Pregnancy research
Delivering optimal weight gain advice to pregnant women by Lead Maternity Carer midwives (DOT study)
This mixed-methods case study in Te Tai Tokerau, the Northland region of Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) will examine the acceptability, accessibility and impact of a pragmatic midwife-delivered gestational weight management tool in a real-world setting. The study also seeks to understand the factors that influence implementation and delivery of the intervention, specifically its workability and integration into practice.
For more information:
Visit Pregnancy weight gain advice (DOT study)
Evaluating a novel mode of rural maternity service delivery in Southern Aotearoa
The concept for this study arose from the Te Whatu Ora Kahu Taurima Maternity and Early Years programme, which seeks to create: Better ways for whānau to access maternity care that is holistic, co-ordinated, and tailored to their unique circumstances, so that every parent feels supported, safe, and empowered throughout pregnancy and early parenthood.
This study, commencing in May 2025, seeks to evaluate a a novel mode of maternity service delivery in a remote rural area of Murihiku | Southland, Aotearoa.
For more information, please contact:
Dr Pauline Dawson
Email pauline.dawson@otago.ac.nz
Access to abortion services in Aotearoa
- Studies of practitioners on service provision after abortion law reform
- Survey of women regarding access to medical abortion
- Provision of an EMA service in primary care in a rural setting
For more information on these studies, please contact:
Emma MacFarlane
Email emma.macfarlane@otago.ac.nz
Other antenatal care research projects:
- Survey of women receiving Plunket antenatal education, regarding the role of obstetric specialists in their antenatal care
For more information, please contact:
Dr Celia Devenish
Email celia.devenish@otago.ac.nz
Gynaecology research
Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Genetic and Biochemical Predictors
Researchers are undertaking studies examining genetic and biochemical risk factors in women who suffer pelvic organ prolapse.
For more information, please contact:
Dr Emma Wade
Email emma.wade@otago.ac.nz
Mobile Gynaecological Services (Women’s Health Bus) in rural communities in Aotearoa
Gynaecological screening – for example HPV testing and examination of the cervix to detect pre-cancerous changes – is being carried out in a specially adapted vehicle which visits rural communities.
More information can be found on the Women's Health Bus website
For more information, please contact:
Dr Helen Paterson
Email helen.paterson@otago.ac.nz
A non-mesh device for urinary incontinence (Sling Study)
An initial feasibility study has been completed to investigate a new surgical treatment for urinary leakage. A further study is planned to commence in 2025.
For more information, please contact:
Dr Mira Harrison-Woolrych
Email mira.harrison-woolrych@otago.ac.nz
Pre-op check lists for RANZCOG surgical trainees
These projects are part of measures to train doctors to become obstetricians and gynaecologists in Aotearoa New Zealand.
For more information, please contact:
Dr Celia Devenish
Email celia.devenish@otago.ac.nz
Maternal and perinatal outcomes of pregnancy
Maternal health and weight gain during pregnancy
The Delivering Optimal Weight Gain Advice to Pregnant Women (DOT) Study is a case study in Aotearoa New Zealand examining a midwife-led weight management intervention designed to facilitate, inform and guide healthy food choices for pregnant women to achieve optimal weight gain.
For more information, please contact:
Dr Helen Paterson
Email helen.paterson@otago.ac.nz
Maternal immunisations during pregnancy
Researchers in our department are working on collaborative projects examining barriers and facilitators to improve access to vaccination during pregnancy in Aotearoa New Zealand.
For more information, please contact:
Dr Pauline Dawson
Email pauline.dawson@otago.ac.nz
Inequities and social determinants of perinatal health in Aotearoa
This research, led by Dr Pauline Dawson examines the systemic and structural factors impacting inequitable maternal and perinatal outcomes in Aotearoa New Zealand.
For more information, please contact:
Dr Pauline Dawson
Email pauline.dawson@otago.ac.nz
Placental factors and obstetric outcomes
How factors identified in the placenta. For example, umbilical cord insertion anomalies – may affect the outcome of pregnancy.
For more information, please contact:
Dr Celia Devenish
Email celia.devenish@otago.ac.nz
Medicines and Devices
Post-partum IUD study
Researchers have conducted the first study of a new device for inserting an intra-uterine contraceptive device ( IUD ) immediately after childbirth. The plastic insertion tube has been approved for testing in human studies by the American FDA .
For more information, please contact:
Dr Mira Harrison-Woolrych
Email mira.harrison-woolrych@otago.ac.nz
Oral contraceptives: Utilisation in Aotearoa New Zealand
Using national datasets on oral contraceptive pill ( OCP ) prescriptions, researchers have examined how shortages of OCP s changed use of these medicines in Aotearoa New Zealand.
For more information, please contact:
Dr Mira Harrison-Woolrych
Email mira.harrison-woolrych@otago.ac.nz
Emergency contraception
The availability of types of emergency contraception (‘morning after’ pills) differs in Aotearoa compared to other countries. Although a tablet containing levonorgestrel (Postinor®) is widely available, some types of emergency contraception, for example ulipristal acetate ( UPA ), are not approved for use in NZ .
Researchers in our department are studying emergency contraception to gain further evidence to support widespread availability of UPA in Aoteoroa.
For more information, please contact:
Dr Helen Paterson
Email helen.paterson@otago.ac.nz
Dr Mira Harrison-Woolrych
Email mira.harrison-woolrych@otago.ac.nz