As a member of the Pregnancy Research Group, Dr. Eastabrook’s current research focus is on placental dysfunction and cardiovascular maladaptation to pregnancy, particularly within the obese population.

With the Pregnancy Research Group, Dr. Eastabrook conducts clinical research focusing on better identification of maternal risk factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcome, detection of abnormal fetal metabolism and placental function, with the goal to improve pregnancy outcome and long term consequences of abnormal intrauterine environment such as childhood obesity and diabetes. Some examples of the Pregnancy Research Group’s research include:

• Development and application of novel MRI-based technologies to contribute to our understanding and ability to detect abnormal metabolism inside the womb
• Assessment of maternal cardiovascular health and determination of its clinical utility for pregnancies in women with high BMI, using Pulse Wave Velocity
• Investigation of changes in metabolic and inflammatory markers, decorin levels and placental autophagy in patients with obesity and/or preeclampsia
• Investigation of the effect of maternal obesity, mode of delivery and preventative use of antibiotics for Group B streptococci on the early development of the infant’s microbiota
• Assessment of women’s and clinicians’ experiences with pregnancy care for women with obesity, participation in clinical research, prenatal testing and future health of the baby