Maternal Health, Maternal Biology: Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility

I am using assisted reproduction techniques. Am I eligible for the study?

Yes, you are eligible.

I am pregnant with twins. Am I eligible to participate?

The biology of women pregnant with twins is different from women pregnant with one child.  Therefore, we are not enrolling women currently pregnant with twins or other multiples.

Quest Diagnostics

Do I have to pay to have my blood drawn at Quest? Or for anything else?

No. Your participation kit will include a Quest form that has our billing information. You will not need to pay for any part of the study.

Will my health insurance be charged for the blood draw or anything else?

No, the study pays for all costs associated with the blood draw. We do not have knowledge of, or access to, any participant’s insurance information.  

I don’t know if there is a Quest Diagnostics near me.

In your participation kit, you will receive instructions about setting up an appointment near you.  You may also visit the Quest Diagnostics website to find their locations. (https://appointment.questdiagnostics.com/patient/confirmation)

Sample Collection Timing

After I get the blood collection kit, how soon should I get my blood drawn?

When you receive the kit, please call Quest Diagnostics to schedule a blood draw appointment.  Ideally, you would have your blood drawn within one to two weeks of receiving the kit.

I am not currently pregnant, but I intend to become pregnant within the next year. When should I give blood?

When you report that you intend to become pregnant on an NHS3 questionnaire, we will invite you to the Maternal Health, Maternal Biology Study. If you decide to participate, we will send you materials to have your blood collected within a week or two at a nearby Quest Diagnostics Laboratory.

I am currently pregnant.  When should I give blood?

We aim to collect blood and hair samples around pregnancy week 10 to 15, but you are eligible to donate through pregnancy week 25. If you find out you are pregnant after enrolling, please let us know so that we can send you the appropriate collection kit.

If you have additional questions about this study, please contact us at NHS3MaternalHealthMaternalBiology@bwh.harvard.edu 

If you would like to talk to someone about your rights as a research participant, please contact our Institutional Review Board at (857) 282-1900.