What if the key to your fertility isn’t just in your hormones—but in your mouth?

In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with Dr. Katie Lee, dentist, entrepreneur, and author of Saved by the Mouth, to uncover the powerful connection between oral health and reproductive outcomes. We break down how bacteria in your mouth can influence conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, and even stillbirth—and what you can do to protect your fertility, pregnancy, and long-term health.

You’ll Learn:

• How oral bacteria affect fertility and pregnancy outcomes
• Why inflammation in your gums triggers inflammation throughout your body
• The truth about dental care during pregnancy (and why skipping the dentist could backfire)
• How salivary testing works—and what it can reveal about your reproductive health
• Everyday oral care habits that protect your fertility
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Resources Mentioned:

• Dr. Katie Lee: collectivehealthsociety.com
• Saved by the Mouth by Dr. Katie Lee
• Follow Dr. Lee on Instagram

Bleeding early in pregnancy can be terrifying — but in many (even most) cases, it’s not as dangerous as it seems.

In this short episode, I’m unpacking what it means when you’re told there’s a subchorionic hematoma. I’ll walk you through what’s actually happening in your body, how it’s diagnosed, what it means for your baby, and — most importantly — why it’s usually not your fault.

You’ll learn:

• What a subchorionic hematoma is and how common it really is
• Why it happens (and why you didn’t cause it)
• How doctors monitor it over time
• What to expect with follow-up ultrasounds
• Practical tips to protect your peace during the waiting period
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Resources Mentioned:

• Follow me on Instagram for more pregnancy education: @drnicolerankins

What happens when a perinatal psychologist — who supports women through fertility and birth trauma — becomes the patient herself?

In this honest and heartfelt episode, I chat with Dr. Allison Altman, a Bay Area psychologist who specializes in women’s mental health and trauma, about her deeply personal journey through infertility, IVF, and an unexpectedly fast hospital birth. Allison opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of pregnancy after infertility, how her professional training shaped her experience, and why advocacy and flexibility made all the difference.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What it’s really like to go through IVF — and how uncertainty takes a toll on your mental health
• How anxiety can show up during pregnancy after infertility (and what helps)
• What an IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction) diagnosis means and how to navigate induction decisions
• How Allison balanced her birth preferences with hospital protocols — and why she said “no” to breaking her water early
• The surprising speed of her labor (from 4 cm to baby in 20 minutes!) and how she processed it afterward
• Why setting up postpartum support before birth matters more than you think
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Resources Mentioned:

• Dr. Allison Altman’s website
• The Birth With Power Pathway — my online childbirth class