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Research Areas

Reproductive Health and Childbirth

Reproductive Health and Childbirth

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Our role is to support delivery of high-quality clinical research in Reproductive Health and Childbirth and manage participant recruitment to time and target, for studies led from Scotland and other nations where Scottish sites are participating.  We provide support in the following areas:

  • Managing the study portfolio record
  • Monitoring recruitment to target
  • Providing advice on study design and feasibility
  • Troubleshooting where recruitment is not matching projected targets
  • Understanding wider issues related to participant recruitment
  • Identifying potential sites for studies
  • Identifying potential studies for Scotland participation
  • Facilitating access to resources to support research including Research Nurses and Clinical Research Facilities
  • Facilitating research networking.

Reproductive Health and Childbirth Studies

Reproductive Health and Childbirth supports the delivery and promotion of high-quality clinical research studies in a wide range of areas, including:

  • Increased live birth outcomes with reduction in miscarriage
  • Birth preferences following caesarian
  • Early identification of pre-eclampsia
  • Prevention of cervical cancer
  • Prevention of recurring endometriosis
  • Interventions for heavy menstrual bleeding.

Research funding

Wellbeing of Women have partnered with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to jointly fund one Charity Partnership Doctoral Fellowship in the following areas:

  • pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period
  • gynaecological cancers
  • general wellbeing surrounding women’s health issues

Closing date for submission is 1pm, Thursday 13 August 2020​.

Monthly updates

Events

  • The Reproductive Health and Childbirth Research in Scotland – Strategy Meeting was held at Stirling University, Monday 13 May 2019. The main aim of was to identify barriers and facilitators for recruiting to research studies in the current NHS climate and to continue encouraging NHS Clinicians to get involved in research. This meeting provided a forum for delegates across Scotland to discuss and to agree on a Reproductive Health and Childbirth strategic plan for next year. Agenda attached

  • A successful focused meeting was conducted in Aberdeen, Friday 23 August 2019, to develop a Research Strategy for Male Reproductive Health for Scotland.

    Male Reproductive Health is often overlooked and male infertility research is an area of need. However, most male patients are willing to engage with research and as a Specialty Group, we need a research strategy that builds on this. The group consisted of NHS Clinicians working in Fertility, Clinical academics, Scientists working in the academic field, Andrology and Embryology labs, Fertility nurses, Health psychologists. The Discussion Leads were Dr Sarah Martins da Silva and Professor Christopher Barratt, NHS Tayside. Research questions were prioritized and hurdles identified; action points were agreed and are being followed up. Agenda attached

Patient, carer and public information

NHS Research Scotland is committed to actively involving patients, those who care for them and the public in all aspects of the research process, including shaping future research activity. Read more

Key Contacts

NRS Clinical Research Champion: Professor Abha Maheshwari

NRS Champion Support Manager: Maria R. Amezaga