Pregnancy Dating Challenges (PregDaT)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Pregnancy Dating Challenges: Technologies and Unequal Geographies of Abortion and Childbirth Care (PregDaT)
IRAS ID
346555
Contact name
Giulia Zanini
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Ca' Foscari University of Venice
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
101076713, Funder: European Research Council, Starting Grant (2023-2028), Agreement number
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The PregDaT project aims at exploring the socio-technical and political components of pregnancy and reproductive time by focusing on the investigation of the process of gestational age (GA) assessment in four different European countries: France, Greece, Italy and the UK, both in metropolitan areas and in remote locations. Gestational age assessment is a crucial moment in pregnancy and abortion care. It is on the estimated starting date of the pregnancy that the whole chain of care (e.g. prenatal screening, childbirth plans) is established and access to a variety of critical pregnancy, childbirth and abortion options is regulated. However, the huge variety of protocols, equipment and knowledge used to assess GA in different contexts leads to a variety of experiences by pregnant people with regard to the perception of pregnancy time and temporalities and their ability to access care. Within the PregDaT project, researchers will conduct a comparative transnational qualitative study of the practice of GA assessment, especially in relation to abortion access and pregnancy care and childbirth protocols, methods, experiences and outcomes. The project employs qualitative methodology, including: (a) interviews with professionals (doctors, midwives, nurses, administrative staff) and pregnant people; (b) observation of consultations, including procedures of gestational dating in relation to maternity care and abortion; and (c) analysis of laws and international, national and local guidelines and protocols. In the UK, a researcher will spend up to six months recruiting for interviews and observation in abortion and childbirth services in England, and up to six months in Northern Ireland. All research participants will be 18 years old or over. The project will produce policy recommendations with regard to access to reproductive care, with the aim to improve research and education programmes and to foster a more comprehensive understanding of experiences of reproduction.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SC/0241
Date of REC Opinion
26 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion