Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Accept all cookies Reject all non-essential cookies Find out more

Supporting families before birth: a qualitative study of parents’ and health care professionals’ experiences

Image of a pregnant woman and partner. © Anilsharma26 on Pixaby

When parents face the difficult news during pregnancy that their baby is affected by a serious health condition, they rely on health care professionals for advice and support. This research aims to better understand the experiences of the families and health care professionals in this situation and to examine the ethical considerations in providing supportive care to families before birth.

We will examine what is said to parents in consultations during pregnancy and conduct interviews with both parents and health care professionals to understand the challenges they face.

The research findings from this project will lead to recommendations for professionals who work in antenatal care in order to enable compassionate and supportive care for more families in the future.

About the study

The study consists of two parts and participants may take part in one or both parts.

Part One involves:

  • Audio-recording antenatal consultations
  • Short interviews after antenatal consultations

Part Two involves:

  • A longer interview after the end of the pregnancy (this may take place any time from 1 month after the end of the pregnancy up to five years later)

AND/OR

  • Participation in a focus group

Study sites (for Part One of the study)

  • Oxford Fetal Medicine Unit, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford
  • Fetal Medicine Unit, University College London Hospital, London
  • Fetal Cardiology Clinic, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London
  • Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Birmingham

Project team

  • Dr Sophie Bertaud (Chief Investigator): Ethox Centre, University of Oxford
  • Professor Dominic Wilkinson: Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford
  • Dr Mehrunisha Suleman: Ethox Centre, University of Oxford
  • Professor Maureen Kelley: Wake Forest University, North Carolina, USA
  • Mr Pranav Pandya: University College London Hospital, London
  • Dr Victoria Jowett: Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London
  • Dr Christine Mott: Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Birmingham

Funding & Ethical approval

  • This project is funded by a Wellcome Trust Research Fellowship for Health Professionals in Humanities and Social Science (Grant number: 224744/Z/21/Z)
  • This study has been reviewed and approved by the London - Camden & Kings Cross Research Ethics Committee (reference 23/LO/1008).

Study information

  • If you are interested in participating or would like to find out more about this study, please get in touch with Sophie Bertaud via email: sophie.bertaud@ethox.ox.ac.uk


Participant Information Sheets

Back to Doctoral Projects