2025 was a pivotal year for maternal health in the United States. From federal funding initiatives to new clinical guidance, this year’s developments highlighted both the challenges and opportunities in improving outcomes for birthing people. Below, we highlight seven stories that shaped the landscape of maternal care — and what they mean for patients, providers, and policymakers alike.
1. CMS Awards TMAH Grants to 15 stateS
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded Transforming Maternal Health (TMAH) grants to 15 states, totaling $17 million. These funds are designed to help states address disparities, improve outcomes, and test scalable maternal care models. Many grantees are prioritizing remote monitoring, care coordination, and data integration, signaling a growing federal commitment to translating maternal health policy into measurable change on the ground.
[Read more: CMS Announces 15 States to Receive $17M in Maternal Health Funding]
2. March of Dimes releases SMBP Toolkit
The March of Dimes launched a self-measured blood pressure (SMBP) toolkit, empowering patients to monitor their own blood pressure during pregnancy and postpartum. This initiative reflects the growing recognition that home monitoring can save lives — particularly in detecting hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) early — and advances a broader movement toward patient-centered, equitable care.
[Read more: Empowering Women: Blood Pressure Monitoring in Maternity Care]
3. Blood Pressure in Pregnancy Predicts Future Heart Health]
Research in 2025 reinforced the link between hypertensive disorders during pregnancy and long-term cardiovascular risk. These findings underscore the importance of longitudinal care for mothers and the integration of obstetric and primary care. Regular blood pressure monitoring is no longer just about the pregnancy itself — it’s a window into lifelong heart health.
[Read more: Blood Pressure in Pregnancy Can Tell a Lot About Long Term Health - If We're Paying Attention]
4. Budget Reconciliation Bill Passes
The passage of the Budget Reconciliation Bill — informally dubbed the “One Big Beautiful Bill” — marked a significant policy moment for maternal health. While it included support for digital health tools and care coordination, it also highlighted the fragmented nature of maternal health funding and reimbursement challenges. The bill sparked essential conversations about how innovation and policy can work together to improve outcomes for birthing people.
[Read more: The One Big Beautiful Bill Is One Big Mixed Bag for Digital Maternal Health]
5. ACOG Releases New Clinical Care Recommendations
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) updated its prenatal care recommendations, explicitly endorsing virtual tools and flexible visit schedules. This guidance legitimized hybrid, risk-based care models and encouraged adoption of remote patient monitoring — signaling a broader cultural shift in obstetrics toward personalization and evidence-based innovation.
[Read more: ACOG Endorses Virtual Tools in New Guidance for Prenatal Care]
6.California Releases Postpartum Care Pathway Concept Paper
California continued to lead in reimagining postpartum care with a comprehensive pathway integrating physical, behavioral, and social health supports. By addressing the critical “fourth trimester,” this model offers a blueprint for coordinated, whole-person maternal care — a gap that remains one of the most pressing challenges in maternal health nationwide.
[Read more: California’s Postpartum Pathway is a Model for Whole-Person Maternal Care]
7. ACOG Releases Ethical Guidance on Telehealth
ACOG issued ethical guidance on the use of telehealth in maternity care, framing it as part of the physician’s ethical duty. By recognizing telehealth as essential for equitable access — particularly for patients facing structural barriers — ACOG set a precedent for the responsible integration of digital health in maternal care.
[Read more: ACOG Positions Telehealth as Part of the Physician’s Duty to Patients]
Looking Ahead
From federal funding to clinical guidance and patient empowerment, 2025 highlighted how policy, innovation, and ethics intersect in maternal health. These stories show that improving outcomes requires not just technology or funding alone, but thoughtful integration of both — always centered on the needs of patients.
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