Pregnancy
Well being of babies
MiNESS 20-28
About the study
The study is aiming to identify medical, environmental, lifestyle and healthcare factors that could affect pregnancies and the well being of the baby between 20-28 weeks pregnancy.
Who can take part?
There are 2 groups of women who can take part.
- People who are still pregnant or who have recently given birth to their baby between 20 and 28 weeks pregnancy.
- Recently pregnant people who have had a baby loss during pregnancy, labour or immediately after birth between 20 and 28 weeks pregnancy.
What is involved?
There are no extra visits to hospital.
- If you're eligible to take part, we will contact you by phone when you're around 20 weeks pregnant.
- If you want to take part, you will need to sign a consent form. This will be sent via an email.
- You will then take part in an interview with the Research Midwife to complete a questionnaire at a time that's convenient for you.
More information
Please visit these external resources:
Smoking in pregnancy
About
The study is testing whether some new ways of using Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) could help women to stop smoking and could improve women’s and babies’ health.
Who can take part
- Pregnant person who is less than 25 weeks pregnant
- Smoke 5 or more cigarettes a day
- Don’t vape everyday
Taking part
- There are no extra visits to hospital.
- If you want to take part, you will need to sign a consent form. This will be sent via an email
- The Research Midwife will then ask you a number of questions about you, your pregnancy and your smoking
- You will also be asked to complete 2 short questionnaires: 1 when you have been in the study at 6 weeks and 1 at the end of the study. You will receive a £5 shopping voucher for each completed follow-up questionnaire
More information
Please visit study website for more information.
Multiple pregnancies
About
This registry is collecting information from women and babies in multiple pregnancies that develop complications, and the best ways to monitor women and babies for the development of these complications
Who can take part?
Pregnant people who are pregnant with more than one baby
What will happen if I take part?
You will need to sign a study consent form. This can be posted out to you for you to sign at home and return.
The Research Midwife, following your consent, will look at your hospital pregnancy records to collect information about you, your babies care & well-being.
Understanding how pregnancy goes wrong
About the study
This study is part of Tommy’s Project and is investigating whether home environmental factors are important in terms of their effect both on pregnancy, but also how well a baby grows in the womb.
There is a home environment questionnaire to complete. There are no blood samples required or extra hospital research visits to attend.
Can I take part?
Pregnant women attending the Wirral Women's and Children's Hospital for a routine appointment; this can be any time during pregnancy.
You must be pregnant with just one baby
You may be approached by our research team during your visit.
What is involved?
- You complete a questionnaire
- We access your medical records
If you agree to take part, you will be asked to complete a consent form. We will access your medical records to get the following information, anonymously:
- Age
- Ethnicity
- History of any present or previous medical conditions experienced during pregnancy
- Mode of delivery, birth outcomes, etc. This will help us understand your medical background, any predispositions to developing morbidities in the present or subsequent pregnancies and minimizing risks.
You will provide information, via the questionnaire, about indoor and ambient pollution exposure during pregnancy. Exposure to air pollution can be related to a higher risk of pregnancy-related complications in the parent.
Information from this questionnaire can help us establish a link between pollution exposure and unfavourable pregnancy outcomes such as preterm labour and low birth weight amongst others.
More information
The Tommy’s Project: understanding how pregnancy goes wrong | Tommy's
Pre-term birth
What is this study about?
Preterm birth (PTB) happens when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy. About 10% of
babies are born preterm worldwide. PTB can have a serious impact on the lives and health of
children and families. Researchers have found specific genetic factors related to PTB, but we
still do not fully understand the causes of PTB, or why some people are more likely to have a
PTB compared to others.
The aim of this is to find out which genetic features in people from different ethnic backgrounds
are linked to PTB, using whole Genome sequencing technology. We hope that this study can
help us better predict and understand PTB, so that health complications can be avoided or
reduced.
A genome is the body’s ‘instruction manual’ and contains all the information needed to make
you, run you and repair you. It is unique to you, and you inherit it from your parents. It is made
of DNA and is written within DNA’s special code.
Who can take part?
Biological mothers (over 18 years old) who have had a spontaneous preterm birth (between
16+0 and 36+6 weeks of gestation) in a current or previous pregnancies with various ethnic
backgrounds
What is involved?
- A one-off visit to the hospital, which will take around 30minutes
- Sign a consent form
- Collection of one blood sample approximately 3mls
- We will need to collect information about your pregnancy and birth
How do I take part?
Contact the Research Midwives
Julie Grindey (07768 490736) or Annie Clarke (07776 559890)
If you are travelling to the hospital solely to take part in the study and are not currently
receiving maternity care you will be offered reimbursement for your travel expenses.
Recruitment ends 30/09/2025