Available Data

As part of the Gomeroi Gaaynggal Study we collect biological samples and data from consenting Aboriginal women OR non-Aboriginal women carrying an Aboriginal child, who are greater than/equal to 16 years of age and attending antenatal care at the Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service.

The Pregnancy Study

The Gomeroi Gaaynggal pregnancy study aims to follow mothers throughout their pregnancy. Once the mothers have consented to be part of the pregnancy study, we aim to see participants three times throughout their pregnancy:

  • Once in the first trimester (1-13 weeks)

  • Once in the second trimester (14-26 weeks)

  • Once in the third trimester (27-40 weeks).

Baby beside a belly cast

Sample/data collected during pregnancy:

  • Maternal blood, urine and saliva from each trimester:

  • Fetal kidney measurements via ultrasound in the second and third trimesters.

  • Maternal body measurements throughout pregnancy (all trimesters):

    • Blood pressure

    • Body composition (using an ‘InBody’ body composition analyser)

    • Anthropometry (heigh, weight and girths (waist, gluteal, mid upper arm, thigh and calf circumference))

  • Survey data throughout pregnancy (all trimesters). Including surveys concerning:

    • Stressful life events and the impacts of these

    • Smoking

    • Mental health (using the Kessler 10 and/or the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Survey)

    • Discrimination

    • Nutrition (using the Australian Eating Survey-revised)

    • Participant demographics, health and health history

  • Medical record data concerning the participants current and previous pregnancies.

Staff and participant doing some body measurements using the InBody machine
Person holding a baby

The follow up study

The Gomeroi Gaaynggal Follow-up Study aims to follow mothers and their babies annually until they reach 3 years of age. Once mothers and/or carers have consented to be part of the Follow-up study, we aim to see both mother and child when the child is:

  • 3 months old

  • 6 months old

  • 12 months old

  • 2 years old

  • 3 years old

Data/samples collected in the follow up:

Mums:

  • Blood and urine samples at each study visit.

  • Body measurements at each study visit, including:

    • Blood pressure

    • Body composition (using an ‘InBody’ body composition analyser)

    • Anthropometry (heigh, weight and girths (waist, gluteal, mid upper arm, thigh and calf circumference))

  • Survey data at each study visit. Including surveys concerning:

    • Stressful life events and the impacts of these

    • Smoking

    • Mental health (using the Kessler 10 and/or the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Survey)

    • Nutrition (using the Australian Eating Survey-revised)

    • Participant demographics, health and health history

  • Medical record data concerning the participants current and previous pregnancies.

    Baby/child:

    • Urine samples at each study visit

    • Body measurements at each study visit including:

      • Blood pressure

      • Anthropometry (length, weight, head circumference, skin-fold measurements)

    • Survey data at each study visit. Including surveys concerning:

      • Nutrition, using the:

        • Infant Feeding Recall (3-12 months)

        • Current Feeding Practices (3-12 months)

        • 24 h Recall (6-12 months)

        • Australian Eating survey (2-3 years)

      • Hearing and Speech Assessments at 6-12 months, including:

        • The Hearing and Talking Scale (HATS)

        • Parent-evaluated Listening and Understanding Measure (PLUM)

      • Health and Health History

    • Medical record data concerning the participants health and health history.