A study to help women decide how to give birth

A study to help women decide how to give birth has started in Bristol and Weston. Known as the DiAMOND study (Decision Aids for Mode Of Next Delivery), it is being run jointly by the Universities of Bristol and Dundee.

The study, funded by the BUPA Foundation, is asking pregnant women, whose previous baby was delivered by caesarean section, to participate. The hospitals taking part are Bristol's two maternity hospitals, St Michaels and Southmead, Weston General Hospital, and Ninewells Hospital, Dundee.

The researchers have developed two different methods of giving women information about the risks and benefits of natural delivery and repeat caesarean section. These will be compared with a third group who will receive standard usual care.

The study will measure whether the interventions help women to reach a decision about their type of delivery, and if the interventions make any difference to the number of women choosing a natural delivery or repeat caesarean section.

Dr Alan Montgomery, Lecturer in Primary Health Care Research in the Department of Community Based Medicine at Bristol University, said: "Women in this position face a choice between trying for a natural delivery or choosing to have a repeat caesarean section.

Dr Alan Montgomery, Lecturer in Primary Health Care Researc"We are keen for as many women as possible, who are eligible for the study, to take part, and have midwives in place at St Michaels and Southmead to help with recruitment."

Recruitment for the study will take place when women attend antenatal clinics at around 12 to 20 weeks' pregnancy. The study started in May and will continue until the end of 2006.