We are pleased that the faMEly study is now starting to recruit participants. If you are able to take part, we would encourage you to do so. The study is fully funded by the MEA Ramsay Research Fund (RRF).
The ME Association
Dr Emma Slack, on behalf of the faMEly study team
Study: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and pregnancy – an exploratory mixed methods pilot study.
I am part of a team of researchers at Newcastle University – funded by the ME Association, interested in finding out more about family planning, pregnancy, and raising children for people with ME/CFS.
The overall aim of this exploratory study is to highlight research priorities, and further the existing evidence base related to ME/CFS, family planning, pregnancy, labour and birth, and raising children.
We currently have two opportunities for participation in this study; one for people with ME/CFS, and one for healthcare professionals.
For people with ME/CFS:
We would like to invite people who have a diagnosis of ME/CFS, are aged 18 and over, and living in the United Kingdom, to take part in an online questionnaire about their thoughts and experiences relating to family planning, pregnancy, and raising children.
There will also be the opportunity to take part in an online interview exploring these experiences in more detail.
Within the questionnaire there are questions relating to a wide range of experiences including those from:
- People who have been previously – or are currently, pregnant
- Those who have not experienced pregnancy or parenting
- Specifically from men with ME/CFS
As the number of questions you will be asked depends on your own personal experience, we are unable to provide an estimate of time to complete the questionnaire. However, there is an option to save your responses, and finish the questionnaire later.
The questionnaire for people with ME/CFS, participant information and consent form can be accessed below:
For health care professionals:
We also have a survey for health care professionals, including midwives, health visitors, obstetricians, and experts in the field of ME/CFS, in the United Kingdom. We are exploring the support provided to people with ME/CFS around family planning, pregnancy and raising children.
The survey for health care professionals, participant information and consent form can be accessed below:
We anticipate the survey for health care professionals will take between 20-40 minutes to complete (and there is an option to save responses and finish later).
The project has been granted ethical approval by the Faculty of Medical Sciences Ethics committee at Newcastle University.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this information.
If you have any questions or would like more information please contact: faMElystudy@newcastle.ac.uk
Dr Emma Slack on behalf of the faMEly study team
Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University