SMFM in midst of first annual High-Risk Pregnancy Awareness Week

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) is currently observing its first annual High-Risk Pregnancy Awareness Week (HRPAW), which runs from June 1–8. The nationwide campaign is actively underway to educate expectant parents, families, policymakers, researchers, and the general public about high-risk pregnancies and the specialized clinical care required to manage them.^1,2

Additionally, the ongoing week of observance highlights the critical role played by maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) subspecialists in overseeing complex pregnancies to improve overall health outcomes. SMFM frames HRPAW as a broader movement to transform the conversation surrounding high-risk pregnancy care, aiming to influence policy, educate the public, and strengthen the overall visibility of MFM subspecialists.

A high-risk pregnancy is defined as one complicated by preexisting maternal health issues or by complications that develop during the course of the pregnancy. Currently, nearly 1 in 5 pregnancies in the United States is classified as high-risk according to the Society.

These complex gestations are frequently driven by maternal or fetal medical conditions, including diabetes, hypertension or preeclampsia, autoimmune disorders, heart disease, infectious diseases, cancer, multi-fetal pregnancies, placenta problems, genetic disorders, and fetal anomalies. Because these conditions carry severe potential risks for both the parent and the fetus, specialized clinical intervention is frequently necessary. To support these families, HRPAW encourages patients and the general public to consult directly with their health care providers. The initiative provides dedicated resources to help families identify what a high-risk pregnancy is and successfully navigate their care journey with their medical team.

The clinical role of MFM subspecialists

Established in 1977, SMFM serves as the primary medical professional society for obstetricians who have undergone extensive, additional clinical training to treat high-risk, complicated pregnancies. MFM subspecialists, who are also referred to as perinatologists, are board-certified obstetricians who have successfully completed an additional board certification specifically within the maternal-fetal medicine subspecialty. Today, these subspecialists provide advanced, expert health care for millions of individuals across the United States facing complex pregnancy complications.

The week-long campaign aims to address systemic deficits in maternal health care systems.

“High-Risk Pregnancy Awareness Week is an opportunity to not only highlight the essential role of MFMs in managing complicated pregnancies, it also focuses on the need to prioritize maternal health as an important public health issue,” said Alison G. Cahill, MD, MSCI, president of SMFM. “The US continues to have one of the highest maternal mortality rates among developed nations, so there is an urgency to invest in research, expand access to quality obstetric care, and effectively address the stark disparities in maternal-fetal health outcomes that we see every day.”

Advocacy, education, and legislative events

To bridge existing information gaps, SMFM is distributing daily educational resources curated for patients, families, clinicians, and maternal health advocates throughout HRPAW. A key goal of the campaign is expanding educational opportunities for health care professionals through clinical education and targeted webinars.

The society is organizing multiple digital events to foster cross-sector collaboration, including a virtual briefing open to SMFM members, partners, and the public titled “Safer Treatments, Healthier Families: Closing the Drug Development Gap for Pregnant and Lactating Patients,” scheduled for Friday, June 5, at 10:00 am ET. Read below for more on the briefing, also available on the SMFM website.

“Nearly 90% of pregnant women use at least one medication during pregnancy, yet most drug labels lack pregnancy-specific safety or efficacy data, leaving clinicians and patients to make critical decisions without robust evidence. This briefing will examine the gaps driving this problem, highlight federal initiatives addressing them, and discuss bipartisan legislative solutions to improve data generation and ensure that pregnant and lactating patients have access to safe, effective treatments.”

According to SMFM, the briefing is open to members, partners, and the public. Click here to register.

References:

1. SMFM Announces Launch of First Annual High-Risk Pregnancy Awareness Week, June 1-8. Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. News release. Published May 28, 2026. Accessed June 3, 2026.
2. Raising awareness and championing expert care for every complex pregnancy. Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Accessed June 3, 2026. https://www.smfm.org/high-risk-pregnancy-awareness-week