Investigating barriers to pregnancy care in the Midwest
Official title: Time sensitive research on barriers to pregnancy care
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-10976473 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to understand the difficulties people in the Midwest face when trying to get pregnancy-related care, especially abortion, after recent policy changes, and it aims to hear from a wide range of individuals to better capture their real experiences and challenges.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | August 20, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $436,905 |
| NIH project number | 1R61HD116143-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10976473 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals in the Midwest who are seeking pregnancy-related care, including those considering abortion or continuing their pregnancies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not seeking pregnancy-related care or who reside outside the Midwest may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to understand the challenges faced by individuals seeking pregnancy-related care, particularly abortion, in the Midwest following significant policy changes. It will gather data from a diverse population, including those who may not visit clinics, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the barriers to care. The study will utilize interviews and surveys to sensitively measure the obstacles and facilitators affecting access to abortion services and other pregnancy pathways. By focusing on a broader population, the research seeks to provide insights that are more representative of the actual experiences of those affected.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to pregnancy care and inform policies that better support individuals seeking these services.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been research on abortion access, this approach of including a broader population and addressing specific barriers in the context of recent policy changes is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wilkinson, Tracey — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Wilkinson, Tracey
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
How air pollution during pregnancy affects fetal growth over time
This study looks at how air pollution affects the growth of babies in the womb during pregnancy, using ultrasound images to track changes over time, and it aims to help expectant parents understand when their babies might be most at risk from pollution.
-
Postoperative Pain Guidelines for Pregnancy: Safer, Patient-Centered Opioid Use
We’re creating patient-friendly guidelines to help doctors manage pain after delivery and surgery in pregnant people, aiming to reduce opioid overuse and improve safety.
-
HPV and pregnancy risk: a big study following 1,280 pregnancies
A large pregnancy study at UTMB looks at whether human papillomavirus (HPV) during pregnancy is linked to problems like preterm birth.
-
Understanding how where you live and personal factors during pregnancy affect a child’s risk for obesity and metabolic problems
This project looks at how neighborhood conditions and individual factors during pregnancy may influence a child’s risk of obesity and metabolic health as they grow.
-
Blocking cancer-causing cMYC tricks after pregnancy changes in the breast
Researchers are testing how pregnancy and aging reshape the breast before cancer risk, using patient-reinformed models to see if it changes how dangerous cMYC signals behave.
-
SSRI use during pregnancy: effects on placental blood flow and inflammation
This grant studies how antidepressants (SSRIs) used during pregnancy might affect the placenta and inflammation, and whether a 5-HT2 receptor blocker could mitigate any negative effects.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.