The Maternal Experience Study

We are pleased to share that the first set of analyses have been completed for this study. With your assistance, we were able to capture the experiences of 1,583 individuals in Australia, between August 2021 to mid 2024. Our surveys captured many different aspects regarding the pregnancy and postpartum experience, and we intend to explore each of these in turn (that is, please keep an eye out for future announcements!).

The first exploration of the data was focused on identifying how many people experience depressive symptoms during pregnancy in Australia, and associated risk factors. Below is a brief description of our findings. Alternatively, you can access the full-write up and findings of the study through this link https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13051434

In brief, nine hundred and seventy-seven individuals answered questions relating to depression history and symptomology during pregnancy. Of these, approximately one in six individuals (16.5%) were found to have experienced depressive symptoms during pregnancy.

Three factors were found to be associated with an increased risk of developing depression symptoms, including: a personal history of depression, severe nausea and vomiting that resulted in the participant being unable to eat, and emotional abuse from an intimate partner within the prior 12 months. By contrast, having a university degree was found to be associated with a reduced risk of developing depressive symptoms. We are now looking at ways in which we can use these valuable findings to better prevent and detect antenatal depression in Australia.

As outlined in the full write-up, we also explored whether antibiotic use is associated with developing symptoms of depression. We conducted this analysis based on limited evidence from prior studies in humans and animals that antibiotic use may be associated with depression. We did not find any relationship between antibiotic use and the development of depressive symptoms.

If you have any questions regarding our findings, please do not hesitate to contact us by emailing [email protected]

If you wish to be notified via email about future updates, please register your interest here: https://redcap.utas.edu.au/surveys/?s=APTFTN8LYD

Once again, thank you truly, for your interest in and assistance with this study. We really appreciate your support in assisting us to understand and improve the maternal experience in Australia. ~Corinne, on behalf of the whole Maternal Experience Study Team.

Photo Credit to Dan Dimmock on Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/photos/eyeglasses-with-gray-frames-on-the-top-of-notebook-3mt71MKGjQ0?)

Hello!

We are excited to announce that our Maternal Experience Study prize draw winners have been selected! Please keep an eye on your email (or your phone if you provided a mobile number) for information on how to claim your voucher!

We would like to thank all our Maternal Experience Study participants for their valuable contribution to this important research.

All the best,

The Maternal Experience Study team.

Recruitment for The Maternal Experience Study is now closed (though we are still following individuals who have signed up!). We are very thankful for the support received from so many individuals and wish to thank all those who took the time to sign up and share this important research.

It will take at least 15 months for the data collection period to be completed. If you are interested in the results of The Maternal Experience Study, please provide your contact details here: https://redcap.utas.edu.au/surveys/?s=APTFTN8LYD

Are you currently pregnant? There are many strengths to how our health system supports pregnant people, but it’s not perfect.

We want to learn more about experiences across Australia: what’s working well, and what could be improved.

To learn more about taking part in this online research go to: http://tinyurl.com/MaternalExperienceStudy

Did you know that approximately 310,000 people give birth each year in Australia?

We want to learn more about the journey these people are on. How are they feeling? What’s affecting their recovery after birth? We want to know about the good and the bad.

So we, a team of clinicians, researchers and parents, have designed four surveys to help us answer these and MANY, MANY more questions - and we would love to hear from as many of those 310,000 people as possible so that we can capture the full tapestry of experiences in our study.

How can you help? Please like and share this post, and if you yourself are pregnant and in Australia – please participate. You can access the study information sheets here: http://www.tinyurl.com/MaternalExperienceStudy

The Maternal Experience Study This study examines the journey a person takes during pregnancy and for the following year. To be eligible to participate, you need to be over 18 years of age, living in Australia, and pregnant. Participation includes completing four surveys: one during your third trimester, and one 6 weeks, 6 month...

Are you currently pregnant and living in Australia?

We are interested in your experience of pregnancy and the post-partum period.

A team of clinicians and researchers at the University of Tasmania are investigating factors influencing health and wellbeing during pregnancy and up to 12 months post-delivery through a series of four surveys. If you are interested in participating, more information and the consent form can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/MaternalExperienceStudy

Participants, including those who decide not to answer some questions of the study, will be offered the opportunity to enter a prize draw as a token of gratitude for their time and input into the study. There are thirty Coles/Myer gift vouchers valued at $50, ten Coles/Myer gift vouchers valued at $100 AND one Coles/Myer gift voucher valued at $500 available (i.e. there are forty-one chances to win a voucher!).

The Maternal Experience Study This study examines the journey a person takes during pregnancy and for the following year. To be eligible to participate, you need to be over 18 years of age, living in Australia, and pregnant. Participation includes completing four surveys: one during your third trimester, and one 6 weeks, 6 month...

Are you currently pregnant and living in Australia?

We are interested in your experience of pregnancy and the post-partum period.

A team of clinicians and University of Tasmania researchers have developed a comprehensive set of surveys to investigate factors influencing health and wellbeing during pregnancy and up to 12 months post-delivery. If you are interested in participating, more information and the consent form can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/MaternalExperienceStudy

Participants, including those who decide not to answer some questions of the study, will be offered the opportunity to enter a prize draw as a token of gratitude for their time and input into the study. There are thirty Coles/Myer gift vouchers valued at $50, ten Coles/Myer gift vouchers valued at $100 AND one Coles/Myer gift voucher valued at $500 available (i.e. there are forty-one chances to win a voucher!).

The Maternal Experience Study Hello, and welcome to The Maternal Experience Study. This study examines the journey a person takes during pregnancy and for the following year, to explore factors affecting the health and wellbeing of the mother/gestational parent. To be eligible to participate, you need to be over 18 years of age,...