Live Research

Looking for participants

Thank you for visiting this page and showing your interest in the vital research taking place around birth trauma, professionals wellness and maternal mental health. Please see below all projects which are currently live and looking for participants. Please read with care.

UNDERSTANDING PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR BIRTHING PEOPLE WITH AUTISM

Study led by: Emma Armstrong

Study aim: The perinatal period refers to pregnancy and the first 12 months after child birth. The literature reports that autistic mothers are more likely to face challenges during this time, whilst navigating sensory and physical experiences, and communicating with professionals. This can result in motherhood feeling isolating, placing this population at increased risk of perinatal mental health (PMH) difficulties.

This research aims to add to the literature by exploring autistic women and birthing people's experiences of PMH difficulties, specifically focussing on their experiences of mental health care.

Participant requirements: I aim to recruit between 8-12 adults (aged 18+) who are currently or have experienced perinatal mental health difficulties (in the last 5 years) and have received a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from an NHS service. In line with the NHS Long Term Plan, perinatal mental health difficulties are defined as mental health difficulties that developed or worsened during pregnancy, birth or in the first two years following child birth.

Those who are interested in taking part in the study will then complete a one-off semi-structured interview lasting between 30-90 minutes about their experiences of the perinatal period and the mental healthcare they received or are receiving.

Although there are no direct benefits to taking part in the study, due to funding constraints, participants may find benefit in reflecting on their experiences and knowing their contribution to the current literature. This is made clear to participants through the participant information sheet.

To find out more or request to take part: Participants can get into contact with the Lead Researcher (Emma Armstrong) by emailing earmstrong6@sheffield.ac.uk or leaving a message by contacting the University of Sheffield Research Support Officer on: 0114 2226650

Recruitment closes: March 2025.

WORRY AND SLEEP DURING PREGNANCY AND AFTER BIRTH

Study led by: Sophie Windsor

Study aim: There is an increased risk of experiencing worry and insomnia during pregnancy and after birth. It is important to better understand this, so we know how to reduce distress to the pregnant person and baby. The aim of this project is to better understand worrying and insomnia during pregnancy and after birth and whether this is linked to mental health difficulties. This will help to develop psychological theory in this area to better meet the needs of those who are pregnant or have just given birth.

This study is also looking at psychotic-like experiences (PLEs) in pregnancy and after birth and is aimed at building the knowledge in this area. It is looking at the relationship between risk factors of postpartum depression, worry, sleep and psychotic-like experiences in pregnancy and after birth.

Participant requirements: The research is an online survey study. It has two phases.

Phase 1: Completing a set of questionnaires (approximately 15-20 minutes), during your 2nd and 3rd trimester.

Phase 2: Completing a second set of questionnaires (approximately 10-15 minutes), 0-3 months after the birth of your baby.

You are welcome to take part in just stage one, or both stages. Completing the second stage of questionnaires (i.e., once you have had your baby), can help us to look at any changes to factors that may impact mental health over time. This is especially helpful in understanding mental health in the postpartum period. If you opt in to both phases, we will send you a link to the questionnaires as and when you need to complete them.
If you choose to take part in this study, you will also be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win an Amazon voucher (1 x £50, 1 x £20 and 2 x £10).

To find out more or request to take part: Participants can take part in the research via this link here. If you have any questions, please contact Sophie Windsor via sophie.windsor.2022@live.rhul.ac.uk.

Recruitment closes: 28th February 2025.

UNDERSTANDING BLACK EXPERIENCES OF MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT DURING THE PERINATAL PERIOD

Study led by: Sarah Gado.

Study aim: Interviewing Black people who have experienced a traumatic birth, about their experiences of support with their mental health, during the perinatal period. I hope to understand more about black people's experiences of the healthcare system, in order to discover what is required to make healthcare more supportive of Black people and people of colour.

Participant requirements: Participants will be people who identify as Black, who have experienced a traumatic birth and who feel as though they can discuss their experiences of seeking or receiving support for their mental health within the perinatal period.

Please see the recruitment poster for more information.

To find out more or request to take part: Please email sw20906@essex.ac.uk.

Recruitment closes: Ongoing.

UNDERSTANDING THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS DURING THE PERINATAL PERIOD FOR THOSE WITH COMPLEX HEALTH NEEDS

Study led by: Julia Hobbs.

Study aim: This research focuses on autonomy and empowerment, supporting women and birthing people with complex health needs* during decision-making in the perinatal period.
 
*For the purposes of my research, complex health needs mean (i) mental health problems, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, psychosis, personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobia, eating disorders, substance dependency, tokophobia and those arising from or related to previous maternity experiences, including birth trauma and perinatal loss; and (ii) learning disability.

The breadth of healthcare professionals (HCPs) caring for pregnant women is wider than most specialties in healthcare settings. HCPs need adequate time and resources to ensure pregnant people are aware of all the relevant information to make informed choices. I am particularly interested in better understanding how HCPs approach situations where the woman does not agree to the recommended care or treatment or they have concerns about the patient's decision making capacity.

Participant requirements: I hope to interview midwives, obstetricians, health visitors, social workers, psychiatrists and psychologists with relevant experience.

All interviews will be conducted online via MS Teams or Zoom, lasting between 30 - 45 minutes. They are confidential, semi-structured and by no means a test.

To find out more or request to take part: Please email j.hobbs5@herts.ac.uk.

