About SERENE

While many pregnancies are not complicated, some individuals face unexpected outcomes during pregnancy, as they give birth, or in the time-period following delivery, that can result in severe illness, prolonged hospitalization, and long-term disability – an experience that is known as severe maternal morbidity, or SMM. 

SMM affects approximately 1.6% of pregnancies in Canada, but in the Hamilton region of Ontario, this number is estimated to be at least twice as high.

The SERENE Project is a three-year research effort committed to exploring why SMM happens more often in the Hamilton region, which people are most affected, what the long-term physical, social and mental health implications are for these people, and how SMM and its negative effects can be reduced.

This work is being conducted by a group of obstetricians, midwives, family physicians, mental health clinicians, nurses and researchers who are passionate about improving pregnancy outcomes for all people.

If you have experienced SMM and would like more information about how you can be involved with this important work, please click or tap the Get involved with SERENE link above!

Our guiding framework

SERENE Guilding Structure

In collaboration with Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University, and St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

Hamilton Health Sciences

McMaster University

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

This work is generously funded by the Juravinski Research Institute

Juravinski Research Institute

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