Pilot survey of mothers and babies
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A national survey of mothers and babies: maternity, health and care - pilot study
IRAS ID
211878
Contact name
Maggie Redshaw
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Oxford
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
It is important to find out about women’s experiences of maternity care during their pregnancy and their first few months with a new baby. Such information can help to improve health care services and ensure that women are well supported during this time. Following on from previous NPEU National Maternity Surveys, we are planning a further large national survey of 20,000 women to ask about their experiences of maternity care services, their own health, and the health of their babies.
Prior to the main survey in 2017, a pilot survey will be carried out to check that the content of the questionnaire and the methods we are using to collect the data are suitable. We will test new questions, including a newly developed measure of women's experiences of maternity services, find out whether the time at which we send the questionnaire makes a difference to response rates and see whether women prefer to complete the questionnaire on paper or online.
In the pilot survey, a questionnaire will be mailed out to 2,000 women who have recently had a baby. Half of these women will have had their baby 3 months previously and half will have had their baby 6 months previously. Staff working at the Office for National Statistics (ONS) will identify the women from a database of birth registrations and organise the mail out of the questionnaires.
Women will be asked to fill in the 30 minute questionnaire on paper, by telephone or online. A pre-paid envelope will be provided for the return of paper questionnaires. Reminders will be sent by ONS to women who do not respond to the first questionnaire.
The results of the pilot survey will help us to ensure that the content of the questionnaire and the data collection methods are optimal for the main survey.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Sheffield Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/YH/0412
Date of REC Opinion
22 Sep 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion