Maternity research
We are dedicated to improving our understanding of health in pregnancy, and to supporting better evidenced-based care. Research is important as it helps us to:
- develop new and better treatments
- be better at preventing problems and making a quick diagnosis
- give you the best care
You are a key part of helping us get better. Research can only happen with your help.
We also carry out further research into women’s health.
How can you get involved?
There are lots of research projects running in maternity at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
You can help design research studies
Research is about you. Help us get it right. When we design new research studies, we ask for volunteers to work with us. If you would like to help, then please contact the Maternity Research Team.
You can be part of a research study
You may be approached to participate in one or more of these studies during the antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal period. If you would like to volunteer for a study or would like more information, please contact us.
There are two types of research studies
1. Studies that you will only be part of if you say yes
You might be asked by your midwife or doctor if you would like to be part of a specific research project. You will have been asked to be part of the study because of your specific situation. These studies are not open to everyone.
Open research
Pregnancy Complications Studies
Advanced cardiovascular imaging in pregnancy
What is the study investigating?
This study will help us understand if by studying your heart we can improve the prediction for complications at the end of pregnancy.
When will the study be offered to you?
At your 35 to 36 week ultrasound scan.
Further information
Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging in Pregnancy patient information sheet
APRICOTS (predicting increased risk of kidney problems)
What is the study investigating?
Aims to find out if we can predict which women have an increased risk of kidney problems during their stay in hospital. We will see if we can do this using tests that have been useful in patients who are not pregnant.
When will the study be offered to you?
After 36 weeks.
Further information
ASPRE-T (aspirin versus placebo in twin pregnancies for preeclampsia prevention)
What is the study investigating?
There is good evidence that aspirin can reduce the chances of developing preeclampsia in singleton pregnancies. However, we do not know if aspirin is also beneficial in preventing preeclampsia in twin pregnancies, this study aims to answer this question.
When will the study be offered to you?
At your 11 to 13 week ultrasound scan if you are having twins.
Further information
COPE (carboprost or oxytocin postpartum haemorrhage effectiveness)
What is the study investigating?
Comparing two drugs currently used to treat postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) to decide which is better to use first. The two drugs are carboprost and oxytocin.
When will the study be offered to you?
After you have had your baby if you have had a PPH.
Further information
FibroScan (assessing change in liver stiffness)
What is the study investigating?
This study will aim to assess the change in liver stiffness measurements during pregnancy as well as defining the normal ranges of liver function tests in blood tests during pregnancy.
When will the study be offered to you?
At your 35 to 36 week ultrasound scan.
Further information
First-trimester cfDNA testing
What is the study investigating?
The option of a research cfDNA test is offered to those with a risk for trisomies from the combined test of less than 1 in 100 to 1 in 500. The cfDNA test is a non-invasive way of providing results for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 and Di George.
When will the study be offered to you?
After 11 to 13 week ultrasound scan if you have an increased risk at screening.
Further information
PAIRS (pregnancy adaptations in renal disease)
What is the study investigating?
We are trying to find out more information about how kidney disease affects pregnancy. We would like to test your blood and urine so that we can compare your results with women who have kidney disease. This will help us determine which changes are related to being pregnant and which may be due to kidney problems.
When will the study be offered to you?
After 20 weeks.
Further information
Prediction of pregnancy complications
What is the study investigating?
Our aim is to try and identify women who are at high risk of developing pregnancy complications and to do so as early in pregnancy as possible.
When will the study be offered to you?
At each routine ultrasound scan in pregnancy:
- 11 to 13 weeks
- 19 to 23 weeks
- 35 to 36 weeks
Further information
Prediction of pregnancy complications patient information sheet
SPROUT (psychological outcomes in women with and without gestational diabetes)
What is the study investigating?
The purpose of the study is to understand if and how psychological, biological, and social aspects of pregnancy and postnatal differ for women with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The study involves surveys and interviews which include questions about you, your mental health, and your relationship with your baby. The overall aim of the study is to improve health care services for women and their infants. Understanding your experiences during pregnancy and after birth is very important for the research team to achieve this.
When will the study be offered to you?
At your glucose tolerance test (GTT) around 16 or 28 weeks.
Further information
Other studies
Amniotic fluid, placental and fetal stem cells
What is the study investigating?
Aims to find out about the characteristics of amniotic fluid, placental and fetal stem cells, how they grow and what tissues they can turn into. They will be grown in the laboratory to see if they can repair damaged tissues such as muscle and bone, and analyse the proteins in the amniotic fluid to look for crucial growth factors and chemicals which tell us about the baby’s condition.
When will the study be offered to you?
If undergoing amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS), fetal blood or urine sampling for prenatal diagnosis or prenatal therapy.
Further information
Amniotic Fluid, Placental and Fetal Stem Cells patient information sheet
Black parents' experiences of genetic testing in pregnancy
What is the study investigating?
Aims to learn about black parents’ experiences of being offered genetic tests when pregnant.
When will the study be offered to you?
After a high risk screening result at any point this pregnancy or a previous pregnancy in the last 5 years.
Further information
Black parents’ experiences of genetic testing in pregnancy patient information poster
CORE-10 (evaluating CORE-10 as a measure of psychological distress after miscarriage)
What is the study investigating?
If you have experienced a miscarriage this study is testing the accuracy of the CORE-10 questionnaire at identifying those who might be at risk of developing prolonged psychological distress.
When will the study be offered to you?
If you have experienced a miscarriage.
Further information
iFIND3 (intelligent fetal imaging and diagnosis)
What is the study investigating?
Aims to develop computer programmes known as Artificial Intelligence (AI) to help improve ultrasound scans in pregnancy in the future by collecting images from your ultrasound scans during this pregnancy along with your medical information.
When will the study be offered to you?
At each routine ultrasound scan in pregnancy:
- 11-13 weeks
- 19-23 weeks
- 35-36 weeks
Further information
MiNESS 20-28 (preventing stillbirth)
What is the study investigating?
This study aims to answer what helps to keep babies safe in pregnancy as well as finding better ways to help prevent early stillbirth.
When will the study be offered to you?
Between 20 to 28 weeks.
Further information
PANDA (primary prevention of maternal anaemia)
What is the study investigating?
PANDA is a research programme that aims to prevent anaemia in pregnancy to avoid health problems for women and their infants using iron supplements. In this study, we want to compare daily iron dosing versus a placebo on outcomes of both the parent and baby.
When will the study be offered to you?
After 11 to 13 week ultrasound scan.
Further information
2. Studies that you will be part of unless you say no
We are taking part in some research projects that use information in your electronic health records. All information is totally anonymous. No one knows the information is about you or your child. This is an easy way to help with research.
If you do not want your information to be used, then you need to say no. Please inform your midwife, doctor, or the research midwives. This will not affect the care you receive in any way. To say no to open research, please use the instructions in the table below.
Open research
eLIXIR data linkage project
What is the study investigating?
The Trust is taking part in the Early Life Cross Linkage in Research (eLIXIR) Programme. eLIXIR is exploring the associations between physical and mental health between mother and child through linkage of your health information to your child’s information. We hope this will help us improve the health and wellbeing of mothers and children in the future. No one will know that the information is about you or your child.
Further information
eLIXIR data linkage project patient information sheet
How to say no
We want to know if you have any concerns or do not want your information included in eLIXIR.
If you have any questions or want to have you or your baby’s health records removed, please contact: [email protected]
OBS-UK (Princess Royal University Hospital only)
What is the study investigating?
The effectiveness of a maternity quality improvement programme to reduce excess bleeding and need for transfusion after childbirth. The information we collect will have no impact on your care. The study team are collecting information on births at the Princess Royal University Hospital between February 2024 and August 2026. The study has ethical approval. For more information on the study and how we will use your data please take a look at information leaflet or visit the study website: www.obsuk.org, email the study team [email protected] or speak to the King’s Maternity Research Team.
Further information
OBS-UK patient information poster
How to say no
We want to know if you have any concerns or do not want your information included in eLIXIR.
If you have any questions or want to have you or your baby’s health records removed, please contact: [email protected]
How to opt out of research
The national data opt-out is a service that allows patients to opt out of their confidential patient information being used for research and planning.
Opt out of sharing your health records.
Your data matters to the NHS
Information about your health and care helps us to improve your individual care, speed up diagnosis, plan your local services and research new treatments. In May 2018, the strict rules about how this data can and cannot be used were strengthened. The NHS is committed to keeping patient information safe and always being clear about how it is used.
You can choose whether your confidential patient information is used for research and planning. To find out more visit the NHS website.
For more information about your data rights please visit the Information Commissioners Office website.
Contact the Maternity Research Team
If any of the studies are of interest to you or you would like more information, please contact us.
If you require any leaflets explained to you in a language other than English, contact us for translation services.
Telephone
- King’s College Hospital Maternity Research Team: 07974 045041
- Princess Royal University Hospital Maternity Research Team: 07974 045056