Obstetrics: For Researchers and Health Care Providers

• The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality maintains information on maternal health, pregnancy, and various other women’s health topics for researchers and health care providers, including statistics and practice guidelines. The agency’s Women’s Health Email is also available by subscription.
  • Access the agency’s resources on women’s health.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducts numerous activities related to obstetrics and gynecology, including collecting and reporting on the statistics of diseases and other conditions.
• The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), aims to improve access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated, or otherwise medically vulnerable. The HRSA has a number of programs that focus on increasing women’s access to health care, particularly obstetric care.
• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services assists individuals in obtaining access to health care services. The organization is important for providing access to health care and related programs, including obstetrics and gynecological care, for women who are uninsured or lack adequate insurance coverage.
• The Office of Women’s Health, an office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), sponsors, organizes, and promotes a wealth of activities on female health and health awareness. Among its activities are a number of programs aimed at obstetrics and gynecological health.
• The NICHD supports research networks that aim to advance health care for women during pregnancy and throughout their lives. Read more about specific topics of research by following the links below.
  • Global Network for Women’s and Children’s Health Research
  • International Maternal, Pediatric, Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials Network
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network
  • Maternal-Fetal Surgery Network
  • NICHD Domestic and International Pediatric/Perinatal HIV Clinical Studies Network
  • Obstetric-Fetal Pharmacology Research Unit Network
  • Pelvic Floor Disorders Network
  • Prenatal Alcohol and SIDS and Stillbirth Network
  • Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network
• The NICHD has sponsored two NIH Consensus Development Conferences related to cesarean delivery:
  • Vaginal Birth After Cesarean: New Insights (March 8-10, 2010)
  • Cesarean Delivery on Maternal Request (March 27-29, 2006)
• The NICHD is also sponsoring the NIH Consensus Development Conference Diagnosing Gestational Diabetes Mellitus on October 29-31, 2012.
• The NICHD Scientific Vision Workshop on Pregnancy and Pregnancy Outcomes: Workshop White Paper (PDF - 186 KB)
• ACOG releases guidelines for the management of various obstetrical conditions.
  • Access ACOG guidelines.
• The American Society for Reproductive Medicine offers opportunities for continuing education, information about grants and awards, and links to related professional societies.
  • Find out more.
• The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine aims to advance obstetrical care as a means to improving pregnancy outcomes.
  • Read about educational and research opportunities.
• The American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) is the professional association that represents certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives in the United States.
  • Learn more about midwifery.
• The website of the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals offers a wide array of resources including continuing education, clinical publications, patient resources, featured research, breaking news, and links to additional information. The materials are organized by 14 broad reproductive health topics.
• The National Association of Certified Professional Midwives (NACPM) is a professional association committed to significantly increasing women’s access to quality maternity care by supporting the work and practice of certified professional midwives.
  • Learn more about certified professional midwives.
• The Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) is a professional membership organization that promotes the health of women and newborns.
  • Read AWHONN position statements on a wide variety of topics related to women’s and infants’ health.
• The National Child and Maternal Health Education Program (NCMHEP) was created by the NICHD to help facilitate opportunities for reviewing, translating, and disseminating new research in the field of maternal and child health.
  • Find out more about the NCMHEP coordinating committee.

Please note: Links to organizations and information included on this page do not indicate endorsement from the NICHD, NIH, or HHS.