The goal of this observational longitudinal study is to examine the association between prenatal psychological and biological stress and neonatal health outcomes in couples who conceived through medically assisted reproduction. The study includes expectant mothers and fathers during pregnancy and at birth and focuses on pregnancies achieved through homologous fertilization and heterologous fertilization via oocyte donation. The main questions this study aims to answer are: 1. How do psychological and biological indicators of stress manifest during pregnancy in women who have undergone medically assisted reproduction? 2. Is prenatal maternal stress associated with neonatal health outcomes independently of genetic factors? 3. How does perceived stress present in expectant fathers during pregnancy? Researchers will compare couples who conceived through homologous fertilization with couples who conceived through heterologous fertilization via oocyte donation to understand whether associations between prenatal maternal stress and neonatal outcomes are independent of shared genetic background. Participants will: * Complete a remote eligibility assessment collecting information on pregnancy characteristics, parental health, and maternal psychological well-being * Complete online questionnaires at multiple time points during pregnancy and at birth assessing anxiety and depressive symptoms, perceived social support, and self-efficacy (both parents), as well as pregnancy-specific measures and prenatal bonding (mothers only) * In late pregnancy, mothers will collect saliva samples at home over two consecutive days to assess biological markers of stress (cortisol and alpha-amylase)
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Maternal Anxiety
Timeframe: Assessed in the 1st trimester (11th-13th week), 2nd trimester (22nd-24th week), 3rd trimester (34th-36th week), and at birth.
Maternal Depression
Timeframe: Assessed in the 1st trimester (11th-13th week), 2nd trimester (22nd-24th week), 3rd trimester (34th-36th week), and at birth.
Maternal salivary cortisol
Timeframe: 3rd trimester (34th-36th week of pregnancy)
Maternal salivary alpha amylase
Timeframe: 3rd trimester (34th-36th week of pregnancy).
Paternal Anxiety
Timeframe: 1st trimester (11th-13th week), 2nd trimester (22nd-24th week), 3rd trimester (34th-36th week), and at birth
Paternal depression
Timeframe: 1st trimester (11th-13th week), 2nd trimester (22nd-24th week), 3rd trimester (34th-36th week), and at birth.
Neonatal Outcomes
Timeframe: At birth