Understanding Oxytocin and Postpartum Bleeding
Official title: Oxytocin sensitivity and postpartum hemorrhage: testing genetic and epigenetic biomarkers for improving maternal morbidity
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-11106045 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at how genetics and other factors might make some mothers more likely to experience heavy bleeding after childbirth, even when given oxytocin.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $898,326 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD111125-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11106045 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research is relevant for individuals who have experienced postpartum hemorrhage, especially after receiving oxytocin, or those with a family history of bleeding complications after childbirth.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not at risk for or experiencing postpartum hemorrhage, or those without a history of oxytocin use during labor, would likely not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Postpartum hemorrhage, or heavy bleeding after birth, is a serious concern for many new mothers, especially those who receive oxytocin to help with labor. While oxytocin is a common treatment, some individuals don't respond as well to it, leading to more bleeding. Current methods for predicting who is at risk aren't always accurate. This project aims to find new genetic and biological markers that could help us better understand why some mothers are more sensitive or resistant to oxytocin, and thus more prone to severe bleeding.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better ways to identify mothers at high risk for postpartum hemorrhage, allowing for more personalized care and prevention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Current clinical prediction tools for postpartum hemorrhage are often inaccurate, indicating a need for novel approaches like the genetic and epigenetic biomarker discovery proposed here.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Erickson, Elise N — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Erickson, Elise N
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Wearable tech to track blood loss during childbirth
A wearable device monitors cardiovascular signals to detect postpartum hemorrhage early so clinicians can act quickly to protect mothers.
-
Maternal Postpartum Monitoring with a Wearable Sensor (MOMS)
A wearable system called MOMS will continuously monitor multiple physiological signals in pregnant people to detect postpartum hemorrhage earlier than standard vital signs.
-
AI-powered real-time postpartum hemorrhage risk predictor in clinical care
A real-time AI tool integrated into electronic health records helps identify women at risk for postpartum hemorrhage so clinicians can intervene earlier.
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Targeting Ubiquitination to Improve Uterotonic Therapies in Postpartum Hemorrhage
A new approach aims to boost uterine contractions during childbirth and after delivery by understanding how a hormone receptor is regulated, potentially reducing postpartum hemorrhage risk.
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Personalized Postpartum Bleeding Risk Prediction with Machine Learning and Genetic Scores
This grant aims to create a personalized tool that predicts a mother’s risk of postpartum hemorrhage using machine learning and her genetic information.
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OPTIMUM OB-TXA: Timing, route, and dose of tranexamic acid to prevent postpartum bleeding before cord clamping
Aims to find the best time, method, and amount of tranexamic acid given before cord clamping to prevent postpartum hemorrhage in new mothers and protect babies.
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.