This episode is a Power Replay you’ll definitely want to hear! If you’re pregnant and wondering whether it’s really a big deal to sleep on your back — or why your sleep feels so off in general — this short episode has the answers.

Tune in as I dive into:

• How your sleep changes across each trimester
• Why back sleeping is discouraged (and what the real risks are)
• What “supine hypotensive syndrome” means for you and your baby
• Easy strategies to help you get better rest (including why chamomile tea might not be your friend!)
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And if you ever wake up on your back and panic? Don’t! I explain why it’s not something to stress about and what to do instead.

Get the reassurance and tips you need to sleep better during pregnancy.

Want more helpful info like this? Be sure to sign up for my email list at drnicolerankins.com/email!

This week’s episode is a power replay of a listener favorite all about... your due date! Yep, that little date carries a whole lot of weight. From test scheduling to birth decisions, your due date impacts nearly everything during pregnancy, which is why it’s so important to get it right.

But here’s the truth: only about 4% of babies are actually born on their due date. In this updated episode, I explain why I actually hate the term “due date” and what I think we should be doing instead. You’ll learn how due dates are determined, why accuracy matters so much, what a suboptimally dated pregnancy means, and what your real options are if you go past your due date.

We also talk about the risks of late-term and post-term pregnancies, and why informed, individualized decision-making is the most empowering approach.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why your due date is so much more than just a countdown
• The most accurate way to determine your due date (hint: it's all about timing)
• What happens if your pregnancy goes beyond 40 or even 42 weeks
• Why due dates shouldn’t be treated like expiration dates
• What stillbirth risk actually looks like — and how it changes week by week
• Your options if you go past your due date and how to make the best choice for you
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✨ Ready to stay informed and empowered throughout your pregnancy journey? Join my email list at drnicolerankins.com/email for exclusive updates, discounts, and more expert tips delivered straight to your inbox.

It’s Power Replay time! In this quick and fun storytime episode, I’m sharing how I found out I was pregnant with both of my sweet girls and let’s just say, all of my OB/GYN training went right out the window both times!

You’ll hear the unexpected twists and honest moments from my own journey to motherhood, including how I nearly scheduled surgery before realizing I was pregnant and how I completely missed the signs the second time around. Yes, even OB/GYNs can be totally surprised by a positive test!

Plus, I share a few tips about pregnancy tests and early signs that might surprise you too.

If you’ve got your own “I didn’t know I was pregnant” story, I’d love to hear it! DM me on Instagram @drnicolerankins or email me through my website.

✨ Don’t miss the chance to join my email list for even more insights, tips, and support: drnicolerankins.com/email

This episode is a Power Replay that’s packed with gems to guide you through your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum journey with confidence and grace.

With nearly 15 years of experience as an OBGYN and thousands of births under my belt, I know firsthand that while birth is unpredictable, you can absolutely be prepared. In this replay, I’m sharing 11 powerful, must-know tips that will help you be calm, confident, and empowered—no matter what your birth looks like or where it happens.

From building a support system and preparing for the unexpected, to taking care of yourself and bonding with your baby before they’re even born, these tips are relevant whether it’s your first baby or your fifth. Trust me, you’ll want to take notes.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

• How to make the most of every prenatal care visit
• The importance of attending all your checkups and being prepared for them
• What a strong support system looks like and why it matters
• How to have better communication with your birth partner
• Sweet ways to bond with your baby during pregnancy
• Why self-care is necessary, not selfish
• Tools for managing the stress that comes with this transformational time

If you want to feel more grounded, informed, and in control during this journey, this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 Tune in now and take the first step toward a beautiful experience.

👉🏽 Be sure to sign up for my email list for more pregnancy and birth tips at drnicolerankins.com/email

This power replay episode is a must-listen if you’re wondering whether baby aspirin should be part of your pregnancy care plan.

In this short and information-packed replay, I break down everything you need to know about baby aspirin—what it is, why it’s prescribed, and most importantly, who should be taking it. You’ll learn how this simple, low-cost medication can significantly reduce the risk of preeclampsia and related pregnancy complications like preterm birth and growth restriction.

We’ll also talk about when to start taking baby aspirin, how much is recommended, and which risk factors make someone a good candidate. Spoiler alert: you may be eligible even if your pregnancy seems low-risk.

If you’re looking for clarity and peace of mind around this common prenatal recommendation, this episode has you covered.

👉🏽 Want more evidence-based tips like this delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for my email list at drnicolerankins.com/email.

This week’s episode is a Power Replay that felt especially timely to revisit at the midpoint of the year. It’s a great moment to pause, reflect, and recommit to the values and visions that matter most for pregnancy, birth, and maternal health.

In this heartfelt episode, I share 10 loving-kindness wishes inspired by Metta meditation—a practice rooted in compassion and goodwill. Originally shared at the start of 2025, these wishes are just as powerful now as they were then, and they continue to represent what I want for the people I serve and for the world we live in.

These wishes speak to safety, respect, support, empowerment, healing, and more. They are for you, your loved ones, and anyone walking the path of parenthood. Let them be affirmations, reminders, or moments of pause throughout your day.

Whether you’ve heard this before or it’s your first time, I hope it offers inspiration, healing, and connection.

💌 Be sure to join my email list at drnicolerankins.com/email so you never miss updates, insights, and support for your pregnancy and birth journey.

👋🏾 This episode is a Power Replay of one of the most important messages I’ve ever shared — nothing should happen to you during your birth without your consent. Period.

Whether it's a vaginal exam, breaking your water, starting Pitocin, or performing an episiotomy, your provider must have a clear, informed discussion with you about the benefits, risks, and alternatives, and receive your explicit consent before doing anything.

In this short but powerful “Dr. Nicole Says” episode, I walk you through what real consent sounds like, how it differs from the all-too-common “I’m just here to check your cervix” script, and why being informed and empowered is non-negotiable for your birth experience.

💡 You’ll learn:

• How “nice” providers can still bypass consent
• Real-life examples of consent done right
• Why childbirth education is essential to advocating for yourself

You are the center of your birth. And you have the right to say YES—or NO.

📧 Want more empowering, evidence-based info straight to your inbox? Sign up for my email list at drnicolerankins.com/email

In this short and personal episode, I share a personal update, what’s coming next, and an invitation to reflect on where you might need rest too.