Professor Hora Soltani PhD, MMedSci, BSc, RM, PGDip, PGCert
Professor in Maternal and Infant Health
Summary
Hora is a strong advocate for reducing health inequalities for mothers and babies. With over 25 years-experience in the field and impactful research outputs, she has been contributing to shaping practice and policy nationally and internationally.
Community engagement has been central to Hora’s work. Her research is of a collaborative and applied nature focused on identifying and addressing health disparities for mothers and babies from the most disadvantaged backgrounds such as migrant women. Over the years Hora’s research revolved around various topics including maternal nutrition, weight and health, infant feeding, perinatal mental health (PMH), postpartum haemorrhage and organisation of maternity care (e.g. continuity of midwifery care) with a focus on promoting health equity. Her recent works specially with the international networks is focused on developing care models which are sensitive to the needs of migrant families, inter-conception care (promoting healthy nutrition and family planning), digitalising PMH pathways particularly for seldom heard communities, neonatal examination involving skin colour and evaluating emergency maternity care. Hora was listed in the Elsevier top 2% cited scientists in 2020-2023, with a Field Adjusted Impact of 2.4, meaning a 2.4-fold higher impact than average in her field.
About
Hora established Maternal and Infant Health Ï㽶ÊÓƵ group (MIHRG) since her arrival at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ (SHU) in 2006, with a vast interest and track record in systematic reviews, big data analysis and data linkages (e.g Born in Bradford cohort or recently involved in developing Born and Bred in Doncaster (BaBi-D) birth cohort). Through both qualitative and quantitative approaches and in partnership with communities, Hora and team endeavour to identify health inequalities and research priorities, co-design and test corresponding interventions through feasibility and implementation evaluation studies.
By means of a wide and varied networking, MIHRG team has been contributing to both knowledge generation and education in an area of high priority, tackling health inequalities in early life, capacity building and strengthening their unique academic profile in producing cutting-edge research. Examples include her collaboration on the Cochrane review of midwife continuity of care models influencing national and global guidelines (e.g. WHO) or the EU commission funded project leading to development and evaluation of training package for upskilling staff and peer supporters to provide culturally competent, safe, trauma aware and compassionate care to migrant mothers. The evidence of influencing practice and policy improvement is demonstrated in the team’s high quality outputs for Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Assessment Exercise (RAE 2008) and Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Excellence Framework (REF 2014 & 2021) and in their world-leading impact cases for the latter two REFs plus as an extensive media coverage.
Hora has led interdisciplinary research projects and supervised numerous doctoral students, attracting significant funding from prestigious sources such as MRC, EU commission, Burdett, NIHR-RfPB, WHO, Leverhulme Trust, Public Health England, Small Business Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Innovation (SBRI), DfE, NHS-Race and Health Observatory (RHO).
Hora was awarded an MBE for her services to maternal and infant health impacting on reducing health inequalities; awarded Fellowship of Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and is a Senior research advisor for Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) ; Co-Section Editor for Pregnancy & Childbirth and previously served as a Co-Chair of the International Confederation of Midwives-Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Standing Committee (ICM-RSC) and adviser on several WHO and NICE guidelines. Along with her team, she was finalist and Shortlisted for several awards including the RCM Awards 2020 & 2023 and the Burdett Trust Award (2023).
Teaching
School of Health and Social Care
College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences
Health and Wellbeing
Nursing and Midwifery
Midwifery
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and Evidence
Hora leads the Maternal, Infant and Reproductive Health Ï㽶ÊÓƵ theme at Health and Social Care Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. Hora's diverse research interests and experiences span maternal obesity, models of maternity care, postpartum haemorrhage, teenage pregnancy health and nutrition, communication of health behaviour change messages during pregnancy and breastfeeding in vulnerable women (eg women with diabetes). Both quantitative and qualitative approaches as well as systematic reviews have been the common research methodologies used in Hora's projects and working with national and international experts has led Hora to achieve a significant and high impact track record in this field.
