Understanding how pregnancy preferences affect maternal health
Official title: Pregnancy preferences, reproductive autonomy, and maternal health: A novel prospective study
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10884360 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how women's feelings about pregnancy can affect their health during and after pregnancy, and it's for women who want to understand how their preferences might impact their well-being.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $516,044 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD108643-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10884360 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are non-pregnant women who are considering or may experience pregnancy within the study timeframe.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are currently pregnant or have no interest in pregnancy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between women's preferences regarding pregnancy and their health outcomes during and after pregnancy. It follows a group of 2,200 non-pregnant women over a year, using a new tool called the Desire to Avoid Pregnancy (DAP) scale to assess their feelings and thoughts about potential pregnancies. Those who become pregnant, along with a matched group of non-pregnant women, will be monitored for three additional years to evaluate their mental and physical health. The goal is to clarify whether adverse health outcomes are directly linked to unintended pregnancies or influenced by other contextual factors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and interventions that enhance maternal health and reduce adverse outcomes related to unintended pregnancies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding pregnancy intentions can significantly impact maternal and child health outcomes, suggesting this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rocca, Corinne H. — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Rocca, Corinne H.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Pregnancy choices and outcomes to support healthier mothers and babies
This study follows 2,200 women to understand how pregnancy preferences affect health before, during, and after pregnancy.
-
Making Marketplace insurance available for pregnancy earlier
This grant looks at whether treating pregnancy as a qualifying life event helps pregnant people access Marketplace health insurance earlier to support prenatal care.
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Assessing maternal health and pregnancy outcomes in women veterans
This study looks at how pregnancy goes for women veterans, who may have more challenges than other women, by checking records to find out about things like cesarean sections and complications, so the VA can make better care plans for them.
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How teen experiences and lifelong stress contribute to racial gaps in mothers' and babies' health
Looking at how girls' experiences in adolescence and stress before pregnancy may help explain why Black mothers and infants often face worse health outcomes.
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How Pregnancy Preferences Connect with a Mother's Health
This project looks at how women's feelings and plans about pregnancy connect with their health during and after childbirth.
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How including pregnancy as a qualifying life event can improve maternal and child health
This study is looking at how recognizing pregnancy as a special reason to sign up for health insurance could help expectant moms get the prenatal care they need, especially for those who don’t qualify for Medicaid or employer insurance.
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.