The Obstetrics and Gynaecology Section of the Department of Women's and Children's Health has an excellent reputation for clinical research. Our key areas of research interest are outlined below, noting that clinical audits are not included in this summary.
We welcome external engagement from those interested in participating in our studies, researchers seeking collaborations, and enquires from students. Please contact us for information on any of the research areas listed.
Dr Mira Harrison-Woolrych
Research Coordinator, Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Email mira.harrison-woolrych@otago.ac.nz
Dr Helen Paterson
Head of Section, Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Email helen.paterson@otago.ac.nz
Research areas of interest
Early pregnancy research
Antenatal care
- Barriers and facilitators to early initiation of antenatal care for Pacific Island women in Dunedin.
- Barriers to accessing women's health care in rural South Canterbury.
- Survey of women receiving Plunket antenatal education, regarding the role of obstetric specialists in their antenatal care.
For more information on these studies please email Dr Celia Devenish.
Access to abortion services in Aotearoa
- Studies of practitioners on service provision after abortion law reform
- Survey of women regarding access to medical abortion
- Provision of an EMA service in primary care in a rural setting
For more information on these studies please email Emma MacFarlane.
Gynaecology research
A non-mesh device for urinary incontinence (Sling Study)
A feasibility study has been undertaken to investigate a new surgical treatment for urinary leakage.
For more information on this study please email Dr Mira Harrison-Woolrych
Pelvic organ prolapse: genetic and biochemical predictors
Ethical approval has been obtained for a study which will examine genetic and biochemical risk factors in women who suffer pelvic organ prolapse.
For more information on this study, please email Emma Wade
Mobile gynaecological services in rural communities in Aotearoa
Researchers in our department are examining how gynaecological screening - for example HPV testing and examination of the cervix to detect pre-cancerous changes - may be carried out in a specially adapted vehicle which visits rural communities.
For more information please email Helen Paterson
Pre-op check lists for RANZCOG surgical trainees
This is part of measures to train doctors to become obstetricians and gynaecologists in Aotearoa New Zealand.
For more information please email Dr Celia Devenish
Maternal and perinatal outcomes of pregnancy
Maternal health and weight gain during pregnancy
The Delivering Optimal Weight Gain Advice to Pregnant Women ( DOT ) Study is a case study in Aotearoa New Zealand examining a midwife-led weight management intervention designed to facilitate, inform and guide healthy food choices for pregnant women to achieve optimal weight gain.
For more information please email Helen Paterson.
Maternal immunisations during pregnancy
Researchers in our department are examining barriers and facilitators to improve access to vaccination during pregnancy in Aotearoa New Zealand.
For more information please email Pauline Dawson.
Inequities and social determinants of perinatal health in Aotearoa
This research, led by Dr Pauline Dawson examines the systemic and structural factors impacting inequitable maternal and perinatal outcomes in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Specific studies include:
- COVID-19 impact on perinatal outcomes in Aotearoa.
- Wellbeing factors and perinatal and maternal outcomes in Aotearoa.
For more information please email Pauline Dawson.
Perinatal and maternal mortality in Aotearoa
Researchers are working with the New Zealand Mortality Review Data Group (NZMRDG)to analyse epidemiological factors associated with maternal and perinatal deaths in Aotearoa.
For more information please email Pauline Dawson.
Placental factors and obstetric outcomes
Researchers are examining how factors identified in the placenta, for example Human Papilloma Virus ( HPV ) infection may affect the outcome of pregnancy.
For more information please email Dr Celia Devenish.
Medicines in Obstetrics and Gynaecology/Contraception
Post-partum IUD study
Ethical approval has been granted to test a new device for inserting an intra-uterine contraceptive device ( IUD ) immediately after childbirth.
If you would like to enrol in this study or have any other enquiries about this research, please contact Dr Mira Harrison-Woolrych (Research Coordinator) by email at IUDStudy@otago.ac.nz
Oral contraceptives: Utilisation in Aotearoa New Zealand
Using national datasets on oral contraceptive pill ( OCP ) prescriptions, researchers have examined how shortages of OCP s changed use of these medicines in Aotearoa New Zealand.
For more information please email Caryn Thomas
Emergency contraception
Researchers in our department are evaluating whether mifepristone (a medicine approved for other gynaecological uses in NZ ) should be recommended to women as an option for emergency contraception.
For more information please email Dr Helen Paterson or Dr Mira Harrison-Woolrych.
Obstetric surgery
Wound healing after Caesarean section
The purpose of this study is to test how the fatty layer under the skin (adipose layer) heals after Caesarean section.
For more information on this study please email Dr Mira Harrison-Woolrych.