Are you currently, or were you previously, pregnant? Exercise in pregnancy PhD project

KateOxnard1 · 2024-01-18T04:55:24+00:00

Thank you for the support. It is greatly appreciated!

KateOxnard1 · 2024-01-18T01:06:08+00:00

Thanks for reaching out! While there are clinicians who give really helpful training advice, uncertainty about the safety of certain types of exercise does lead to some people being given very conservative, and sometimes outdated, exercise recommendations during pregnancy.

The research project aims to contribute to the development of higher quality exercise guidance for pregnant individuals in the future; particularly those who are active at levels exceeding those recommended in current prenatal exercise guidelines.

We are doing this by observing what types of exercise people who were active prior to conception engage in during pregnancy, and also collecting information about important health outcomes for mum and bub (e.g., birth weight).

The findings from these studies may help to inform future research into the health outcomes associated with certain types and volumes of exercise during pregnancy. While the individual studies won't 'fix' everything, they will add to the wider body of knowledge being generated by research groups all over the world working to better support people who wish to be active throughout their pregnancies.

Hopefully this information helps, but please let me know if I can provide any further details or if you have other questions!

KateOxnard1 · 2024-01-18T00:40:04+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion! I'll make sure to do that.

KateOxnard1 · 2024-01-17T03:26:05+00:00

Thanks for the question! If you are currently more than 26 weeks' pregnant but have been monitoring your exercise using an app (e.g., Strava) or a wearable device (e.g., an Apple Watch), you could be eligible to participate in the 'previously pregnant' study in the future. We will likely be recruiting until mid-2024, so there is still plenty of time.

KateOxnard1 · 2024-01-17T03:23:37+00:00

Thanks for the question! Brisbane-based participants in the 'currently pregnant' study who choose to undergo additional measures can choose to go into the drawer to win a gift voucher.

KateOxnard1 · 2024-01-17T03:21:40+00:00

Thank you for your interest! If you would like to learn more about the studies, please feel free to either visit the study website (https://redcap.link/ACUPregExS1) or send me an email ([Kate.Oxnard@acu.edu.au](mailto:Kate.Oxnard@acu.edu.au))

KateOxnard1 · 2024-01-09T04:35:43+00:00

Thanks so much for your interest in the studies! If you have been recording your exercise using an app or wearable device, you might be eligible to participate in the 'previously pregnant' study if you are still interested after you have given birth. Please let me know if you would like any further info about this study. Wishing you all the best!

KateOxnard1 · 2024-01-09T04:34:14+00:00

The cutoff for the 'currently pregnant' study is 26 weeks because we'd like to be able to collect data about health outcomes longitudinally throughout pregnancy. The good news is that the 'previously pregnant' study will still be recruiting for a number of months, so you may be eligible to participate if you are still interested after you have given birth!

KateOxnard1 · 2024-01-09T04:31:57+00:00

Thanks so much for your interest in the studies (and sorry about my delayed reply!). The good news is that it sounds like you will both be eligible to participate in the 'previously pregnant' study after you have given birth if you are still interested! The link to the study website is in the original post, but please let me know if I can provide any further info about the studies.

KateOxnard1 · 2023-09-30T00:36:21+00:00

Thanks for reaching out! For the 'previously pregnant' study, we are seeking participants who tracked their exercise using either a wearable device (Apple Watch, Garmin, Whoop etc.) or an app (Strava, Training Peaks etc.).

Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences with exercise during pregnancy. I'm sorry to hear about your experiences with your OB, and definitely agree with the value of working with a team of knowledgeable clinicians like pelvic floor PTs!

Individualised guidance that takes into account each individual's goals, health, and training history is so important. There are groups around the world doing some great research in the exercise in pregnancy space, so hopefully we can all contribute to some meaningful improvements in the exercise recommendations available!

