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.

EXPERIENCES AND SYMPTOMS FOLLOWING A TRAUMATIC BIRTH

Study led by: Siamara Goddard

Study aim: Our research is exploring the experiences and symptoms of new mothers, following a difficult or traumatic birth, from Black and white backgrounds.Taking part involves completing an anonymous online questionnaire which will take approximately 20 minutes. This link shows the poster/and allows you to complete the questionnaire: https://bit.ly/postnatal_study

Participant requirements: We are looking for volunteers who:

1. Have experienced a difficult or traumatic birth in the last 24 months, in the UK

2. Identify as white or Black (including those of African, Caribbean, Black British and mixed heritage)

3. Are 18 years old, or above.

To find out more or request to take part: Participants can contact the researcher via email: siamara.goddard@psy.ox.ac.uk

Recruitment closes: Late May/June.

EXPLORING REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE INEQUALITIES OF BLACK WOMEN AND BIRTHING PEOPLE

Study led by: Ope Olusoga

Study aim: B-CHANGE (Black women and Black birthing people Challenging Histories and Nurturing Grassroot Exchanges) is a PhD project that is exploring the psychological experiences of Black women and Black birthing people (trans men, inter-sex and non-binary folk who birth) accessing National Health Service (NHS) maternity/reproductive healthcare services in England. The aim of this project is to tackle reproductive healthcare inequities and positively change the maternity experience for Black women and Black birthing people through community engagement, collaboration and action.

Participant requirements: We are inviting Black women and Black birthing people (trans men, inter-sex and non-binary folk who birth) who are 1) currently pregnant, 2) have given birth in the last 24 months or 3) are considering getting pregnant in the next 24 months to take part. Individuals must be over the age of 18 to participate.

Participants will become part of a Black Birthing Collective as co-researchers. The collective will meet up, over an agreed period of time, for a total of 7 gatherings to co-design and carry out research into Black maternal health. No prior research experience is needed. Co-researchers will receive a £20.00 voucher at the end of the project as a token of appreciation for volunteering their time and expertise.

To find out more or request to take part: Participants can contact the lead researcher via email: ope.olusoga@open.ac.uk

Recruitment closes: Ongoing.

THE IMPACT OF ADVERSE BIRTH EXPERIENCES ON PARTNERS

Study led by: Abichana Thavaruban

Study aim: Our research explores the emotional and psychological impact of adverse birthing experiences on fathers and non-birthing mothers - groups often overlooked in postnatal care despite the challenges they may face. Through semi-structured interviews, we aim to understand their experiences during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period, especially in relation to healthcare services. The goal is to identify gaps in NHS support and develop recommendations to improve care and communication for birth partners during and after birth.

Participant requirements: We are seeking birth partners who have supported someone through an adverse birthing experience. If your partner and baby have physically recovered, and you feel comfortable sharing your experience, we would like to speak with you.

To find out more or request to take part: To take part, please fill out your contact details in the survey and we will be in touch: https://imperial.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bDdqRu1T7jU2C6q

Recruitment closes: 13th May 2025.

PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH IN MILITARY SPOUSES AND PARTNERS

Study led by: Jodie Finch

Study aim: To gain an understanding of the perinatal mental health in military spouses and partners. The research looks to understand the unique challenges faced by this population and the barriers to accessing care.

Participant requirements: I am looking to recruit participants who:

• Are 18 years or older

• Pregnant and/or up to 24 months postnatal

• A current UK military spouse or partner

• Non-serving personnel

• Living in the UK

  Participation comes with an entry into a free prize draw to win a £20 Amazon voucher.

To find out more or request to take part: If you are interested, or would like more information, please follow this link: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/uea/military-spouse-partner-perinatal-mental-health.

Recruitment closes: Summer 2025.

