Study co-applicant and founder of Cysters

Neelam Heera, a TEDx speaker and award-winning advocate, founded Cysters after navigating her own challenges in receiving diagnoses and care for PCOS, Endometriosis, and PMDD. Witnessing first-hand the disparities in healthcare for people of color and other marginalized groups, Neelam was inspired to create Cysters, a charity dedicated to addressing menstrual, maternal and mental health inequities. She recognized that reproductive health issues are often trivialized by healthcare professionals and sexualized within racialized communities due to outdated cultural norms, male-dominated spaces, and patriarchal structures.

Neelam is passionate about ensuring that marginalized communities, often excluded from health conversations, research, and solution development, have a seat at the table. Her work has earned recognition through the Pride of Britain and Point of Light awards, and she was named one of Birmingham’s 30 under 30. In addition, she serves as Birmingham's Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnerships lead, continuing her advocacy for equitable healthcare.

PPIE panel member

Sarah Fisher is a women’s health advocate and Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement advisor for health research and service delivery. She had a positive vaginal twin birth experience, including the breech birth of her daughter, and she feels passionate about improving identification of breech babies to support informed decision-making and benefit women and their babies. 

PPIE panel member

My name is  Emma, I am 35 years old and I am an antiques specialist.

I gave birth at QCCH in 2022 - My baby was detected in breech at my last pregnancy check which led to a last minute ECV at more than 38 weeks pregnant. The result of this late diagnosis and intervention was an early start of labour followed by a long and complicated birth. 

Thankfully, we both ended up well, my baby and I! 

I have been contacted a few weeks later by the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust which asked me to support their application for the Sono breech study by testifying of my birth experience and helping them review their application summary. 

I have since been offered to join the PPIE panel which I am delighted to be part of! 

PPIE panel member

I am Leeann, I work at the Centre of Trials Research as a Research Support Co-ordinator, I am a mother to two children, both were undiagnosed breech until very late into the pregnancy leaving me with limited options for my birthing plan. So, I am very pleased to be able to use my experience in a way of supporting this trial to hopefully make improvements for woman in the future.

PPIE panel member - representative from Sands

Julia is a research officer in the Sands Saving Babies’ Lives team. A registered midwife with a PhD in Health Sciences, Julia’s research interests include stillbirth prevention, risk reduction work, informed choice, maternal mental health, and inequalities and rights in maternity care. Julia is part of the PPIE panel for Sono-breech to support an inclusive and sensitive approach to this work and to ensure that the needs and interests of bereaved parents are considered in its design and implementation.

PPIE panel member - representative from Tommy’s

I am the midwifery manager at Tommy’s, a national pregnancy research and information charity.  I am part of the panel as feel it is important to be part of a process to make pregnancy care safer, more equitable and accessible.  I hope this study will provide an important step in reducing undiagnosed breech deliveries which have a high rate of adverse outcomes.

PPIE panel member - representative from Baby Lifeline

Dr Abaigh McKee is Training Development & Research Executive at Baby Lifeline & Baby Lifeline Training. Baby Lifeline is a unique national charity whose mission is to make care safer and better for every pregnant woman, pregnant person, and newborn baby all over the UK and worldwide. It does this by supporting and working with NHS professionals at the heart of care – buying equipment, developing and providing critical training and conducting research. 

Abaigh's background is in research. Her previous roles also include teaching in higher education and working with educational inequalities charity The Brilliant Club. She enjoys exercising and ran the London Marathon for Baby Lifeline in 2022. Abaigh is pleased to be able to contribute to Sono-Breech as a PPIE panel member, representing the voices of families and staff that support Baby Lifeline in this important project to make care safer.