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.

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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 With Power Pathway online childbirth education class, launching this May! This course is designed to help you take charge of your birth with confidence and clarity. While I’m putting the finishing touches on the class, enjoy a sneak peek at one of the most important lessons!

• B - Begin at Arrival: What to expect when you arrive at the hospital
• I - IV Fluids & Monitoring: How it works & how to stay mobile
• R - Refuel: Eating and drinking in labor - What’s really safe to eat in labor
• T - Track Progress: How labor progress is assessed
• H - Hustle or Hold Still?: Movement & positioning during labor

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode293

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

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 exclusive insights, real talk, and practical tools delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up at drnicolerankins.com/email.

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!

• What it felt like to labor unmedicated after two epidural births
• Why she chose epidurals for her first two babies
• How support from her sisters-in-law helped her decision-making
• Which position gave her the most relief
• How her labor progressed quickly—especially after her water broke
• What made the moments after birth harder than she expected
• What her postpartum recovery felt like compared to her previous births
• Why she’s glad she experienced both medicated and unmedicated birth

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode292

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

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 MENTIONED

How To Choose A Doula - drnicolerankins.com/episode218

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 back. Tune in to learn why yoga is more than just movement—it's a powerful tool for pregnancy and birth!

• How prenatal yoga differs from other types of yoga
• Which yoga poses and practices should be avoided during pregnancy
• What recent research reveals about prenatal yoga’s benefits
• Which common pregnancy issues it can help with
• How breathing techniques can support blood pressure regulation during pregnancy
• How yoga can potentially shorten labor and increase the chances of vaginal birth
• What role yoga and breathwork can play in labor preparation and pain management
• Why integrative medicine is gaining traction among high-risk pregnancy doctors

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode291

Check out The Birth Preparation Course

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

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!

This is it—the start of a new era! All About Pregnancy & Birth is now Birth With Power! Birth isn’t just something that happens to you; you can take charge and step into your power. In this episode, I’m sharing why I made this change, what it means for YOU, and what’s coming next, including the Birth With Power Pathway, my brand-new framework that will get you ALL the way ready to trust your power and take charge of your birth. So keep listening—you don’t want to miss this.

• Why All About Pregnancy & Birth is now Birth With Power
• What this change means for you and how it will impact the podcast
• How Birth With Power helps you take charge of your birth experience
• Which aspects of the podcast are staying the same and which are evolving
• When the Birth With Power Pathway will launch and what to expect from it
• Who this new framework is designed to help and how it prepares you for birth
• What mindset shifts can help you feel calm, confident, and in control during birth

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Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode290