
The Critical Care Obstetrics Podcast
Your trusted resource for everything to do with high-risk and critical care obstetrics. Our experienced, interprofessional team shares insights from years of practice, simulation, and team training—making complex topics simple and easy to understand. Sometimes it’s just us, sometimes it’s guests, and sometimes it’s case reviews—always with the goal of helping you provide the best care. Thanks for listening!
Latest episodes

Feb 3, 2025 • 41min
Eclampsia: What's Your Management Plan?
The hosts discuss the urgent need for standardized protocols in managing eclampsia. Real-life scenarios emphasize the importance of preparedness and teamwork in critical situations. Key strategies like magnesium sulfate dosing are explored, alongside the challenges posed by liver dysfunction. Engaging anecdotes reveal the instinctual reactions of medical professionals in emergencies. The conversation underscores the necessity of monitoring both maternal and fetal health while navigating the complexities of eclampsia management.

Jan 20, 2025 • 50min
Would You Have Sent this Patient Home? Interview with a Sepsis Survivor and Advocate.
A sepsis survivor shares her harrowing journey, prompting reflections on maternal health. The importance of advocacy and communication in healthcare comes to the forefront, highlighting a mother’s fight for awareness after a tragic loss. The podcast delves into the emotional maze of regret surrounding childbirth experiences and the desperate need for better recognition of postpartum complications. It underscores the vital role of healthcare providers in listening to patients and the necessity for improved protocols to identify sepsis early.

Jan 6, 2025 • 33min
Vital Signs are Vital: Temperature
In the last vital signs are vital series, Dr. Stephanie Martin and Suzanne McMurtry Baird discuss maternal temperature. Understand the WHY and conditions of hypothermia and hyperthermia. The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist with expertise in critical care obstetrics. Suzanne McMurtry Baird, DNP, RN is the Nursing Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics with many years of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women. Julie Arafeh, RN, MS is the Simulation Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a leading expert in simulation.Critical Care Obstetrics Academy: https://www.clinicalconceptsinob.com/Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/criticalcareob/Dr Martin's LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/stephanie-martin-65b07112aCCOB LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clinical-concepts-in-obstetrics/Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/OBCriticalCareCCOB Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clinicalconceptsinobstetricsDr Ma...

Dec 23, 2024 • 27min
Vital Signs are Vital: SpO2
Dr. Stephanie Martin and Suzanne McMurtry Baird discuss the technology of pulse oximetry. Understand the WHY of SpO2 values.The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist with expertise in critical care obstetrics. Suzanne McMurtry Baird, DNP, RN is the Nursing Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics with many years of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women. Julie Arafeh, RN, MS is the Simulation Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a leading expert in simulation.Critical Care Obstetrics Academy: https://www.clinicalconceptsinob.com/Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/criticalcareob/Dr Martin's LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/stephanie-martin-65b07112aCCOB LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clinical-concepts-in-obstetrics/Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/OBCriticalCareCCOB Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clinicalconceptsinobstetricsDr Ma...

Dec 9, 2024 • 34min
Vital Signs are Vital: Respiratory Rate
In this episode, Dr. Stephanie Martin and Dr. Suzanne McMurtry Baird discuss the importance of taking a respiratory rate and understanding the WHY of a low or high rate. The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist with expertise in critical care obstetrics. Suzanne McMurtry Baird, DNP, RN is the Nursing Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics with many years of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women. Julie Arafeh, RN, MS is the Simulation Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a leading expert in simulation.Critical Care Obstetrics Academy: https://www.clinicalconceptsinob.com/Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/criticalcareob/Dr Martin's LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/stephanie-martin-65b07112aCCOB LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clinical-concepts-in-obstetrics/Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/OBCriticalCareCCOB Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clinicalconceptsinobstetricsDr Ma...

Nov 25, 2024 • 32min
Vital Signs are Vital: Blood Pressure
This is the 2nd podcast in our series on Vital Signs are Vital. Tune in to hear Dr. Stephanie Martin and Dr. Suzanne McMurtry Baird discussing blood pressure. We will go over hypotension, hypertension, and understanding the WHY.The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist with expertise in critical care obstetrics. Suzanne McMurtry Baird, DNP, RN is the Nursing Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics with many years of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women. Julie Arafeh, RN, MS is the Simulation Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a leading expert in simulation.Critical Care Obstetrics Academy: https://www.clinicalconceptsinob.com/Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/criticalcareob/Dr Martin's LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/stephanie-martin-65b07112aCCOB LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clinical-concepts-in-obstetrics/Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/OBCriticalCareCCOB Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clinicalconceptsinobstetricsDr Ma...

Nov 11, 2024 • 30min
Vital Signs are Vital: Heart Rate
This is the first episode in our series "Vital Signs are Vital". In this episode we discuss the significance of heart rate in the assessment of vital signs. The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist with expertise in critical care obstetrics. Suzanne McMurtry Baird, DNP, RN is the Nursing Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics with many years of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women. Julie Arafeh, RN, MS is the Simulation Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a leading expert in simulation.Critical Care Obstetrics Academy: https://www.clinicalconceptsinob.com/Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/criticalcareob/Dr Martin's LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/stephanie-martin-65b07112aCCOB LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clinical-concepts-in-obstetrics/Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/OBCriticalCareCCOB Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clinicalconceptsinobstetricsDr Ma...

Oct 29, 2024 • 19min
The Critical Care Obstetrics Academy
Dive into the challenges of caring for critically ill pregnant women, as experts share insights on physical assessments and their role in clinical practice. Discover the importance of understanding clinical signs in high-risk obstetrics, especially with conditions like sepsis. Learn about cognitive aids that support healthcare providers during emergencies. The focus on teamwork and communication underscores how interprofessional education can enhance patient care in crucial situations.

Oct 15, 2024 • 20min
How to do an Effective Recap in Simulation and Actual Emergencies
Julie and Stephanie explain what a recap is and how it can be used to communicate effectively during simulation and during actual emergencies. The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist with expertise in critical care obstetrics. Suzanne McMurtry Baird, DNP, RN is the Nursing Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics with many years of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women. Julie Arafeh, RN, MS is the Simulation Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a leading expert in simulation.Critical Care Obstetrics Academy: https://www.clinicalconceptsinob.com/Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/criticalcareob/Dr Martin's LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/stephanie-martin-65b07112aCCOB LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clinical-concepts-in-obstetrics/Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/OBCriticalCareCCOB Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clinicalconceptsinobstetricsDr Ma...

Oct 1, 2024 • 55min
A Diagnostic Dilemma: Was It Amniotic Fluid Embolism, Sepsis, or Pulmonary Embolism?
Suzanne and Stephanie review another maternal death situation and discuss what they think happened. Listen and decide what you think it was.The experts at Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics pool their decades of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women to discuss the challenges encountered in caring for these vulnerable women. Dr Stephanie Martin is the Medical Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist with expertise in critical care obstetrics. Suzanne McMurtry Baird, DNP, RN is the Nursing Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics with many years of experience caring for critically ill pregnant women. Julie Arafeh, RN, MS is the Simulation Director for Clinical Concepts in Obstetrics and a leading expert in simulation.Critical Care Obstetrics Academy: https://www.clinicalconceptsinob.com/Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/criticalcareob/Dr Martin's LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/stephanie-martin-65b07112aCCOB LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clinical-concepts-in-obstetrics/Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/OBCriticalCareCCOB Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clinicalconceptsinobstetricsDr Ma...