logo
episode-header-image
Aug 19
8m 42s

[POWER REPLAY] Is It Really That Bad To ...

Dr. Nicole C. Rankins
About this episode

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!)

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!



Our Sponsors:
* Check out Ritual and get 40% off for the best sale of the season : https://ritual.com/DRNICOLE
* Check out Uncommon Goods and get 15% off: https://uncommongoods.com/drnicole


Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Up next
Nov 18
Ep 309: The Oral Health–Fertility Link No One’s Talking About
<p>What if the key to your fertility isn’t just in your hormones—but in your mouth?</p><p>In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with <strong>Dr. Katie Lee</strong>, dentist, entrepreneur, and author of <em>Saved by the Mouth</em>, to uncover the powerful connection between oral ... Show More
35m 49s
Nov 13
Subchorionic Hematomas: Here’s What You Need to Know
<p>Bleeding early in pregnancy can be terrifying — but in many (even most) cases, it’s not as dangerous as it seems.</p><p>In this short episode, I’m unpacking what it means when you’re told there’s a <em>subchorionic hematoma</em>. I’ll walk you through what’s actually happening ... Show More
10m 8s
Nov 11
Ep 308: From IVF to Fast Labor: What Dr. Allison Learned on Both Sides of Birth
<p>What happens when a perinatal psychologist — who supports women through fertility and birth trauma — becomes the patient herself?</p><p><br></p><p>In this honest and heartfelt episode, I chat with Dr. Allison Altman, a Bay Area psychologist who specializes in women’s mental he ... Show More
44m 59s
Recommended Episodes
Mar 2025
Q&A: Should You Worry About Sleeping on Your Back
<div>Sleep is essential for your health, especially during pregnancy, but the changes that come with pregnancy can make quality rest more challenging. To add to the difficulty, certain sleep positions are often recommended—but how important are they? In this episode, we answer a ... Show More
27 m
Oct 2021
Sleep special
Getting a good night’s sleep is something many of us can struggle with, especially if you’re pregnant or have young children, so we’ve partnered with John Lewis, who have an amazing sleep range and even offer a free virtual sleep appointment service to help you create your perfec ... Show More
34m 25s
Sep 3
Q&A: What the Evidence Reveals About Pregnancy Dreams
<p>Vivid, emotional, and sometimes unsettling dreams are a common experience during pregnancy. This episode explores how sleep cycles function and why we dream. Learn why dreams may feel more intense during pregnancy, why you may recall more dreams, and the role stress and emotio ... Show More
19m 21s
Oct 2024
Is it better sleeping with or without a pillow?
We don’t know about you, but some nights we just can’t fall asleep without turning onto our stomach. And when we do, we seem to drift off more easily when not using a pillow. But we do sometimes wonder whether doing that could have any negative health impact. Just like your mattr ... Show More
4m 40s
Aug 2024
My Toddler Keeps Waking Up at Night—Help!
In this episode of Toddlers Made Easy, Dr. Cathryn explores why children wake up at night and how to manage it. Drawing from personal experiences, including a notable sleep mistake with her daughter, Dr. Cathryn explains the impact of ineffective sleep associations, fears, and se ... Show More
11m 53s
Nov 12
Stop Worrying About Sleep Training - Do THIS Instead!
<p><b>Pregnant and already worried about how your baby will sleep?</b> Forget cry-it-out and rigid sleep methods — there’s a gentler, biology-based way to support your baby’s rest. In this episode, Pediatric Sleep Expert <b>Louise Herbert</b> shares what every pregnant mom needs ... Show More
53m 18s
May 2025
The Follow-Up: The Truth About Cry-It-Out and Cortisol
You’ve probably heard the claim that sleep training—especially methods like "cry-it-out"—can flood babies with toxic stress. But is that actually what the science says? In this episode, I sit down with a leading developmental expert to unpack the research on cortisol, stress, and ... Show More
16m 15s
Jan 2025
Do you really need 8 hours of sleep? | Body Stuff with Dr. Jen Gunter
<p>We all know a good night’s sleep is essential, but for many people, sleeping well (or falling asleep at all) can be difficult and even stressful – and there’s no shortage of tales about what prevents people from catching their ZZZs. In this episode of Body Stuff with Dr. Jen G ... Show More
32m 8s
May 2023
Stress and Anxiety During Pregnancy
<div>We all deal with some level of stress daily. Pregnancy can be a time of additional stress as you are experiencing many physical changes and preparing for birth and a new baby. In a sense, everything you expose yourself to during pregnancy also can affect your baby, and stres ... Show More
44m 3s