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
GBS3
Aim: To understand if testing pregnant women for Group B Streptococcus reduces the risk of infection in newborn babies, compared to current strategy in place in the UK.
Recruitment: All pregnant women presenting to hospital in labour or for induction of labour.
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 assess the risk of preterm birth or late miscarriage in women following an in-labour caesarean section or caesarean section where the cervix is fully dilated.
Recruitment: Pregnant women between 14+0-23+6 weeks gestation with previous history of caesarean section in labour.
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.
TRUFFLE 2
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.
PROPER
Aim: To understand if biomarkers present in blood and vaginal secretions can be used to develop tests to predict the likelihood of premature labour.
Recruitment: Any woman with a singleton pregnancy between 12+0 – 14+0 gestation.
Giant Panda
Aim: To evaluate the effect of different antihypertensive drugs in pregnancy hypertension on maternal and fetal outcomes.
Recruitment: Pregnant women between 11+0 - 34+6 gestation, with a diagnosis of pregnancy hypertension and a clinical decision to initiate or continue use of antihypertensive medication.
