Publications & Guidelines

Since 2004, the Publications Committee has been charged with developing and publishing various publications, including the SMFM Consult Series and the SMFM Clinical Guidelines series published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. The Publications Committee collaborates with other Societies and Colleges to develop joint publications and statements, as appropriate. The Committee plans topics, selects authors, and reviews each completed paper before it is submitted for an internal SMFM review process and then for publication.  All Committee members have filed conflict of interest statements with SMFM. Any conflicts have been resolved through a process approved by the Executive Board. To facilitate transparency in SMFM's guideline development process, a brief overview of the key stages in development is provided here. Feedback for SMFM Publications is welcome at pubs@smfm.org

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ACOG CO #719, Multifetal pregnancy reduction
ACOG CO #719, Multifetal pregnancy reduction

Although not all multifetal pregnancies occur after the use of assisted reproductive technology, fertility treatments have contributed significantly to the increase in multifetal pregnancies. In almost all cases, it is preferable to avoid the risk of higher-order multifetal pregnancy by limiting... Continue Reading

Date posted12/27/2017


The development and implementation of checklists in obstetrics
The development and implementation of checklists in obstetrics

Checklists have been long used as a cognitive aid in various high-stakes environments to improve the reliability and performance of individuals and teams. When designed well, implemented thoughtfully,and monitored closely, they offer the opportunity to improve the performance of health care teams... Continue Reading

Date posted12/26/2017


Coding update of the SMFM definition of low risk for cesarean delivery from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM
Coding update of the SMFM definition of low risk for cesarean delivery from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM

In 2015, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine developed a low risk for cesarean delivery definition based on administrative claims-based diagnosis codes described by the International Classification ofDiseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification. The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine... Continue Reading

Date posted12/25/2017


Quality measures in high-risk pregnancies: Executive summary of a cooperative workshop of SMFM, NICH
Quality measures in high-risk pregnancies: Executive summary of a cooperative workshop of SMFM, NICH

Providers perceive current obstetric quality measures as imperfect and insufficient. Our organizations convened a “Quality Measures in High-Risk Pregnancies Workshop.” The goals were to: Review thecurrent landscape regarding quality measures in obstetric conditions with... Continue Reading

Date posted12/24/2017


ACOG CO #712, Intrapartum management of intraamniotic infection
ACOG CO #712, Intrapartum management of intraamniotic infection

Download PDF TAGS: intrapartum care, intrapartum fetal monitoring, amniotic, amniotic fluid, intrapartum CATEGORIES: SMFM Endorsed Partner Publication Continue Reading

Date posted12/23/2017


ACOG CO #711, Opioid use and opioid use disorder in pregnancy
ACOG CO #711, Opioid use and opioid use disorder in pregnancy

Download PDF TAGS: pregnancy, pain management, Opioids, postpartum CATEGORIES: SMFM Endorsed Partner Publication Continue Reading

Date posted12/22/2017


Committee Opinion #700, Methods for estimating the due date
Committee Opinion #700, Methods for estimating the due date

Accurate dating of pregnancy is important to improve outcomes and is a research and public health imperative. As soon as data from the last menstrual period, the first accurate ultrasound examination, or both are obtained, the gestational age and the estimated due date (EDD) should be determined,... Continue Reading

Date posted12/21/2017


SMFM Consult Series #42, The role of ultrasound in women who undergo cell-free DNA screening
SMFM Consult Series #42, The role of ultrasound in women who undergo cell-free DNA screening

The introduction of cell-free DNA screening for aneuploidy into obstetric practice in 2011 revolutionized the strategies utilized for prenatal testing. The purpose of this document is to review the current data on the role of ultrasound in women who have undergone or are considering cell-free DNA... Continue Reading

Date posted12/20/2017


SMFM Statement: Prenatal acetaminophen and outcomes in children
SMFM Statement: Prenatal acetaminophen and outcomes in children

Acetaminophen is the most widely used medicine during pregnancy. While the rate of use in pregnancy is difficult to determine because it is an over-the-counter medication, large surveys have reported that 40–65% of pregnant women use acetaminophen at some time during their pregnancy. The... Continue Reading

Date posted12/18/2017


SMFM Special Report: Current Approaches to Measuring Quality of Care in Obstetrics
SMFM Special Report: Current Approaches to Measuring Quality of Care in Obstetrics

Heath care measurement and evaluation is an integral piece of the health care system. The creation and assessment of care performance metrics are important and relevant for the obstetric community including both clinicians and patients. Careful deliberation is required to create a measurement... Continue Reading

Date posted12/19/2016


Comparing variation in hospital rates of cesarean delivery among low risk women using 3 measures
Comparing variation in hospital rates of cesarean delivery among low risk women using 3 measures

This report describes the development of a measure of low-risk cesarean delivery by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM). Safely lowering the cesarean delivery rate is a priority for maternity care clinicians and health care delivery systems. Therefore, hospital quality assurance... Continue Reading

Date posted10/1/2016


SMFM Consult Series #41: The use of chromosomal microarray for prenatal diagnosis
SMFM Consult Series #41: The use of chromosomal microarray for prenatal diagnosis

Chromosomal microarray analysis is a high-resolution, whole-genome technique used to identifychromosomal abnormalities, including those detected by conventional cytogenetic techniques, aswell as small submicroscopic deletions and duplications referred to as copy number variants. Becausechromosomal... Continue Reading

Date posted09/1/2016