MINDSET AND THE IMPACT OF BIRTH TRAUMA

Study led by: Vicky Lloyd

Study aim: It is currently estimated that around 1 in 3 women will experience birth trauma, either before, during, or following childbirth. A further 4% of women may go on to develop PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). So far, lots of research has been carried out into possible risk factors for birth trauma and its subsequent negative life impact, but there is little research into the factors that can help to promote psychological recovery.

This study will look at whether self-compassion (being kind to yourself), social support (from family, friends and any significant other), psychological flexibility (ability to be in the present moment and behave in ways that are in line with our values) and perceived coping ability (how confident you feel in your ability to manage during difficult or challenging times) have an impact in reducing emotional distress and promoting psychological growth and healing in first-time mothers who have experienced birth trauma.

Participant requirements: I am looking to recruit participants who:
• are an adult (over the age of 18)
• identify as cisgender female (you were assigned female at birth and identify as a woman)
• currently live in the UK
• Are a first-time mother who has given birth to a live-born infant in the last 2 years AND experienced birth trauma prior to, during, or following the birth of your baby. You also have no history of stillbirth or neonatal loss.

To find out more or request to take part: If you have any questions or require more information about this study, please contact Vicky Lloyd (Trainee Clinical Psychologist) at l024632f@students.staffs.ac.uk.

Recruitment closes: Feb 2026.

UNDERSTANDING THE LONG TERM IMPACT OF BIRTH TRAUMA

Study led by: Danielle Molloy-Vickers

Study aim: This project aims to explore and understand the long-term impact of birth trauma, five or more years following the event, on the mother/birthing parent and the wider family system. This study hope to highlight the long-term impact of the event and areas of improvement in perinatal and maternal healthcare services to support these individuals and their families.

Participant requirements: I am looking to recruit participants who experienced birth trauma five or more years ago, who gave birth in the UK. Participants will be ineligible if they are currently pregnant, experienced loss during birth, or currently receiving treatment for birth trauma or birth-related PTSD.

To find out more or request to take part: If you are interested, or would like more information, please follow this link: https://lancasteruni.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8bNusFnFpc2QdTM

If you have any questions or would like to get in touch, pleases email d.molloy-vickers@lancaster.ac.uk.

Recruitment closes: Late 2025, or when sample size is reached.

UK MIDWIVES VIEWS OF FREEBIRTH

Study led by: Maria Velo Higueras

Study aim: Freebirth or unassisted birth is currently defined as the deliberate decision to give birth without a regulated healthcare professional in countries where maternity care is available and easily accessible.

Previous research on this practice is limited and has mostly focused on understanding women’s motivations to freebirth as a matter of individual choice; however, a recent systematic review of the literature (carried out as part of this study) revealed how the decision to freebirth was often the consequence of a context of structural barriers to access wanted care and unequal relationships with care providers (mostly midwives, but also obstetricians). Yet, the experience of midwives who encounter women who freebirth is largely absent from the literature. This important knowledge gap is what this research aims to address.

We want to understand how UK midwives feel about freebirth, what are their experiences of providing care to someone who chooses to freebirth, as well as the contextual factors that influence their views and the care they provide or would provide to women who freebirth.

Participant requirements: We are looking for UK registered midwives currently providing direct clinical care in maternity services. To participate, you must be 18 years or over, hold active midwifery registration on the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). You cannot participate if you are practising abroad (including crown dependencies), if you work clinically but not in maternity services, non-clinical midwives or midwives not currently practising or retired.

Sharing your views may raise your self-awareness and help you better understand your own position. You may want to reflect on your participation in the study as part of your own professional development and NMC revalidation. For this purpose, we can offer you a generic certificate of research involvement as evidence for your revalidation.

To find out more or request to take part: More information on this study and the survey is available here: https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/robertgordonuniversity/uk-midwives-freebirth

If you have any questions about this research and/or would like to get in touch with us, please email the lead researcher via email m.velo-higueras1@rgu.ac.uk

Recruitment closes: Early May, or when sample size is reached.

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.