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Di LeishmanClinical Research Midwife

RCompN RM

Di has been a Registered Midwife since 1988. She has a post graduate certificate and diploma in Midwifery and commenced working half time for the University of Otago in January 2011.

Research studies

Di coordinates the local, national, and international research studies at Christchurch Women’s Hospital. Trials she has been involved with include:

  • PROMPT trial – ruptured membranes between 34-37 weeks
  • CHIPS trial - hypertension in pregnancy
  • Progress trial - use of progesterone to prevent preterm birth
  • Magenta trial – use of Magnesium sulphate for neuroprotection between 30-34 weeks
  • APTS trial – delayed cord clamping for babies under 30 weeks
  • Strider trial – use of Viagra for Early Onset Intra Uterine Growth Restriction babies
  • Cleft lip and palate – studying causes of cleft lip and palate.
  • My baby Movements trial – reducing stillbirth by monitoring baby movements
  • PIPIT – sflit ratios in determining preeclampsia and timing of delivery.
  • RSV Vaccine in Pregnancy study

Current trials

  • C*Steriod trial which is looking at neonatal outcomes from mothers having steroids prior to elective caesarean section.
  • PRECeDe trial for diabetic women having elective Caesareans.

Teaching

Di is Involved in the residential courses for the Diploma of Obstetrics and Medical Gynaecology teaching obstetric emergencies and is the backup midwife for the 5th-year medical student programme on obstetric emergency scenarios.

Professional Bodies

NZ College of Midwives regional committee member for the research committee.

Publications

Crowther, C. A., Ashwood, P., Middleton, P. F., McPhee, A., Tan, T., Harding, J. E., for the MAGENTA Study Group, including Austin, N., Darlow, B. A., Dixon, B., Gullam, J., Leishman, D., Dawson, P., Devenish, C., Gaerty, K., Tomlinson, P. A., & Miller, H. (2023). Prenatal intravenous magnesium at 30-34 weeks' gestation and neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring: The MAGENTA randomized clinical trial. JAMA, 330(7), 603-614. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.12357 Journal - Research Article

Tarnow-Mordi, W. O., Robledo, K., Marschner, I., Seidler, L., Simes, J., on behalf of the Australian Placental Transfusion Study (APTS) Childhood Follow Up Study Collaborators, including Gullam, J., Austin, N., Leishman, D., Stitely, M., & Dawson, P. (2023). To guide future practice, perinatal trials should be much larger, simpler and less fragile with close to 100% ascertainment of mortality and other key outcomes. Seminars in Perinatology, 47(5), 151789. doi: 10.1016/j.semperi.2023.151789 Journal - Research Article

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