The BORN study
Introduction
Research Area:
Obstetrics
What is the research about?
During pregnancy, both clinicians and patients face important choices and decisions. These include whether to accept certain interventions and whether these will lead to better outcomes for mother and baby, such as waiting for labour to start spontaneously at term or undergoing elective induction of labour. How do these choices shape a woman’s birth experience? The BORN in the Rotunda study will for the first time be able to offer evidence-based answers to these questions.
Through the collection of large volumes of information on over 1,000 women in their first pregnancy we will be able to address many of the common questions women have but currently lack clear guidance on, such as:
- When am I likely to go into labour?
- If I go past my due date, how does my chance of going into labour naturally change?
- When is the best time to consider induction of labour?
- What factors increase my risk of an instrumental delivery or caesarean section?
At present, clinicians cannot confidently counsel women on these crucial topics, leaving expectant mothers to navigate uncertainty during one of the most significant times in their lives.
Additionally, we want to know more about what women understand about labour and delivery. Are their expectations aligned with those of their midwife and doctor? Is current antenatal education providing first time mothers with the knowledge they need? Through more than 2,500 structured interviews the study will give 1,000 women a unique opportunity to share their experiences and influence future improvements in maternity care.
The BORN in the Rotunda study is a collaboration with women, empowering them with evidence to make informed decisions about their care. From the very start of pregnancy, women face a barrage of information—from social media, friends, and the internet—often conflicting and overwhelming. Many feel a deep sense of responsibility to navigate these choices for the best possible outcome for themselves and their baby.
This study will support clinicians to confidently provide women with evidence-based information helping them make informed decisions about their care.
Who We’re Looking For:
We are looking for female contributors who have had their first baby in Ireland within the past two years. Our PPI contributors will co-design antenatal education that is practical, relevant, and focused on what matters most to women during pregnancy and birth.
As part of the BORN Study, we are creating a series of podcast episodes featuring an obstetrician and a midwife. Each episode will focus on different aspects of labour and birth, and will be shaped by real experiences and real needs. Our PPI contributors will help guide the topics we cover.
PPI will be carried out via two workshops either delivered online or face to face depending on the number of contributors we can identify and engage in the project.
Two PPI contributors will also be invited to attend project management group meetings across the one-year timeline.
Opportunity for:
Involvement Opportunity Details
Time
Time commitment:
Workshops will be held in person at Rotunda Hospital, Dublin 1 or via MS Teams. We will hold two workshops, each lasting approximately two hours. At the first workshop PPI contributors will support our team in designing antenatal education material and if they feel comfortable, share their personal experiences in relation to the project. At the second workshop PPI contributors will review the final version of antenatal education and provide feedback, confirming whether they are happy with its final form. In addition, the two representatives will be invited to attend project management group (PMG) meetings across the one-year timeline, ensuring continued alignment of the BORN study between patient perspectives and project goals. There will be two of these PMG meetings, each lasting approximately one hour. During these meetings, the project team will review progress, discuss key developments, and agree on the next steps to be actioned.Travel and hospitality expenses will be fully covered, and we’ve also included support for childcare/companionship, document review, and workshop participation.
Contact between meetings:
Between workshops or Project Management Meetings, PPI contributors will receive a meeting agenda and a small number of documents to review (sent via email, or by post if preferred). Preparation is expected to take approximately one hour per meeting. This process is designed to support contributors in actively shaping the project’s design and providing valuable insights. A draft agenda and relevant materials will be shared with PPI contributors one week in advance of each meeting, allowing sufficient time for review and preparation.
Length of involvement:
1 year
Start date for involvement:
22/06/2026
Logistics
Where?
If online, explain how:
Teams, email
If in person, explain where:
RCSI Unit, RCSI Dept of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Rotunda Hospital, Parnell Square, Dublin 1
Other ways of communicating:
Ms Teams
Funding available for:
If no funding available, explain why:
Not applicable
Other Information
Stage of the research study/ programme:
Research started
Is this opportunity for PPI in a PhD:
Yes
Closing date to contact researchers:
08/06/2026
Research Team
Contact person:
Rebecca Boughton
University/organisation:
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Contact email:
rebeccaboughton@rcsi.ie
Researcher background:
Obstetrics and Gynaecology doctor
Research funder:
The Rotunda Foundation
Photo:
Interested in this PPI Opportunity?
Please complete this form and click SUBMIT