Piedmont empowers women during Maternal Health Awareness Month

May marks Maternal Health Awareness Month. It raises awareness about maternal health and the challenges mothers face before, during and after pregnancy.

Patricia Moore, MD, FACOG, is the medical director of Informatics, Women's Health and member of Piedmont’s OB/GYN Clinical Governance Council. She believes it is important for expectant mothers to focus on their health and well-being during pregnancy. “One of the best things expectant mothers can do is focus on the same foundational habits that support health at any stage of life—while recognizing that they are even more important during pregnancy,” said Dr. Moore. Aim for about eight hours of sleep each night. Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, limit processed foods, and engage in regular low-impact exercise. Making time to connect with friends and family is also important. Together, these habits support both physical and mental well-being and help prepare the body and mind for labor.

Pregnancy brings many changes, most of which are normal, but it is important to listen closely to your body. If something does not feel right, patients should reach out to their physician. It is always better to err on the side of caution.

Piedmont has a variety of Clinical Governance Councils with one specifically focused on Obstetrics and Gynecology. Clinical Governance Councils are designed to promote physician collaboration and guide quality and safety strategies. They also align physicians with service and stewardship goals to improve patient care across the network.

The OB/GYN Clinical Governance Council has led several important initiatives to support healthy pregnancies across Piedmont. This includes standardizing care and providing education on obstetric emergencies. It focuses especially on severe bleeding during delivery and dangerously high blood pressure. The group has also worked to standardize screening for postpartum depression. It identifies resources physicians can share with patients experiencing mental health concerns during and after pregnancy. In addition, Piedmont is actively evaluating ways to better support patients during labor through enhanced education and support.

The OB/GYN Clinical Governance Council launched a Maternal Hypertension Task Force in January 2026. It aims to establish a reliable, system-wide approach to recognizing and managing high blood pressure in pregnant and postpartum patients. Along with the systemwide Hypertension Steering Committee launched in June 2025, work focuses on improving readiness and accelerating early recognition. It also standardizes evidence-based responses and supports safe post-discharge monitoring. This work is critically important because cardiovascular conditions and hypertensive disorders are the leading causes of pregnancy-related deaths in Georgia.

“During Maternal Health Awareness Month, we encourage patients and families to use this time to learn more about warning signs, ask questions, and partner closely with their care teams,” Dr. Moore said. She believes trusted resources like the CDC’s Hear Her campaign and Piedmont’s programs can help patients feel informed and supported. These resources also empower patients before, during and after pregnancy.

As a nonprofit health care system, Piedmont exists to serve its communities. And that’s not just providing care within the walls of our clinics, our hospitals and our ambulatory network. It’s everything that we do for our communities to improve the health and well-being for those we serve. At Piedmont, maternity care is designed around you. Choose the classes you want, access the specialists you need, and visit locations that are convenient for you. Piedmont offers a variety of educational support, including childbirth preparation, breastfeeding, and infant care classes. You can expect personalized maternity care tailored to you. You’ll also have access to supportive classes and trusted specialists for guidance every step of the way.

To find a physician, go to piedmont.org to schedule an appointment today.