The design and implementation of an obstetric triage system for unscheduled pregnancy related attendances: a mixed methods evaluation.

Background: No standardised system of triage exists in Maternity Care and local audit identified this to be problematic. We designed, implemented and evaluated an Obstetric Triage System in a large UK maternity unit. This includes a standard clinical triage assessment by a midwife, within 15 min of attendance, leading to assignment to a category of clinical urgency (on a 4-category scale).

Effects of lay support for pregnant women with social risk factors on infant development and maternal psychological health at 12 months postpartum.

Background: The ELSIPS (Evaluation of Lay Support in Pregnant Women with Social Risk) RCT showed that lay support for women with social risk had a positive effect on maternal mental health and mother-infant bonding. This exploratory study examined whether these observed benefits would impact infant development at 1 year.

Methods: A sub-sample of women whose infants were under one year who had participated in the ELSIPS RCT which randomised women to receive either standard care or the services of a Pregnancy Outreach Worker (POW), and who were contactable, were eligible to participate in the follow up.

Lay support for pregnant women with social risk: a randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: We sought evidence of effectiveness of lay support to improve maternal and child outcomes in disadvantaged families.

Design: Prospective, pragmatic, individually randomised controlled trial.

Setting: 3 Maternity Trusts in West Midlands, UK.

Evaluation of Lay Support in Pregnant women with Social risk (ELSIPS): a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Maternal, neonatal and child health outcomes are worse in families from black and ethnic minority groups and disadvantaged backgrounds. There is little evidence on whether lay support improves maternal and infant outcomes among women with complex social needs within a disadvantaged multi-ethnic population in the United Kingdom (UK).

Method/design: The aim of this study is to evaluate a lay Pregnancy Outreach Worker (POW) service for nulliparous women identified as having social risk within a maternity service that is systematically assessing social risks alongside the usual obstetric and medical risks.