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A New Hope for Supporting Anxiety in Pregnancy: The ACORN II Trial




We're delighted to use this space to let you know about a new trial called 'CALM' which is aimed at supporting women with anxiety in pregnancy led by researchers from the Universities of Exeter, Birmingham, Manchester and Cambridge. Read on if you are currently supporting pregnant women with mental health challenges who may benefit from knowing about or getting involved in this project:




Up to one in four women experience serious anxiety during pregnancy. Worries about the baby’s health, fears around childbirth, or changes in family life can feel overwhelming. For some, these feelings don’t fade after birth and can lead to postnatal depression.


High anxiety during pregnancy affects not only mothers but also babies’ development. Research shows that babies of anxious mothers can experience more difficulties with emotions, behaviour, and early learning. When anxiety continues after birth, it can make it harder for parents to bond and feel confident in caring for their newborn. Altogether, the impact of untreated perinatal mental health problems costs the NHS and wider society more than £8 billion each year in England alone.


Despite how common anxiety in pregnancy is, there’s still limited research on the best ways to help. Most women who seek help through NHS talking therapy services (IAPT) are offered treatments designed for general anxiety or depression — not specifically for the unique challenges of pregnancy.


That’s where the ACORN II trial comes in.



Introducing CALM: A New Way to Support Anxiety in Pregnancy


Working closely with women who have experienced anxiety during pregnancy, researchers have developed a five-session group programme called CALM. It gives pregnant women practical tools to manage worries about pregnancy, birth, and parenthood.


Each session is co-led by a healthcare professional and a psychological practitioner, with partners or close supporters encouraged to take part. The group setting helps women connect with others who understand what they’re going through — something many describe as one of the most reassuring parts of the experience.


In early studies, mothers and partners who took part in CALM said they found the sessions helpful, relevant, and empowering. Their anxiety levels improved, and they appreciated learning practical skills alongside others facing similar challenges.



The ACORN II Trial: Bringing CALM to the NHS


The ACORN II trial is now testing CALM on a larger scale across five NHS sites — in Devon, Manchester, Birmingham, and East London — with participants from a wide range of backgrounds.


Over the next 18 months, the research team will work with 484 women to see whether offering CALM alongside usual NHS care can:


  1. Reduce anxiety during pregnancy

  2. Improve wellbeing up to a year after birth

  3. Strengthen the parent–child bond and support children’s development

  4. Provide a cost-effective model for the NHS


To make CALM accessible, sessions will mostly be delivered online. For anyone who needs it, tablets and data support will be provided to remove barriers to joining.



Changing the Future of Perinatal Care


This is the first large-scale study to test a group treatment created specifically for anxiety in pregnancy. If successful, CALM could change how the NHS supports mothers — offering a compassionate, evidence-based approach that helps parents and babies thrive.



Get Involved


We want to reach as many people as possible about the trial and are asking Voluntary & Charitable Organisations that work with pregnant women to share information about the trial with their communities. Resources are available in the form of a social media post and poster.

We are recruiting people who are between 12 and 18 weeks pregnant and are registered with the following hospitals:


  • St Mary’s Hospital – Manchester

  • Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital – Birmingham

  • Royal London Hospital – London

  • Homerton Hospital – London

  • Royal Devon University Hospital - Exeter

 

Participants will receive a £20 voucher for each stage of the study they complete. By encouraging people to join the study, you'll help shape how the NHS supports anxiety in pregnancy, making a lasting difference for future generations of parents. 



Infographic about the ACORN II study



Infographic about the ACORN II study



If you know someone who might benefit from taking part in this study, they can register their interest here: Join the Study > ACORN II


For more information please contact Milli Richards-Clack at m.richards-clack@exeter.ac.uk 

 

 

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