The MothersBabies Study

UNSW Microbiome Research Centre's MothersBabies Study is looking for a casual Research Assistant to join the team. You'll be helping out in the lab, using digital platforms to conduct participant visits and performing data entry. Want to join the team? Read more about the role here https://external-careers.jobs.unsw.edu.au/cw/en/job/524809/casual-talent-pool-research-assistant-microbiome-research-centre

Did you know that over 13% of the babies born on our study have been born at home? This is significantly above the Australian average of 0.5%, and will provide wonderful insight into the microbiota of infants born at home versus hospital births.

Birthing at home with a known midwife has been shown to be just as safe as birthing in a hospital (see this paper https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2019.07.005), increases rates of normal vaginal births, and decreases perineal trauma and postpartum blood loss.

If you'd like to learn more about homebirthing, visit these groups:




If you'd like to get involved in The MothersBabies Study, we're still recruiting from across Australia! he study is looking at how the changes in the human microbiome (the billions of bugs that live on us and in us), as well as your health can potentially impact on your pregnancy, birth and baby's growth in the first 2000 days.

You’re involved for approximately 7 years, which includes a pre-pregnancy assessment, all of your pregnancy visits, and the 8 visits in the 5 years post-birth. There are different participation pathways dependent on your location in Australia, so reach out to a member of the research team if you have any questions.

The study is entirely observational, and there is no treatment involved. We also provide everything needed for you to participate, at no cost. To find out more, or to sign up, follow the

HREC approval: SESLHD 2019/ETH00192

A huge congratulations to the UNSW Medical Science Honours students, Hajra, Lecquia and Nahal, for submitting their final manuscripts today. They have been working tirelessly on ’s The MothersBabies Study for the past 9 months, and the team couldn’t be prouder of everything they have achieved. We cannot wait to see what the future brings for them!

The MothersBabies Study team has just published their protocol in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health’s Special Issue ‘Women's Health, Pregnancy and Child Health.’ Read all about our preconception and pregnancy project with the link in our bio!

Happy World Breastfeeding Week!

Breastfeeding for at least 6 months (preferably beyond!) is one of the best ways to kickstart your baby's microbiome, as well as aiding in their immune development. The theme for is to feel supported to breastfeed their child - anywhere, anytime.

Thankfully, in Australia breastfeeding parents have the right to breastfeed their baby wherever they happen to be, legally supported through the S*x Discrimination Act 1984.

Word Breastfeeding Week is organised every year by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA), a global network that aims to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding around the world. WABA collaborates with the World Health Organization, UNICEF and many Ministries of Health and civil society partners.
https://worldbreastfeedingweek.org/

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Our mid-year newsletter is out now! If you're a study participant but did not receive your copy, check your junk inbox or send us an email!

Not a participant yet, but want to be? If you'd like to get involved, and contribute to this amazing maternal and child health study, we're still recruiting participants from every corner of Australia. The study is looking at how the changes in the human microbiome (the billions of bugs that live on us and in us), as well as your health can potentially impact on your pregnancy, birth and baby's growth in the first 2000 days.

You’re involved for approximately 7 years, which includes a pre-pregnancy assessment, all of your pregnancy visits, and the 8 visits in the 5 years post-birth. There are different participation pathways dependent on your location in Australia, so reach out to a member of the research team if you have any questions.

The study is entirely observational, and there is no treatment involved. To find out more, or to sign up, follow the

HREC approval: SESLHD 2019/ETH00192

An exciting new study has just been launched by researchers within The MothersBabies Study team.

The MODULATE Study is looking at whether the fertility treatment used to stimulate ovulation, changes the amount, or type, of microbes usually present in your vaginal microbiome (the DNA of the millions of ‘bugs’ that live on our bodies). This study will form part of a UNSW Medical Student Honours project.

We are inviting all women over 18 years of age and are planning to undergo fertility treatment at The Fertility and Research Centre, Royal Hospital for Women Sydney to participate in this study. Please note however, due to their complex therapies and medical histories, patients undergoing oncology treatment, have premature ovarian insufficiency/failure, or with a history of recurrent miscarriages are not eligible to participate. You are also not eligible if you are pregnant, or have taken antibiotics in the 3 months prior to enrolling.

The study has three time points – before you start fertility treatment, at egg collection and then at embryo transfer. All of these appointments will occur within your regular FRC visits, so you do not need to attend the hospital for additional appointments. Researchers ask for vaginal swabs at these appointments, and get you to fill out some brief questionnaires. Study visits should take no more than 15-20 mins for the first visit, and the follow up visits take approximately 5-10mins, in addition to your regular clinical appointment.

