giving Birth
January 05, 2021 08:30 - 41 minutes - 37.6 MBToday I'm updating one of my very first episodes, 9 Things You Need to Know Before Giving Birth, with six new bits of advice and guidance. We'll talk about why I think childbirth education is more important than ever, preparing yourself mentally & emotionally for becoming a parent, and everything else you need to know before your baby arrives. Find full show notes at drnicolerankins.com/episode97 and check out all the free pregnancy & birth resources I have for you at drnicolerankins.com/re...
Ep96: Revisiting My Top 10 Episodes & Looking Ahead to 2021
December 29, 2020 08:30 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MBWe've made it to the end of a challenging year, so I wanted to end things on a lighter note and look back at the top 10 episodes of the podcast so far. In this episode, I'll share some commentary for each episode that didn't make it into the final cut, talk a bit about what's coming up in 2021, and thank all of my amazing listeners for joining me on this incredible journey. Find full show notes at drnicolerankins.com/episode96 and check out all the free pregnancy & birth resources I have fo...
Ep95: HypnoBirthing - What It Is, How It Works and Who Should Try It
December 22, 2020 08:30 - 44 minutes - 41.1 MBToday Caroline O'Neill joins me to tell us all about HypnoBirthing: what it is, how it works, and how it can help you even beyond labor. We talk about why all birthing people need to practice managing pain, how your support partner can utilize HypnoBirthing techniques, and what you might want to know about this practice before you get started. Find full show notes at drnicolerankins.com/episode95 and check out all the free pregnancy & birth resources I have for you at drnicolerankins.com/r...
Ep94a: COVID-19 & Pregnancy Update - What to Know About Vaccines and Treatment
December 15, 2020 08:30 - 53 minutes - 48.9 MBIn this episode I'm providing you with some updated information (as of December 2020) about COVID-19, vaccination and pregnancy. I'll talk about the development of COVID vaccines, what we know about vaccines & pregnancy, and what you might consider when deciding whether to get vaccinated while pregnant. I'll also cover what you can expect treatment-wise if you have COVID-19 during pregnancy & birth and how that will impact you & your baby. Find full show notes at drnicolerankins.com/covidu...
Ep94: How Prenatal Yoga Can Improve Your Entire Birth Experience with Deb Flashenberg
December 08, 2020 08:30 - 46 minutes - 42.3 MBToday I'm joined by the wonderful Deb Flashenberg, founder and director of the Prenatal Yoga Center in New York City. We talk all about the benefits of prenatal yoga, why learning how to align your body & baby are so helpful for birth, and how yoga can help you practice autonomy over your own body & birth experience. Find full show notes at drnicolerankins.com/episode94 and check out all the free pregnancy & birth resources I have for you at drnicolerankins.com/resources. Learn more about ...
Ep93: Brooke's Birth Story - An Unmedicated Hospital Birth During COVID-19
December 01, 2020 08:30 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MBWe have another lovely birth story episode for you this week, this time with Brooke! She tells us all about her completely unmedicated hospital birth and what it was like being pregnant & delivering her baby during the COVID-19 pandemic. We talk about why seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist was a great idea for her, how she prepared mentally, physically and spiritually for her birth, and how she advocated for herself and her birth wishes. In this Episode, You’ll Learn About: -Why Broo...
Ep92: What to Know About Being Pregnant with Twins
November 24, 2020 08:30 - 52 minutes - 48.1 MBBeing pregnant with twins is a bit different than having just one baby. In this episode I'm going over what you need to know about carrying & delivering twins, some of the complications you should watch out for, and what your provider will keep an eye on throughout your pregnancy and birth with twins. Find full show notes at drnicolerankins.com/episode92 and check out all the free pregnancy & birth resources I have for you at drnicolerankins.com/resources. Learn more about donating your co...
[REBROADCAST] All About Preeclampsia and What You Need to Know to Reduce Your Chances Of Getting It
November 17, 2020 08:30 - 52 minutes - 48.1 MBI wanted to revisit this episode about pre-eclampsia because of the recent, tragic loss of Dr. Chaniece Wallace MD, who was a Pediatric Chief Resident at Indiana University School of Medicine. She passed away on October 24 after giving birth to her baby Charlotte via emergency c-section. She experienced severe preeclampsia, so I wanted to bring back this conversation with Dr. Cecily Clark Ganhart about what preeclampsia is, what the symptoms are, and why we need to take it seriously. You c...
Ep91: Rick's Fatherhood Story - Prenatal Care, Anxiety, and Bonding with Rick Mulready
November 10, 2020 08:30 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBI'm really excited to have the second dad on the podcast to share his perspective on pregnancy, labor and birth! Rick Mulready is an online business owner and dad to an 18-month old girl with his wife Amy. Rick shares his experience of supporting his wife as she carried and delivered their baby. He talks about his anxiety in the early days of pregnancy, why he resisted reading other people's birth experiences, and how his wife's labor and delivery felt from his perspective. He also shares ...
Ep90: Perineal Tears: Risk Factors, Prevention, and Healing
November 03, 2020 08:30 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBI get lots of questions about perineal tears - how they happen, how to prevent them, and how to heal them - so I want to answer as many of those as I can for you today. In this episode you'll learn how common perineal lacerations are, risk factors that can increase your chances, strategies to prevent them, and how they can affect current and future pregnancies. Find full show notes at drnicolerankins.com/episode90 and check out all the free pregnancy & birth resources I have for you at drni...
Ep89: Making Sure Your Dog and Your New Baby Get Along Well with Michelle Stern of Pooch Parenting
October 27, 2020 07:30 - 49 minutes - 45 MBIf you're bringing home a new baby and you have a dog (or want one), then you need a plan that keeps everyone safe & happy. Michelle Stern of Pooch Parenting joins us on this episode to talk about introducing your newest family member to your pup and how you can prepare beforehand. We also chat about dog breeds and what to think about when adding a new dog to your family. Find full show notes at drnicolerankins.com/episode89 and check out all the free pregnancy & birth resources I have for ...
Ep88: Ashlyn's Birth Story - A Scheduled Labor Induction During COVID-19
October 20, 2020 07:30 - 43 minutes - 39.7 MBIn this lovely birth story episode, Ashlyn shares what it was like having her first baby during COVID-19 via a scheduled induction. She had a great experience with prenatal care and her birth, which included an epidural and episiotomy. We talk about how her care changed in light of the coronavirus pandemic and how she and her husband have navigated family expectations after their baby girl arrived. Find full show notes at drnicolerankins.com/episode88 and check out all the free pregnancy &...
Ep87: A Milestone Birthday, My Mission, and a Birthday Wish
October 13, 2020 07:30 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MBIf you're listening to this episode the day it comes out, then it is my 46th birthday! This is an interesting milestone for me, so this week's episode is a little different to reflect that. My older sister died of cancer the day before her 46th birthday, so naturally I've been thinking a lot about her, reflecting on her life, and thinking about my own. I wanted to share what these reflections have taught me about my work and what I will be stepping into in this next chapter of life. I am r...
Ep86: Operative Vaginal Delivery: When & Why We Do It and What to Know
October 06, 2020 07:30 - 37 minutes - 33.9 MBI was inspired to cover this episode's topic because I recently attended several births that ended up being operative vaginal deliveries. Also known as an assisted birth, an operative vaginal delivery means that the medical provider uses tools - either forceps or a vacuum cup - to help deliver the baby vaginally. In this episode you'll learn a lot more about what operative vaginal delivery is, how often it's done, when it's necessary and what the procedure is like. Operative deliveries only...
Ep85: Finding a New, Creative Approach to Fertility with Jasmine Katatikarn
September 29, 2020 07:30 - 59 minutes - 54.8 MBWe have a really interesting story this week about fertility, perseverance, and creative thinking. Our guest is a great example of someone who took control of their fertility journey and advocated for herself through a long and difficult process. Jasmine Katatikarn shares the ups and downs of Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and what she and her husband went through emotionally during the process. Jasmine also describes the moment she decided to apply her desi...
Ep84: Jennifer's Birth Stories - One Hospital, Three C-Sections, and Birth Wishes as a Muslim Woman
September 22, 2020 07:30 - 50 minutes - 46 MBWe have another special birth story episode this week, but this time you're getting three birth stories in one! Jennifer is an international board certified lactation consultant, wife and mom of three. She had all three of her babies at the same hospital and had a C-section with each of them - but as you'll hear, her birth experiences were different every single time. Jennifer and I talk about all three of her births so you can understand how her hospital experiences and self-advocacy dev...
Ep83: Fetal Growth Restriction - What It Is, How We Screen for It, and Risks You Should Know
September 15, 2020 07:30 - 51 minutes - 47.1 MBToday I'm diving deep on fetal growth restriction (AKA intrauterine growth restriction), how we screen for it, how it affects baby, and more. This doesn't happen too often, but as with most things I talk about it's great for you to be prepared and knowledgeable in case it does. We'll also talk about what happens if your baby is just naturally small and what can happen later on in life for a baby with growth restriction. Check out ncrcoaching.com/episode83 for complete show notes, and join m...
