Maternal Health Care Resources

Because maternal morbidity and mortality closely intersect with hematology, ASH is committed to supporting the right to maternal health care that addresses hematologic disorders, advocating for access to reproductive health services for all people, combating inequities in hematology, and supporting clinicians who serve vulnerable populations, including those at risk of maternal health conditions. The Society has curated this webpage as a central point of information to assist hematologists in better serving their patients and communities through an array of resources and related advocacy.

"As a Society, we at the American Society of Hematology (ASH) have long been aware of the close connection between hematology and maternal health, since hemorrhage and venous thromboembolism are two of the top five causes of death in pregnant women… ASH supports the right to maternal health care that addresses hematologic disorders and advocates for access to reproductive health services for all people. We remain committed to combating inequities in hematology and supporting clinicians who serve vulnerable populations, including those at risk of maternal health conditions."

– 2022 ASH President, Jane N. Winter, MD
ASH Statement: ASH Advocates for the Right to Maternal Health Care

Maternal Health Word Cloud

Educational Resources

Health Equity Rounds webinars
The Future of Women in Academic Hematology
Their Lives Depend on Us: Rising to the Challenge of Providing High Quality, Evidence-Based Reproductive Health Care for Women with Sickle Cell Disease (Congressional Briefing)
Latest Maternal Health Resources from ASH Publications
ASH Annual Meeting Sessions
- Live Webcast
- Education and Scientific Sessions Descriptions
Clinical Resources
- ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines
  ASH has developed evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to help members and other practicing hematologists improve patient care. The following address maternal health:
  - ASH ISTH NHF WFH 2021 Guidelines on the Management of von Willebrand Disease: Guidelines for the management of von Willebrand disease (VWD) in the context of neuraxial anesthesia during labor and delivery, and management in the postpartum setting.
  - American Society of Hematology 2020 Guidelines for Sickle Cell Disease: Transfusion Support: Guidelines on transfusion management during pregnancy.
  - American Society of Hematology 2019 Guidelines for Immune Thrombocytopenia: Pregnancy was not addressed in ASH’s 2019 immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) guidelines; however, the 2011 ITP guidelines, which include management of ITP during pregnancy, are referenced.
  - American Society of Hematology 2018 Guidelines for Management of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE): Venous Thromboembolism in the Context of Pregnancy: Other VTE guidelines (concerning prophylaxis among medical patients and diagnosis) reference pregnant/postpartum patients as a subgroup at higher risk.
- ASH Clinical Practice Guidelines tools and resources
Policy Resources
- ASH Policy Statements
  - ASH's Policy Statement on the Right to Maternal Health Care
  - ASH Policy Statement on Access to Hematology Care in an Age of Innovation
- Additional Policy Resources
- ASH Testimony and Correspondence
  - ASH Endorses Statement in Opposition to Legislative Interference
  - ASH Endorses Statement Opposing Texas Legislation Threatening Access to Reproductive Patient Care 
  - ASH Supports the Women's Health Protection Act (Feb 2022)
  - ASH Supports the Women’s Health Protection Act (May 2022)
  - ASH Comments on NIH’s Strategic Plan on Women Health Research
  - ASH Meets with the Governor of Louisiana on Maternal Health
  - ASH Supports the Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act (Senate and House Letters)
  - 33 Patient and Provider Groups Applaud Supreme Court Ruling, Urge Courts to Preserve FDA’s Authority
- Take Action!
  - Action Alert - Tell your federal and state elected officials that you oppose harmful restrictions that impact the right to maternal health in hematology and urge them to prioritize policies that improve health care for communities in your state.
  - Advocacy Toolkit - A set of practical tools and actions you can take to communicate with your elected officials.
  - Talking Points for Maternal Health Care in Hematology
  - Be More Involved in Expanded Advocacy - As legislative action in this area is expected to increase in state legislatures throughout the country, the Society is looking for members who are interested in becoming maternal health advocates in their states.
    - If you’re interested in advocating on the state level, please contact Natalie Bates at [email protected] to learn about how ASH can help support you.
Additional ASH Resources
- Podcasts
  - ASH and Maternal Health, With Drs. Jennifer Holter-Chakrabarty & Sarah O’Brien
  - Year’s Best in SCD: A Global Perspective on Pregnancy in 2019 With Drs. Ify Osunkwo and Laura Michaelis
  - ASH VTE Guidelines: Context of Pregnancy & HIT With Drs. Adam Cuker and Shannon Bates
- Women in Hematology Working Group
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Toolkits
External Resources
- The White House
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
- World Health Organization (WHO)

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