Maternal Health Study (phase 2): Longitudinal 4-year Follow-up Of A Prospective Nulliparous Pregnancy Cohort
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$660,402.00
Summary
The burden of disease among women after childbirth is substantial, under-recognised by health professionals, and symptoms do not necessarily resolve within the first 12 months. Common health problems after childbirth include: chronic exhaustion, back pain, urinary and faecal incontinence, perineal pain, sexual health issues and intimate partner violence. This study will extend follow-up of over 1500 women taking part in a longitudinal study investigating the physical and psychological health of ....The burden of disease among women after childbirth is substantial, under-recognised by health professionals, and symptoms do not necessarily resolve within the first 12 months. Common health problems after childbirth include: chronic exhaustion, back pain, urinary and faecal incontinence, perineal pain, sexual health issues and intimate partner violence. This study will extend follow-up of over 1500 women taking part in a longitudinal study investigating the physical and psychological health of women during pregnancy and the first 18 months after the birth of their first child. In phase 2 of the study, women will be followed up 6 and 12 months after second and subsequent births, and 4 years after the birth of their first child. A major aim of phase 2 of the study is to assess the prevalence, incidence, onset, severity, duration, recurrence and chronicity of maternal health problems (including urinary and faecal incontinence, perineal pain, sexual health issues, depression and intimate partner violence) after second and subsequent births, and 4 years after giving birth to a first child. The study will also determine the extent to which the method of birth in the first birth influences longer-term maternal health outcomes including urinary and faecal incontinence, and investigate the implications of chronic and recurring physical health problems for women's psychological health and well-being. Information on the incidence and natural history of maternal health problems after caesarean and operative vaginal births will make a major international contribution to more informed debate among clinicians, and to informing women, about the risks and benefits of increasing caesarean births. The study findings will be used to inform clinical midwifery, obstetric and primary care practice, and assist in the design of new early intervention and primary care strategies for supporting women in the early years of parenting.Read moreRead less
Limiting Weight Gain In Overweight And Obese Women During Pregnancy To Improve Health Outcomes - A Randomised Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,541,444.00
Summary
Being overweight or obese is a major health issue for women during pregnancy and childbirth in Australia. There are well documented risks associated with obesity during pregnancy for both the mother and her baby. This randomised trial will assess whether the implementation of a package of dietary and lifestyle advice to overweight and obese pregnancy women to limit weight gain during pregnancy is effective in improving health outcomes for women and their babies.
Fetal Middle Cerebral Artery Doppler To Time Second And Subsequent Fetal Transfusions For Red Cell Alloimmunisation.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$449,585.00
Summary
Blood group incompatability between a mother and her unborn baby can result in the production of antibodies that can damage the baby's red blood cells, causing anaemia. Treatment involves a procedure to transfuse blood to the baby while in the mother's uterus, which often needs to be repeated several times during a pregnancy. This randomised trial will assess if an ultrasound examination can be used to time second or subsequent fetal transfusions, and the impact this has on infant health.
PANDORA Wave 1: Assessment Of The Impact Of Maternal Diabetes On Growth And Nutritional Indicators, Cardio-metabolic Risk Factors And Developmental Risk Of Pre-school Aged Children Living In The Northern Territory.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,714.00
Summary
Addressing the diabetes epidemic in the Indigenous Australian population requires early intervention. Early life is critical for long term risk of chronic disease but little is known regarding effective interventions, particularly for follow-up of children after a pregnancy complicated by diabetes. The project examines growth, body composition, and risk of developmental issues in children of mothers with and without diabetes in pregnancy, exploring risk factors for later chronic disease.
