Aims

To address research questions related to access to and organisation of maternity care, factors affecting the provision of maternity and neonatal care, social context of pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood. 

Lead – Professor Helen Spiby (with parents)

Professor Spiby is a Professor in Midwifery, midwifery and health services researcher, based in the School of Health Sciences. Her research includes care during pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period including antenatal education, care during early labour and support for women in situations of vulnerability, using a range of methodologies.  She is also interested in perinatal mental health, the psychological wellbeing of the maternity workforce and the contribution of Third Sector support during pregnancy and the early postnatal period.  She has a longstanding interest in guideline development and served as a member of the National Institute for Health Guidelines Advisory Committee on its inception. She is an established mentor to midwives pursuing Clinical Academic Careers and committed to public involvement and engagement in maternity research.

Research focus

1. Public Involvement and Engagement (PPI/E). The Centre for Perinatal Research uses a range of approaches to Public Involvement that vary according to topic and the community involved in the research. Nottingham Maternity Research Network is a standing panel, established in 2014.  It supports the work of the Maternal Health and Wellbeing Research Group in the School of Health Sciences.  Public contributors support all stages of the research process, from research ideas and design, through to sharing research findings.  Involvement is flexible and may include advising researchers on achieving public-facing materials, and as co-investigators on funded research http://www.nottsmaternity.ac.uk/. Members are currently supporting the ARM@DA study; evaluation of local support services for bereaved families following pregnancy or baby loss, and research related to early labour and anxiety during pregnancy. Involvement from parents and pregnant women is integral to the development of perinatal research within CePR and the NCTU and the nature of involvement varies, depending upon the needs of the research. Involvement regularly involves collaboration with leading charities/groups who provide support to families during the perinatal period, input from the Bump2Baby: Parents’ Voices, a Facebook group led by NCTU and an independent PPI consultant and the establishment of study-specific PPI groups. From a neonatal perspective we work closely with several parent groups/charities including Nottingham Little Voices Parent Group, Peeps and Spoons.
   
   
2. Knowledge Exchange and Implementation. Key to all of CePR’s research is to share the learning across all relevant stakeholders. This includes adoption at regional and national levels, for example working with NICE to smooth adoption.  We also work closely with industry and commercial partners where relevant to move fundamental research into the clinical setting.
   
   
3. Dissemination. Sharing our research outputs is crucial to improve perinatal care.  Where possible, we do this in partnership with the main stakeholders, often parents/families, and make this accessible to all.