FAQs

  • No, we will do all of your research appointments at the Hunter Medical Research Institute (the building behind the John Hunter Hospital).

    We provide free parking and all of our study-related scans and tests do not cost you anything.

  • Once you have spoken to our friendly Research Midwife and given us permission to contact you we will give you a call to book your first Research Appointment.

    Once you are at HMRI we will do the actual sign-up process (consent) which will take about 10 minutes.

  • Yes. You don’t have to live in Newcastle to be part of the NEW1000 Study, however, the research appointments will be at HMRI which is in Newcastle.

  • Yes. If you attend Community Midwifery Services you can still be part of the study.

    Just let your midwife know you are part of our study.

  • Absolutely! We encourage families to enroll in the study together and having both parents join up allows us to get a better picture of the genetic and environmental factors that can influence child health outcomes.

  • If you have a partner they are welcome to join the study but if they aren’t interested and you are we can still enroll you.

    We just want to check that they are happy for your baby to be in the study, even if they are not.

  • Of course, single mothers are most welcome to join NEW1000.

  • Blood samples are extremely valuable to research and can tell us a lot about pregnancy health and the way your baby grows and develops.

    If you have problems with blood collection please don’t hesitate to let our friendly Research Midwives know.

    They are very experienced and gentle at taking blood samples and can suggest some things that may make you more comfortable if you are feeling nervous or concerned.

    Not taking a blood sample will not exclude you from the research, we will always respect your wishes.

  • Most of the measurements we will use are routinely taken from newborns at the hospital.

    For example, all babies will have their height and length recorded and have their body composition measured in the new Pea Pod machine.

    The PeaPod is non-invasive and uses air displacement to measure your baby’s body composition (including body fat).

    It involves laying the baby in a warmed chamber for about 90 seconds and there is no risk to your baby during this procedure.

    Our research-specific samples include a urine and stool (poo) sample from your baby which is easily done by taking these samples from their nappy.

    Swabs we collect from your baby’s skin and inside of their cheek involve gently rubbing a cotton swab over their skin or the inside of their mouth. At all times our Research Midwife will ask you for permission before collecting any samples.

  • You can still be part of the NEW1000 Study if you don’t want to give a particular sample.

    We have tried to make sure the way we ask to collect samples are as quick, clean, and easy as possible but understand that not everyone will be comfortable doing all of these.

    Don’t hesitate to let our friendly Research Midwives know if you are uncomfortable doing a sample for personal or medical reasons.

  • We can take blood from the umbilical cord after your baby is born and the umbilical cord is no longer attached.

    There is no risk to your baby as the cord and placenta are not attached to them at the time we take this sample.

  • Once your baby is born it is policy (and current practice) to leave the cord to pulsate before clamping so your baby can continue to receive blood from the placenta (delayed clamping).

    Our sampling process does not interfere with routine care. If you wish to take your placenta home we will not take samples from it.

    As with all research, if you do not want to provide a particular sample just let our friendly Research Midwives know and we will respect your decision.

Have a different question?

Contact our friendly team here