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.

Click here for the full episode transcript. For more educational resources, visit education.smfm.org. 

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.

Click here for the full episode transcript. 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. 

Click here for the full episode transcript.

In this episode of the SMFM Podcast Series, Dr. Adam Crosland is joined by Dr. Sarah Horvath. Together, they discuss updates made to the CDC MEC and best practices for patient counseling.

Click here for the full episode transcript.

In this episode of the SMFM Podcast Series, Dr. Amy Valent is joined by Drs. Clarissa Bonanno and Elyce Cardonick, two of the authors of the SMFM Consult Series on Cancer and Pregnancy. Together, they discuss the complex and evolving landscape of cancer diagnosis and treatment during pregnancy. Topics include treatment options that align with standard care, the role of multidisciplinary collaboration, long-term outcomes for children exposed to chemotherapy in utero, counseling strategies, and the importance of individualized care. They also share helpful resources for both clinicians and patients navigating this rare but challenging situation.

Additional resources

For patients:

·      Cancer and Pregnancy Register: www.cancerandpregnancy.com

Email: [email protected]

·       HOPE for TWO (800) 743-4471 – A pregnant women with cancer will be matched to someone who had the same cancer in pregnancy and delivered their child.

For oncologists and healthcare providers:

·       ABCIP (Advisory Board on Cancer, Infertility, and Pregnancy): provides a platform where physicians from all over the world can request recommendations regarding the medical care of pregnant women diagnosed with cancer or regarding fertility preservation. 

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

Click here for the full episode transcript.

In this episode of the SMFM Podcast, Dr. Shad Deering welcomes Dr. Sindhu Srinivas, the newly appointed President of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Dr. Srinivas shares her journey to becoming an MFM, reflects on the mentors who shaped her path, and discusses her early involvement in advocacy and organized medicine. She also offers insight into her leadership vision for SMFM, including expanding member engagement, strengthening advocacy efforts, and advancing educational initiatives like the newly launched Pregnancy Journal. Whether you're a fellow, early-career MFM, or a long-time member, this episode highlights the many ways to get involved and stay inspired within the MFM community.

Click here for the full episode transcript.

In this episode of the SMFM Podcast, Dr. Amy Valent welcomes back Dr. Ebony Carter, Division Director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at UNC Chapel Hill, for a deeper discussion on community engagement in MFM practice. Building on the insights from Community Engagement 101, Dr. Carter shares her experiences in developing meaningful community partnerships that drive health equity and improve patient care.

From navigating the complexities of building trust to ensuring patient voices shape interventions, Dr. Carter provides practical advice on engaging with communities in a way that is collaborative, sustainable, and impactful. She reflects on lessons learned in St. Louis, the challenges of starting over in a new community, and the importance of listening before leading.

Join us for an inspiring conversation on how MFMs can integrate community engagement into their research, practice, and advocacy efforts. Subscribe to the SMFM Podcast for more discussions on high-risk pregnancy care, and explore additional resources at education.smfm.org.

Full transcript. 

Additional Resources:

SMFM Podcast Community Engagement 101

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 $200,000 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.

Conflict is a natural part of life, but it doesn’t have to be negative. In this episode of the SMFM Podcast Series, Dr. Rachel Harrison sits down with Dr. Ngina Connors, OB/GYN Chair at Atrium Health and Vice Chair of SMFM’s Practice Management Committee, to explore strategies for effective conflict resolution.

They discuss the different types of conflict that arise in maternal-fetal medicine, from interpersonal disagreements to team dynamics on labor and delivery. Dr. Connors shares insights on fostering open dialogue, managing workplace conflicts, and approaching difficult conversations with patients and colleagues. They also provides practical techniques, including the power of active listening and the “7-second rule,” to help de-escalate tensions and build stronger, more collaborative teams.

Listen now and explore additional resources from SMFM at education.smfm.org.

Practice Management Virtual Course 

Click here for the full episode transcript. 

In this episode of the SMFM Podcast Series, Dr. Rupesh Patel speaks with Dr. Ashley Battarbee and Dr. Judette Louis about the CDC’s Hypertension in Pregnancy Change Package (HPCP)—a comprehensive resource designed to improve the identification, management, and prevention of complications related to hypertension in pregnancy.

Dr. Battarbee and Dr. Louis discuss the collaborative effort behind developing the HPCP, its key components, and how it can be implemented in outpatient settings to enhance patient care. They highlight practical strategies for clinicians, address common challenges, and explore the role of the change package in fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. Additionally, they delve into the postpartum aspects of hypertension management and the importance of continuity of care.

Tune in to learn how the HPCP serves as a structured, evidence-informed tool to optimize hypertension care in pregnancy and postpartum.

Additional Resources:

Hypertension - Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Hypertension in Pregnancy Change Package

Education.smfm.org

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 $320,000 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 Series, Dr. Melissa Spiel is joined by Dr. Jason Vaught, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and surgical critical care physician at Johns Hopkins Hospital, to discuss SMFM Consult: Diagnosis and Management of Right and Left Ventricular Heart Failure During Pregnancy and Postpartum.

Dr. Vaught shares insights on the frequency of cardiomyopathy as an underlying cause of maternal mortality, the importance of screening and early detection, and key considerations for managing heart failure in pregnant patients. The discussion covers counseling strategies, self-monitoring techniques, delivery planning, postpartum care, and addressing healthcare disparities in cardiovascular disease.

Tune in to hear expert perspectives on optimizing care for patients with heart failure during pregnancy and beyond.

Additional Resources:

SMFM Educational Website