• The goal of this study is to help understand the spread of COVID-19 infection among pregnant women and how infection might affect the health and wellbeing of pregnant mothers and their babies, particularly when the infection occurs in early pregnancy or without any symptoms. Our goal is for this knowledge to inform and empower pregnant women and their healthcare providers to provide the best possible care for their pregnancies and future babies.
• Also, women and couples planning pregnancies will gain important information to help make decisions for their families.

You may be eligible to enroll if:

• Over age 18
• You are 4-10 weeks pregnant (gestation)

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 A research coordinator will will be in touch regarding participation in ASPIRE

NO, you do not. ASPIRE is recruiting pregnant women broadly, regardless of prior exposures or infection.

• A study coordinator will contact you with additional information about ASPIRE participation.
• You will complete online questionnaires about your background, medical and pregnancy history, and health behaviors once enrolled, and follow-up questionnaires with updates about your pregnancy, delivery and baby’s health and development.
• You will be asked about your symptoms of and possible exposures to COVID-19 throughout your pregnancy.
• You will be asked to collect finger-prick blood samples at home, to check for evidence of infection during pregnancy.
• You will be asked to complete a medical records release form so we can obtain details of your pregnancy. Medical records are kept confidential. Before we request any medical records, you must sign an Authorization for Release of Health Information which will specify which records will be released.

At this time, unfortunately we are unable to release results of blood testing to ASPIRE study participants. This is because these serology (antibody) screening tests are approved for research purposes only, and they are not approved for clinical use. Because we are still learning what these antibody tests do (and don't) mean, we cannot provide reliable interpretations to participants at this time. We are hopeful that as testing evolves and improves in the future we will gain the opportunity to provide these results

Importantly, these are not diagnostic tests. This means that if you were to develop symptoms concerning for Covid-19 infection, it is important you seek medical attention with your doctor or local health services. 

Participation in the study will last up to 26 months. This includes completing questionnaires about your pregnancy, delivery and your baby’s health and development up until they are 18 months old. Altogether, the total time it may take you to complete all of the questionnaires over the 26 month period is 4-5 hours. Finger-stick blood testing from home is focused during the first trimester, and may then occur once per timester in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy, and once around 6 weeks following delivery. We will follow your COVID-related symptoms throughout your pregnancy.

• You can receive $30 in gift cards after the study team receives your 1^st trimester blood spot collection cards in the mail. You can also receive an additional $30 in gift cards after the study team collects your 2^nd trimester blood spot collection cards. Additionally, when the study team receives your 3^rd trimester cards, you can receive another $30 in gift cards. You can receive an additional $80 once you complete the four post partum questionnaires.
• As part of the ASPIRE community, study participants will have access to updates/newsletters about pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, the results of this research will be shared with all study participants as soon as possible. We are all in this together and incredibly grateful for your contributions to scientific knowledge for the whole community. 

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Contact the ASPIRE Team

Yes! Please download a copy of our informed consent and review. A study coordinator would be happy to review with you if you have any questions.

Informed Consent

Questionnaires can all be completed online.

You will receive a testing kit in the mail from the research team. From there, you will need to prick your finger and place a few drops of blood onto special filter paper. This filter paper is attached to a larger blood spot card. When the blood sample is dried, the card can be sent to the laboratory using the return prepaid shipping materials provided. Information will be provided in more detail with you kit about how to collect the sample and return it into the research team. These samples will determine if you’ve been infected by COVID-19.

• There are minimal risks for participants in the study. Possible risks include:
• Anxiety while completing study questionnaires: Some of the questions you will be asked may cause you to feel uncomfortable or cause you anxiety. You may skip any questions that you do not feel comfortable answering.
• Finger prick blood samples: The needle stick may hurt. There is a small risk of bruising, and a very rare risk of infection.
• Confidentiality: Participation in research may involve a loss of privacy. However, information about you will be handled as confidentially as possible with several layers of data security. Your name will not be used in any published reports about this study.