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
Hora leads the Maternal, Infant & Reproductive Health Ï㽶ÊÓƵ theme within Health and Social Care Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Hora's research interests and experiences are mainly focused on the care of vulnerable women such as perinatal care of migrant families, teenage pregnancy health and nutrition, maternal obesity as well as care organisation and clinical matters such as models of maternity care, postpartum haemorrhage, promotion of healthy lifestyle during pregnancy and breastfeeding. She uses a range of quantitative and qualitative approaches as well as systematic reviews and works collaboratively with a range of national and international experts, leading to a significant and high impact track record in this field.
Ongoing and recently completed key projects
- Disparities In Access to the Northwest Ambulance Service during pregnancy, birth and postpartum period and its association with neonatal and maternal outcomes [DIAAS]. NIHR-RfPB
- Strengthening health equity for mothers and babies through community engagement [SHRIF]
- Developing a collaborative research network to identify research priorities in maternal and infant nutritional health risks linked to climate change: A scoping exercise in Pakistan [GCRF]
- DigiCP - Addressing Health Inequalities through the Digitalization of Perinatal Mental Health Care Pathways for Service Providers and Users [SBRI]
- Routine Neonatal Testing (specially in ethnic minority families) [RHO]
- Breastfeeding experiences of women with perinatal mental health problems: a systematic review and thematic synthesis [Leverhulme Trust]
- COVID-19 Community Perinatal Peer Support [Big Lottery Community Fund]
- Evaluation Framework to enable analysis of correlation between the Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative accreditation and outcomes in maternity and community services [Public Health England]
- The effects of a local dairy product supplementation on pregnancy, birth and infant outcomes in West Sumatra: A pilot randomised controlled trial [GCRF]
- Investigating differences in health behaviours & outcomes between 1st &2nd generation migrant and native women using BiB cohort data [The Burdett Trust]
- Maternal Healthy Weight Services in England [PHE]
- A systematic exploration of women's experiences of perinatal mental health care services among ethnic minorities using both literature and a participatory community based approach [NHS-Sheffield Health& Social Care]
- Migrant Maternity Care: "ORAMMA: Operational Refugee And Migrant Maternal Approach", [Collaborative research in partnership with Greece, UK, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands & Belgium-Funded by European Commission 3rd Health Programme]
- An evaluation of the impact of a midwife-led maternal obesity service on pregnancy outcomes and childhood obesity Funded by the Green Legacy & The Burdett Trust
- Feasibility of infrared thermography for wound surveillance and follow up in women after Caesarean section. Funded by the Medical Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Council (MRC) Confidence in Concept Scheme
- Improving outcomes for pregnant teenagers: development of a complex intervention to improve quality of diet. Multi-Centre study sites including Southampton, Manchester and Doncaster maternity units. This is a collaborative project including the University of Southampton, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, University College London, the University of Manchester and Tommy's (The Baby Charity) Funded by MRC-PHND
- Postnatal weight management. Funded by the NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group
- Talking Health: Exploring experiences of health professionals and women concerning communication of health behaviour and lifestyle changes during pregnancy
- Mobile Technology & Maternal Obesity (MOMTech), feasibility study, funded by the South Yorkshire Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and Care (CLAHRC-SY) and EPSRC-Engineering for Life (EFL) and Bupa
- The Impact of Maternal Weight on Maternal and Neonatal Health Outcomes: A Cohort Study (in Padang-Indonesia). Funded by the Directorate General of Higher Education, Ministry of Education and Culture in Indonesia, in collaboration with the Department of Nutrition, Andalas University and funded by British Council
- A survey of management of the third stage of labour- Funded by the World Health Organisation (WHO)
- Pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy- Funded by HEALTHCARE UK LTD
Collaborators and sponsors
- International Confederation of Midwives
- World Health Organisation
- European Midwives Association
- Andalas University, Indonesia
- Athen's Midwifery School-Greece
- Radboud University Medical Center, The Netherlands
- Tommy's Baby Charity
- British Council
- MRC-PHND
- The Burdett Trust
- Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS Foundation Trust
- Barnsley NHS Foundation Trust
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals-Jessop Wing
- Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber (RDASH)
- Born in Bradford
- University of Southampton
- University College London
- NIHR CLAHRC YH
Publications
Journal articles
Okai, E., Fair, F., Konadu, H.D., Darteh, E.K.M., & Soltani, H. (2024). . BMC pediatrics, 24 (1).
Fair, F., Furness, A., Higginbottom, G., Oddie, S., & Soltani, H. (2024). . PLOS ONE, 19 (10).
Fair, F., & Soltani, H. (2024). . Midwifery, 136.
Fair, F., Furness, A., Higginbottom, G., Oddie, S.J., & Soltani, H. (2024). . Pediatric Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Billings, H., Horsman, J., Soltani, H., & Spencer, R. (2024). . BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 24 (1).
Fair, F., Morison, A., & Soltani, H. (2024). . International breastfeeding journal, 19 (1).
Rangel Bousquet Carrilho, T., Wang, D., Hutcheon, J.A., Wang, M., Fawzi, W.W., Kac, G., ... Zhu, Z. (2024). . The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 119 (6), 1465-1474.
Sandall, J., Fernandez Turienzo, C., Devane, D., Soltani, H., Gillespie, P., Gates, S., ... Rayment-Jones, H. (2024). . The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 4 (4).
Memon, Z., Mian, A., Ahmed, W., Jawwad, M., Muhammad, S., Noorani, A.Q., ... Soltani, H. (2024). . PLOS Global Public Health, 4 (4).
Furness, A., Fair, F., Higginbottom, G., Oddie, S., & Soltani, H. (2024). . BMC Pediatrics, 24.
Okai, E., Fair, F., & Soltani, H. (2024). . Health Science Reports, 7 (3).
Fair, F., & Soltani, H. (2024). . Women and Birth, 37 (1), 197-205.
Fair, F.J., & Soltani, H. (2024). . Maternal & Child Nutrition.
Memon, Z.A., Tahmeena, , Fazal, S.A., Reale, S., Spencer, R., Bhutta, Z., & Soltani, H. (2024). . BMC Women's Health, 24 (1).
Dib, S., Fair, F., McCann, L.J., Nicholls, A., Kalea, A.Z., Soltani, H., & Fewtrell, M. (2023). . Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism.
Fair, F., & Soltani, H. (2023). . Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 43 (2).
Perumal, N., Wang, D., Darling, A.M., Liu, E., Wang, M., Ahmed, T., ... Fawzi, W.W. (2023). . BMJ.
Darling, A.M., Wang, D., Perumal, N., Liu, E., Wang, M., Ahmed, T., ... Fawzi, W.W. (2023). . PLOS Medicine, 20 (7).
Marvin-Dowle, K., & Soltani, H. (2023). . Maternal and Child Health Journal.
Cadman, V., Soltani, H., Spencer, R., Marvin-Dowle, K., & Harrop, D. (2023). . Birth: Issues in Perinatal Care.
Childs, C., Nwaizu, H., Bullivant, E., Willmott, J., Davies, M., Ousey, K., ... Jacques, R. (2023). . International Journal of Environmental Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and Public Health, 20 (6).
Memon, Z.A., Mian, A., Reale, S., Spencer, R., Bhutta, Z., & Soltani, H. (2023). . JMIR Formative Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, 7.
Marvin-Dowle, K., Oshaghi, G., Fair, F., Ratcliffe, J., & Soltani, H. (2022). . British Journal of Midwifery, 30 (12), 668-676.
Fair, F.J., Watson, H., Marvin-Dowle, K., Spencer, R., & Soltani, H. (2022). . PLOS ONE, 17 (6).
Marshall, N.E., Abrams, B., Barbour, L.A., Catalano, P., Christian, P., Friedman, J.E., ... Thornburg, K.L. (2022). . American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 226 (5), 607-632.
Memon, Z.A., Reale, S., Ahmed, W., Spencer, R., Lashari, T.H., Bhutta, Z., & Soltani, H. (2022). . JMIR Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Protocols, 11 (3), e35291.
