Northwestern pregnancy and childbirth center

Maternal Fetal Medicine Units Network - Northwestern Study Center

NIH-funded research Northwestern University · NIH-11310026

Testing new ways to prevent preterm birth and reduce pregnancy-related problems for pregnant people and their babies.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionNorthwestern University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project IDNIH-11310026 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

As a patient, you'd join a program that runs large clinical trials and observational studies across hospitals to find better treatments and screening for pregnancy problems. The Northwestern center enrolls pregnant people and collects medical data, tests therapies or preventive strategies, and follows mothers and newborns through delivery and postpartum. Researchers aim to include a diverse group of participants, especially from communities facing health disparities, using active recruitment at Northwestern and NorthShore hospitals. Results from these multi-site studies are used to improve care for pregnant people and their babies.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are pregnant people receiving care at Northwestern or NorthShore hospitals—or at other MFMU Network sites—especially those at higher risk for preterm birth or pregnancy complications.

Not a fit: People who are not pregnant, who do not meet specific trial eligibility rules, or who cannot access participating hospitals are unlikely to benefit directly from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lower rates of preterm birth and serious complications for mothers and newborns and help narrow racial and socioeconomic disparities.

How similar studies have performed: The MFMU Network has a long history of successful multi-site obstetric trials that changed clinical care, so this work builds on established, effective approaches.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cardiovascular Diseases
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.