Hi everyone! I hope you all are doing well and are staying safe during these times. My name is Charanya Rengarajan, and I’m a to-be-junior in the fall from Ann Arbor, MI, studying Neuroscience and Gender & Health. My research consists of studying elective labor inductions in patients at Michigan Medicine’s Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital, and it surrounds overall narratives of women’s choice.
CONTEXT
This is actually the first time I’ve participated in real research, so I’m really excited that I’ve been given the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing cohort of people! This past winter semester, I conducted an independent study with my research mentor and boss, Dr. Joanne Bailey, a project that essentially served as a precursor to what is now my current research project for WAGSFP. I took a deep dive into a published study called the ARRIVE (A Randomized Trial of Induction Versus Expectant Management) Trial, which had statistically significant results that inducing nulliparous, low-risk women into labor at 39 weeks reduced their later chance of emergent cesarean section during labor (feel free to google this trial, it’s free to read online and really interesting!). Looking further into how both nurse-midwives as well as physicians have potentially modified their qualitative methods of care and/or approaches to patients who desire elective inductions into labor is something that I’ve been passionate about, and has been the fuel behind my research project.
BACKGROUND
I originally became interested in this field of research because I want to go into a career in women’s reproductive health. After taking Women’s Studies 220 fall of my freshmen year, I was offered a work study position with the professor, Joanne, who is now my research mentor on this project. Being able to learn more about this subject that I’m so passionate about from a successful woman in the field is incredibly empowering, and I am excited for the large learning curve I’ll be going through this summer. Especially deconstructing any preconceived notions I may have surrounding women’s reproductive choice and freedom is something that I would like to personally work on so that I can better educate myself and others about the implications of both the ARRIVE Trial as well as my own research.
NEXT STEPS
As of right now, I can’t do work at the hospital due to the COVID-19 situation, so I have a hospital-approved laptop that I am using to access the necessary data for my analyses. I plan to look at data and appointment notes from the patients that have undergone elective inductions at the Certified Nurse-Midwifery Service, and use that data to see what types of changes may have come about as a result of the ARRIVE Trial. I’m very excited to see what the future holds, and will make sure to update you all on the progress I make!
CLOSING REMARKS
If you have any questions or just want to chat with me about women’s health, feel free to reach out! I love meeting new people and engaging in conversations surrounding this subject I’m so passionate about. Otherwise, I hope everything is going well with you all and that you’re finding time to relax and stay positive.
Take care and stay safe,
Charanya Rengarajan