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Episode 125: Is This Normal, or Not?

April 2, 2025

Guest: Dr. Meghan Martin, aka drbeachgem10

“Is this normal?” is something almost every NICU parent asks about their baby at some point. In this episode, popular social media ER doctor, Dr. Meghan Martin aka drbeachgem.10, shares her own NICU story, how to be a good advocate for your child and encourages parents to always listen to their parental instincts.

In this episode, we chat about:

- What’s normal and what’s not normal when it comes to newborns
- Dr. Martin’s unexpected NICU stay with her fourth baby
- What are some things that might warrant an ER visit vs. a visit to a pediatrician or specialist?
- Advocacy in healthcare: What are some things parents can do to ensure their child is getting the best care possible, both in the ER and at a specialist/therapist appointment?
- The easiest thing someone can do to prevent an ER visit
- Dr. Martin’s advice to a parent who finds themselves in the ER with their NICU baby

About the guest

hand to hold nicu babies parent support podcast

Dr.Beachgem10 (Dr. Meghan Martin) is a pediatric emergency medicine physician and mom to 4 kids and 4 cats. She started posting on social media during the pandemic to help people who don’t necessarily speak “medical lingo” understand the information coming out about Covid-19 and vaccines. That education has transitioned to general pediatric and emergency medicine education in addition to sharing her life with nearly 5 million followers across all platforms.