PRE-EMPT
Research type
Research Study
Full title
PREventing PretErM Birth in nulliParous women Through cervical length screening (PRE-EMPT)
IRAS ID
349196
Contact name
Caroline E Fox
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Birmingham
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
Every year, in England and Wales, around 50,000 babies are born too early (premature). This is worrying because
premature babies are more likely to die or have lifelong disability. Premature birth can happen to anyone
but is more common in first-time mothers and those from black, Asian and poor communities. One way to reduce
prematurity is measure the length of the neck of the womb (cervix), and if short, treat with a hormone pessary (progesterone).
Although effective, this practice is not currently routine in the NHS. Families who have experienced pre-term birth (PTB) tell us they
wish something could have been done to prevent it. Parents, charities, healthcare professionals (HCPs),Government and national bodies representing patient/carers agree tests/treatments to predict/prevent prematurity are the most important research topics.We are a partnership of women, midwives, doctors, researchers and charities. We aim to find out:
1. Whether a scan of the cervix (an internal scan), would be acceptable to women having their first baby;
2. How the results of this scan should be explained to women.
3. Whether women with a short cervix would accept progesterone treatment and additional appointments with preterm specialists;
4. How we could design a scan and treatment pathway, so that women are supported to make
decisions that are right for them so they have the best possible experience;
5. Whether this would be good value for money.We will ask women their views about the proposed service, and what is important to them, and use this information
to work with them and HCPs to develop the scan and treatment pathway. We will then try out this care pathway in
several hospitals and talk to women and HCPs again to make sure it is suitable. We want to make sure this pathway will be acceptable to as many women as possible.
This is a 4-year programme grant funded by the NIHR (207290).REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/NW/0252
Date of REC Opinion
14 Aug 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion