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 compli...
Jun 10, 2025•39 min
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 on consent, power, how ...
Jun 03, 2025•19 min
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 conversat...
May 27, 2025•52 min
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 ca...
May 20, 2025•44 min
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...
May 13, 2025•34 min
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: * Check out Avocado Green Mattress and ...
May 08, 2025•19 min
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 w...
May 06, 2025•54 min
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: * Check out Avocado Green Mattress and get 10% off! https://avocadomattress.com * Check out Ritual and get 25% off your f...
May 01, 2025•13 min
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 suspect ...
Apr 29, 2025•49 min
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 Avocado Green Mattress and get 10% off! https://avocadomattress.com * Che...
Apr 24, 2025•19 min
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 B...
Apr 22, 2025•26 min
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 excl...
Apr 17, 2025•16 min
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 a...
Apr 15, 2025•48 min
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 Our Sponsors: * Check out Avocado Green Mattress and get ...
Apr 10, 2025•15 min
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 bac...
Apr 08, 2025•46 min
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 Avocado Green Mat...
Apr 03, 2025•13 min
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. In this Episode, ...
Apr 01, 2025•13 min
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...
Mar 28, 2025•2 min
In this episode, I'm sharing important updates about the podcast and a special opportunity for expectant mamas! I'm also reflecting on my wishes for pregnancy and birth and the importance of empowerment and support for women. Plus I announce a limited-time sale for The Birth Preparation Course to help you feel confident and prepared for your childbirth experience. It's the lowest price EVER for the course! Grab it here ! Takeaways It's important to take breaks to recharge. Hear my 10 wishes that...
Jan 21, 2025•10 min
Get empowering pregnancy and birth tips delivered to your inbox each week! Join my email list here ! It’s 2025! In this first episode of the year, I’m sharing 10 wishes for pregnancy, birth, and maternal health inspired by metta meditation, a practice rooted in cultivating goodwill and compassion. I learned about this beautiful practice from Aditi Shah, a Peloton meditation instructor, and today we’re adapting it to reflect on pregnancy, birth, and maternal health through 10 loving-kindness wish...
Jan 07, 2025•27 min
Get more great info to help you have an empowered pregnancy and birth by joining my email list here ! It’s that time of year again: I’m recapping the most downloaded episodes of 2024. Think of this as a kind of greatest hits or playlist - a perfect place for you to start if you’re new to the podcast. If you don’t see your favorite episode on this list, remember that earlier episodes have more downloads simply because they’ve been available longer, not because they’re less valuable! We’re closing...
Dec 31, 2024•27 min
Stay in the know by joining my email list! I know you want to exercise during pregnancy, but what are you supposed to do and how do you do it safely? Amy Keifer from Expecting and Empowered is here to answer that question and more! After starting her personal training career working with pregnant clients, she realized there were a ton of misconceptions still floating around about exercising during pregnancy. That’s why she and her sister created their thriving maternal fitness community. As a re...
Dec 24, 2024•46 min
What happens when you’re a physician and you experience a childbirth-related injury? Are you treated any differently? Today’s guest experienced exactly that and you’re going to hear her unique perspective. Gina is an ophthalmology resident who had a birth complication that left her paralyzed in one leg. She has regained her mobility but this very rare injury still has lasting effects. Despite being a physician herself, Gina faced dismissiveness from her medical team. In fact, one nurse even told...
Dec 17, 2024•57 min
When exploring ‘alternative’ therapies, it’s crucial to understand the training and qualifications of practitioners. Although licensure and certification aren’t guarantees, they certainly help give you some assurance that the person is trained and capable. This week’s guest, Meaghan Beames, is a Registered Massage Therapist and Craniosacral Therapist who teaches perinatal professionals how to incorporate CST into their practices. Now, I will be honest, I was a little hesitant about this episode....
Dec 10, 2024•40 min
I’ve said it many times: the only predictable thing about birth is that it’s unpredictable. But you can absolutely navigate that unpredictability by being prepared - which is exactly what Alexa did. After what she calls a “smooth pregnancy,” things took some surprising twists and turns which ended in a cesarean birth. At 35 weeks, her husband noticed she was unusually swollen and urged her to visit the doctor. What was supposed to be a checkup turned into delivery day! It was determined that she...
Dec 03, 2024•56 min
Did you know that almost one in ten pregnancies in the United States is affected by gestational diabetes? While that might sound scary, the good news is that with the right information and care, people with gestational diabetes will most likely have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. When it’s time to be screened, don’t focus on “passing” the test. If you have gestational diabetes, you want to know so you can treat it effectively. Many people can manage it with dietary changes so don’t stre...
Nov 26, 2024•40 min
I have a FANTASTIC Black Friday Sale coming! Join my email list at drnicolerankins.com/email so you'll be the first to get notified! You've heard of low intervention birth but what does it mean? In this episode I share how a low intervention birth under my care unfolded. Here's a peak - 8 AM - cervical check and 4 cm Intermittent monitoring, saline lock, moving, eating and drinking 8 PM - second cervical check and 6 cm starting pushing at 1130 PM and listen to hear the rest! Our Sponsors: * Chec...
Nov 21, 2024•12 min
Did you know the U.S. is one of just four countries in the world - and the only developed nation - without guaranteed paid maternity leave? While we’ve made great strides in workplace fairness, the fight for equity is far from over. In a country where pregnancy can still jeopardize someone’s career, these protections are more crucial than ever. That’s why advocates like today’s guests are so important. Jack Tuckner is a workplace rights attorney who specializes in gender discrimination, includin...
Nov 19, 2024•59 min
In this shorty episode I answer this listener question from Kate. And if you want me to answer a question for you DM me on Instagram @drnicolerankins or shoot me a message on my website contact form ! "I was checked at 5 cm, started feeling pressure after a few hours, and then a really strong urge to push after another few hours. I was unmedicated, so I could really feel those sensations, but was told to push against this urge and, I quote, ""hold it in"" because I was only at 8 cm and that I wo...
Nov 14, 2024•13 min
Rachel always wanted to be a mother, but before she could begin that journey, she felt it was important to get off of depression and anxiety medication. After spending three months weaning off her meds, she very quickly got pregnant. Her pregnancy, although a source of great excitement, also brought unexpected difficulties, including two falls - and then her water broke during her baby shower! A breech baby, a failed turning procedure (external cephalic version), intubation during her cesarean f...
Nov 12, 2024•1 hr 3 min
