Pregnancy: For Researchers and Health Care Practitioners

NICHD Publications and Resources:

• The NICHD supports research networks that aim to advance health care for women during pregnancy. These include:
  • Global Network for Women's and Children's Health Research
  • International Maternal-Pediatric-Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trial Network
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network
  • Maternal-Fetal Surgery Network
  • The Obstetrics-Fetal Pharmacology Research Unit Network
  • Prenatal Alcohol and SIDS and Stillbirth (PASS) Network
  • Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network
  • National Child and Maternal Health Education Program (NCMHEP)
  • National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR)
• The NICHD Scientific Vision Workshop on Pregnancy and Pregnancy Outcomes was held in February 2011 to address the need for innovative and further research on pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes. Read the workshop white paper (PDF - 224 KB)
• The NICHD sponsored the Pregnancy in Women with Physical Disabilities workshop in 2010 to review the current research on management of pregnancy in women with disabilities, identify key gaps in knowledge, and recommend future avenues of research.
• The NICHD led an Exploring the Role of Paternal Involvement Workshop in July 2012 to address prospective fathers' roles in pregnancy outcomes.
• The Pregnancy and Perinatology Branch, Council Report, 2008 (PDF - 1.15 MB) provides a detailed review of the major activities of the Pregnancy and Perinatology Branch.
• The NICHD convened the Preconception Care Research: Improving Birth Outcomes and Reproductive Health Workshop in 2008 to create a plan of action surrounding preconception care research and its impact on the reproductive system and improving pregnancies and pregnancy outcomes.

Additional Resources:

• National Child and Maternal Health Education Program (NCMHEP)
  NCMHEP provides a forum for reviewing, translating, and disseminating new research on maternal and child health.
• Association of Women's Health, Obstetrics, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
  AWHONN promotes the health of women and newborns and works to strengthen the nursing profession, providing education and resources for health professionals.
• Strong Start Initiative
  The Strong Start Initiative, announced in February 2012, aims to reduce the risk of significant complications and long-term health problems for expectant women and infants. This initiative is a joint effort between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Administration on Children and Families, and nongovernmental groups devoted to the health of mothers and newborns.
  Read the fact sheet on the Strong Start Initiative.
• Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB)
  The MCHB of the Health Resources and Services Administration publishes Child Health USA, an annual report detailing the health status of America's children.
• American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM)
  ACNM is the professional association representing nurse-midwives and certified midwives. The site provides research and professional resources, advocacy efforts, and continuing education programs.
• Making Obstetrics and Maternity Safer (MOMS) Maternity Care: By the Numbers (PDF - 45 KB) by the American
  Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists provides a detailed overview of maternal and infant health statistics, showing disparities in health behaviors, health care, and areas for improvement.
• Institute of Medicine Consensus Report on Prematurity: Causes, Consequences, and Prevention is a report detailing the public health impact of prematurity, identifying top priorities for prevention.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is a pregnancy surveillance system that collects state-specific, population-based data on maternal attitudes and experiences before, during, and after pregnancy. The goal of PRAMS is to improve pregnancy health outcomes, especially reducing low birth weight, infant mortality and morbidity, and maternal morbidity and mortality.
• Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine aims to advance obstetrical care as a means to improve pregnancy outcomes.
  • Find physician learning resources.
  • Read publications about maternal-fetal health

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