All Our Babies Cohort

Cohort: Recruitment of the cohort is completed with about 3,300 Alberta mothers and their babies. Mothers were recruited early in pregnancy.

Births: The first baby was born in August 2008, and the last was born in July 2011.

Original Research Objectives:

1. To understand women's pregnancy experiences

• What are barriers and facilitators to accessing prenatal care? 
• What proportion of Calgary women have poor mental health and social support? 
• What impact does care have on women's well-being?

2. To predict preterm birth

• Are there gene expression patterns at 18-22 weeks & 28-32 weeks of pregnancy that predict preterm birth?
• What is the relative impact of genes and environment on the risk of preterm birth?

Time frame: The follow-up is scheduled to take place between 2011/12 (when children will be one years old) and 2015/16 (when children enter school).

Data to be collected: At each data collection point, women will complete questionnaires about child development, psychosocial health and parenting, and resource utilization (health services and other resources). Women will receive gift certificates for completing questionnaires and reminder phone calls if a questionnaire has not been returned.

Maintaining involvement: To keep women engaged in the study between questionnaires, we will distribute newsletters and greeting cards. This allows us to keep track of participants over time.

Linked studies: Existing biologic samples allow for research of mechanisms of the developmental origins of childhood and adult health.