Maternal Research Placenta & Cord Blood Bank

The MCW Maternal Research Placenta & Cord Blood Bank is an extension of the MCW Tissue Bank and serves to support physicians and medical researchers across campus in the investigation of various conditions and potential treatments.

Overview

Cord blood is an essential source of stem cells and is increasing being used on an experimental basis to treat diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and many more. Research supported by this program may also involve the discovery of new medications or the advancement of current treatment methods. Therefore, Banking cord blood and making it available to researchers is essential to future research that could potentially extend many lives. Consent to this program involves a one-time donation of blood and tissue samples discarded from a single pregnancy.

Participation Information

Tissue Banking at MCW involves storing health information and blood or tissue samples in the MCW Tissue Bank for the purpose of medical research. Consent to this program only applies to a single pregnancy and any future pregnancies would require separate consent. Participants who choose to participate in MCW Maternal Research Placenta & Cord Blood Bank consent to the following:

  • A one-time blood collection at your next routine clinical blood draw. Since the blood is collected during a routine clinical draw, no extra needle sticks are necessary, and the amount of blood taken (less than one tablespoon) does not pose any increased risk.

  • Permission to bank any remnants of blood or tissue that would otherwise be discarded following a single consented pregnancy. This may include cord blood, blood, and birth related tissues such as placenta or umbilical cord.

  • Permission to securely access and use some of your electronic health information to provide research teams linked to your samples.

Prospective Studies

Tissue Banking at MCW involves storing health information and blood or tissue samples in the MCW Tissue Bank for the purpose of medical research. Consent to this program only applies to a single pregnancy and any future pregnancies would require separate consent. Participants who choose to participate in MCW Maternal Research Placenta & Cord Blood Bank consent to the following:

  • PREEMA– The PREEMA Study (Effects of PREEclampsia on MAternal Endothelial Function) is currently paused for enrollment. This prospective cohort study evaluates recovery from preeclampsia by assessing flow-mediated dilation, peripheral tonometry, maternal echocardiogram, maternal psychosocial, activity, dietary and lifestyle information, placental vessel dysfunction, and plasma biomarkers. The overall goal of the study is to identify risk factors and preventative measures for future cardiovascular disease.


  • PTTS– The Preconception To Toddler Study is a prospective cohort that enrolls women and their partner attempting to conceive a pregnancy in order to track health outcomes of pregnant people beginning in the pre-pregnancy period, and continuing through gestation and beyond. This study will generate a comprehensive and cross-disciplinary toolbox that will provide longitudinal data, specimens, and community engagement to advance women and children’s health from before pregnancy to 2 years post-delivery.


  • Novel Role for Placental Endothelial Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Preeclampsia– This study utilizes placental, plasma and cord blood samples from women enrolled in the MCW Maternal Research Placenta and Cord Blood Bank (make this a hyperlink) in order to investigate changes in the blood vessels in the placenta. This work will hopefully provide a mechanism for drugs that could work to prevent or treat patients who get preeclampsia. To participate in this study, enroll in the MCW Maternal Research Placenta and Cord Blood Bank and your placenta may be used to help find a cure for preeclampsia.


MORE INFORMATION

Please talk with your physician about how to donate. Or call our research program at (414) 805-6605. Visit the MCW Tissue Bank for further details

Maternal Research Placenta & Cord Blood Bank

Maternal Research Placenta & Cord Blood Bank

Pediatric and adolescent gynecology is an emerging specialty, at the intersection of pediatrics, pediatric endocrinology, gynecology, pediatric surgery, dermatology, psychiatry, public health medicine and genetics.

It thus addresses a wide spectrum of diseases from the newborn period to adolescence. The gynecological problems encountered in children and adolescents are often both medically and psychologically complex and thus require a highly skilled and coherent approach. The adolescent, who is no longer a child but not quite an adult, poses a particular management problem to the traditional specialties.

The Adolescent Gynecology Clinic, located at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in the Clinics Building, focuses on the needs of children and adolescents from infants to teens.

Prepubertal

  • Vaginal Complaints

  • Abnormal Genital Exam

  • Ovarian Cysts/Masses

  • Early Puberty

Adolescent

  • Menstrual Irregularities

  • Painful Periods

  • Heavy Periods

  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases

  • Contraception

  • Ovarian Cysts/Masses

  • Late Puberty

  • Breast Concerns

  • Pelvic Pain

  • Abnormal Genital Exam

Doctors

This specialty clinic is staffed by Seema Menon, MD, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rahmouna Farez, MD, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Jessica Francis, MD, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at The Medical College of Wisconsin.

In addition, we have a multi-specialty clinic in Gynecology and Hematology offered for adolescents with heavy periods.

Who will my adolescent see?

The clinic uses a multidisciplinary team approach to your teen’s care that may include a gynecologist, an adolescent medicine physician, registered nurse or social worker with referrals to additional hospital specialists as needed. The Gynecology Clinic team includes:

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McKinney, Erica N., PhD

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Mironov, Natalie, DO

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Haworth, Laura. MD, MPH, MSW

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Woodard, Libby, CNM, MSN, APNP

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Streitenberger, Kristen, PA-C

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Ritchie, Meghan, MSN, WHNP

Ries, Breanna

Ries, Breanna, PA-C

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Neary, Jamie, APNP, AOCNP

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Mess, Sarah, CNM, MSN, APNP, IBCLC

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Lockett-Neumuth, Lisa, CNM, WHNP-BC

Learn More

Learn more about the Adolescent Gynecology Clinic on the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin website.

The Adolescent Health and Medicine Program addresses the unique health care concerns facing children and young adults. Services offered are designed to support and complement the role of the pediatrician or family practice physician. The weekly Adolescent Health Clinic has evaluated adolescent patients in the past year with conditions ranging from fatigue to eating disorders to gynecological concerns. The program also collaborates as needed with Children’s Hospital specialties including but not limited to Dermatology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology, Gastroenterology and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine.