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
11: Vagina Whispering with Sara Reardon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:27
In this episode, HeHe sits down with Sara Reardon, The Vagina Whisperer, to get a closer look at the pelvic floor. We dive into maternity belts, painful sex, and general vaginal care. Sara spills the beans on prenatal pr…
10: Friday Free Talk: Body Shamers ​ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:33
In this episode, I get real about how society has taught us it's okay to talk about expectant parents' bodies and why your postpartum body is none of anyone else's business. I also talk about why I think some people are…
8: Friday Free Talk: Certification [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:21
This is an episode of Friday Free Talk- Where I freely talk about something I want you to know or what ever has been on my mind lately. Today, I dive into the question of "Are you certified?" I explain the range of care…
7: Exercise during Pregnancy with Erika Tsipouras [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:42
They say habits that are formed while you're pregnant are more likely to stay around! What better time to implement exercise into your life than when you are growing a tiny human! Erika is a ACE certified Pre and Postnat…
6: Type 1 Diabetes and Pregnancy with Audra Smith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:15
In this episode, HeHe sits down with Audra Smith, an expectant mom who has Type 1 Diabetes. She shares her story and how the disease has affected her pregnancy. She and her husband, Brian, struggled to get pregnant and A…
5: Diving into Tiny Human sleep patterns with Alyssa Blask Campbell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:28
Alyssa Blask Campbell is a lover of all things tiny humans. She has spent years studying the science behind our tiny human's brain development and is here to spill the beans! Join us as we dive deep into your child's sle…
3: Is acupuncture really worth it? with Nicole Brown [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:08
Nicole Brown is an acupuncturist in the Boston area and specializes in Women's Health. She is honest about what she thinks will help and has so many remedies. She is part of the Tranquility Team and believes in the power…
2: Why you NEED Maternity Pictures with Malka Ahmed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:42
Have you ever considered maternity photos? Do you wonder why on earth you would want to document your pregnant body? Maybe you want to save the money and put it towards newborn photos? In this episode, I dive deep into n…