Improving the engagement of pregnant/early postnatal women in research (360G-Wellcome-210559_Z_18_Z)

It is challenging to engage pregnant/early postnatal women with local maternity research, as pregnancy is a normal physiological process which is relatively short-term, and after which women find regular engagement challenging. As such, two different engagement approaches will be piloted by University-based researchers and Patient and Public Involvement advisers to engage local pregnant/early postnatal women in research development, recruitment and dissemination on a continuing and regular basis. Both approaches will involve local researchers coming to speak to women about the latest maternity research and opportunities for involvement. One approach will attach this activity to an existing class at a children’s centre, whilst the other will be attached to a new yoga and midwifery advice session developed as part of this project. Information provided during these sessions may be useful to women during their pregnancy or after they have had their babies, and the insights of women will help to ensure the research is relevant and has the best chance of success. Women will help researchers translate research findings into a format suitable for a range of audiences. The groups will be evaluated and, if successful, plans will be made to make the group self-sustaining.