We are committed to improving the care we give to women and birthing people, which is why we offer our patients the opportunity to get involved in clinical research studies. Through research we can find out:
Understand which treatments are most effective for women and birthing people
Increase our knowledge, to optimise the care and advice we offer to service users
Assess what is acceptable to patients and identify areas where specialist support is needed
All of our research studies are approved by the Research Ethics Committees (REC) within the Health Research Authority , which means it is ethically and scientifically sound and has the highest standards possible for patient safety. The majority of our studies are funded by the National Institute of Health Research with some projects funded by commercial companies or grant funding.
Evidence shows that research-active hospitals have better care outcomes for patients (Jonker & Fisher, 2018), and our Trust is among the most productive in the UK for maternity research. Across our two sites, we have over 20 Women’s Health and Pregnancy related studies running at any one time.
Being involved in research is optional. If we do offer you the chance to take part, you will be given written information and plenty of time to ask questions and find out more before you decide.
Current maternity research studies
CaPE
Aim: To investigate the clinical benefit of calcium supplementation in pregnancy for the prevention of pre-eclampsia, in women who are higher risk of developing pre-eclampsia.
Recruitment: Pregnant women less than 22+0 weeks gestation, who are higher risk for developing pre-eclampsia and deemed suitable for Aspirin therapy in pregnancy.
Aim: To understand if iron supplements taken from early pregnancy, in order to prevent anaemia, rather than treat it, will improve neonatal and maternal outcomes.
Recruitment: Non-anaemic pregnant women less than 15+6 weeks pregnant
Aim: To determine proportion of women who do not require an induction of labour within 2 days of intervention with the medication, Mifepristone.
Recruitment: Pregnant women who are between 36+5 - 41+5 weeks gestation and are booked for induction of labour will be randomised to receive either mifepristone or a placebo in addition to the standard of care.
VMET2
Aim: To understand the means by which vaginal microbiome (range of bacteria present) and metabonome (chemical interaction between microorganisms and host) are involved in preterm birth/to understand the means by which vaginal bacteria are involved in preterm birth.
Recruitment: Pregnant women between 12+0 -16+4 weeks gestation who are at higher risk of preterm birth.
PRESTIGE
Aim: To better predict and understand preterm birth, so that health complications can be avoided and reduced. The study aims to find out if there are any genetic factors that could be linked to preterm birth, by looking at genetic data from people of different ethnic backgrounds.
Recruitment: Women who had had a previous spontaneous preterm birth or have experience preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) before 37 weeks.
Aim: To establish the optimal methods and timing for delivery of fetuses with late-onset growth restriction.
Recruitment: Pregnant women between 32+0-36+6 weeks gestation, whose ultrasound scan shows an estimated fetal weight or abdominal circumference <10th centile OR has decreased by >50 centiles since anomaly ultrasound.
Aim: To assess maternal glucose metabolism in women with previous weight loss surgery, and investigate its association with fetal growth and neonatal body fat distribution of the offspring.
Recruitment: Pregnant women between 12+0 -14+0 gestation, with a history of bariatric surgery, e.g. gastric bypass, gastric sleeve OR with a BMI >35.
The Generation Study
Aim: Genetic screening of newborns for over 200 conditions shortly following childbirth. Pseudonymised data would also be collected as part of this study which may help researchers develop new treatments for rare conditions.
Recruitment: Pregnant women between over 16 years old, having a single pregnancy (no twins or triplets).
Aim: To test the clinical and cost-effectiveness of self-monitoring blood pressure at home, following a hypertensive pregnancy. Blood pressure machine and app access provided to birthing people, this group then compared with usual care.
Recruitment: Postnatal women with gestational/chronic hypertension or pre-eclampsia, requiring medication at discharge home.
Aim: Developing an artificial intelligence (AI) programme for more accurate detection of fetal heart abnormalities, to allow for early investigation and newborn treatments.
Recruitment: Pregnant people >20 weeks who are attending an antenatal ultrasound scan or fetal cardiology appointment in the obstetric ultrasound/fetal cardiology department.
Find out more
If you would like more information about any of the studies above, or are interested in taking part in research, please contact our research teams:
