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Obstetrics and Gynecology Research

Faculty in the Indiana University School of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology are leaders in clinical and laboratory research in many different areas of the field. Researchers in this division perform studies that include genetics and pharmacology, personalized medicine in pregnancy, prevention and treatment of gestational diabetes, prevention of pre-term birth, reversible contraceptive methods, patient-physician communication and shared decision-making and health care delivery. Faculty have won many awards and published numerous studies related to OB-GYN care.

Clinical Trials

OB-GYN faculty are actively involved in several clinical trials related to obstetrics and gynecology health care.

Active Research from the Division

Principal Investigator: David Haas, MD 

Coordinator: Shelley Dowden, CCRP 

This research aims to use reasonable efforts to perform the experiments and studies described in the protocol entitled "A cross-sectional, interventional, exploratory, single-arm clinical study to support the development of a wireless device for antepartum fetal monitoring." 

Principal Investigator: David Haas, MD 

Coordinator: Ligia Vasquez-Huot 

We propose the addition of non-invasive arterial stiffness and wave reflection measurements for a subset of participants in nuMoM2b-HHS2. The objective is to compare arterial stiffness and wave reflection between women who did and did not have an adverse pregnancy outcome (APO). We hypothesize that women who had an APO will have higher (worse) arterial stiffness, wave reflection magnitude, and systolic pressure augmentation versus those with no history of APO. An additional goal is to determine if participants with higher arterial stiffness have a more inflammatory and anti-inflammatory proteomic profile. 

Principal Investigator: David Haas, MD 

Coordinator: Kathleen Flannery 

This study will measure biological and epigenetic biomarkers from mother-baby pairs to assess the extent of prenatal GBH pesticide exposures in pregnant Midwestern Women and associations with adverse reproductive outcomes and the developing child. Epigenetic biomarkers may also be measured to assess paternal exposure effects further. 

Principal Investigator: David Haas, MD 

Coordinator: Ligia Vasquez-Huot 

The overarching scientific goal of the nuMoM2b-HHS is to define the relationship between adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) and CVD to optimize CVD prediction, prevention, and treatment strategies for women. Continued follow-up of this cohort, building on a foundation of existing high-quality data, biospecimens, and administrative structures with a robust framework for ancillary study development and implementation, provides a unique opportunity to address knowledge gaps regarding the early mechanisms and trajectory of CVD in women. 

Principal Investigator: David Haas, MD 

Coordinator: Ligia Vasquez-Huot 

The overall goal of this study is to capitalize on an ongoing, multi-ethnic cohort study, the Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-be Heart Health Study, to determine whether adverse pregnancy outcomes and angiogenic imbalance are associated with brain MRI markers of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias, 10-15 years after pregnancy. 

Principal Investigator: David Haas, MD 

Coordinator: Haley Schmidt 

The primary objectives of this project include understanding the interplay between molecular, genetic and clinical factors related to adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs), developing a method for accurately assessing APOs well before they occur, and developing a method for collecting additional clinical data in routine treatment of at-risk subjects. 

Principal Investigator: David Haas, MD 

Coordinator: Hannah Shockley 

This unique study of the well-characterized CHAP cohort will inform and complement the primary study concerning the long-term effects of antihypertensive therapy and preeclampsia in the children of pregnant women with mild CHTN. The findings will promote the prevention and mitigation of neurodevelopmental and growth risks to offspring, as well as other cardio-metabolic risks. 

Principal Investigator: David Haas, MD 

Coordinator: Brittany Yeley 

In this collaborative CTSA project, we propose to overcome the translational barriers by developing an innovative perioperative precision analgesia platform (PPAP) to reduce serious adverse outcomes of opioids and improve the safety of opioids in 1) children undergoing painful surgery and 2) nursing mothers and their infants. 

Principal Investigator: David Haas, MD 

Coordinator: Hannah Shockley 

This follow-up study of the well-characterized CHAP cohort will define the impact of preeclampsia and antihypertensive treatment during pregnancy on long-term risk for maternal cardiovascular outcomes and assess the predictive role of factors included in the ASCVD risk score for women aged <40 years. These results will help identify optimal blood pressure preventive strategies to enhance the long-term health of reproductive-aged women with CHTN. 

Principal Investigator: David Haas, MD 

Coordinator: Ligia Vasquez-Huot 

The study aims to define the relationship and biological pathways between adverse pregnancy outcomes and subclinical cardiovascular disease. 

Principal Investigator: Alissa Conklin, MD

Coordinator: Kylie Williams

To assess patient-reported pain and provider-reported bleeding.  Our hypothesis is that patient-reported pain and provider-reported bleeding comparing Carevix™ to tenaculum will be similar in our American population and with all intrauterine procedures as it was in the European study and with only IUD insertions.

Principal Investigator: David Haas, MD

Coordinator: Ligia Vasquez-Huot

This ancillary application to nuMoM2b-HHS aims to test our hypotheses that sedentary behavior (SED) is a key, modifiable risk factor for CVD risk in young women. The major goals are to rigorously link SED, CVD risk, and contributing mechanisms and inform specific, quantitative SED recommendations to guide CVD risk prevention in women, including those with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Principal Investigator: Anthony Shanks

Our project’s objective is to improve the communication and understanding of the medical care we provide to our patients with limited English proficiency. To accomplish this, we will develop training to increase the knowledge and confidence of our residents in using interpreter services.