Phone: 404-616-6115
Fax: 404-616-6921

Grady Memorial Hospital
80 Jesse Hill Dr., SE
Suite 2F022
Atlanta, GA 30303

Center for
Prenatal Assessment

The Center for Prenatal Assessment now has a convenient location in Emory’s Grady Memorial Hospital. We are conducting exciting research with pregnant women and their fetuses to learn more about fetal and early infant development. We hope that our studies will help babies gain a healthy start right from the beginning. We are always looking for women at any stage of pregnancy to participate in our ongoing studies. Please contact us for more information about getting involved in these valuable research opportunities!

Please Join Us

Center for Prenatal Assessment
at Emory University

Maternal Voice
Research shows that newborn babies prefer their mother’s voice, recognize nursery rhymes and music heard before birth, and use the rhythmic styles of talking by their mother to learn language. These early experiences help build an important foundation for later language learning. How does this happen and when does it happen?
Maternal Emotions
Research shows that the unborn baby is affected by maternal emotions. For example, your feelings during pregnancy have been shown to affect the activity levels and neurological development of the baby. After the baby is born, these maternal emotions can also affect the way the mother and baby interact. Saliva and urine samples are sometimes collected to detect levels of stress hormones in moms as well. How can we help pregnant mothers and mothers with young babies that are feeling depressed or anxious?
Newborn and Infant Behavior
Studies report that a newborn baby is born with innate characteristics that contribute to later social and emotional development. Might some of these behavioral characteristics be apparent before birth, during fetal life? Are these characteristics influenced by the mother’s health and stress level during pregnancy?
Are there any risks involved?
These procedures are entirely non-invasive and have resulted in no harm or discomfort to mothers or fetuses across many studies. We use the same fetal monitoring equipment that is used in your obstetrician’s office. These studies have been approved by all appropriate review boards.
What fetal measurements do we use?
We measure heart rate, movement, uterine contractions, and blood flow in the brain using sensors placed on the outside of the mother’s abdomen.
How much time is involved?
This varies from study to study but many require a minimal time commitment. Visits usually take approximately 2 hours. Some studies involve multiple visits, others do not. Some may include follow-up questionnaires sent in the mail to your home. Childcare and/or transportation may be available for certain studies.
Is compensation offered?
Mothers are paid for each visit as well as given coupons, sample products, and free information. Mothers are also provided with printouts that display their baby’s heart rate and movement during the study.
How do I get more information?
Please call us at 404-616-6115. We would be happy to answer any further questions and tell you about current projects underway.

We seek pregnant women to participate in exciting new studies on prenatal learning and emotions.

Center for Prenatal Assessment
at Emory University

Grady Memorial Hospital
80 Jesse Hill Dr., SE
Suite 2F022
Atlanta, GA 30303

Phone: 404-616-6115
Fax: 404-616-6921

Promoting knowledge about
pregnancy for the entire family

The Center for Prenatal Assessment and Human Development is directed by Dr. Eugene Emory, professor of clinical psychology at Emory University in Atlanta. The center studies fetal and early infant development. The prenatal period is a critical time for brain and behavioral development. In the third trimester, for example, the baby recognizes your voice. Our research is designed to help give babies a healthy start from the very beginning.

Some of the interesting questions we study and try to
answer related to:

Frequently Asked Questions