Antenatal counselling for preterm delivery: the parent perspective
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Antenatal counselling for expected preterm delivery: the parent perspective
IRAS ID
311005
Contact name
Jane Lawson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 25 days
Research summary
Pregnant women who are expecting to deliver their baby very prematurely are routinely offered counselling from a neonatal doctor or specialist nurse. In the past this discussion focused on providing information about whether or not to actively manage the baby after delivery (as opposed to offering comfort care), and the published research reflects this. However, now that most babies over 24 weeks gestation are actively managed, the focus of counselling has shifted. It now involves a discussion about anticipated short and long term outcomes for the baby, what to expect on the neonatal unit and the benefits of breast milk for babies born prematurely. This questionnaire based study will explore the parent perspective of this discussion with the aim of producing recommendations for improvement.
Data collection will happen over a two month period at the Jessop Wing neonatal unit in Sheffield. This is a level 3 neonatal unit and it is local practice to offer counselling to all parents who are expected to deliver their baby prematurely. Parents of babies born between 24 and 34 weeks gestation will be approached for entry into the study between 7 and 10 days after birth. They will be asked to complete a questionnaire before day 14. Questions will relate to the content of the discussion, the amount of information provided and the format in which it is provided. Parents will receive support from the clinical team to complete the questionnaires, if required.
The study is part of a Masters degree and will be funded by the University of Leeds.REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/YH/0229
Date of REC Opinion
14 Nov 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion