Understanding how pregnancy preferences affect maternal health

Pregnancy preferences, reproductive autonomy, and maternal health: A novel prospective study

NIH-funded research University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10884360

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 typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Francisco NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (San Francisco, United States)
Project IDNIH-10884360 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are non-pregnant women who are considering or may experience pregnancy within the study timeframe.

Not a fit: Patients who are currently pregnant or have no interest in pregnancy may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

San Francisco, 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.
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.