Description:

In this episode of the SMFM Podcast, we continue a three-part American Heart Month series highlighting Patient Safety and Quality (PSQI) tools developed to improve cardiovascular outcomes during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Dr. Bart Staat is joined by Dr. Kelly Gibson and Dr. Ralph Burns, authors of the SMFM Checklist for Postpartum Discharge of Women with Hypertensive Disorders. The discussion focuses on how a standardized postpartum checklist can reduce preventable morbidity and mortality by ensuring consistent patient education, supporting home blood pressure monitoring, promoting timely follow-up, and improving transitions to ongoing care.

The episode also explores practical implementation strategies, systems-level considerations, and the associated quality metric designed to help practices measure adherence and impact.

A link to the checklist and quality metric is included in the show notes and is available on the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine website under Clinical Guidance → Patient Safety and Quality.

Resources: 

https://publications.smfm.org/publications/331-society-for-maternal-fetal-medicine-special-statement-checklist/

Disclaimer: "The Public Health System Components: Clinicians who are related to Maternal-Fetal Medicine program is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award to the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) totaling $1,278,000 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of nor endorsement, by CDC/HHS or the U.S. Government."

Description

In this episode of the SMFM Podcast, we launch a three-part series in recognition of American Heart Month focused on Patient Safety and Quality (PSQI) tools that support standardized, evidence-based cardiovascular care across pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Dr. Melissa Spiel is joined by Dr. Andrew Combs, former Chair of the SMFM Patient Safety and Quality Committee and one of the authors of the SMFM Cardiovascular Symptom Checklist, to discuss a concise, one-page tool designed to guide systematic triage of cardiovascular symptoms in pregnant and postpartum patients. The conversation highlights how structured symptom assessment can help distinguish physiologic findings from those warranting further evaluation, reduce missed diagnoses, and promote consistency across care settings.

A link to the checklist can be found below and is available on the SMFM website under Clinical Guidance → Patient Safety and Quality.

Resources: 

Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Special Statement: Checklists for triage and work-up of persons with symptoms suggestive of cardiovascular disease in pregnancy and postpartum - SMFM Publications and Clinical Guidelines

Disclaimer: "The Public Health System Components: Clinicians who are related to Maternal-Fetal Medicine program is supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award to the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) totaling $1,278,000 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of nor endorsement, by CDC/HHS or the U.S. Government."

In this episode of the SMFM Podcast, Dr. Janine Rhoades welcomes Dr. Andrea Edlow to discuss the 2025–2026 respiratory disease season and vaccine recommendations for pregnant patients. They review the major respiratory threats—COVID-19, influenza, RSV, and pertussis—and emphasize the importance of maternal vaccination for both maternal health and infant protection. The conversation covers current vaccine guidance, disparities in vaccine uptake, strategies for effective patient counseling, and best practices for clinic preparedness, including staff education, vaccine stocking, and infection control policies. They also highlight trusted resources for providers and patients to support safe and effective vaccination during pregnancy.

Additional Resources:

• SMFM Resources
  • SMFM Fellow Lecture Preparing for Respiratory Virus Season 
  • SMFM Podcast Preparing for Annual Respiratory Disease Season 
  • Infectious Disease Resources 
    • SMFM COVID-19 
    • SMFM RSV 
    • SMFM Influenza
  • SMFM Patient Education Resources 
    • Vaccination During Pregnancy 
• Government Agency Resources: 
  • For Clinicians 
• Peer Organization Resources: 
  • For Clinicians 
• CDC Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel 
• CDC Respiratory Disease Season Outlooks 
• CDC "From Me, To You" Communications Effort (De Mí, Para Ti) 
• CDC "Wild to Mild" Social Media Toolkit 
• HHS "Risk Less, Do More" Campaign for COVID-19, Influenza and RSV Vaccines for Pregnant People 
• CDC Prenatal Care and Routinely Recommended Vaccinations 
• CDC 2025 Recommended Immunizations for Adults Aged 19 Years and Older (Full schedule with notes) 
• CDC MMWR: Influenza, COVID-19 and RSV Vaccination Coverage Among Adults (November 2024) 
• AAFP Immunization Resources 
• ACNM Immunization Resources 
• ACOG Immunization Resources 
• AWHONN Immunization Resources 
• NPWH Immunization Resources 
• For Patients 
  • ACOG  
  • MotherToBaby FactSheets
  • MotherToBaby Immunization and Pregnancy Education (En Español) 
  • Vaccinate Your Family 
  • Immunize.org

Description

In this episode of the SMFM Podcast, Dr. Rupesh Patel welcomes Dr. Amy Valent to discuss folic acid and its critical role in pregnancy. They review dietary and supplemental sources, the distinctions between folate, folic acid, and methylfolate, and evidence-based recommendations for dosing before and during pregnancy to prevent neural tube defects and support fetal development. Dr. Valent also addresses considerations for populations of higher-risk patients, limitations of supplement regulation, and the lack of evidence for routine MTHFR testing, providing practical guidance for clinicians counseling patients on folic acid intake. 

Additional Resources:

Government Agency Resources:

• For Physicians 
  • CDC Folic Acid Facts: For Clinicians
  • CDC Folic Acid: Sources and Recommended Intake
  • CDC MTHFR Gene Variant and Folic Acid Facts
  • CDC #InMyFolicAcidEra Toolkit
  • CDC From Heritage to Health Toolkit
  • GAO Prenatal Supplements: Amounts of Some Key Nutrients Differed from Product Labels
  • NIH Folate: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals
  • FDA Folate and Folic Acid on the Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels
• Peer Organization Resources: 
  • ACOG Nutrition During Pregnancy
  • ACOG Practice Bulletin on Neural Tube Defects
  • MotherToBaby Folic Acid | Folate Fact Sheet
  • MotherToBaby Folic Acid – Is More Really Better? 

