The MIROG Study - UK

22/02/2026

We’re continuing to recruit independent midwives across the UK with experience in out-of-guidance care pathways for the MiROG Study.

Please share with colleagues or contacts who may be interested in contributing to this important research.

18/02/2026

The MIROG Study – UK Recruitment is Ongoing

Recruitment continues for Phase Two of the MIROG Study, part of my doctoral research at the University of Hertfordshire. This study has full ethics approval and explores how maternity services support individuals whose birth choices fall outside established clinical guidance.

As recruitment progresses, I am particularly keen to hear from UK obstetricians and independent midwives with experience supporting Out-of-Guidance (OOG) birth choices or care pathways. Their perspectives are especially valuable in building a comprehensive understanding of current practice.

That said, participation remains open to all eligible professionals.

🧑‍⚕️ Who can take part:
Professionals involved in OOG birth choices clinics/services in the UK, including:
•Consultant midwives/ Consultant midwives in development roles leading/running OOG birth choices clinics/services in the NHS
•Senior midwives and midwives leading/running OOG birth choices clinics/services in the NHS
•Obstetricians involved in leading/running of OOG birth choices clinics/services in the NHS
•Independent midwives supporting OOG care pathways outside the NHS

💬 What participation involves:
A single confidential online interview (approximately 45–60 minutes) at a time convenient for you.

This research aims to inform future service development, professional education, and evidence-based approaches to personalised maternity care.

📩 Interested or want more information?
Please access the participant information leaflet via the QR code on the study materials or contact me directly using the email address provided in the recruitment flyer.

🤝 Please share
If you know colleagues, particularly consultant obstetricians or independent midwives, who may be eligible or interested, I would greatly appreciate you circulating this call within your professional networks.

Thank you for supporting research that seeks to strengthen respectful, evidence-informed maternity care across the UK.

10/12/2025

🔔 The MIROG Study - UK is now recruiting for Phase Two!

We are seeking consultant midwives, consultant midwives in development roles, senior midwives, midwives, and obstetricians who are involved in Out-of-Guidance (OOG) birth choices clinics or services within the NHS, as well as independent midwives who support OOG pathways of care.

Your insights and experiences are essential to understanding how maternity services support personalised care when service users choose pathways outside standard guidance.

👉🏾 Please share with colleagues who may be eligible or interested in participating. Broad circulation will help us reach the full range of professionals whose perspectives are vital to this research.

📣 The MIROG Study – UK Recruitment Now Open

Midwifery Support for Out-of-Guidance Birth Choices

I am pleased to announce that Phase Two of my doctoral research has received full ethics approval from the University of Hertfordshire Health, Science, Engineering and Technology Ethics Committee. Recruitment is now open, and I am inviting eligible participants to take part in interviews for this study.

This research aims to explore how NHS services and independent midwives support birthing people whose choices fall outside standard guidance, with the goal of informing future practice, education, and service development.

💬 What does participation involve?
A single online interview, scheduled at a time that is convenient for you. Your professional insights and experiences are essential to understanding current practice and shaping evidence-based recommendations.

📩 Interested in taking part?
You can access the participant information leaflet via the QR code on the flyer, through the link on the project page, or by contacting me directly using the email address provided in the flyer. Zoi Vardavaki

🤝 Please share
If you know midwives, independent midwives, or colleagues who may be eligible or interested, I would greatly appreciate you sharing this post within your networks. Broad dissemination will help ensure diverse perspectives are represented in this research.

05/12/2025

📣 The MIROG Study – UK Recruitment Now Open

Midwifery Support for Out-of-Guidance Birth Choices

I am pleased to announce that Phase Two of my doctoral research has received full ethics approval from the University of Hertfordshire Health, Science, Engineering and Technology Ethics Committee. Recruitment is now open, and I am inviting eligible participants to take part in interviews for this study.

This research aims to explore how NHS services and independent midwives support birthing people whose choices fall outside standard guidance, with the goal of informing future practice, education, and service development.

💬 What does participation involve?
A single online interview, scheduled at a time that is convenient for you. Your professional insights and experiences are essential to understanding current practice and shaping evidence-based recommendations.

📩 Interested in taking part?
You can access the participant information leaflet via the QR code on the flyer, through the link on the project page, or by contacting me directly using the email address provided in the flyer. Zoi Vardavaki

🤝 Please share
If you know midwives, independent midwives, or colleagues who may be eligible or interested, I would greatly appreciate you sharing this post within your networks. Broad dissemination will help ensure diverse perspectives are represented in this research.

26/05/2025

Just shared the first insights from my PhD research project - the MiROG Study - UK from the University of Hertfordshire on out-of-guidance birth choice services in the UK!

It was an honour to present at the Nordic Midwives Conference and contribute to important conversations on maternity care. Grateful for the opportunity to highlight the current provision of care, identify gaps and explore how we can improve support for women navigating birth choices against the recommended care…

21/05/2025

I’m really looking forward to attending NJF Congress 2025 next week, a brilliant opportunity to connect with midwives, researchers, and maternity care advocates from across the world.

I’ll be sharing some early insights from the MiROG (Midwifery Research on Out of Guidance Care) PhD project I undertake at the University of Hertfordshire, which explores how maternity services in the UK support women and birthing people who choose to give birth outside of recommended clinical guidelines.

Thanks to for the support in attending this conference.

🗓 Join me on Monday 26th of May, in Harlekin room at 15:45.

https://njfcongress.dk/

14/11/2024

According to The MIROG Study - UK , 13% of maternity services currently provide informational leaflets on birth choices that fall outside standard guidelines. This highlights an important area of need identified by MNSI investigations, which emphasise the value of accessible resources for those considering such birth plans. Ensuring that individuals seeking care outside of national or local have access to clear, supportive, and evidence-based information is essential for empowering informed decision-making. By expanding resources and guidance on alternative options, the maternity workforce can play a crucial role in supporting safe and individualised care pathways for all birthing individuals.

https://mnsi-2zor10x7-media.s3.amazonaws.com/production-assets/documents/121124_BICS_Poster_Birthing_outside_of_guidance.pdf

07/09/2024

The is now closed for participation.

We have received 40 completed responses representing your hospitals. Thank YOU so much for taking the time to contribute to the survey.

We see you and we really appreciate it!!

If you have an Out of Guidance choices policy/SOP and you can share it with us please get in touch at [email protected]

🙏🏾Stay connected to find out more about the study!!

08/08/2024

The is still open for participation until 31st of August and the inbox will be monitored

🙏🏾Share the survey link to your Networks

👉🏼https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/herts/online-national-survey-on-out-of-guidance-birth-choices-clinic

29/07/2024

The has received 40 completed responses representing hospitals. Thank YOU so much for taking the time to contribute to the survey. We see you and we really appreciate it!!

At the moment there is no representation from Northern Ireland but representation of other regions of England could be improved to include all areas.

Can you help us increase responses to represent better all 4 countries?

Do yo offer Birth Choices Clinics within your Maternity Unit? Or do you know people who run such services within the NHS?

👉🏽If so, 🙏🏾Share this link with them https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/herts/online-national-survey-on-out-of-guidance-birth-choices-clinic

As we want to hear about the birth choices clinics and the out of guidance care within all four countries in 🇬🇧.