Endometriosis affects up to 10% of reproductive aged women causing a range of debilitating symptoms including pelvic pain and infertility. Our team has discovered that small nerve fibres can be found in the endometrium of women with endometriosis that are not present in women without the condition. We will investigate how these nerve fibres grow and the mechanisms of pain generation. This will potentially allow the development of more targeted and effective treatment modalities.
Improving And Evaluating The Health Of Mothers And Babies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,848.00
Summary
This research program considers new ways to monitor an unborn baby’s health and to provide better care for childbearing women. Several projects will test the unborn baby’s well being. A new study will consider two forms of cooling treatments to help relieve pain following childbirth. Further research involves studies of the genetics of increased blood pressure in pregnant women and a structured way of looking at existing evidence to consider how well it delivers.
Hypnosis Antenatal Training For Childbirth (HATCh): A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$222,754.00
Summary
Pain and fear associated with childbirth is commonplace. Currently utilised methods of pain relief have limitations and well recognised complications. Evidence suggests that learning self- hypnosis for childbirth may allow mothers to: reduce their need for drugs to relieve pain or to stimulate labour and, increase the chance of having a spontaneous vaginal birth. In addition self hypnosis may reduce a mother's anxiety and the chance of postnatal depression. This trial will take place in the larg ....Pain and fear associated with childbirth is commonplace. Currently utilised methods of pain relief have limitations and well recognised complications. Evidence suggests that learning self- hypnosis for childbirth may allow mothers to: reduce their need for drugs to relieve pain or to stimulate labour and, increase the chance of having a spontaneous vaginal birth. In addition self hypnosis may reduce a mother's anxiety and the chance of postnatal depression. This trial will take place in the largest tertiary maternity unit in South Australia. Women > 34 and < 39 weeks pregnant, who are planning a vaginal birth with one baby lying head first, are eligible to participate. Those women with previous experience of using hypnosis for childbirth; poor English requiring a translator; active severe depression or psychosis under the care of a psychiatrist; or pre-existing pain will be excluded. The women will be allocated by chance into one of three groups; Group 1 participants receive antenatal hypnosis training in preparation for childbirth administered by a qualified hypnotherapist with the use of an audio compact disc on hypnosis for re-enforcement; Group 2 women will receive antenatal hypnosis training in preparation for childbirth using an audio compact disc on hypnosis administered by a nurse with no training in hypnotherapy; Group 3 participants continue with their usual preparation for childbirth with no additional intervention. Women assigned to hypnosis groups commence hypnosis training as near as possible to 37 weeks pregnancy. We plan to recruit 150 women - group. This is the largest well designed trial investigating antenatal hypnosis group preparation for childbirth in late pregnancy. If effective, antenatal hypnosis training would be a simple, inexpensive way to improve the childbirth experience, reduce complications associated with drugs and yield cost savings in maternity care. In addition, this trial will provide clear evidence to guide clinical practice.Read moreRead less
TGFB1 Is A Pivitol Regulator Of Endometriotic Lesion Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$438,749.00
Summary
Endometriosis occurs when the tissue that lines the womb is found in the pelvic cavity. 10% of reproductive aged women have endometriosis and suffer from debilitating pelvic pain and subfertility. We have shown that transforming growth factor (TGFB1) is central to the growth of endometriosis and that its absence suppresses disease development. We hope to clarify the role of TGFB1 in endometriosis, in order to develop better therapeutic options for women incapacitated by this disease.