From 1 September 2025, anyone aged 16 and above undergoing pregnancy care at Liverpool Women’s Hospital will automatically be enrolled in the Children Growing Up in Liverpool (C-GULL) study.
C-GULL follows 10,000 families from pregnancy through childhood to understand how early life affects long-term health and improve care for future generations.
What does this mean for you?
Being part of the main study simply allows researchers to securely use information from your routine NHS records. You may also choose to join optional activities like surveys, visits, or providing small samples — all entirely voluntary.
Opt-out approach
You’re included unless you choose not to take part. Opting out won’t affect your care. To opt out, ask hospital staff or visit the C-GULL website.
Want to take part in further parts of C-GULL?
Your involvement helps build a fuller picture of family health in Liverpool, supports NHS research and contributes to discoveries that benefit children and families now and in the future.
For your first face to face visit to the C-GULL team during pregnancy you will get a £25 voucher. If you want to take part in other parts of the study the team will talk you through your options. There will be further vouchers of £10 offered for providing samples such as mum’s poo, baby’s poo and mum’s breast milk. The total amount of vouchers that can be offered to participants are worth over £100.
New: PeaPod test
A non-invasive test in the first week after birth to measure your baby’s body composition (fat vs muscle/tissue).
This study aims to try to find genetic conditions early in affected babies, and to learn more about genes and health. To do this, we will ask to take a blood sample at birth from cord blood or a heel prick from the newborn baby. This sample will be analysed for many genetic conditions (around 200 conditions), and you will be informed if any condition is found. This test is in addition to the newborn blood spot screening currently offered on the NHS.
Collection and storage of tissue from gynaecological surgery (hysterectomy)
The Monoclonal Antibody Medications in inflammatory Arthritis: stopping or continuing in pregnancy (MAMA) trial. Currently there is uncertainty and variation in practice regarding recommending women with arthritis who are pregnant stopping or continuing biologic treatment. This study is a randomised trial where the participant will either stop or continue taking their biologic medication. If you have any questions or are interested in taking part, please contact the research midwives on 0151 702 4355.
Optimising outcomes in pregnant women with epilepsy and their babies: Reducing maternal seizure risks and assessing long-term safety of antiepileptic drugs. This study is hoping to provide robust evidence to support healthcare practitioners assessing pregnant women with epilepsy and improve their care, by interviewing and holding focus groups with women with epilepsy who are or have been pregnant to identify care priorities and concerns and to explore their perspectives on care provision, access and needs, as well as healthcare practitioners who deliver care for pregnant women with epilepsy. If you have any questions or are interested in taking part, please contact the research midwives on 0151 702 4355.
Epi-Follow: Investigating Long-Term Effects of Anti-Seizure Medications on Child Neurodevelopment. This is a longitudinal follow-up study investigating the potential long-term impact of anti-seizure medication exposure on their child(ren)’s health and development, focusing on individuals who took part in the EMPiRE study almost 10 years ago. This involves an interview and a neurological assessment of the child. Individuals who took part in EMPiRE at Liverpool Women’s will be contacted by the research midwives. If you have any questions or would like to take part, please contact the research midwives on 0151 702 4355.
Vaccination in pregnancy (VIP) study. This study is investigating the varying views on vaccinations during pregnancy, and what may help or prevent women from taking up vaccination. This is open to both pregnant women and healthcare providers who provide vaccines to pregnant women, and those with various viewpoints on the subject. If you have any questions or are interested in taking part in an interview for this, please contact the research midwives on 0151 702 4355.
ABOVE: Cerclage after Caesarean: a randomised controlled trial to assess the optimal preventative management for preterm birth secondary to caesarean section damage (ABOVE)
Research has shown that women who have had an in-labour caesarean section are at increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth or late miscarriage in future pregnancies. This may be due to the incision being made under these circumstances being too low, and damaging the cervix. The ABOVE study is investigating whether a cervical stitch placed higher in the cervix via abdominal surgery is more effective than a standard cervical stitch. If you are interested in hearing more or taking part in the study, please contact the research midwives at research.
POPPY: Preconception to post-partum study of cardiometabolic health in Primigravid Pregnancy
Women who experience placental complications during pregnancy, such as pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure and kidney problems), gestational hypertension (high blood pressure during pregnancy) and fetal growth restriction (baby being small) are at a two-fold higher risk of developing heart disease and diabetes later in life compared to women who do not. We do not know whether such complications cause heart disease and diabetes directly, or whether these complications happen in women who already have poorer health before pregnancy. We will assess risk factors for heart disease and diabetes in women actively trying to conceive before and during pregnancy, and 9-12 months after delivery to see whether placental complications make a difference to their heart health. This will allow us to understand if, and how, placental complications increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes, and, therefore, how best to reduce this risk and potentially prevent placental complications in the future. If you are interested in learning more or taking part, please contact the research midwives at research.midwives@lwh.nhs.uk, or on 0151 702 4355.
This study is investigating the various potential risks of certain conditions (such as urine infections and the position and measurement of previous caesarean section scars) on preterm birth. This cohort study may include follow-up studies and other conditions being investigated for the links with preterm birth, and participants will be kept informed about ongoing studies and results from past studies that involve the preterm network. The aim is to reduce preterm birth and the problems it can cause, by investigating tests to predict preterm birth, treatments to prevent it, and improving outcomes for women and babies. If you are interested in learning more or taking part, please contact the research midwives at research.midwives@lwh.nhs.uk, or on 0151 702 4355.
Lactate is a biomarker that is often produced during strenuous exercise, and can be an indicator for organ damage. This study is a feasibility trial to judge the acceptability of measuring the impact of pregnancy and labour on lactate levels, to see if this can lead to more accurate indicators of maternal sepsis than current guidelines. If you are interested in learning more or taking part, please contact the research midwives at research.midwives@lwh.nhs.uk, or on 0151 702 4355.