RECRUITING PARTICIPANTS

Our research aims to improve the life-long health of pregnant and postpartum women and their children.
Please fill out this form to request more information:
In support of this goal, we are currently recruiting participants for five studies:
1) A study examining the impact of walking on blood sugar control in women with AND without gestational diabetes mellitus,
2) A study examining the impact of exercise in women with multiple sclerosis,
3) A study examining high intensity interval training (HIIT) during pregnancy,
4) A study examining cardiovascular adaptations to twin pregnancy, and
5) A study investigating the experiences of elites athletes during and following pregnancy.
For more information please contact us at pregnant@ualberta.ca

RECRUITING GRADUATE STUDENTS

Dr. Davenport is currently seeking highly motivated M.Sc. and Ph.D. students
Students interested in pursuing graduate studies in the PPPH are encouraged
to contact Dr. Davenport at the start of their final year of study.

For mor information about graduate studies in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation at the University of Alberta, please visit:

https://www.ualberta.ca/kinesiology-sport-recreation/programs/graduate-programs

Master of Science

Doctoral

Prospective trainees should be competitive to receive external funding
(e.g., scholarships, fellowships, etc.) and will be strongly encouraged
to apply to appropriate funding bodies both before and during their
graduate studies. In some cases students may also be eligible for internal
funding opportunities, such as entrance scholarships and fellowships.

The Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health (PPPH) is a multi-site research program developed in 2013, with the mission of conducting research to improve the life-long health of pregnant and postpartum women and their children.

The PPPH is directed by Dr. Margie Davenport who is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation. She received her PhD (2010) in Integrative Exercise Physiology from the University of Western Ontario and conducted a 2 year Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Calgary.

Her rearch program examines the metabolic and cardiovascular adaptations associated with normal and complicated pregnancies. Her primary interest is in the benefits of exercise prior to, during and following pregnancy for both mother and child.

“As a mother of two young daughters I understand the importance, difficulties and benefits of healthy living during pregnancy. Our goal is to provide women with the knowledge and guidance to achieve a healthy pregnancy. After all, a healthy pregnancy lays the foundation for a healthy future for you and your baby."

Margie Davenport PhD Director, Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health

The Program for Pregnancy and Postpartum Health is currently conducting research into how pregnancy and the postpartum period affects the short- and long-term risk of chronic disease for both mother and infant. We have studies that are as short as a few hours or as long as several months/years! If you are interested in learning more, please contact us at:
pregnant@ualberta.ca or call 780-492-0642

GET INVOLVED

Pregnancy is an exciting, but often overwhelming, time in a woman's life. Many pregnant women are more tired than usual, have swollen hands and feet, and have new aches and pains. It may seem like the perfect time to rest and relax but new research is showing that being active during pregnancy has many short and long term benefit for both you and your baby. Research has shown that exercise during pregnancy can:

Boost your mood and energy,
Improve sleep,
Help prevent excessive weight gain,
Improve circulation,
Increase tolerance to labour,
Decrease your risk for gestational diabetes, high blood pressure during
pregnancy and postpartum depression,
The list goes on!

NOTE: All pregnant women should speak to their health care provider about beginning or continuing to exercise during pregnancy. The PARmed-X for Pregnancy is used by health care providers as a screening tool for contraindications to exercise during pregnancy. You can use it to help start the conversation!

GET INVOLVED

Gaining an appropriate amount of weight during pregnancy is important for the health of you and your baby! In 2009 the Institute of Medicine updated their weight gain recommendations for pregnant women. These guidelines were designed to optimize outcomes for both mother and child. Research has shown that gaining too little weight increases the risk of having a low birth weight baby. Evidence also demonstrates that gaining too much weight while pregnant increases the risk of having a high birth weight baby and postpartum weight retention. Moderation is key!

All pregnant women are recommended to gain between 0.5-2kg (1.1-4.4lbs) in the first trimester or 12 weeks of pregnancy. The amount of weight women are recommended to gain in the second and third trimesters are based on body mass index before pregnancy.
IOM WEIGHT GAIN CHART: New Recommendations for total and rate of weight T gain during regnancy, by Pregnancy bmi

Prepregnancy BMI	BMI+ (kg/m2)	Total Weight Gain (lbs)	Rates of Weight Gain* 2nd and 3rd Trimester (lbs/week)
Underweight	<18.5	28–40	1 (1–1.3)
Normal weight	18.5-24.9	25–35	1 (0.8–1)
Overweight	25.0-29.9	15–25	0.6 (0.5–0.7)
Obese (includes all classes)	≥30.0	11–20	0.5 (0.4–0.6)

+ To calculate BMI go to www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/
* Calculations assume a 0.5–2 kg (1.1–4.4 lbs) weight gain in the first trimester
(based on Siega-Riz et al., 1994; Abrams et al., 1995; Carmichael et al., 1997)

For more information about weight gain during pregnancy.
Where does the weight go when you are pregnant?

Baby: 8 pounds
Placenta: 2-3 pounds
Amniotic fluid: 2-3 pounds
Breast tissue: 2-3 pounds
Blood supply: 4 pounds
Stored fat for delivery and breastfeeding: 5-9 pounds
Larger uterus: 2-5 pounds

Total: 25-35 pounds recommended for pre-pregnancy BMI of 18.5-24.9kg/m2

GET INVOLVED