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
103: Using Hypnosis in Labor with Kelley Keenan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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102: FFT: Stop Washing Your Vagina! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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100: Friday Free Talk: Get Out of Your Own Pond + HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT!! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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99: Do You Need Sex Therapy? with Dr. Alex Chinks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:56
Today is an episode that is so needed, but so many people do not dare walk in this territory. Well, we are. Sex Therapist, Dr. Alex Chinks, joins HeHe to chat all things intercourse! We are starting the conversation by d…
98: Friday Free Talk: Love Yourself More [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:20
It's no secret that HeHe is a firm believer in "Mindset is 90%" of the game mentality. This episode, she is sharing how you can mold your mindset and help support your mental health! "Stop planning your birth for someone…
96: Friday Free Talk: How Worrying is Holding You Back [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:25
This episode is raw and real. Some might even say brutal. HeHe is diving into how you might be sabotaging yourself when it comes to conceiving, your birth, or motherhood. We know that worry is an emotion that is rooted i…
95: Being Mindful in Motherhood with Sarah Bivens [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:30
We dug up episode #13 from the files and are re-sharing it here! Sarah Bivens in coming Boston in February to speak at our 2019 TBH Retreat! She will be teaching us all about finding balance in motherhood and how to be m…
94: Friday Free Talk: What's a Maternity Concierge? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:16
In today's episode, HeHe is breaking down exactly what a Maternity Concierge does each day. The care that TBH clients receive is above and beyond because our end goal is above and beyond, the mindset shifts we intentiona…