This study is being conducted to better understand how life experiences and everyday stress affect physical and mental health during pregnancy and after childbirth. Researchers hope to learn more about factors that influence maternal health and identify ways to improve health outcomes for mothers and their babies.

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Women ages 18–35
• Currently 10–14 weeks pregnant
• First pregnancy
• BMI less than 30
• Expecting one baby (singleton pregnancy)
• Willing to participate in study visits through 6 months postpartum
• Willing to provide permission for the study team to communicate with your primary obstetrics provider
• Do not plan to deliver your baby at the University of Colorado Anschutz

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current diabetes
• Severe psychiatric disorder that would interfere with study participation
• Severe medical condition that would interfere with study participation
• Recent substance or nicotine use

Overall Duration

This study includes 7 study visits and lasts from early pregnancy through 6 months after childbirth.

In-Lab Activities

The first visit is a virtual screening visit conducted via Zoom. During this visit, participants will complete interviews and surveys to determine eligibility.

The remaining 6 visits are completed in person, either at the participant’s preferred location using the study’s mobile lab van or at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

During study visits, participants will complete surveys about their physical and mental health, provide blood samples, have hair samples collected, and have their weight measured. One pregnancy visit will also include a glucose tolerance test.

After childbirth, some visits will include hair sample collection from both the mother and baby. At the final visit, participants will also take part in a brief mother-infant interaction task and provide saliva samples from both the mother and infant.

Participants may receive up to $410 for completing study activities.

There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.