In this episode of the SMFM Podcast, Dr. Bart Staat welcomes Dr. Britton Rink to discuss the updated SMFM Consult #74: Cell-free DNA screening for aneuploidies: Updated Guidelines. They explore key changes from previous guidance, including recommendations for sex chromosome aneuploidy, microdeletions, twin pregnancies, and managing non-reportable results—offering practical tips to help clinicians apply the latest evidence in practice. 

In this episode of the SMFM Podcast, Dr. Amy Valent welcomes Dr. Teresa Sparks and Dr. Mary Norton, authors of the upcoming SMFM Consult on the evaluation and management of non-Immune Hydrops Fetalis. Together, they explore updated recommendations on nonimmune hydrops (primarily in singleton gestation) and discuss how MFMs can navigate these challenging cases, support maternal health, and help guide families through difficult decisions.

In this episode of the SMFM Podcast, Dr. Rupesh Patel welcomes Dr. Kay Daniels and Dr. Carey Eppes for an important conversation on emergency preparedness in the setting of obstetric (OB) care. Together, they break down the four key principles of emergency preparedness—mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery—and explore how these apply to both OB clinicians and their patients. 

Using real-world examples like wildfires, poor air quality, tropical storms, flooding, tornadoes, extreme heat, and mass casualty events, the discussion provides a comprehensive overview of what OB clinicians need to know in the face of natural disasters. Drs. Daniels and Eppes explain how hospitals are structured to respond to emergencies, what resources are typically available, how OB and maternity care units manage care during emergencies and most importantly, the role OB providers play during these critical situations. 

The episode also offers actionable guidance for helping pregnant and postpartum patients prepare for emergencies. From what to include in an emergency kit to how clinicians can effectively communicate and stay connected with patients during and after a disaster, this episode is a must-listen for providers committed to delivering safe care—even in the most unpredictable circumstances. 

Additional Resources:

• SMFM Page on Wildfires and Air Quality 

• SMFM Page on Emerging Threats 

• CDC page on emergency preparedness: hurricanes, floods and pregnancy 

• CDC page on reproductive health: emergency preparedness and response tools and resources  

• ACOG Committee Statement #15 

• ACOG Committee Opinion #726 

• Stanford Disaster Preparedness for Hospitals 

• TRAIN: Triage Tool for Hospitalized Obstetric and Newborn Patients 

In this episode of the SMFM Podcast, Dr. Ahmed Zaki Moustafa welcomes Dr. Irene Stafford to discuss the current measles outbreak in the US. Together, they review treatment and management options for measles, and strategies for how to rebuild patient confidence in the MMR vaccine amid rising vaccine hesitancy. Finally, they emphasize that the MMR vaccine is safe, effective, and the best way to prevent measles infection and its serious health risks.

Additional Resources:

• SMFM Resources
  • SMFM Page on Measles (Provider FAQs, infographic and 2024 podcast)
  • SMFM Patient Education Page on Measles (patient fact sheet; patient MMR flowchart forthcoming)
  • SMFM Blog
• Government Resources
  • CDC Healthcare Providers Measles Page
  • CDC Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Measles in Healthcare Settings
  • CDC Be Ready For Measles Toolkit
  • CDC Communications and Public Health Resources on Measles
  • CDC Healthcare Systems Preparedness Checklist (last page)
  • CDC April 2025 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on Measles 
  • CDC HAN March 2024 on Measles
  • CDC HAN March 2025 on Measles
  • CDC Measles Cases and Outbreaks in the US
• Partner Organization Resources
  • AAP Fact Checked: Measles
  • AAP Fact Checked Vaccine Ingredients
  • ACOG Practice Advisory on Management of Obstetric–Gynecologic Patients During a Measles Outbreak
  • AMA Measles Resources
  • Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia MMR vaccine ingredients
  • Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) 24-Hour Epi-on-Call Contact List for Health Departments

In this episode of the SMFM Podcast, Dr. Rachel Harrison welcomes Dr. Christina Megli to discuss vector-borne illnesses like Lyme, malaria, and dengue—highlighting symptoms, current trends, and diagnostic approaches. Together, they review treatment and management strategies, and offer practical tips to help patients make informed decisions about travel, vaccines, insect repellents, and prevention, and share trusted clinical resources for healthcare providers.

For more educational resources, visit education.smfm.org. 

Additional Resources:

• CDC resources
  • https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices
  • https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/family-travel/pregnant-travelers.html
  • https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list#group-f
• Insect repellent resources
  • https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you
• Vector-borne illnesses resources
  • https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/about/index.html
  • https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/causes-and-spread/index.html
  • https://www.cdc.gov/oropouche/symptoms/oropouche-and-pregnancy.html
  • https://www.cdc.gov/zika/about/index.html
  • https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/about/index.html

In this episode of the SMFM Podcast, Dr. Alireza Shamshirsaz welcomes Dr. Laura Riley, Chair of OB-GYN at Weill Cornell Medicine who was also the first OB-GYN to serve on the advisory committee for immunization practice at the CDC. Together, they discuss recent threats to vaccine access, the impact of reduced vaccine uptake, cuts in research, and the resurgence of diseases like measles. Clinicians are encouraged to stay informed about local policies, recommend vaccines, and work with community resources to improve vaccine access and combat misinformation, ensuring stronger public health protection. 

For more educational resources, visit education.smfm.org.