Preeclampsia Study

It's been awhile since I have updated, but I do have some new things happening. Julia is doing amazingly well. She is 18 months old on Monday and continues to amaze us both. She has about 35 words and even can say I love you. I am so grateful for her health and the blessing she is in our lives.

I am going to be participating in the study for Preeclampsia at the University of Vermont. I am so excited for this.

I am so hoping that through the testing that I will be undergoing, I may get some answers on my current health issues. I am still dealing with numbness and tingling in my fingers and toes, an itch sometimes under the skin on the back of my head. I am achey and have pins and needles to the touch in my arms and legs. It may have to do with the preeclampsia also. They will do a dye test and study the arteries in the legs arms and uterus, and do an ultrasound of the kidneys as well. An MRI is also involved. I am hopeful that if I don't get answers for myself, this may help others and the medical community get more information on preeclampsia, the silent killer.



http://www.preeclampsia.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=76&t=42150&p=335501&hilit=university+of+vermont

Study Participants Needed: Pregnancy Phenotype and Predisposition to Preeclampsia
This research study seeks to understand the relationship between a woman’s health and physiology prior to pregnancy and the risk of developing preeclampsia during pregnancy, as well as to gain insights into improved ways to both prevent and treat it. We are recruiting women who are planning to become pregnant within the next year and who might be at risk for the development of preeclampsia during pregnancy. If you are thinking about becoming pregnant soon and fit into one of the following categories, please contact the study coordinator:

1) If you are between 18 and 42 years old and planning to conceive your first child,
2) If you have diabetes, OR have a personal OR family history of hypertension, OR
3) If you have had preeclampsia in a prior pregnancy.

If you choose to participate, you will undergo testing on 3 occasions, one prior to pregnancy and 2 during your pregnancy. For each visit, you will be provided meals for 3 days prior to your appointment. For those who do not live locally in Vermont, 3days of a food diary can be done instead of meals being provided. During the initial visit, researchers will ensure you are not pregnant before allowing you to continue in the study. Using ultrasound and MRI, the way blood flows in your body will be measured. You will spend one night in the General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) at Fletcher Allen during each visit. Ovulation detection kits will be provided to aid your timing in achieving conception. Financial compensation of up to $375 is provided.

We are focusing on the northeast region of the United States because of concerns about travel, but if anyone is willing to come from further away, we certainly would not deny you! The main concern is that while we can offer some funds for reimbursement and travel expenses, the further you travel, the more it costs. Unfortunately we do have a limited budget.

Also if you are not interested/eligible for inclusion, please inform any friends or family members who may be able to travel to Vermont. We are also recruiting women who are trying for their first child.

Carole McBride
Clinical Research Coordinator
Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of Vermont College of Medicine
Burlington, VT 05405
(802) 656-0309
Carole.McBride@uvm.edu