About our maternity and perinatal mental health research
UK enquiries into maternal and perinatal deaths (during pregnancy or during the first year after the birth of a child) have consistently found that women and babies from the poorest backgrounds; women from Black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups; and women who at greatest are at greatest risk of severe morbidity and mortality.The NHS Long-Term Plan (LTP) aims to reduce stillbirth, maternal mortality, neonatal mortality, and serious brain injury by 50% by 2025.To achieve this there is a vital need to address these health inequities among women from vulnerable groups.
To improve outcomes among women from Black, Asian and minority ethnic and disadvantaged (BAME) groups the LTP aims for 75% of women from these communities and a similar percentage of women from the most deprived groups to receive continuity of care from their midwife throughout pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period by 2024.
Aims of our research
The overarching aim of our research is to have a positive impact on women and families in the local community by increasing the detection, monitoring and healthcare management of women at risk of severe morbidity and mortality during the perinatal period.
In line with national priorities and the NHS NHS Long-Term Plan, we aim to:
- Evaluate the impact of place-based models of maternity care for women living in areas of ethnic diversity and social disadvantage
- Investigate the factors surrounding severe obstetric complications and near fatal perinatal self-harm among women with mental illness