All About Pregnancy & Birth

About All About Pregnancy & Birth

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 postpartum with calm and confidence. Whether you’re planning your first birth or your fourth, Birth With Power will help you approach the journey feeling strong, prepared, and empowered. Subscribe today and take charge of your birth!

Publisher

Dr. Nicole C. Rankins

Category

kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 Dec 2018

Latest episode

30 Dec 2025

Latest episodes

120 of 414 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   30 Dec 2025

   [POSTPARTUM POWER REPLAY] Recognizing When You Need Mental Health Support

   This is a special rebroadcast of one of my most essential postpartum episodes — a clear, compassionate conversation about perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) and how to recognize when you need support. This episode will help you clearly know what’s “normal,” what’s not, or when to consider treatment. I’m joined by Dr. Stephanie Waggle — psychiatrist, perinatal mental health–certified physician, cancer survivor, marathon runner, and passionate advocate for improving maternal mental health care. With over 17 years of experience, she brings a rare mix of clinical expertise, research knowledge, and deep empathy for the mental health challenges people face during pregnancy and postpartum. Together, we break down what PMADs truly look like, why they’re much more than “postpartum depression,” and how to make informed decisions about medication and therapy — including what to do if you were taking medication before pregnancy or are considering restarting postpartum. This conversation is especially powerful if you’ve ever had intrusive thoughts, felt overwhelmed by anxiety, or been unsure whether what you’re experiencing is simply “new mom adjustment” or something more. What you’ll learn: What PMADs include (it’s far more than postpartum depression) How common these conditions really are — in both birthing parents and partners Risk factors and why even those without them can still develop PMADs How to recognize the difference between baby blues and clinical depression What intrusive thoughts are — and why having them does not mean you’re unsafe or “crazy” When to seek help and where to turn for reliable support How psychiatrists approach medication decisions before, during, and after pregnancy The truth about breastfeeding, medication safety, and making choices that protect both you and your baby A breakdown of the first FDA-approved medication specifically for postpartum depression — and what you need to know Resources Mentioned: Postpartum Support International: www.postpartum.net (http://www.postpartum.net) Improve Life (https://www.improvelifepllc.com/about-virginia-psychiatry) - Dr. Waggle’s practice MommyMeds app Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth: Hospital Tour Scorecard (https://drnicolerankins.com/scorecard): Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You (https://drnicolerankins.com/questions): Ask the right questions and spot red flags early Labor Pain Management Playbook (https://drnicolerankins.com/painplan): Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients Note: This episode is a rebroadcast as part of our Postpartum Power Replay series — spotlighting vital postpartum conversations to support your mental health, your confidence, and your well-being during a season when you deserve exceptional care. Our Sponsors: * Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com * Check out Bobbie: https://www.hibobbie.com Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands (https://redcircle.com/brands) Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy (https://redcircle.com/privacy)

2. 

   23 Dec 2025TRANSCRIPT

   [POSTPARTUM POWER REPLAY] Thriving After the NICU Journey

   This is a special rebroadcast of one of our most-loved postpartum episodes, a powerful and practical conversation for any parent navigating life after the NICU. Whether you’re currently in the thick of it or simply want to feel more prepared, this replay will leave you feeling supported, grounded, and seen. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jessica Daigle — pediatrician, NICU hospitalist, and founder of Mom & Me MD — whose passion for caring for NICU families shines through in everything she does. With warmth and clarity, Dr. Jess breaks down what truly affects families after a NICU stay, how to ease the transition home, and how parents can let go of unnecessary guilt and step into confidence. Her insights come from both her professional expertise and her deeply personal journey: miscarriage, extreme preterm delivery, and raising two NICU graduates. This episode is a gift for any parent who needs reassurance, practical tools, or simply a reminder that they’re not alone. What you’ll learn: The five areas of life most impacted when you bring home a new baby (especially after the NICU) How to release guilt and self-blame when birth or postpartum don’t go as planned Key questions every NICU parent should feel empowered to ask Why advocacy and communication with the care team matter How to prepare for postpartum while you’re still pregnant Practical tips for building support systems that actually make life easier Resources Mentioned: Mom & Me MD (https://www.momandmemd.com/) (concierge NICU + 4th trimester care) Dr. Jess on Instagram: @momandme_md (https://www.instagram.com/momandme_md/?hl=en) Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth: Hospital Tour Scorecard (https://drnicolerankins.com/scorecard): Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You (https://drnicolerankins.com/questions): Ask the right questions and spot red flags early Labor Pain Management Playbook (https://drnicolerankins.com/painplan): Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients Note: This episode is a rebroadcast as part of our Postpartum Power Replay series — sharing conversations that make postpartum feel more supported, less overwhelming, and filled with the kind of guidance every new parent deserves. Our Sponsors: * Check out Ritual and get 25% off : https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands (https://redcircle.com/brands) Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy (https://redcircle.com/privacy)

