SMFM's Podcast Series

Respiratory Disease Season 2025-2026

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. Click here for the full episode transcript. For more educational resources, visit education.smfm.org.    Additional Resources: ·        SMFM Resources o   SMFM Fellow Lecture Preparing for Respiratory Virus Season  o   SMFM Podcast Preparing for Annual Respiratory Disease Season  o   Infectious Disease Resources  §  SMFM COVID-19  §  SMFM RSV  §  SMFM Influenza o   SMFM Patient Education Resources  §  Vaccination During Pregnancy  ·        Government Agency Resources:  o   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)  ·        Peer Organization Resources:  o   For Clinicians  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

Folic Acid

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

Cell-free DNA screening

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

Non-Immune Hydrops Fetalis

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

Obstetric Emergency Preparedness for Natural Disasters

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