Abstract
Maternal mortality rates in the US have been increasing steadily over the past decade, with rates significantly increased versus the rest of the developed world, despite the vast healthcare infrastructure. The purpose of this paper is to discuss key areas that need to be addressed within basic science, clinical, and community-based settings to help promote increased education, research, and awareness of specific pregnancy-associated changes that can occur during both healthy and complicated pregnancies. Through increased awareness, we can promote healthier pregnancies and not only help to reduce maternal mortality rates but also improve the long-term cardiovascular outcomes in mothers and their children.