Ep82: All About Vaginal Birth After a Cesarean with Julie Francom and Meagan Heaton of VBAC Link
September 08, 2020 07:30 - 1 hour - 60.5 MBJulie Francom & Meagan Heaton of VBAC Link join us to talk about vaginal birth after a Cesarean (VBAC) and what you need to know about VBACs. They share what you should ask your provider if you're interested in having a vaginal birth, why they highly recommend having a doula, and common myths about VBACs that you should be aware of. Check out ncrcoaching.com/episode82 for complete show notes, and join my email list at ncrcoaching.com/email-signup/! Learn more about donating your cord bloo...
Ep81: A Father's Perspective on Pregnancy & Birth with Falcon Rankins
September 01, 2020 07:30 - 51 minutes - 47.5 MBI talk a lot about the experience of the birthing person on this podcast, which often means that I don't talk as much about what it feels like to be the supporting partner. In that spirit, someone recently suggested that I share the perspective of dads on the podcast. So, in this special episode my husband Falcon is joining me to talk about his feelings and experiences during my pregnancies and births. It was really interesting to hear what things felt like from Falcon's perspective. We mo...
[REBROADCAST] Feeling Your Baby Move
August 25, 2020 07:30 - 24 minutes - 22.8 MBThings have been a little busy lately, so I'm rebroadcasting this episode about feeling your baby move while working on a new episode for next week. I also wanted to re-share this episode because of new research coming out about a rise in stillbirths during the COVID-19 pandemic. It may be the case that there have been more stillbirths during the pandemic because moms-to-be are too worried about catching COVID-19 to go to the hospital when they normally might. There have also been fewer p...
[REBROADCAST] Supplements, Nutrition, and Environmental Toxins During Pregnancy with Dr. Anne Kennard
August 18, 2020 07:30 - 44 minutes - 40.6 MBIn this rebroadcast episode, we revisit my conversation with Dr. Anne Kennard about nutrition, supplements, and environmental toxins during pregnancy. Anne and I talked about nutrition during pregnancy, why weight gain isn't the best indicator of your health during pregnancy, supplements moms should look for, and why she takes an integrative health approach with her moms-to-be. We also chat a bit about why you should do more research into nutrition during pregnancy since your OB-GYN probab...
Ep80: Navigating Genetic Testing and Pregnancy Loss During a Pandemic with Cortnie
August 11, 2020 07:30 - 50 minutes - 46 MBIn this episode Cortnie joins us to talk about her recent experience navigating her second pregnancy, genetic testing, and pregnancy loss amidst a pandemic. After finding our her baby had trisomy 13, Cortnie and her husband had to make some very difficult decisions and faced huge challenges getting the care and support they needed. She's generously sharing her story to help other families who might be in a similar situation. Check out ncrcoaching.com/episode80 for complete show notes, and ...
Ep79: Facts and Misconceptions About Plus-Size Pregnancy and Care with Jen McLellan
August 04, 2020 07:30 - 1 hour - 59.6 MBJen McLellan joins us today to talk about pregnancy for plus-sized people, how providers can provide more compassionate care, and shifts she's seeing in the medical field now. We cover common misconceptions people have about plus size pregnancies, why we must be aware of our own biases when providing care, and how to have a great pregnancy and birth experience as a plus size parent. Check out ncrcoaching.com/episode79 for complete show notes, and join my email list at ncrcoaching.com/email-...
Ep78: Episiotomy - What It Is, What Q’s To Ask & When It May Be Necessary
July 28, 2020 07:30 - 31 minutes - 29.2 MBIn this episode I'm talking about episiotomy - what it is, how often it's done, risks associated with the procedure, and what you need to ask your provider. I'll tell you why episiotomies are no longer performed routinely and talk a bit about the fairly rare circumstances in which they are needed. Check out ncrcoaching.com/episode78 for complete show notes, and join my email list at ncrcoaching.com/email-signup/! Learn more about donating your cord blood and get up to $100 Amazon gift card...
Ep77: Amber's Birth Story - Having a Beautiful Natural Birth
July 21, 2020 07:30 - 58 minutes - 53.6 MBIn this birth story episode, Amber Manning returns to the podcast to tell us how her natural birth went, why she decided to switch providers at 32 weeks, and why she threw her birth plan out the window. Amber was the first guest I had on the podcast who was still pregnant at the time, so it was incredibly fun to get an update on how she and her family are doing now. Check out ncrcoaching.com/episode77 for complete show notes, and join my email list at ncrcoaching.com/email-signup/! Learn ...
