SMFM's Podcast Series

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 [https://education.smfm.org/products/smfm-podcast-obstetric-emergency-preparedness-for-natural-disasters#tab-product_tab_transcript] for the full episode transcript. For more educational resources, visit education.smfm.org [https://education.smfm.org].

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 [https://education.smfm.org/products/smfm-podcast-measles-in-2025-a-preventable-threat#tab-product_tab_transcript] for the full episode transcript. For more educational resources, visit education.smfm.org [https://education.smfm.org].    Additional Resources: * SMFM Resources * SMFM Page on Measles [https://www.smfm.org/measles] (Provider FAQs, infographic and 2024 podcast) * SMFM Patient Education Page on Measles [https://www.highriskpregnancyinfo.org/measles] (patient fact sheet; patient MMR flowchart forthcoming) * SMFM Blog [https://www.smfm.org/news/the-rise-of-measles-is-entirely-preventable] * Government Resources * CDC Healthcare Providers Measles Page [https://www.cdc.gov/measles/hcp/clinical-overview/index.html] * CDC Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Measles in Healthcare Settings [https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/measles/] * CDC Be Ready For Measles Toolkit [https://www.cdc.gov/measles/php/toolkit/index.html] * CDC Communications and Public Health Resources on Measles [https://www.cdc.gov/measles/resources/index.html] * CDC Healthcare Systems Preparedness Checklist [https://www.cdc.gov/measles/media/pdfs/2025/02/CDC-Public-Health-Checklist_Sept18_FINAL-updatedlinks-508.pdf] (last page) * CDC April 2025 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on Measles [https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7414a1.htm]  * CDC HAN March 2024 on Measles [https://www.cdc.gov/han/2024/han00504.html] * CDC HAN March 2025 on Measles [https://www.cdc.gov/han/2025/han00522.html] * CDC Measles Cases and Outbreaks in the US [https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/measles/cases-outbreaks.html] * Partner Organization Resources * AAP Fact Checked: Measles [https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/fact-checked/] * AAP Fact Checked Vaccine Ingredients [https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/fact-checked/fact-checked-vaccines-do-not-contain-fetal-cells-thimerosal/] * ACOG Practice Advisory on Management of Obstetric–Gynecologic Patients During a Measles Outbreak [https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2024/03/management-of-obstetric-gynecologic-patients-during-a-measles-outbreak] * AMA Measles Resources [https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/measles-resources] * Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia MMR vaccine ingredients [https://www.chop.edu/vaccine-education-center/vaccine-safety/vaccine-ingredients/ingredients-by-vaccine/mmr-vaccine-ingredients] * Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) 24-Hour Epi-on-Call Contact List for Health Departments [https://libraries.cste.org/after-hours-contact/]

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 [https://education.smfm.org/products/smfm-podcast-vector-borne-illnesses-in-pregnancy#tab-product_tab_transcript] for the full episode transcript. For more educational resources, visit education.smfm.org [http://education.smfm.org/].  Additional Resources: * CDC resources * https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices [https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices] * https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/family-travel/pregnant-travelers.html [https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/family-travel/pregnant-travelers.html] * https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list#group-f [https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list#group-f] * Insect repellent resources * https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/find-repellent-right-you [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/dengue/about/index.html] * https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/causes-and-spread/index.html [https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/causes-and-spread/index.html] * https://www.cdc.gov/oropouche/symptoms/oropouche-and-pregnancy.html [https://societyformfm.sharepoint.com/sites/Education/Shared%20Documents/Online/10Podcasts/Recordings,%20Edits,%20Scripts/2025%20Podcasts/Vector-Borne%20Illnesses/Oropouche] * https://www.cdc.gov/zika/about/index.html [https://www.cdc.gov/zika/about/index.html] * https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/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 [https://education.smfm.org/products/smfm-podcast-threats-to-vaccine-access-information-and-research#product_tab_transcript] 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 [https://education.smfm.org/products/smfm-podcast-us-medical-eligibility-criteria-for-contraceptive-use-updates#product_tab_transcript] for the full episode transcript.