3. 

   16 Dec 2025TRANSCRIPT

   [POSTPARTUM POWER REPLAY] Healing After A Traumatic Birth

   This is a special rebroadcast of one of our most downloaded postpartum episodes, and for good reason. This conversation is for you if your birth didn’t go the way you hoped. In this replay, I sit down with Kaylee Summers — the Birth Trauma Mama — to unpack what birth trauma actually is, why it’s so common, and how you can begin to heal. Kaylee brings both clinical expertise and lived experience as an amniotic fluid embolism survivor, and her honesty, clarity, and compassion make this episode a must listen if you had a traumatic birth experience. What you’ll learn: What “birth trauma” really means (and why it’s more common than most people think) Why trauma is subjective — and why your experience matters The signs and symptoms of birth trauma in the early postpartum period How treatment works, including what EMDR and other trauma-focused therapies actually do When (and how) to seek support if you’re struggling after birth The role communication and care team dynamics play in shaping your birth experience Resources Mentioned: Kaylee’s Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/thebirthtrauma_mama/) + TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@thebirthtrauma_mama?lang=en): @thebirthtrauma_mama The Birth Trauma Mama Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-birth-trauma-mama-podcast/id1631408875) Postpartum Support International provider directory (https://psidirectory.com/) Touchstone Institute provider directory (https://www.touchstoneinstitute.org/therapist-network) Free Resources to Help You Birth With Power Get the support, clarity, and confidence you deserve. Download any of my free tools designed to help you prepare for a calmer, confident, and more empowered hospital birth: Hospital Tour Scorecard (https://drnicolerankins.com/scorecard): Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You (https://drnicolerankins.com/questions): Ask the right questions and spot red flags early Labor Pain Management Playbook (https://drnicolerankins.com/painplan): Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients Note: This episode is a rebroadcast as part of my December “Postpartum Power Replay” series — revisiting some of the most powerful episodes to support you during a season when postpartum needs often go unseen. Our Sponsors: * Check out Ritual and get 25% off : https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands (https://redcircle.com/brands) Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy (https://redcircle.com/privacy)

Inside a recent episode

[POSTPARTUM POWER REPLAY] Thriving After the NICU Journey

Published 23 Dec 2025 · Transcript excerpt

[…] Yes, yes. And we focus so much on, which is important. Yes, you need to focus on like your childbirth education. Yes, you want to get your nursery together. You know, people, folks doing these gender reveal parties. Yeah, all of those things. That's fun. Yeah. But you got to think, you got to start during your pregnancy thinking about what's going to happen after because that's the long haul. It sure is. That's the thing ever. That's why I tell people now, when I come to these moms, if I see them ahead of time, I'm like, don't be asking for all these baby clothes at your baby shower. Tell them you need stuff for you. […]

Who has been a guest on All About Pregnancy & Birth

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Nicole Rankin
• Melissa
• Donna Benavides
• Dr Nicole Rankin
• Megan

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.8 / 5

644 ratings

Spotify

4.7 / 5

179 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 51 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

62

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

99

Contact All About Pregnancy & Birth

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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• 

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Questions about All About Pregnancy & Birth