The START Clinic: a Feasibility Study

The primary objective of the study is to test the feasibility of establishing the first IVF-conceived pregnancy antenatal clinic specifically to collect longitudinal data relating to the growth of the baby in the womb, how the mother's heart and blood vessels adapt to the increased workload of pregnancy, and how the mother's emotional health (particularly stress and anxiety) varies throughout pregnancy.

The feasibility of the study protocol will be assessed using stop/go (or progression) criteria, to help determine whether future, larger scale studies of the same should be commenced. The information gathered to answer the primary and secondary outcomes of the study's primary objective will be essential for understanding, and overcoming, potential barriers to recruitment to future cohort studies within the clinic. It will enable the researchers to plan future studies with sufficient sample size to answer the specified question, realistic recruitment targets and timescales to achieve this, and using investigations that are shown to be acceptable to the majority of individuals in the target population. The secondary objective of the study is to gather preliminary data relating to the effects of fresh and frozen embryo transfer IVF on fetal, maternal and placental health.

The study is based on the design of several successful pregnancy cohort studies (such as the Tommy's Project), which run through five translational research clinics in St. Mary's Hospital, Manchester University Hospitals National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust: VELOCITY clinic, Lupus in Pregnancy service, Manchester Placenta Clinic, Rainbow clinic and Manchester Antenatal Vascular Service. The START clinic replicates the model of care offered through these existing clinics, offering the same levels of specialised, continuity of care to individuals who have conceived by IVF. These successful recruitment and retention within these studies gives confidence in the acceptability of the study.

The study design is a cohort study. This is where individual participants can be divided into groups by specified characteristics, in this case whether or not they had conceived by IVF or not (or sub-categorised by individual factors within the IVF treatment process, such as whether the embryo was transferred fresh or after a period of cryopreservation). No active intervention (medicine or procedure) will be administered during the study. However, it is known that health outcomes of individuals participating in research may be influenced by the experience of participating in the study itself. For this reason the investigators will also recruit "control" participants (those who have conceived without IVF, either spontaneously or with medication to aid the release of eggs, known as ovulation induction). By comparing the two groups, this will enable the research to isolate the specific effects of the IVF-conception, from the effects of being highly monitored in a research study. The investigators intend to recruit a minimum of 120 individuals across a period of three years, with approximately 4 individuals who have conceived by IVF to every 1 individual who has conceived without IVF.

Appointments in the START clinic will be arranged roughly 4-6 weekly (at approximately 9, 17, 23, 28, 33, 37 and 41 weeks). At each appointment the patient will be reviewed by a doctor and midwife from a small team of clinicians who will provide continuity of care. Routine scheduled antenatal care will be performed, along with additional measurements of fetal and placental growth and cardiovascular function, questionnaires relating to environmental exposures, modifiable risks, and emotional health, and samples of maternal blood, urine, saliva and hair. More frequent appointments will be scheduled according to local hospital guidance if complications of pregnancy are suspected or confirmed, this may mean that clinical measurements and ultrasound examinations are performed more frequently than at the planned study visits. Questionnaires and biological samples will only be administered/obtained at the (study visit closest to) stated gestational intervals. Participants will be made aware of which measurements are part of standard antenatal care and which investigations are for research; research measurements will be analysed blinded to participant identity/pregnancy outcome after conclusion of the pregnancy and will not contribute to their care during or after the pregnancy. Participants can decline particular investigations entirely or on occasion without detriment to their overall care. Where necessary, according to the individual needs of the participant, antenatal care will be shared with community midwives and other antenatal services where additional appointments are required outside the stated schedule.

At birth, the placenta and fetal blood contained within it after clamping of the umbilical cord, will be collected. Placental tissue may be used immediately after birth in experiments to study how it functions, or small amounts may be processed and stored (according to local standard operating procedures) for later assessment of its structure and functional footprint. Should histopathological examination of the placenta be indicated for clinical reasons (<5% of all pregnancies), the remaining placental tissue will be made available for this purpose according to standard local protocols for combined research and histopathological placental examination; otherwise unused placental tissue will be disposed sensitively according to local National Health Service procedures. Prior to discharge from the hospital, and preferably within 3 days of birth, the baby will be measured (using a tape measure) once for head, abdominal and thigh circumference, and length. Their skinfold thickness (to measure fat depth) over the shoulder blade and under the upper arm will be measured using purpose-built callipers. The baby will be kept warm and comfortable throughout, and the examination paused or stopped should the baby show distress, need feeding or changing or any medical intervention be required.