The study will follow you through pregnancy and up until your baby is 2 years old. The study activities include: 

Biospecimen collection

For the study, there are various biological samples collected from you and/or your baby including the following:

• Stool will be collected from you and your baby to learn more about your gut and your child’s gut.
• Maternal blood will be collected to learn about metabolites, biochemicals, and levels of inflammation in your body.
• Maternal hair will be collected to learn about stress hormones during pregnancy
• A cheek swab of DNA will be collected from your child to learn about possible genetic factors influence on their ability to regulate their emotions 

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

• There will be two MRIs of your child’s brain- one during the third trimester and another when your baby is 1 year old.
• The MRI is being done to track and compare functional and structural connections overtime.
• The MRI is non-invasive, there are no known risks to an MRI during pregnancy or infancy. 
• Visit the FAQ page or view the MRI fact sheet to learn more about the MRI.

Online questionnaires

• Throughout the study, you will be asked to complete various questionnaires and surveys. These can either be completed online or in person.
• These surveys can last between 25-60 minutes.

Interviews and assessments

• During pregnancy, and when your child is 2 years old, you will complete an interview, either remote or in person, about your mental health.
• When your child  is around 1 and 2 years old, you will invited to participant in activities together and with study staff to learn about your baby’s behavior and development. 

The schedule of the study includes: 

• Trimester 1: Biospecimen and online questionnaires
• Trimester 2: Biospecimen and online questionnaires
• Trimester 3: Biospecimen, online questionnaires, MRI, interview or assessment (online or in person)
• 2 months postpartum: Biospecimens and online questionnaires
• 12 months postpartum: Online questionnaire, MRI, interview or assessment (online or in person)
• 24 months postpartum: Online questionnaire, interview or assessment (online or in person)

Each part of the study can vary. The surveys and blood draws can take a few minutes while the interviews, MRI, and interactive assessments can take 1-3 hours. Visits can be broken down and adjusted to best accommodate your schedule. 

Participants will be compensated up to $700 in the study.

During pregnancy, participants will be compensated up to $275:

• Trimester 1: $25 for survey and biospecimens
• Trimester 2:  $25 for survey and biospecimens
• Trimester 3: up to $225:
  • $25 for third trimester survey and biospecimens
  • $150 for the third trimester fetal MRI
  • $50 for mental health interview

After your baby is born: you will be compensated up to $425.

• Postpartum: $25 for survey and biospecimens.
• One year: up to $275 ($75 for assessments and $200 for the one-year MRI)
• Two years: Up to $125 ($75 for assessments, $50 for mental health interview)

You will be compensated for each part of the study that you and your child complete. For more details on the compensation, please see the consent form. 

Participating in this study is completely voluntary. You and/or your child can be withdrawn from the study at any point. 

Interested in participating in our study? See if you're eligible!