Ep76: What You'll Want to Know About Having a Baby in the NICU with Dr. Terri Major-Kincade
July 14, 2020 07:30 - 1 hour - 55.4 MBMy first daughter was born premature and had to spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit (AKA the NICU or the ICU nursery). This week's episode has all the information I wish I'd known then, and I am so happy to be sharing it with you. Today we're joined by Dr. Terri Major-Kincade, a practicing medical doctor and champion for premature babies and their families. Dr. Terri and I start off talking about what the NICU is three of the main reasons babies are admitted to the ICU nursery....
Ep75: Benefits, Risks and Ethical Considerations of Newborn Male Circumcision
July 07, 2020 07:30 - 34 minutes - 31.9 MBIn this episode I'm talking through the benefits and risks to consider when deciding whether circumcision is right for your newborn son. You'll learn what circumcision is, some of the different techniques used for the procedure, and why some families choose to have this elective procedure performed for their babies. Check out ncrcoaching.com/episode75 for complete show notes, and join my email list at ncrcoaching.com/email-signup/! Learn more about donating your cord blood and get up to ...
Ep74: Parijat's Birth Story - IVF, Surrogacy, Pregnancy Loss and Mindful Pregnancy
June 30, 2020 07:30 - 59 minutes - 54.8 MBIn this inspiring birth story episode, Parijat Deshpande shares her family's journey through fertility treatments, pregnancy complications, the NICU, pregnancy loss, and surrogacy. Parijat is a high-risk pregnancy expert, mind-body health specialist, author, speaker, and advocate for moms with high-risk pregnancies and pre-term birth. Parijat's own experiences have hugely influenced her work and her passion for helping other moms handle some of life's most difficult decisions. Check out ...
Ep73: Why We Need Better Preparation for the Postpartum Period with Dr. Christine Sterling OB-GYN
June 23, 2020 07:30 - 53 minutes - 49.3 MBIn this episode I chat with a fellow OB-GYN, Dr. Christine Sterling, about why it is so important to prepare parents for the postpartum period. After her own difficult postpartum experiences following the birth of her first baby, Dr. Sterling decided to make it her mission to educate parents about the postpartum period, including warning signs to watch out for, how to advocate for your mental health, and how to handle strains on your partnership. We talk about all of that and a lot more i...
Ep72: How Structural Racism & Implicit Bias Create Disparities in Maternal Care for Black Families
June 16, 2020 07:30 - 29 minutes - 27 MBThis episode is a bit different than what I usually talk about on the podcast, but I hope that you will tune in and learn something new about maternal healthcare and racism in our country. In this episode I'm talking about the disparities we see in maternal healthcare & outcomes for Black mamas and their babies. I describe some of the structural racism we see in the medical field, what implicit bias is, and how these forces add up to create a difficult environment for Black people - includ...
Ep71: Rachel's Birth Story - Giving Birth in New York During COVID-19
June 09, 2020 07:30 - 49 minutes - 45.2 MBBefore we start in on this story about giving birth during COVID-19, I want to acknowledge the huge protests going on in America and abroad at the time of this recording. These protests, begun after George Floyd was murdered by a police officer, are happening in response to the racism that is embedded into our societies and institutions. I have always worked to lift up and serve all mamas, but promise to continue my commitment to helping Black mamas in particular navigate America's racist me...
Ep70: Labor Induction: What to Know and What Questions to Ask
June 02, 2020 07:30 - 46 minutes - 42.7 MBToday I'm talking about the two main reasons for labor induction, how labor is induced, what a "failed induction" is, and questions to ask before induction. I have gotten a ton of requests to talk about this topic, and I believe it is incredibly important for you to be informed about the process of labor induction whether you are having a medical or elective induction. Check out ncrcoaching.com/episode70 for complete show notes, and join my email list at ncrcoaching.com/email-signup/! Lear...
Ep69: All About Breastfeeding and Breastmilk with Laurel Wilson
May 26, 2020 07:30 - 1 hour - 55.4 MBLaurel Wilson is a lactation consultant, doula, and speaker, and today she joins us to talk all about breastfeeding and how to handle its common obstacles. Laurel talks about how human milk is designed to nourish babies and their microbiomes. We also talk about the importance of skin-to-skin contact well beyond the "golden hour" after birth and how we can support families' choices about feeding their children, whatever they may be. And we discuss common obstacles parents face when breastfee...