This episode is your invitation for a softer season, a clearer mind, or just a moment to breathe before the year ends. It will feel like a nice warm exhale.

In this reflective end-of-year episode, I’m sharing the milestones, challenges, and growth that shaped my 2025 — from sending my NICU graduate to college, to navigating perimenopause, to choosing rest over hustle. I’m also walking you through the non-negotiable holiday boundaries that matter most during pregnancy and postpartum, and how to give yourself permission to honor what you need this season.

You’ll learn:

– Why rest is a necessary part of preparing for birth, postpartum, and motherhood

– How I’m protecting my peace during the holidays — and how you can too

– Simple, clear scripts for setting boundaries with family and visitors

– What my family milestones taught me about growth, identity, and motherhood

– Why I’m stepping back for the remainder of December (and how you can build your own pause)

Resources Mentioned:

Instagram: @drnicolerankins

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 — Know exactly what to look for so you can choose the right hospital

• How to Tell If Your OB Is Right for You — Ask the right questions and spot red flags early

• Labor Pain Management Playbook — Learn the tools and strategies I teach my own patients

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