The MothersBabies Study

Researchers at the Microbiome Research Centre, University of New South Wales are looking to recruit women and their partners planning a pregnancy in the next 12 months for a fantastic new study investigating paired mother and baby microbiome’s.

The microbiome is the collective name for the thousands of bugs that live in all parts of our bodies – this research wants to know how these bugs can impact on the health of all people.

This study is observational, meaning that you don’t need to take anything to be a part of it, or make any changes to your lifestyle or diet. Women will donate poo samples, have a skin, oral and vaginal swab taken before falling pregnant, and then at set time points during their pregnancy and once their baby has been born. Once their baby is born, the baby will also have their poo collected, as well as a skin and oral swab at set time points during their first year of life. The woman’s partner can also take part too – at the first visit, the partner can also provide a poo sample and oral swab (if their partner is female, they also have the option of donating a vaginal swab).

The aim for this study is to learn about the changes in the human microbiome from pre-pregnancy, throughout a pregnancy, and then extending into their baby’s 1st birthday. If we can determine how to prevent or treat disease from pre-pregnancy and into childhood, then we have the potential to positively change health outcomes for many future generations!