Biospecimens are collected for banking and future use in research. The biobank stores biological specimen and health information (through medical records review) that are then used for future research. Specimens are not associated with participants’ names. Specimens collected:

1. 1st, 2nd, 3rd Trimesters: Maternal blood and urine
2. L&D: Maternal blood, maternal urine, placenta, cord, cord blood
3. After delivery: Infant meconium (has not yet started)

Follow this link for more information on the Steve N. Caritis Magee Obstetric Maternal & Infant (MOMI) Database and Biobank.

Observational study of pregnant women 18 and older enrolled in their first trimester. The purpose of this study is to construct a blueprint of a healthy pregnancy. Participants complete questionnaires, wear a Fitbit, use an air monitor in the home, collect microbiome sample and provide specimen samples at appointments/delivery. (blood, urine, hair samples, placenta, and meconium)

Follow this link for more information on the Deep Phenotyping of Pregnancy Project.

A biorepository and database of mesh-related complications aiming to better understand symptoms of mesh complications, and to identify which women are at greatest risk of experiencing complications. Investigators are also attempting to determine the way tissues react to mesh placement and how the specific properties of each type of mesh impacts complication rates. Understanding the mechanisms that cause mesh complications will ideally allow these adverse outcomes to be prevented in the future. Specimens/information collected:

1. Mesh and associated vaginal tissue that is removed as part of your procedure that would otherwise be discarded.
2. A vaginal biopsy sample, blood, urine, and swab samples.
3. Questionnaires and a detailed medical history.

Patients undergoing MISC for POP with a preoperative genital hiatus between 4.0 and 7.5cm will be recruited for this study. Patients enrolled with preoperative genital hiatus greater than or equal to 4cm will have a repeat genital hiatus measured intraoperatively, post-sacrocolpopexy, and if still greater than 4cm will be randomized to concomitant perineorrhaphy or not. Data will be analyzed from baseline, intraoperative, and 3-6 months, 12 months, and 24 months postoperative POP-Q examinations as well as patient questionnaires from baseline, 3-6 months and 24 months postoperative visits.

This study has two parts:

1. Evaluate nursing homes’ use of specific organizational strategies that make it easier or more difficult to provide safe care for residents with obesity
2. Evaluate a toolkit to help decision makers and caretakers implement effective safety strategies to provide better care for nursing home residents with obesity.

Women greater than or equal to 70 years old undergoing pelvic organ prolapse surgery assessed for postoperative cognitive dysfunction using neuropsychological and task based cognitive assessments at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 12 months postoperatively.

Pregnant women, 18-45 years old with a single pregnancy less than 22 weeks gestation will be asked to have a blood draw and complete a short survey at a one-time study visit, which can align with a regular prenatal appointment or be scheduled at their convenience. The study aim is to validate a blood test designed to predict pregnancy complications.

Postmenopausal women age 55-64 with no prior history of cancer and not on hormone replacement therapy with a normal mammogram at a UPMC facility within the past six months are eligible. This study seeks to identify biomarkers of health and diseases present in biologic specimens, especially the gut microbiome. The relationship of these markers to demographic, reproductive, clinical and pathologic data will be examined. The relationship of markers to survival will also be examined. The goal is to identify potential markers or precursors of cancer and other women's health conditions as well as factors that may affect them so that researchers can potentially identify prevention and treatment targets.

The TAPER Trial is a randomized clinical trial comparing two different techniques of applying estrogen cream to the vagina in order to prevent urinary tract infections. Vaginal estrogen is the only nonantibiotic medication with a Grade A recommendation for preventing recurrent UTIs in older women.