What is the FISH Study?
The Fetal & Infant Socioemotional Health (FISH) study seeks to understand how our earliest experiences (beginning before birth!) shape the way our brains, social skills, and emotions develop. We believe that understanding how our experiences impact early development will help us create programs and interventions that support healthy growth for all families.
The Fetal & Infant Socioemotional Health (FISH) study seeks to understand how our earliest experiences (beginning before birth!) shape the way our brains, social skills, and emotions develop. We believe that understanding how our experiences impact early development will help us create programs and interventions that support healthy growth for all families.
What would I be asked to do?
Participants in this study will be asked to complete three in-person visits. These visits will be scheduled to take place at around 20 weeks gestation, 34 weeks gestation and again at around 4 weeks postpartum. Between visits, we will ask you to answer some questions and use wearables to measure your and your baby's heart rate at home.
All devices and supplies will be provided by the REEF Lab at no cost to our participants.
Participants in this study will be asked to complete three in-person visits. These visits will be scheduled to take place at around 20 weeks gestation, 34 weeks gestation and again at around 4 weeks postpartum. Between visits, we will ask you to answer some questions and use wearables to measure your and your baby's heart rate at home.
All devices and supplies will be provided by the REEF Lab at no cost to our participants.
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Where will the study take place?
The FISH study will include three in-person visits. Where the visit happens depends on what we're doing at the visit and what you prefer. Visit 1 can take place in your home, in our research lab on UH Mānoa's campus, or at the UH/QMC MRI Research Center. Visits 2 and 3 involve an MRI scan, so these visits happen at the UH/QMC MRI Research Center.
The FISH study also includes some tasks for you to complete from the comfort of your home, like completing surveys and wearing a Fitbit.
The FISH study will include three in-person visits. Where the visit happens depends on what we're doing at the visit and what you prefer. Visit 1 can take place in your home, in our research lab on UH Mānoa's campus, or at the UH/QMC MRI Research Center. Visits 2 and 3 involve an MRI scan, so these visits happen at the UH/QMC MRI Research Center.
The FISH study also includes some tasks for you to complete from the comfort of your home, like completing surveys and wearing a Fitbit.
The REEF Lab (located on the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa campus)
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UH/QMC MRI Research Center
(located at Queens Medical Center)
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Do I need to buy anything for this study?
Nope! We will provide everything you need to participate at no cost to you. If you need to travel for a visit (e.g., to come in for one of the MRI scans), we will also provide extra compensation ($30 per visit) to cover travel costs.
Nope! We will provide everything you need to participate at no cost to you. If you need to travel for a visit (e.g., to come in for one of the MRI scans), we will also provide extra compensation ($30 per visit) to cover travel costs.
Will I be compensated?
Yes! We compensate study participants up to $300 cash. This is in addition to the extra compensation intended to cover travel costs noted under the Do I need to buy anything for this study? section.
We also give you pictures from your baby's MRI scans as special keepsakes, which are similar to, but more detailed than, the ultrasound images you get from your doctor (see below for examples).
We can also give you full copies of your baby's MRI scans that you can share with your healthcare provider. Just let us know if you'd like these!
Most importantly, participating in this study will help us understand how we can better support healthy brain development in parents and infants in Hawaiʻi and beyond.
Yes! We compensate study participants up to $300 cash. This is in addition to the extra compensation intended to cover travel costs noted under the Do I need to buy anything for this study? section.
We also give you pictures from your baby's MRI scans as special keepsakes, which are similar to, but more detailed than, the ultrasound images you get from your doctor (see below for examples).
We can also give you full copies of your baby's MRI scans that you can share with your healthcare provider. Just let us know if you'd like these!
Most importantly, participating in this study will help us understand how we can better support healthy brain development in parents and infants in Hawaiʻi and beyond.
Fetal MRI scans tend to produce clearer images compared to ultrasound. Here are some fetal MRI images we've collected in our lab.
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Is MRI safe for me and my baby?
Yes! MRI is safe for both mom and baby, even during pregnancy. We never use sedation, dyes, or contrasts in our scans. The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG; this is the medical institution who makes our prenatal care guidelines) has determined there are no significant risks associated with MRI during pregnancy for mom or for baby. ACOG actually lumps MRI and ultrasound into the same safety category, and ultrasounds are included in routine prenatal care in the US. The potential risks associated with MRI are...
You check in regularly to make sure you are comfortable, and you can ask to stop the scan at any time. We scan babies while they are sleeping. If the baby wakes up, we stop the scan right away. |
Dr. Hendrix preps a pregnant mom for her fetal MRI scan. During the scan, you lie on your side and can listen to music or a podcast. We provide pillows and anything else you need to feel comfortable!
Here, you see an infant ready for her MRI scan. We use 3 layers of hearing protection to keep your baby's ears safe. Once this baby falls asleep, we'll start the MRI scan!
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Why do you need my hair?
At each of your visits, we will ask to collect a very small and unnoticeable sample of your hair. The hair sample will allow us to measure hormones in your body that are related to stress.
At each of your visits, we will ask to collect a very small and unnoticeable sample of your hair. The hair sample will allow us to measure hormones in your body that are related to stress.
How do I know if I'm eligible?
We are inviting pregnant individuals who are up to 24 weeks pregnant to join our study. Click the link below or contact our team to find out if you're eligible.
After filling out the screening survey, our team will schedule a call to tell you more about the study and answer your questions.
We are inviting pregnant individuals who are up to 24 weeks pregnant to join our study. Click the link below or contact our team to find out if you're eligible.
After filling out the screening survey, our team will schedule a call to tell you more about the study and answer your questions.
You may also contact us by giving us a call at (805) 242-8408 or by email at [email protected]