REACH Pregnancy Circles Pilot Trial
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An individual-level randomised controlled pilot trial of group antenatal care
IRAS ID
203651
Contact name
Angela Harden
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 31 days
Research summary
What are the best methods for testing the effectiveness of group antenatal care for pregnant women?\n\nThis study is a pilot trial of a model of group antenatal care called Pregnancy Circles offered to women living in a deprived and ethnically mixed part of London. The pilot trial aims to find the best ways of testing the effectiveness of the group-based care to inform a possible later full trial of the model. It will also enable the Pregnancy Circles model to be refined to suit communities in ethnically diverse and disadvantaged areas of the UK. \n\nIn Pregnancy Circles about 12 pregnant women, who live close to each other and are due to have their babies around the same time, have their antenatal care together in a community setting. The groups are facilitated by 2 midwives who combine clinical care with antenatal education and peer support.Care is organized in this way for the groups of women throughout their pregnancy and replaces standard antenatal care.There is good evidence from other settings that group antenatal care has a positive impact on women’s experiences of antenatal services and may lead to better health outcomes.\n\nApproximately 72 women will be recruited to the pilot trial when they attend their local service for their first antenatal appointment when they are about 12 weeks pregnant. The study runs until 4 months after their baby is born. As part of the consent process they will agree to being randomly allocated to receive either 1.group antenatal care or 2.standard antenatal care. Half of the women will be randomly allocated to option 1 and half to option 2. All participants will complete 3 questionnaires during the study and data on service use and birth outcomes will be accessed through patient records. Some participants will be invited to take part in interviews.\n\n\n\n
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
16/NS/0090
Date of REC Opinion
11 Aug 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion