Ep. 348: Navigating Growth Restrictions in Pregnancy with Dr. Stephanie Martin

Ep. 348: Navigating Growth Restrictions in Pregnancy with Dr. Stephanie Martin

Author: HeHe Stewart May 23, 2025 Duration: 1:00:00
In this episode of The Birth Lounge podcast, host HeHe discusses the topic of fetal growth restriction (FGR), including intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), and small for gestational age (SGA) with maternal-fetal medicine specialist Dr. Stephanie Martin. They dive into the implications of these conditions on pregnancy and birth plans, emphasizing the importance of continuous monitoring and the potential need for early delivery to prevent adverse outcomes like stillbirth. Dr. Martin, with over 25 years of experience, also addresses the importance of patient autonomy, advocating for second opinions, and understanding the nuances of ultrasound accuracy. This episode aims to empower expectant parents with evidence-based information, providing a thorough understanding of how to navigate high-risk pregnancies. 00:00 Switching OB Providers: You Have Options 00:51 Welcome Back to The Birth Lounge Podcast 01:56 Support the Podcast: Leave a Review 03:46 Today's Topic: Understanding Baby's Size 04:46 Introducing Dr. Stephanie Martin: Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist 06:08 Understanding IUGR, FGR, and SGA 07:00 Monitoring and Managing Small Babies 28:17 The Importance of Kick Counts and Trusting Your Instincts 31:56 Finding the Right OB Provider for You 32:58 The Importance of Trust in Healthcare Relationships 33:15 Challenges in Rural Healthcare Access 34:24 The Right to Seek a Second Opinion 35:38 Advocating for Your Own Care 40:31 Understanding Growth Restriction and Birth Plans 42:15 Managing High-Risk Pregnancies 46:52 Post-Birth Expectations for Growth-Restricted Babies 52:25 The Role of Continuous Monitoring During Labor 53:41 Balancing Control and Flexibility in Birth Plans 57:56 Connecting with Dr. Stephanie and Final Thoughts   Guest Bio: Dr. Martin is an MFM Physician with over 25 years experience caring for complicated pregnancies. She has a special interest in critical care and is passionate about improving maternal pregnancy outcomes and educating teams about how to improve their care. BIRTH EDUCATION: Join The Birth Lounge here for judgment-free childbirth education that prepares you for an informed birth and how to confidently navigate hospital policy to have a trauma-free labor experience! Download The Birth Lounge App for birth & postpartum prep delivered straight to your phone! SOCIAL MEDIA: Connect with HeHe on IG Connect with HeHe on YouTube   Connect with Dr. Stephanie Martin on IG  LINKS MENTIONED: Clinical Concepts In OB Connect with Dr. Stephanie on LinkedIn:  Connect with Clinical Concepts in OB on LinkedIn    

Hosted by birth and newborn expert HeHe Stewart, The Birth Lounge Podcast creates a thoughtful conversation around the many paths through pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood. This podcast moves beyond simplistic advice to explore the wide spectrum of normal experiences, offering evidence-based insights alongside real stories from parents. HeHe, who founded Tranquility by HeHe Maternity Concierge, guides these discussions with a blend of professional knowledge and deep empathy, aiming to demystify the process and empower your choices. Each episode serves as a gathering place-a safe space where clinical expertise meets lived experience, covering topics that span education, family dynamics, physical fitness, holistic health, and parenting young children. You’ll find a supportive resource here, one that acknowledges the variables and nuances of bringing a child into the world and navigating the postpartum chapter. Tune in for honest dialogues that honor different perspectives, providing companionship and reliable information for your own journey. The goal is to leave you feeling more prepared, less alone, and confident in your unique path through parenthood, all within the supportive community of this podcast.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 432

The Birth Lounge Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Ep. 252: The Mental Load of Motherhood with Paige Connell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:51
Today's episode is filled with so many learning moments for HeHe as she interviews Paige Connell, @shesapaigeturner on IG and TikTok, about the mental load of motherhood! Paige so eloquently describes the mental burden t…
Ep. 250: The KEYS to Newborn Sleep [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:23
This episode is everything you need to get your newborn sleeping through the night in the first 16 weeks after birth! All the tips shared in this episode are actionable TODAY to get you better sleep starting tonight! Con…
Ep. 249: Twin Sleep with Kim West & Natalie Diaz [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:17
Dig out your scuba gear, cause we’re taking a deep dive into the world of twin sleep! In this episode HeHe meets with Kim West (The Sleep Lady) and Natalie Diaz (Twiniversity). Sleep training can be a bit of a hot topic…
Ep. 248: Mirror Neurons in Labor with Dr. Jaz Robbins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:25
Are you familiar with mirror neurons and their role in the way our brain works? If not, you'll want to understand exactly what they are and how they have the potential to positively or negatively impact your labor experi…
Ep. 247: Is 'TheVillage' a thing of the past? with Maranda Bowers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:22
It takes a village to raise a child… but where is that village?! In this episode, HeHe sits down with Maranda Bower of Postpartum University to discuss how postpartum looks very different today than it did when our paren…
Ep. 246: Your Bladder Matters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:46
Your bladder plays a huge role in labor! If it is full, it is taking up valuable space that baby needs to continue their descent down and out. You should be emptying your bladder frequently during labor—and that’s exactl…
Ep. 245: Mom Shaming in Online Spaces with Taylor Kulik [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:40
Today's episode is with a guest who is well-versed on mom shaming and bullying in online spaces-- Taylor Kulik, a holistic sleep and parenting educator! Taylor always meets online criticism with kindness and compassion--…
Ep. 244: SOLO Cast- What to Do with a Freezer Full of (Breast)Milk? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:44
I've been recently getting more and more calls from moms who have a freezer full of pumped breastmilk and don't know what to do with it! If that's you, this is a must-listen episode! Join The Birth Lounge Connect with He…
Ep. 243: What to Know about Mastitis with Lara Proud, RN [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:02
Today's episode is featuring Lara Proud, RN, who is joining HeHe to discuss the signs + symptoms of Mastitis, what professionals can help & what options you have for remedying it! We also dive into preventative measures…