Obstetrics & Gynecology Message from the Chair Clinical Expertise Divisions Complex Family Planning General Obstetrics & Gynecology Gynecologic Oncology Maternal Fetal Medicine OB/GYN Hospitalist Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Faculty Education & Training Visiting Learner Rotations OBGYN Residency Fellowship Programs Research Contact Us Research Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine – Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Home Research Research: Clinical Departments OBGYN OBGYN: Divisions OBGYN: Divisions > Maternal Fetal Medicine OBGYN: Divisions > Maternal Fetal Medicine > Research Maternal Fetal Medicine Research The Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine at UC Irvine conducts research on high-risk pregnancies, maternal physiology, fetal health and obstetric complications through clinical trials, collaborative studies and basic science research. Areas of Research Faculty and fellows in the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine are actively involved in multiple areas of research, including: Vasa previa: diagnosis and management Pregnancy outcomes in the super-obese Management of interstitial ectopic pregnancies Misoprostol use in induction of labor Evaluation of urine protein excretion in patients with pyelonephritis Evaluation of the effect of a labor dystocia checklist on cesarean delivery rates Assessing progression from mild to severe preeclampsia in expectantly managed preterm parturients Evaluation of estrogen regulatory effects on uterine artery Evaluation of validity of rapid GBS in preterm patients Use of Nexfin continuous hemodynamic monitoring in pregnant patients Evaluation of how betamethasone affects neurodevelopment through placental histopathological correlates Ultrasound versus Leopold’s technique in estimation of fetal weight in obese women Cord blood lactate levels in preterm gestations Ethnic disparities in birth outcomes Outcomes for high-risk pregnancies by hospital level of care Impact of obesity and gestational weight gain on pregnancy outcomes Randomized Controlled Trials Appropriate dosing of preoperative antibiotics for cesarean delivery in obese women Appropriate dosing of enoxaparin thromboprophylaxis in obese women Comparison of skin closure techniques for cesarean delivery in super-obese women Outpatient versus inpatient Foley balloon induction The effect of NSAIDs on postpartum hypertension Dosing and type of IV fluids and the effect on labor outcomes The effect of maternal oxygen supplementation on neonatal acid/base status and oxygen level at birth Collaborative Studies UC Irvine is a part of the University of California Fetal Consortium (UCFC), a multi-site research collaboration between five University of California sites. As a part of the consortium, we have led and participated in several studies: Multi-institutional practice patterns and outcomes in uncomplicated gastroschisis Factors associated with gastroschisis outcomes Maternal and neonatal outcomes after antenatal corticosteroid administration for PPROM at 32 to 33 and 6/7 weeks gestational age Complicated placenta accreta and perinatal outcomes ION (indomethacin or nifedipine) trial: a randomized controlled trial comparing the effectiveness of tocolytics for preterm labor Placenta accreta biomarker study: a prospective study identifying potential biomarkers for placenta accreta Congenital heart disease and microarray study Improving assessment of antenatal estimated fetal weight in fetal gastroschisis Monochorionic twin antenatal assessment and management practices Basic Science Research Maternal physiology and placental biology Maternal uterine and systemic vascular adaptations to pregnancy Endometrial and placental angiogenesis Vascular functions of steroids (estrogens) Vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors Hydrogen sulfide interactions with nitric oxide Post-translational modifications: protein nitrosylation and sulfhydration Functional proteomics Placentation: spiral artery remodeling and trophoblast differentiation Obstetric complications: preeclampsia and placenta accreta Microchimerism and pregnancy complication Contact Us Clinical Study For more detailed information about our current clinical studies, please contact: Clinical Research Manager Lizette Spiers, CRClspiers@hs.uci.edu Basic Science Research For more detailed information about our basic science research, please contact: Director, Perinatal Research Laboratory Dongbao Chen, PhD 949-824-2409dongbaoc@uci.edu Support Our Research The School of Medicine - Pamela J. Rumney Maternal Fetal Medical Fellows Education Fund aids fellows in research support and conference travel. Give a gift