Welcome to "Expectations and Experiences of First Time Mothers", a web-based survey that investigates how the expectations and experiences around childbirth affect mood and anxiety after childbirth. Before taking part in this study, please read the consent form below and click on the "I Agree" button at the bottom of the page if you understand the statements and freely consent to participate in the study. Consent Form

This study involves a web-based survey designed to investigate how the relationship between childbirth expectations and experiences may affect the mood of first time mothers within the first few months after childbirth. Tiffany Allen, a clinical psychology doctoral student at Alliant International University, is conducting the study under the supervision of Dr. Sue Ammen and with Alliant International University Institutional Review Board approval. No deception is involved, and the study involves no more than minimal risk to participants (i.e., the level of risk encountered in daily life).

Participation in the study requires the completion of two surveys, one before childbirth, which will gather basic demographic information, questions about your expectations for childbirth and your preference for the amount of control during childbirth.  The second survey, which will be conducted within the first 6-8 weeks after childbirth, will ask questions about your experiences during childbirth and about your current mood.  The questions will specifically be evaluating for symptoms of depression and anxiety.  Each quiz will take between 20-30 minutes to complete and is strictly anonymous. Once you have completed both surveys, you will be entered into a drawing for one of five $100 dollar gift cards to Babies R Us.   Please be aware that the gathered information will be kept confidential and that the American Psychological Association Ethical Standards will be followed, including those for Research with Human Participants. The only personal identifying piece of information that you will be asked to provide will be an email address.  The email address will be used in two ways 1) to send out the second segment of the survey 6-8 weeks after your due date and 2) to contact you in the event that you win the drawing at the completion of the study. Your email address will be stored separately from the rest of the collected data to ensure privacy. The survey is being run from a secure server and the data collected is only accessible to the researcher by username and password. Participation is voluntary; refusal to take part in the study involves no penalty or loss of benefits to which participants are otherwise entitled, and participants may withdraw from the study at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which they are otherwise entitled. If while completing the questionnaires, or after, you feel the need to talk with someone regarding thoughts or feelings related to these questions, please let the researcher know and you will be assisted.  If necessary, you will be referred to mental health resources.  However, neither the researcher nor Alliant International University will incur the cost.  If participants have further questions about this study or their rights, they may contact the principal investigator, Tiffany Allen, at tallen@alliant.edu.   

Concerns about this research should be directed to the Research Office at Alliant International University, 5130 E. Clinton Way, Fresno, CA 93727, fresnoirb@alliant.edu

Please print a copy of the consent for you records.  If you are unable to print a copy and you would like one, please email the principal investigator at tallen@alliant.edu for an electronic copy.