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.
Obesity
Pregnancy in severely obese women: the Edinburgh Antenatal Metabolic Clinic
Women who are obese have a greater risk of developing complications during pregnancy, and obesity may also affect the long-term health of the baby.
Pre-eclampsia
NifeDipine or Labetalol for treating existing high blood pressure during pregnancy (the PANDA study)
Tommy’s is supporting an early trial into finding the best way to treat pregnant women with high blood pressure without harming mother or baby.
Pre-eclampsia
PARROT : using placental growth factor to tell if women are at high risk of pre-eclampsia complications
Tommy's researchers are looking at whether a simple blood test can identify women at risk of severe complications from pre-eclampsia.
Stillbirth research
Could beetroot juice be used to treat fetal growth restriction?
Fetal growth restriction is often caused by reduced blood flow across the placenta. Researchers funded by Tommy’s have found that beetroot juice, which is rich in a nutrient called nitrate, could potentially reduce blood pressure and improve blood flow to placenta.
Stillbirth research
Is fetal growth restriction caused by failure of the placenta to adapt to nutrient demand?
In this study we will compare placentas from normal and Fetal Growth Restricted-affected pregnancies to identify what the important signals might be.
Pregnancy complication research
The DESiGN trial: Does the Growth Assessment Protocol (GAP) find the small babies that are at risk?
Tommy's wants to find out if changing the way we assess fetal growth can tell us which small babies are at risk and help us to reduce the chances of stillbirth.
Premature birth research
Understanding changes in the cervix before birth
Scientists may have found a new way to prevent premature labour and to induce labour if a baby is in distress by using hormones called androgens.
Premature birth research
Sunshine and healthy babies
Tommy's supported research has shown that UV light (including sunlight) during pregnancy may help prevent problems within the placenta.
Stillbirth research
Homing peptides: targeting drugs to the placenta
Drugs which could help prevent pregnancy complications can’t reach the placenta effectively. Tommy’s researchers are making use of ‘homing peptides’ to deliver drugs directly to the placenta. This work could help to prevent pregnancy complications and stillbirth.
Obesity
Pregnancy in severely obese women: the Edinburgh Antenatal Metabolic Clinic
Women who are obese have a greater risk of developing complications during pregnancy, and obesity may also affect the long-term health of the baby.
Stillbirth research
Is fetal growth restriction caused by failure of the placenta to adapt to nutrient demand?
In this study we will compare placentas from normal and Fetal Growth Restricted-affected pregnancies to identify what the important signals might be.
Premature birth research
Understanding changes in the cervix before birth
Scientists may have found a new way to prevent premature labour and to induce labour if a baby is in distress by using hormones called androgens.
Pre-eclampsia
NifeDipine or Labetalol for treating existing high blood pressure during pregnancy (the PANDA study)
Tommy’s is supporting an early trial into finding the best way to treat pregnant women with high blood pressure without harming mother or baby.
Stillbirth research
Could beetroot juice be used to treat fetal growth restriction?
Fetal growth restriction is often caused by reduced blood flow across the placenta. Researchers funded by Tommy’s have found that beetroot juice, which is rich in a nutrient called nitrate, could potentially reduce blood pressure and improve blood flow to placenta.
Premature birth research
Sunshine and healthy babies
Tommy's supported research has shown that UV light (including sunlight) during pregnancy may help prevent problems within the placenta.
Pre-eclampsia
PARROT : using placental growth factor to tell if women are at high risk of pre-eclampsia complications
Tommy's researchers are looking at whether a simple blood test can identify women at risk of severe complications from pre-eclampsia.
Pregnancy complication research
The DESiGN trial: Does the Growth Assessment Protocol (GAP) find the small babies that are at risk?
Tommy's wants to find out if changing the way we assess fetal growth can tell us which small babies are at risk and help us to reduce the chances of stillbirth.
Stillbirth research
Homing peptides: targeting drugs to the placenta
Drugs which could help prevent pregnancy complications can’t reach the placenta effectively. Tommy’s researchers are making use of ‘homing peptides’ to deliver drugs directly to the placenta. This work could help to prevent pregnancy complications and stillbirth.