If you are interested in participating, please email us using the , and be sure to request 'The MODULATE Study' Information.

SESLHD HREC Approval 2023/ETH00395

MothersBabies Study Project Manager Naomi Strout joined and .xo to discuss the study and how our microbiome impacts on health, wellness and pregnancy outcomes. Click on our to listen to the episode.

If you'd like to get involved, and contribute to this amazing maternal and child health study, we're still recruiting participants from every corner of Australia. The study is looking at how the changes in the human microbiome (the billions of bugs that live on us and in us), as well as your health can potentially impact on your pregnancy, birth and baby's growth in the first 2000 days.

You’re involved for approximately 7 years, which includes a pre-pregnancy assessment, all of your pregnancy visits, and the 8 visits in the 5 years post-birth. There are different participation pathways dependent on your location in Australia, so reach out to a member of the research team if you have any questions.

The study is entirely observational, and there is no treatment involved. To find out more, or to sign up, follow the

HREC approval: SESLHD 2019/ETH00192

We've hit a massive milestone today, with our 200th baby born in the study! We could not have done this without the support and dedication of all the amazing women participating in this study.

If you'd like to get involved, and contribute to this amazing maternal and child health study, we're still recruiting participants from every corner of Australia. The study is looking at how the changes in the human microbiome (the billions of bugs that live on us and in us), as well as your health can potentially impact on your pregnancy, birth and baby's growth in the first 2000 days.

You’re involved for approximately 7 years, which includes a pre-pregnancy assessment, all of your pregnancy visits, and the 8 visits in the 5 years post-birth. There are different participation pathways dependent on your location in Australia, so reach out to a member of the research team if you have any questions.

The study is entirely observational, and there is no treatment involved. To find out more, or to sign up, follow the

HREC approval: SESLHD 2019/ETH00192

Join The MothersBabies Study research team on May 21st for the Walk for Preeclampsia. This event will be held at 4 locations around Australia, and virtually for those who can’t make it to an in person walk. It is a community event aimed at raising awareness and promoting understanding of preeclampsia, as well as supporting mums, bubs and families who have had a hypertensive disorder in pregnancy. For more information and to sign up, follow the

We love receiving mail from the littlest researchers on our study, and hope this fosters an ongoing passion for scientific research!

MothersBabies Study could not be possible without our amazing participants who volunteer their time to help out other parents and children, so a huge thank you to each and every participant.

If you'd like to get involved, and contribute to this amazing maternal and child health study, The MothersBabies Study is still recruiting participants from every corner of Australia. The study is looking at how the changes in the human microbiome (the billions of bugs that live on us and in us), as well as your health can potentially impact on your pregnancy, birth and your child's growth in the first 5 years of life.

You’re involved for approximately 6-7 years, which includes a pre-pregnancy assessment, all of your pregnancy visits, and the 8 visits in the 5 years post-birth. There are different participation pathways dependent on your location in Australia, so reach out to a member of the research team if you have any questions.

The study is entirely observational, and there is no treatment involved. To find out more, or to sign up, follow the



*photo provided to research staff with consent to post on social media.

UNSW Microbiome Research Centre] MothersBabies Study has just received HREC approval to follow up all the children born on this study through to the child's 5th birthday. This is an exciting milestone, as we will be able to uncover if the health of parents before and during pregnancy impacts on their child's early life development.

The first 5 years of a child's life, also known as the first 2000 days, is a critical time for physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. What happens in this time can shape your child's future and have an ongoing impact throughout their lifespan.​​

If you're already a participant, you will soon receive an updated eConsent form, and information sheet outlining all the changes.

If you'd like to get involved, and contribute to this amazing maternal and child health study, UNSW Microbiome Research Centre]'s MothersBabies Study is still recruiting participants from every corner of Australia. The study is looking at how the changes in the human microbiome (the billions of bugs that live on us and in us), as well as your health can potentially impact on your pregnancy, birth and baby's growth in the first 2000 days.

You’re involved for approximately 7 years, which includes a pre-pregnancy assessment, all of your pregnancy visits, and the 8 visits in the 5 years post-birth. There are different participation pathways dependent on your location in Australia, so reach out to a member of the research team if you have any questions.

The study is entirely observational, and there is no treatment involved. To find out more, or to sign up, follow the