Our research projects
Thanks to our supporters we are able to carry out more than £2m worth of ground-breaking research every year in 4 centres across the UK, into the causes of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth. Discover our research projects here.
Stillbirth research
Older mothers and the ageing placenta
Consistent with ageing, the placenta in older mothers does not work as effectively. Researchers supported by Tommy’s are investigating why this happens.
Stillbirth research
MiNESS – is there a link between stillbirth and a woman’s position going to sleep?
A study led by Professor Alex Heazell at the Tommy’s Stillbirth Research Centre at St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, investigated the link between stillbirth and a woman’s sleeping pattern.
Premature birth research
QUIDS: Using fibronectin to find out which women with symptoms of premature labour will go into labour in the next week
Researchers at Tommy's Edinburgh centre have been working on a new, more accurate test for predicting premature labour and birth.
Stillbirth research
What is the best way of helping women with very early fetal growth restriction?
Babies who stop growing very early in pregnancy are at high risk of being stillborn. Tommy’s are trying to find out how we can help women who are affected.
Stillbirth research
Testing for microRNAs to find out when the placenta isn’t working
Scientists have been looking to see if fragments of DNA-like material in a mother’s blood could be used as a sensitive test to find women at risk of stillbirth.
Stillbirth research
Diabetes, fetal growth and stillbirth
Women suffering from type 1 or type 2 diabetes are more likely to suffer from stillbirths. We want to help people with diabetes to have healthy pregnancies.
Stillbirth research
Can low levels of taurine make stillbirth more likely?
Tommy’s researchers are looking at how the lack of an important nutrient might harm the placenta during pregnancy, putting women at a higher risk of stillbirth.
Pregnancy complication research
Can hormones in the gut cause diabetes during pregnancy?
Tommy's researchers want to understand whether the mixture of hormones and bacteria in our guts can increase the risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy.
Pregnancy complication research
The eLIXIR study
A new partnership between scientists, doctors and IT specialists will help researchers gather huge amounts of information on common pregnancy diseases.
Stillbirth research
Older mothers and the ageing placenta
Consistent with ageing, the placenta in older mothers does not work as effectively. Researchers supported by Tommy’s are investigating why this happens.
Stillbirth research
Testing for microRNAs to find out when the placenta isn’t working
Scientists have been looking to see if fragments of DNA-like material in a mother’s blood could be used as a sensitive test to find women at risk of stillbirth.
Stillbirth research
Can low levels of taurine make stillbirth more likely?
Tommy’s researchers are looking at how the lack of an important nutrient might harm the placenta during pregnancy, putting women at a higher risk of stillbirth.
Stillbirth research
MiNESS – is there a link between stillbirth and a woman’s position going to sleep?
A study led by Professor Alex Heazell at the Tommy’s Stillbirth Research Centre at St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester, investigated the link between stillbirth and a woman’s sleeping pattern.
Stillbirth research
What is the best way of helping women with very early fetal growth restriction?
Babies who stop growing very early in pregnancy are at high risk of being stillborn. Tommy’s are trying to find out how we can help women who are affected.
Pregnancy complication research
Can hormones in the gut cause diabetes during pregnancy?
Tommy's researchers want to understand whether the mixture of hormones and bacteria in our guts can increase the risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy.
Premature birth research
QUIDS: Using fibronectin to find out which women with symptoms of premature labour will go into labour in the next week
Researchers at Tommy's Edinburgh centre have been working on a new, more accurate test for predicting premature labour and birth.
Stillbirth research
Diabetes, fetal growth and stillbirth
Women suffering from type 1 or type 2 diabetes are more likely to suffer from stillbirths. We want to help people with diabetes to have healthy pregnancies.
Pregnancy complication research
The eLIXIR study
A new partnership between scientists, doctors and IT specialists will help researchers gather huge amounts of information on common pregnancy diseases.