Maternal Health After Childbirth: A Prospective Cohort Study Of 1900 Nulliparous Women Recruited In Early Pregnancy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,150.00
Summary
Recent research highlights a concerning burden of ill health in recent mothers. Common health problems in the year after birth are chronic exhaustion, persisting pain, urinary incontinence, bowel problems, sexual problems and depression. This study will investigate the incidence, onset, severity and duration of health problems in the first 18 months after childbirth. A major focus of the study will be on the extent to which common health problems affecting women after childbirth occur as new pro ....Recent research highlights a concerning burden of ill health in recent mothers. Common health problems in the year after birth are chronic exhaustion, persisting pain, urinary incontinence, bowel problems, sexual problems and depression. This study will investigate the incidence, onset, severity and duration of health problems in the first 18 months after childbirth. A major focus of the study will be on the extent to which common health problems affecting women after childbirth occur as new problems in pregnancy, or after childbirth. This involves following women having a first child and measuring their health in pregnancy and the first year after birth. 1900 women having a first birth will be recruited to the study in early pregnancy, and followed up until 18 months after the birth. A major aim of the study is to provide stronger evidence about the role of pregnancy and birth factors in physical health problems after birth. In particular, the study will examine the contribution of method of delivery to pelvic floor disorders (urinary and anal incontinence, perineal pain and sexual problems). The study will also examine reasons why many women choose not to discuss physical and emotional health problems with health professionals in the postnatal period. The influence of cultural, social and economic factors on health service use and disclosure of maternal health problems will be explored. The study will provide the first Australian data on new health problems experienced for the first time after childbirth, and the extent to which pregnancy, labour and birth contribute to subsequent ill-health. The findings will provide stronger evidence on which to base the care of women during childbirth,development and evaluation of primary and secondary prevention strategies, and information to women and their families regarding the risks of obstetric procedures, such as caesarean section and vaginal birth assisted with forceps.Read moreRead less
Dietary And Lifestyle Advice And Treatment For Women With Borderline Gestational Diabetes: The IDEAL Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$661,140.00
Summary
Over 22,000 pregnant women in Australia each year (7.7% of pregnancies) develop Borderline Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). The IDEAL Trial is assessing whether implementing dietary and lifestyle advice and monitoring blood glucose in women with Borderline GDM is effective in reducing the risk of serious health outcomes for women and infants. If treatment of these women is effective this would reduce the burden of disease for women and their babies, with implications for improved health thro ....Over 22,000 pregnant women in Australia each year (7.7% of pregnancies) develop Borderline Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). The IDEAL Trial is assessing whether implementing dietary and lifestyle advice and monitoring blood glucose in women with Borderline GDM is effective in reducing the risk of serious health outcomes for women and infants. If treatment of these women is effective this would reduce the burden of disease for women and their babies, with implications for improved health through childhood, adolescence and adulthood.Read moreRead less
Evaluation Of Novel Antenatal Biomarkers For The Detection Of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: A Record Linkage Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$580,997.00
Summary
Although most pregnancies are associated with the birth of a healthy baby to a healthy mother, adverse pregnancy outcomes such as fetal growth restriction, stillbirth and preeclampsia continue to impose a heavy burden on families and the community. We will use a novel application of health record linkage to investigate maternal serum biomarkers for predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes. Intervention studies and preventative strategies will be developed for highly predictive biomarkers.
The Effect Of Iron Supplementation In Pregnancy On Child Cognitive Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$91,562.00
Summary
During fetal life the brain grows very rapidly and animal studies have shown that inadequate iron nutrition of mothers during pregnancy can result in permanent structural and developmental problems in the offspring. Although this has not been examined in human infants, new studies suggest that the iron stores of the mother in pregnancy are an important determinant of the baby's iron stores during the first year of life. It may be that the critical period where iron nutrition influences later dev ....During fetal life the brain grows very rapidly and animal studies have shown that inadequate iron nutrition of mothers during pregnancy can result in permanent structural and developmental problems in the offspring. Although this has not been examined in human infants, new studies suggest that the iron stores of the mother in pregnancy are an important determinant of the baby's iron stores during the first year of life. It may be that the critical period where iron nutrition influences later development is in fetal life (during pregnancy). We have the opportunity to test whether iron nutrition in fetal life influences childhood development by assessing the cognitive abilities of children who were in our earlier study of iron supplementation in pregnancy. Our aim is to assess the children at 4 years to determine if iron nutrition in pregnancy predicts development. This may change the dietary advice we give pregnant women to ensure they give their babies the best start in life.Read moreRead less
Investigation Of Factors That Influence Aboriginal Maternal And Infant Health Outcomes: Improvements To Be Achieved With The Introduction Of Aboriginal Health Workers Into Tertiary Care
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$590,790.00
Summary
Closing the gap in perinatal outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women requires improvement of antenatal and postnatal care. To date, no Aboriginal Health Workers (AHW) are involved in the provision of care at tertiary hospitals. This study will introduce AHWs in tertiary setting to improve cultural safety of the current biomedical model, assess their role in supporting perinatal care, and define the best model of care for Aboriginal women at high risk of pregnancy complications.