If you are interested, or have any questions, please contact us at istork@dal.ca or click here to complete the contact form
Click here for an information brochure about the study.
What is STORK? The first online couple-based program designed to enhance knowledge about changes to sexuality during pregnancy and postpartum and skills to cope with these changes. STORK was designed to strengthen couples’ relationships across the transition to parenthood.
What is iSTORK? iSTORK is led by a diverse (e.g., gender/sex, sexual orientation) team of researchers in consultation with sexual and gender/sex diverse couples. iSTORK intends to examine the inclusivity of our STORK program. We want to know if our program captures the lived experiences of new parents with diverse sexual orientations (e.g., LGBQA+) and/or gender/sex identities (e.g., Two-Spirit, transgender, non-binary, intersex) and get feedback on our program. An additional goal of iSTORK is to assess how helpful our program is for the sexual well-being of couples in this community. Together, the information collected in this study will be used to refine our program so that it meets the needs of all new parents.
What is involved? You and your partner will complete the STORK program’s 5 online modules in pregnancy (1 per week) and a final module at 2 months postpartum. You will also complete 3 surveys—1 pre-program, 1 after the 5th module, and 1 post-program—that gather information about your relationship, your pregnancy experience, your child, and your feedback on the STORK program, including how inclusive or relevant it is to your growing family. At the end of iSTORK, we will also you to share your experiences with the program in an interview (conducted virtually).
Wondering if you are a good fit for the study? Here are the couples we are seeking:
- One member of the couple is up to 22 weeks pregnant with your first baby
- Identify as sexual and/or gender sex diverse (at least 1 couple member)
- You have no previous children
- You are both 18 years or older
- You are in a married or cohabitating romantic relationship of at least 12 months
- You have NOT received instruction from a healthcare professional to avoid sexual activity
- Both members of the couple willing to participate
- Both members are fluent in English
* If you have more than one romantic partner you may still be a good fit for the study provided that you are willing to participate with one partner who fits the above characteristics.
Neither of you a member of the 2SLGBTQAI* community but are otherwise a good fit? You may be eligible for the STORK Pilot Study.
In addition to free access to the STORK program, you can receive $63 CAD or currency equivalent ($126 CAD or currency equivalent per couple) for completing three surveys and attending an interview to let us know your thoughts. Your time is valuable to us!