The Association of Early Pregnancy Units

Advancing early pregnancy care through research

Research and clinical trials play a crucial role in enhancing the care and support provided to women during early pregnancy. By participating in these studies, we can improve outcomes and ensure that every woman receives the best possible care.

Recent and Current UK Trials

Explore ongoing research in early pregnancy.

AMETHYST Trial

A multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial comparing a combination of methotrexate (MTX) and mifepristone versus methotrexate alone as a medical treatment for tubal ectopic pregnancy (tEP)

Current Status

The Amethyst Trial is currently finalising the protocol and document set ahead of sponsor Risk Assessment (approximately scheduled for May); after that they intend to proceed to full combined review by June/ July and will then be on track to begin opening sites to recruitment from the end of August.

CERM trial

Chronic Endometritis and Recurrent Miscarriage - the CERM trial is investigating whether treatment with the antibiotic doxycycline before conception improves pregnancy outcomes for women with recurrent miscarriage * and chronic endometritis (inflammation of the womb lining). * In this research trial, ‘recurrent miscarriage’ means two or more early miscarriages in a row.

Current Status

The CERM trial is now closed and results will be published once available.

GEM3 Trial

Combination of gefitinib and methotrexate to treat tubal ectopic pregnancy (GEM3): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Current Status

The GEM3 Trial results were published in the Lancet in 2023.

Alife2 Trial

Anticoagulants for Living FoEtuses in women with recurrent miscarriage and inherited thrombophilia: an international open-label, randomised controlled trial

Current Status

The Alife2 Trial results were published in The Lancet in 2023.

MifeMiso Trial

Mifepristone and misoprostol versus misoprostol alone for the management of missed miscarriage (MifeMiso): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Current Status

The MifeMiso Trial results were published in The Lancet in 2020.

PRISM Trial

A Randomized Trial of Progesterone in Women with Bleeding in Early Pregnancy

Current Status

The PRISM Trial results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2019.

TABLET Trial

Levothyroxine in Women with Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies before Conception.

Current Status

The TABLET Trial results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2019.

PROMISE Trial

A Randomised Trial of Progesterone in Women with Recurrent Miscarriages.

Current Status

The PROMISE Trial results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2015.

SIMPLANT Trial

Can sitagliptin help increase stem cells in the wombs of women who have suffered recurrent miscarriages?

Current Status

The SIMPLANT Trial results were published in the Lancet in 2020.

The Early Pregnancy Observational Study (EPOS): following women throughout pregnancy to understand miscarriage

In order to understand miscarriage better, Tommy’s researchers have followed over 1,500 pregnant women throughout pregnancy. They have collected a huge amount of information from these women and are now using this to find ways of predicting the chances of miscarriage.

Current Status

Data collection completed 2024.

AEPU Trainee Education Working Group

We are excited to open applications to join the AEPU Trainee Education Working Group.

Following the approval of our educational curriculum by the AEPU executive committee, we now anticipate this will form the basis of content development that will improve early pregnancy training for trainees and associated healthcare professionals. The deadline for applications is the 3rd April 2026.