Maternal and postnatal support research in the UK

We are carrying out research to better understand women’s experiences of support during pregnancy and after childbirth in the UK. This survey explores the support women currently receive, where gaps may exist, and what additional practical and social support could be helpful.

It takes approximately 2 minutes to complete.

1. Which best describes you currently?

Pregnant, first trimester

Pregnant, second trimester

Pregnant, third trimester

Gave birth within the last 3 months

Gave birth 4–6 months ago

Gave birth 7–12 months ago

Gave birth more than 12 months ago

Planning or trying for a baby

2. Thinking about pregnancy or the first few months after birth, can you describe a time when you needed more support than you had available?
Please tell us what was happening and what kind of help you needed.

3. Which types of support did you need, or do you think you would be most likely to need?
Select up to five.

Someone to talk to or provide reassurance

Cleaning, laundry or light household help

Preparing the home for the baby

Help with the baby while I rest, eat or shower

Help with older children

Accompaniment to appointments or outings

Advice or reassurance from someone who has experienced motherhood

Help finding reliable information or services

Professional or clinical support

I would not expect to need additional support

4. How well did the support available to you meet your needs?

I do not have reliable support available

Not applicable to me yet

5. When would additional support have been most valuable?
Select all that apply.

During the final three months of pregnancy

First 2 weeks after birth

2–6 weeks after birth

6 weeks–3 months after birth

3–6 months after birth

6–12 months after birth

I did not need additional support

6. What would make you feel comfortable having someone you did not previously know provide postnatal support in your home?

7. Which factors would matter most when deciding whether to trust someone providing support in your home?
Select up to five.

Identity verification

DBS or background check

Previous experience supporting mothers or babies

Reviews from other mothers

Being able to see their profile beforehand

Speaking with them before meeting

Being able to choose the person myself

Shared language or cultural understanding

Being introduced through an organisation I trust

Being able to try one visit before committing

8. If you found someone you trusted and the support was genuinely useful, what arrangement would best suit you?

One-off help when needed

A few visits over a short period

Around once a week

Two or three times a week

Four or more times a week

Flexible support without a fixed schedule

I would not expect to use this type of support

9. If you were paying for regular postnatal support yourself, what amount could realistically fit within your household budget each month?

It would depend on what was included

10. If some or all of the cost of maternal or postnatal support could be funded for you, which sources would you be comfortable receiving support from?
Select all that apply.

My partner’s employer

Health insurer or employee-benefits provider

Local authority or government programme

Charity or community organisation

I would prefer to pay entirely myself

I would not want externally funded support

11. If you needed regular support at home, how would you prefer to find the right person?

Ask friends or family for recommendations

Search through profiles myself

Explain what I need and receive a small number of suitable people to consider

Use an agency that selects someone for me

Ask a healthcare professional or community organisation for a recommendation

I would not look for this type of support

12. What would make you hesitate to use a service like this?

What's your postcode

Would you be interested in

A short research interview

Early access to a future pilot, including discounts or opportunities to access free or subsidised support

Please provide your name and email address

(We’ll use these details to contact you about research interviews, and early platform access)