Borne and Action Medical Research spotlight research led by Professor Andy Shennan as they mark 10 years of jointly funding research into premature birth. 

As World Prematurity Day (15 November 2026) approaches, Borne and Action Medical Research are highlighting the impact of research they have jointly funded over the last decade to improve understanding of premature birth and help give more babies the best possible start in life. 

One of the projects supported through the partnership is research led by Professor Andy Shennan at St Thomas’ Hospital and King’s College London, investigating whether a different surgical procedure could help reduce the risk of pregnancy loss or very early birth among women who have previously had an emergency caesarean section. 

Borne and Action Medical Research have funded the clinical trial to the value of nearly £250,000. It aims to generate evidence that could improve care and help reduce the risk of pregnancy loss or very early birth among women who have previously had an emergency caesarean section. The trial is due to complete in 2027 and is expected to inform future clinical trials and clinical practice. 

More than one in five women in the UK give birth by caesarean section (C-section) and around half of these happen as an emergency, while the mother is in labour. Recent evidence suggests that C-sections performed late in labour, often as an emergency procedure, can result in damage to the cervix (neck of the womb) which increases the risk of preterm birth or mid-trimester loss (MTL - a loss between 14 and 24 weeks of pregnancy) in future pregnancies. Around one in every 13 babies are born prematurely, before 37 weeks of pregnancy and those who survive are at increased risk of long-term problems such as cerebral palsy, sight and hearing loss and learning difficulties. 

Professor Andy Shennan of King’s College London and his team are investigating whether using an alternative surgical procedure can help prevent preterm birth after a previous emergency C-section. 

One treatment available to women at high risk of preterm birth is to have a stitch placed around their cervix, through the vagina (known as transvaginal cerclage, TVC), to help prevent early labour. However, initial studies suggest this approach does not work well in women who have had previous emergency C-sections; possibly because the stitch is positioned below the damage to their cervix. 

Sometimes a stitch can be placed through the abdominal wall involving a small cut in the tummy (called transabdominal cerclage, TAC). This is a longer operation, sometimes requiring general anaesthetic, with more recovery time, and requiring future babies to be delivered by C-section. 

“New treatment options are needed to reduce the risk of preterm birth in this high-risk group of women,” says Professor Shennan. 

The clinical trial aims to find out how effective TACs are compared to TVCs for people who have had a mid-trimester loss or spontaneous preterm birth after a C-section in labour, and to compare the pregnancy outcomes. 

“We’re aiming to find out whether placing a stitch higher in the cervix through the abdomen, called a transabdominal stitch, is more effective at preventing future preterm birth than a vaginal stitch,” says Professor Shennan. 

To date the research team have recruited 33 participants at 12 research centres across the UK. Twenty procedures have been carried out. The trial is due to complete in 2027. Following analysis and presentation of the results, the findings are expected to inform future clinical trials, influence clinical practice and help reduce mid-trimester loss and spontaneous preterm birth. 

David Badcock, Chief Executive of Borne, said: “Over the last ten years, our partnership with Action Medical Research has allowed us to invest in research tackling some of the most complex and unanswered questions around premature birth. Professor Shennan’s research is a powerful example of why this work matters; we need evidence that can help us understand how to reduce risk in future pregnancies. Research takes time, but it is through studies like this that we can build the evidence needed to change care. At Borne, our ambition is not simply to improve outcomes when a baby is born too soon, but to understand why premature birth happens and ultimately prevent it.” 

Dr Douglas Graham, Chief Executive at Action Medical Research, said: “Premature birth can have a devastating impact on babies and their families, and research that helps prevent babies being born too soon is urgently needed. We are proud to be working with Borne to fund Professor Shennan’s important research, which could help reduce the risk of very early birth and give more babies the chance of a healthier start in life.”