Project Information

The First Baby Study is a three year study of women, beginning when they are pregnant with their first child. This is an important study of women's health and childbearing. Only women age 18-35 who are having their first baby are interviewed. From these interviews we will learn many facts about health, pregnancy, childbirth, family planning, and work. The survey information helps us to better understand how much the population is likely to grow in the next few years and how the American family is changing. This information may help to improve the quality of care that women receive during and after childbearing.

The specifc aims of this study are to:

• Measure women's child-bearing plans prior to their first live birth and attitudes and expectations of childbirth and the delivery process.
• Describe the delivery experience of first time mothers.
• Measure factors associated with subsequent conception and childbearing over the course of the first three years after delivery of the first child.

Participants will be interviewed by telephone a total of 8 times - when they are at least 34 weeks pregnant but before they deliver, 1 month after delivery, and again at 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, and 36 months after delivery. Prior to delivery women will be asked questions about their pregnancy and health history, delivery plans, relationships, mental health, access to healthcare, health habits, future birth plans, and background factors. After delivery women will be asked about the birth of their baby, their life as a new mother, relationships, work, and stress.