Researchers seek views on postnatal checks for new mothers with epilepsy

A research team based at Oxford University is looking for mothers with epilepsy who have given birth in the last five years to join an advisory group exploring postnatal care and support.

The university’s National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit is aiming to carry out a study looking at whether women with epilepsy are more or less likely to receive a six week check after giving birth, and whether this check improves outcomes for those that do.

All mothers in England should receive a postnatal check 6-8 weeks after giving birth, which should include a discussion about their physical recovery, emotional wellbeing and general return to health. Recent research has indicated that more than a third of women are not offered a six week check, but there is limited data on whether women with health conditions are more or less likely to have one, and what benefits they can provide.

To be eligible to take part, you’ll need to have given birth in the last five years, and lived in England for at least three months after the birth, so that you can feed in your experiences of post-natal care. The team anticipates that participants will need to attend two meetings over a six-month period, taking up about three hours in total. They can pay participants £25 an hour for their time, as well as childcare expenses where necessary and agreed beforehand.

If you are eligible to take part in the study and would like to find out more, please contact Dr Claire Carson by 10 December by emailing claire.carson@npeu.ox.ac.uk.