Supporting new mothers through co-designed translational research
What helps a new mother feel confident when making decisions about her baby’s health in the middle of the night?
In a recent Three Minute Thesis (3MT) presentation at the LMP Research Conference (LMPRC) 2026, second-year Translational Research Program (TRP) student Sheryl Ester Gumiran Ordonez presented research exploring how first-time mothers navigate uncertainty and decision-making during the early months after childbirth.
The “fourth trimester” - the first three months after birth - is a period of rapid change and adjustment for both mother and baby. Ordonez’s research explores the experiences of first-time mothers who have visited the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) Emergency Department, aiming to identify the key stressors that influence maternal confidence and decision-making during early parenthood.
Working alongside an all-women graduate student team, the research focuses on how mothers themselves can help shape better supports and interventions. Through focus groups and co-design sessions with mothers, the project aims to develop more patient-informed approaches that improve confidence, wellbeing and early parenting experiences.
The work reflects the TRP’s commitment to collaborative, patient-centred research that translates lived experience into meaningful improvements in healthcare and support systems.
Watch the presentation below.
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