The UK National Institute for Health research, who fund research on maternity services, have pulled together the evidence on the support women need into one place. They explain the work below
Pregnancy and childbirth can be joyful experiences. But they are not without risk and maternity services offer skilled support for all women and intervention when needed. Could new research help to improve the support and care provided?
The NIHR funds research on supporting women through pregnancy and identifying the services and care they want and need. Now, NIHR have published an NIHR Evidence Collection, which explores recent NIHR-supported research findings that could influence care and decision-making in pregnancy. NIHR Evidence presents high quality summaries of findings so that health and social care research can be used by the people who can act on it. Whether that be patients and the public, commissioners or health and social care professionals.
This Collection provides examples of recently published research that could make a difference to people working in maternity services and to pregnant women alike. From how to help women with pre-existing conditions and complex pregnancies, to supporting shared decision-making when there are problems with the baby. The Collection also includes the perspectives of midwives, the public and obstetricians who share their reactions to the research.
At a time when maternity services are being transformed, it is especially important that care is informed by the latest research. Visit the NIHR Evidence website to read the Collection in full and learn more about the studies that could help support women need during pregnancy.