While social distancing efforts in Oregon have been relatively successful in slowing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the impact of the stress of the pandemic spares no one. Our research team focuses on studying pregnant and postpartum people and how stress and decreased social support can impact pregnant mothers as well as infant development. At the beginning of the pandemic, our team jumped at the opportunity to not only  understand how this crisis is affecting pregnant people and infants, but also to allow space for those affected by the pandemic to communicate that stress. As vulnerable populations, pregnant people and their infants face unique challenges in a global pandemic and we want to understand—and possibly mitigate—those challenges.

Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and University of Oregon (UO) are currently leading the state’s research efforts on the COVID-19 pandemic. We understands that the effects of the virus concern mental health as well as physical health and our research effort is one of many at OHSU. With the collaboration of the COVGEN Hub, we hope that what we learn can provide valuable insights on the impact of stress and deceased social support in an unprecedented time.