What will I have to do?
If you are interested in taking part we will invite you to complete a short questionnaire and send it back to us. If we feel that you are suitable for the research based on your responses, we will invite you to take part in the study.
The study involves you being randomly allocated to one of two groups. One group will undertake the programme, in addition to their usual antenatal care, and the other group will continue to receive their usual antenatal care.
We would like to involve partners as well where this is possible, but are very happy to see women on their own if not.
You will be given a £10 voucher, per couple, for the questionnaires you and your partner complete before the study starts, at the end of the group programme, and at a follow up after your baby is born, in recognition of the time and effort you put in to the study.
The programme involves attending three group sessions led by midwives. The sessions will be in the evening at three-week intervals and each session will last about 1.5 hours. If you live in London the group programme will take place at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington or Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital near White City. If you live in Exeter sessions will take place in the University of Exeter. You will be reimbursed for travel costs to and from the group sessions and refreshments will be available.
In these sessions you will receive information about stress and anxiety during pregnancy, and you will learn a variety of techniques and strategies to help with anxiety. You will also receive a workbook called ‘Towards Parenthood’, which includes details of the information and techniques.
For further information, you can download the participant information sheet by clicking on the icon below.
Please note, we have now finished recruiting for this study.