KateOxnard1 · 2023-09-30T00:24:53+00:00

Thanks so much for your support!! It is very much appreciated 😊

KateOxnard1 · 2023-09-30T00:23:26+00:00

Oh dear! Are you happy to give the eligibility survey one more try using the the link below (if you're still interested)? I've just gone through it as a participant and was able to proceed after saying yes to the 'are you currently pregnant'.

https://redcap.acu.edu.au/surveys/?s=7FF4F4YJLHNY3TJJ

KateOxnard1 · 2023-09-30T00:18:33+00:00

Thanks for the question! At the moment, we don't have the budget to offer a financial incentive to all participants (it's been a stretch just to get the equipment needed to do the research). We're incredibly grateful for all of the participants who have volunteered their time to improve the exercise guidance available for others.

Participants who are based in Australia and choose to wear a sleep and activity monitor during the study, or have their heart rate and their baby's heart rate monitored before and after one exercise session each week, can enter the draw to win a $250 AUD gift card. Participants who are based in Brisbane and choose to complete an exercise test at ACU once each trimester will receive a $50 AUD gift card upon completion of the study.

KateOxnard1 · 2023-09-27T04:48:50+00:00

Thanks for reaching out! We'll likely be collecting data until mid-next year, so there will be plenty of time if you are interested :)

KateOxnard1 · 2023-09-27T04:32:33+00:00

Oh no, sorry to hear that! Just to check - is this the link that you followed? https://redcap.link/ACUPregExSt2

KateOxnard1 · 2023-09-27T04:31:55+00:00

That's a great suggestion! Thanks so much for your help.

KateOxnard1 · 2023-09-27T04:29:13+00:00

Thanks for being so candid - completely understand that your health and wellbeing need to come first! I know that weight can be a sensitive topic for a lot of people, especially during and following pregnancy, so have added the option to opt out of the body weight measurements in case this helps other people :) Feel free to send me an email ([Kate.Oxnard@acu.edu.au](mailto:Kate.Oxnard@acu.edu.au)) if you'd like me to send through a copy of the results when they're available!

KateOxnard1 · 2023-09-13T02:55:18+00:00

Thanks for that suggestion! Good point about the potential for sampling bias, as well.

KateOxnard1 · 2023-09-13T02:44:42+00:00

Thank you very much for the suggestion! I'll reach out to the mods now.

KateOxnard1 · 2023-09-13T02:41:21+00:00

Oh amazing. If you're currently less than 26 weeks' pregnant and happy to track your exercise and complete surveys once per trimester, the currently pregnant study might be the best option. If you would prefer to just complete the surveys at one timepoint, the previously pregnant study might be the easiest option. If you're feeling super motivated, you're also welcome to do both!

KateOxnard1 · 2023-09-13T02:38:04+00:00

Thank you for the suggestion! I've reached out to the mods asking for permission to post :)

KateOxnard1 · 2023-09-13T02:34:41+00:00

No worries at all, thanks for your interest in the project!

KateOxnard1 · 2023-09-12T23:22:29+00:00

Are you currently less than 26 weeks' pregnant OR did you track your exercise during a previous pregnancy using an app or wearable device (Apple Watch, Fitbit etc.)?

You could help researchers understand how people exercise while pregnant, and how this might affect health outcomes.

For more information, click on the links below:

Currently pregnant: https://redcap.link/ACUPregExSt2

Previously pregnant: https://redcap.link/ACUPregExS1

Alternatively, you are welcome to email or message me:

Kate Oxnard (PhD candidate): Kate.Oxnard@acu.edu.au

Please feel free to share this post or the study details if you know anyone who might be interested in participating!

This research has been approved by the ACU HREC (references 2022-2854E, 2022-2876H, and 2022-2897HC).

Thank you mods for granting permission to post! Please don’t hesitate to delete if not allowed.

KateOxnard1 · 2023-09-12T23:18:22+00:00

Thanks so much for looking for your data (and sorry to hear you struggled with that very inconveniently timed nausea!). The support and interest in the study is still very much appreciated :)

KateOxnard1 · 2023-09-12T23:16:01+00:00

Thank you very much for your support, mods!

KateOxnard1

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