About the Study
Who runs this study?
The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development funds and leads this study conducted by Duke University, INOVA Health System, Intermountain Healthcare, Ochsner Health, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Utah. For more information, see the Study Leadership page.
What is this study about?
The purpose of this study is to find out how children's fetal growth and birth outcomes are affected by:
- fathers' health
- placental and fetal genes, and
- the timing of delivery for women with gestational diabetes
What kind of commitment is involved?
If you are a pregnant woman, you will be asked to complete:
- Questionnaires, clinical exam, and collection of saliva, urine, and blood in your 1st trimester
- Ultrasound, questionnaires, and a blood sample in your 3rd trimester
- Cord blood, and placenta at delivery to study genes from you and your baby
- Exam of your baby after delivery.
Additionally, if you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you will be asked to:
- Have your labor induced (or do a cesarean delivery, as needed) at one of five times randomly selected (like flipping a coin) between 37 and 39 weeks
- Provide a blood sample at delivery.
If you are the male partner of a pregnant woman, you will be asked to complete:
- Questionnaires, clinical exam, and collection of urine, semen, and blood when your partner is in her 1st trimester
- Additional collection of semen when your partner is in her 3rd trimester (for only some men).
Will I get paid for the study?
Yes! You will receive compensation for participating in the study. See the study consent form for details.
How can I ask questions or ask for help?
Click on Contact to reach someone at your hospital or clinic. Someone will answer your email within 2 business days.