Recruitment closes: 1st of December 2024 (may be extended)..

UNDERSTANDING TRANS AND NON-BINARY EXPERIENCES OF MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT DURING THE PERINATAL PERIOD

Study led by: Aisha Walker.

Study aim: We want to understand trans and non-binary pregnant and birthing people's access and experience of mental health support related to pregnancy, birth and postpartum. This can be NHS, private, charity, support group etc. Ideally the findings will be used to improve access and experience of perinatal mental health support in the NHS and community organisations.

Participant requirements: Participants must be over 18 years old, trans and/or non-binary, pregnant in the last 5 years (since 2019), Experienced distress in pregnancy, childbirth or up to a year postpartum (diagnosis not required), comfortable to answer questions in English, Living in the UK.

Participants will be invited to conversation with the researcher about their experience this will last about 60 minutes. Everything shared will be confidential and they will be sent the questions in advance. They will be given a £10 Amazon voucher for their time.

To find out more or request to take part: If you are interested, or if you would like to find out more, please email u2388793@uel.ac.uk.

Recruitment closes: End of 2024.

REDUCING THE IMPACT OF BIRTH TRAUMA

Study led by: Emma Pickford.

Study aim: I'm conducting research on understanding mothers' / birthing parents' perspectives on possible ways to reduce the likelihood and impact of birth trauma. My current project is an online survey, which asks parents about their birth experience and whether there is anything they think could have been done differently before, during and after birth. I'm hoping this study, once published and circulated, can help to inform recommendations to reduce the likelihood and impact of birth trauma.

Participant requirements: I am looking to recruit participants who gave birth 6-24 months ago in an NHS maternity hospital and who experienced this birth as traumatic. Participants must be over 18 and able to write English to a level that allows them to complete an online survey.

Participation in the study involves completing an online survey. The survey is expected to take approximately 30-40 minutes to complete. All participants in the study have the option of being entered into a prize draw. To enter the prize draw, participants will need to provide their email address and submit the survey. Two participants will be randomly selected to win a prize of a £15 Amazon voucher, as a thank you for their time.

To find out more or request to take part: The link to the online survey is: https://surreyfahs.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_81x2t2diHShAYzc

If parents have any questions or would like more information, they can contact me on ep01145@surrey.ac.uk

Recruitment closes: 1st January 2025.

A FATHERS’ EXPERIENCE AFTER A TRAUMATIC BIRTH

Study led by: Rachel Harley-Beckett, Trainee Clinical Psychologist at Coventry University.

Study aim: I’m interested in fathers’ experiences of childbirth and how it might have impacted their relationship with their baby. This research will form part of my doctoral thesis and could help us better understand the way in which we can support fathers in the future.

I’m looking for fathers who wouldn’t mind talking to me about their experience of the father-infant relationship following a scary or traumatic birth. Fathers are often expected to try and “keep it together” during childbirth, sometimes whilst “helplessly watching a catastrophe unfold” (Etheridge & Slade, 2017, p.

Participant requirements: I would invite you to attend an interview over Zoom or MS Teams. I would ask you some questions about your experience of childbirth and your experience of your father-infant relationship.
You can take part if…
You were aged 18 or over when your baby was born, you live in the UK, and you speak fluent English.
You are a dad who has had a baby in the last 10 years.
At some point during your child’s birth, you experienced feelings of intense fear, horror or helplessness.

To find out more or request to take part: The research video can be seen here. The research recruitment poster can be found here.

If you are interested, or if you would like to find out more, please contact Rachel via email: jonesr81@coventry.ac.uk.

Recruitment closes: Ongoing.

FACTORS INFLUENCING INFANT FEEDING PRACTICES

Study led by: Dr Joanna Hudson

Study aim: We are a research study from King’s college London trying to understand what psychological, social and demographic factors influence infant feeding practices and how we can better support birthing people, babies and families before and after birth.

Participant requirements: We are looking for women and birthing people 34+ weeks pregnant, expecting their first baby. The study will involve answering two 15 minute questionnaires before and after birth. The participants will have a chance of winning 1 of 4 £15 Amazon vouchers.

To find out more or request to take part: Please email ifeed@kcl.ac.uk for more information.

Recruitment closes: Once sample size is reached (183).

ONLINE SUPPORT FOR PARTNERS AFTER WITNESSING TRAUMATIC BIRTH

Study led by: Leone Cunningham

Study aim: A dissertation research project interviewing fathers and partners who witnessed a traumatic birth and went on to use internet forums or social media for support. This study will look at how partners use the online space to navigate healing or support.

Participant requirements: Fathers and partners who witnessed a traumatic birth 3 years or more ago. Participants need to be over 18 and able to participate in English. Interviews will be held over Zoom or by telephoneand will be around an hour in length where experiences of online access to support is discussed.

To find out more or request to take part: Please email Lcunni03@student.bbk.ac.uk or call on 07950 615665.

Recruitment closes: Ongoing.

DOES FEMINIST IDENTITY AND INTERNALIZED MISOGYNY PREDICT POSTPARTUM MOOD DISORDERS

Study led by: Elise Wilder

Study aim: My research investigates the following: Do feminist identity and internalized misogyny predict postpartum mood disorders.

Participant requirements: Recruiting U.S. based biological women, 18+, who have experienced a live birth within the past year.

To find out more or request to take part: Please find the survey linked here.

Recruitment closes: Early 2024.