NICHD was established more than 50 years ago to help understand maternal health and improve pregnancy outcomes. These selected advances highlight NICHD’s contributions to advancing the health and well-being of pregnant women, mothers, and families everywhere.
Building the Maternal Health Research Field
NICHD-funded research networks have pioneered clinical studies of pregnant women and helped to improve maternal healthcare.
Learn more about how NICHD has changed the maternal health research field.
Leading Global Health Research
NICHD-funded research has improved maternal healthcare in resource-limited countries around the world.
Understanding Gestational Diabetes
Gestational diabetes, a common pregnancy complication, affects health not only during pregnancy but also later in life. NICHD is working to learn more.
Learn more about NICHD’s work on understanding gestational diabetes.
Advancing Research on HIV/AIDS and Maternal and Infant Health
Research from NICHD and other agencies and institutes has changed the course of HIV/AIDS, especially for pregnant women and their infants.
Learn more about NICHD’s efforts to advance HIV/AIDS maternal health research.
Supporting Healthy Labor and Delivery
NICHD research focuses on helping pregnant women experience labor and delivery safely, which includes managing and treating problems and minimizing long-term health effects.
Leading Progress in Preeclampsia Research
NICHD is working to understand what causes preeclampsia and how to prevent and treat this potentially fatal pregnancy complication.
Working to Reduce Pregnancy Loss
NICHD supports and conducts research on the causes of pregnancy loss and how such losses affect maternal health.
Learn more about how NICHD research is working to reduce pregnancy loss.
Addressing Preterm Labor and Birth
Preterm labor and birth can have short- and long-term effects on the health of mothers and infants. NICHD research addresses a full spectrum of topics related to preterm labor and birth, including prevention, risk reduction, and care for infants born too early.
Learn more about how NICHD is addressing preterm labor and birth.
Understanding Stillbirth
Although stillbirth affects many families in the United States, little is known about why it occurs or if there is any way to prevent it.
Advancing Maternal Health
NICHD has a long history of research contributions aimed at improving maternal health.
Learn more about how NICHD’s research is advancing maternal health.
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