Ep 298: From Birth Center to OR: Navigating An Umbilical Cord Prolapse Emergency

Birth With Power

Dr. Nicole C. Rankins

Parenting, Kids & Family

4.9 • 637 Ratings

🗓️ 27 May 2025

⏱️ 55 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

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 conversation about the realities of rare birth complications, the gaps that can exist between birth centers and hospitals, and why it’s so important to ask questions—no matter where you’re giving birth. And yes, even if you're planning a hospital birth, there are key lessons here around communication, continuity of care, and preparing for the unexpected. Megan’s story is one of strength, resilience, and ultimately, healing—and I’m honored to share it with you.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn About:

Why Megan chose a hospital for her first baby and a birthing center for her second
What a cord prolapse is and why it’s a true obstetric emergency
How her low-risk birth escalated to a life-threatening situation
Why relationships between birthing centers and hospitals are so important
What happens when the nearest hospital isn’t fully equipped for labor and delivery
Why her cord prolapse required immediate delivery through emergency C-section
How Megan is healing from birth trauma and preparing for a future VBAC

Full website notes: drnicolerankins.com/episode298

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Transcript

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0:00.0	In the last birth story episode of the podcast, which was episode 295, we heard a beautiful out-of-hospital birth that went very smoothly.
0:08.7	But the reality is that birth doesn't always go according to plan.
0:14.3	And in today's episode, Megan shares her powerful and emotional story of a rare birth emergency, an umbilical cord prolapse at a birth
0:24.7	center that led to a hospital transfer and a crash C-section. Her story is a raw look at what can
0:32.5	happen when emergencies arise and why informed decision making is so important.
0:39.3	Wherever you're planning to give birth, there is so much to learn here about asking the right
0:45.2	questions, advocating for yourself, and preparing for the unexpected.
1:02.0	Welcome to the Birth with Power podcast where knowledge is power and power transforms birth.
1:13.4	I'm Dr. Nicole Calloway-Rankin's mom of two and practicing board certified OBGYN with over 20 years of experience and nearly 2,000 births attended. I've seen firsthand how the hospital system can leave women feeling unheard and uncertain, but that doesn't have to be your story.
1:19.9	Here, you'll get the knowledge, support, and strategies to take charge of your birth experience
1:25.0	so you can walk into the hospital feeling calm,
1:28.0	confident, and empowered.
1:30.5	Note, this podcast is for educational purposes only and it's not a substitute for medical advice.
1:35.6	See the full disclaimer at Dr. Nicolemanganz.com forward slash disclaimer.
1:40.1	Now let's get to it.
1:44.0	Hey, if you're not getting the birth with power brief in your inbox each week, you are missing out.
1:52.4	It's my free newsletter with trusted tips, mindset shifts, and birth prep strategies to help you feel calm and confident without doom scrolling
2:03.5	for answers. Go to Dr. Nicole Rankins.com forward slash email and get on the list. Hello there. Welcome
2:13.9	to another episode of the podcast. This is episode number 298.
2:19.1	Whether this is your first time listening or you've been here before, I'm so glad you're spending some time with me today.
2:27.6	Now, back in episode 295, I shared a story of an out-of-hospital birth that went beautifully.
2:33.4	You can listen to that episode
	...

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