• Help shape pregnancy research 😊

    Thank you for your interest!

  • I’m planning a research project to try to improve the way midwives ask women about difficult social circumstances during pregnancy. This might include things like housing problems, money problems, difficult family situations, or any other life pressures that aren't related to a physical or mental health problem.

    These conversations can be sensitive, and I want to make sure the research is designed in a way that feels respectful, supportive, and safe for women. To help with this, I’d like to talk to women with experience of pregnancy and difficult social circumstances, and hear what they think about the plans.

    Below are some questions you might have about this project. If you think you might be interested, please fill in the form on the next page.

    • What counts as a "difficult social circumstance"? 

    • There is no single definition of what is classed as a difficult social circumstance (sometimes called "social risks", "social needs", "social factors" or "social complexities").

      Essentially, it is any life factor that isn't related to your physical or mental health, that can make pregnancy, birth, or caring for a baby more challenging. This may include:

      • Financial issues, such as difficulty paying bills or affording food
      • Unemployment or insecure employment
      • Housing difficulties, such as temporary accommodation, homelessness, "sofa-surfing", or concerns about housing conditions
      • Limited support network, including social isolation
      • Being a teenage parent
      • Being a single parent
      • Recent migration, seeking asylum, or refugee status
      • Difficulties with speaking, reading, or understanding English, or needing an interpreter
      • Experiences of discrimination, social exclusion, or stigma
      • Previous or current involvement with social services, including being a looked-after child yourself
      • Experience of domestic abuse, coercive control, or feeling unsafe in a relationship
      • Experience of abuse, trauma, or significant adverse life events from your childhood
      • Involvement with the criminal justice system (you or someone you live with)
      • Alcohol or drug addiction
      • Any other social circumstance that had an impact on you or your pregnancy
    • Who's asking!? 😝 

    • Hi! I'm Sophie. I'm a midwife and a researcher at the University of Birmingham. I'm also a mum, and I have my own personal experience of difficult life challenges.

      I believe we can make care for mums and babies better through good research — but I can’t do that on my own. Everyone’s experiences are different, and that’s why I’d really love to hear your thoughts and opinions too.

      Smiling woman with red curly hair, hugging a young boy in a hat

    • What are you actually asking me to do? 😊 

    • I just want to talk to you 😊

      If you fill in the form at the bottom of this page, I (Sophie) will get in touch with you to arrange a good time to chat. This might be in the morning, afternoon, evening or at the weekend - whatever suits you best.

      The chat will be 1-to-1 with the researcher (Sophie). We can talk on the phone or video chat using Zoom (I'll have my camera on, but you can keep yours off if you prefer).

      I'll share my current research plans with you, and I just want you to tell me what you think of them. The questions I'll ask you are:

      1. What was your experience of the midwife asking you these kinds of questions?
      2. Do these feel like the right questions to ask?
      3. Does the language/wording seem ok?
      4. What would make this feel safer or easier for women to take part in?
      5. Is there anything that feels uncomfortable, unrealistic, or off-putting?
    • What's in it for me? 🙃 

    • Your voice can help shape future pregnancy research and improve how women are cared for and supported.

      I want to make sure this research is designed in a way that feels respectful, safe, realistic, and genuinely helpful for women - especially those who may have experienced difficult circumstances during pregnancy.

      You’ll also receive a £27.50 Love2shop or Amazon voucher as a thank you for your time and contribution.

    • Do I have to tell you all about my personal experiences? 😯 

    • Absolutely not, you can share as much or as little as you want to.

      I'll ask you to share your experience of the midwife asking you questions on social factors. But I won't ask you about your own personal circumstances. You are very welcome to share this if you like, but there is absolutely no pressure to do so.

      I will only be asking the questions in the 'What are you actually asking me to do?' section, which focus on your views and opinions of the research project.

    • What's going to happen with my personal information? 🔒 

    • The information you give on the sign-up form will just be used by me (Sophie) to contact you about this one chat. Any information you give will be stored securely, and it won't be seen by anyone else.

      I'll record our chat if you're happy with that. If not, I'll just take written notes instead. The things you say will help shape the research project. The research plan will not include your name or any personal information, but will just say that it was "designed with the advice of people with personal experience of pregnancy and difficult social circumstances".

      Once the research plan is finished (incorporating your views wherever possible), I'll delete all of your information securely.

    • I have more questions! 🫤 

    • No problem! If you have more questions, please get in touch with me (Sophie) at s.dann.1@bham.ac.uk

    • Where do I sign up?! 🙋🏼‍♀️ 

    • I'm so pleased you're interested!

      Just fill in the form on the next page, and I'll get in touch with you as soon as I can.

  • I'm interested in taking part

  • The following questions check you are eligible for this project

  • Have you recently used NHS maternity services?*
  • Do you have a social factor? (Please see the text below if you're not sure)*
    • What is a "social factor"? 
    • The term "social factor" describes situations that may make pregnancy, birth, or caring for a baby more challenging. This may include:
      • Financial issues, such as difficulty paying bills or affording food
      • Unemployment or insecure employment
      • Housing difficulties, such as temporary accommodation, homelessness, "sofa-surfing", or concerns about housing conditions
      • Limited support network, including social isolation
      • Being a teenage parent
      • Being a single parent
      • Recent migration, seeking asylum, or refugee status
      • Difficulties with speaking, reading, or understanding English, or needing an interpreter
      • Experiences of discrimination, social exclusion, or stigma
      • Previous or current involvement with social services, including being a looked-after child yourself
      • Experience of domestic abuse, coercive control, or feeling unsafe in a relationship
      • Experience of abuse, trauma, or significant adverse life events from your childhood
      • Involvement with the criminal justice system (you or someone you live with)
      • Any other social circumstance that had an impact on you or your pregnancy
    •  

    • I'm sorry, you are not eligible to participate. Thank you for your interest.

    • Eligible 

    • You are eligible to participate! Please complete the following questions and the researcher (Sophie) will be in touch.

    • How would you like me to contact you?*

    • The following questions are optional. You don't have to answer them, but they will help me make sure I'm talking to a variety of people.

    • How old are you?
    • Which of the following best describes your gender?
    • Do you consider yourself to have a disability?
    • What is your ethnic group?
  • Should be Empty: