Many women start experiencing mild "Braxton-Hicks contractions" during the second and third trimesters. Some say that these contractions help tone the uterus and prepare the body for labor, but very little is known about any actual, statistical benefit. Here, the student will use statistical analysis to determine whether the severity, frequency, and duration of Braxton-Hicks contractions correlates at all with labor outcomes, including duration of labor stages, ease of labor, outcomes for mother and baby, and more. This work can be done prospectively or retrospectively, by recruiting mothers who recently gave birth or recruiting pregnant patients.

1. recruit pregnant or recently pregnant mothers to fill out a survey based study

2. determine frequency and severity of braxton hicks contractions

3. determine duration, ease, and outcomes of labor

data collection, survey design, statistical analysis