What does this study involve?

Who can participate?

We are looking for 150 women from the Dunedin community who are:

• Currently pregnant or up to 1 year after birth.
• No smell dysfunction since birth.
• No allergies which impact smell during each visit.
• No chronic severe asthma.

Participating will involve two visits, one month apart, taking about 40 minutes each. Upon completion of the study you will be reimbursed with a $40 supermarket or fuel voucher for expenses relating to participation.

What support will be available?

• You are welcome to bring your child and/or support person.
• A researcher can be available to help look after your child.
• A bathroom, changing and feeding station will be providing.
• Hot drinks and snacks will be provided at the end of each session.

What will each session involve?

• Two smell tests (Test 1: distinguish which of two samples has a smell; Test 2: note how much you like/dislike a smell, and its strength).
• Questionnaires about health, pregnancy experiences, mood, eating behaviours, appetite and sensory changes, and body rating.

You will be asked not to eat or drink anything other than water for 2 hours before each session, as this can impact on your sense of smell. You will also be asked not to smoke for 30 minutes before each session. Don’t worry though, hot drinks and snacks will be provided after each session!