Mums and babies at the forefront – Julie

Date of release: 5 May 2024

Improving care for mothers and babies is at the forefront of how Julie Icke wants to promote International Day of the Midwife.

The Research Midwife, who works for The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (RWT) based at New Cross Hospital, has been involved in research for 14 years.

Specialising in Obstetrics and Maternity, she is currently involved in four clinical studies – Giant PANDA, CAPE, SNAP-3 and PANDA.

She is keen to encourage other Midwives to become research active.

“Working in a clinical environment can be very challenging, so it could be so easy to say ‘leave the research for someone else’,” said Julie.

“But we all became Midwives because we care about women and their babies and we all want to give them the best care we can.

“The feeling of being part of research and finding an answer that provides better care is so rewarding that it is well worth giving that bit extra.

“Research is integral to Maternity care so we can provide women and their families with the best, up-to-date evidence-based practice, ensuring they receive the most effective care that fits their specific needs.”

Giant PANDA compares two anti-hypertensives medications – labetalol and nifedipine – which are already routinely used in pregnancy to see if one has better outcomes for women and their babies.

CAPE – Calcium supplementation for women At high-risk of Pre-Eclampsia – is a randomised controlled drug trial to find out if calcium supplements in pregnancy reduces the risk of women developing pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure} during pregnancy and after labour.

Smoking Nicotine And Pregnancy Trial (SNAP-3) is testing if new ways of using Nicotine Replacement Therapy make it more likely for pregnant women to stop smoking.

PANDA is a randomised controlled drug trial (to find out if using iron supplements for the prevention of anaemia instead of treating anaemia once diagnosed has better outcomes for women and their babies.