Baker, K., Stephenson, J., Leeming, D., & Soltani, H. (2021). A review of third stage of labour care guidance. British Journal of Midwifery, 29 (10), 557-563.
Marvin-Dowle, K., Soltani, H., & Spencer, R. (2021). . Midwifery, 103124.
Fair, F.J., Morrison, A., & Soltani, H. (2021). . Maternal & Child Nutrition.
Strömmer, S., Weller, S., Morrison, L., Soltani, H., Stephenson, J., Whitworth, M., ... Barker, M. (2021). . Social Science and Medicine, 274, 113781.
Fair, F., Soltani, H., Raben, L., van Streun, Y., Sioti, E., Papadakaki, M., ... Vivilaki, V. (2021). . BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 21 (1).
Agbeno, E.K., Osarfo, J., Ashong, J., Anane-Fenin, B., Okai, E., Ofori, A., ... Soltani, H. (2021). . PLoS One, 16 (1), 0246005.
Fair, F., & Soltani, H. (2021). . Obesity Reviews.
Fair, F., Marvin-Dowle, K., Arden, M., & Soltani, H. (2020). Healthy Weight Services in England before, during and after pregnancy: a mixed methods approach. .
Soltani, H., Watson, H., Fair, F., Burke, C., Oshaghi, G., Vivilaki, V., & Team, O.R.A.M.M.A. (2020). . European Journal of Midwifery, 4.
Childs, C., & Soltani, H. (2020). . International Journal of Environmental Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and Public Health, 17 (22).
Bhanbhro, S., Kamal, T., Widoyo, R., Lipoeto, N.I., & Soltani, H. (2020). . PLoS One, 15 (6), e0234545.
Fair, F., Raben, L., Watson, H., Vivilaki, V., van den Muijsenbergh, M., Soltani, H., & the ORAMMA team, (2020). . PLOS ONE, 15 (2), e0228378.
Marvin-Dowle, K., & Soltani, H. (2020). . European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology: X, 6, 100109.
Watson, H., & Soltani, H. (2019). . British Journal of Midwifery, 27 (10), 642-648.
Soltani, H., Marvin-Dowle, K., & Burley, V. (2019). . Evidence Based Midwifery, 17 (3), 84-91.
Fair, F., Ford, G., & Soltani, H. (2019). . Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.
Watson, H., Harrop, D., Walton, E., Young, A., & Soltani, H. (2019). . PLOS ONE, 14 (1), e0210587.
Childs, C., Wright, N., Willmott, J., Davies, M., Kilner, K., Ousey, K., ... Stephenson, J. (2019). . Antimicrobial resistance and infection control, 8 (7).
Marvin-Dowle, K., Kilner, K., Burley, V., & Soltani, H. (2018). . PLOS ONE, 13 (12), e0208879..
Rundle, R., Soltani, H., & Duxbury, A. (2018). . BMC Nutrition, 4 (45).
Kennedy, H.P., Cheyney, M., Dahlen, H.G., Downe, S., Foureur, M.J., Homer, C.S.E., ... Renfrew, M.J. (2018). Asking different questions: A call to action for research to improve the quality of care for every woman, every child. Midwifery, 65, 16-17.
Kennedy, H.P., Cheyney, M., Dahlen, H.G., Downe, S., Foureur, M.J., Homer, C.S.E., ... Renfrew, M.J. (2018). Asking different questions: A call to action for research to improve the quality of care for every woman, every child. Birth (Berkeley, Calif.), 45 (3), 222-231.
Kennedy, H.P., Cheyney, M., Dahlen, H.G., Downe, S., Foureur, M.J., Homer, C.S.E., ... Renfrew, M.J. (2018). Asking Different Questions: A Call to Action for Ï㽶ÊÓƵ to Improve the Quality of Care for Every Woman, Every Child. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 63 (5), 516-517.
Kennedy, H.P., Cheyney, M., Dahlen, H.G., Downe, S., Foureur, M.J., Homer, C.S.E., ... Renfrew, M.J. (2018). Asking different questions: A call to action for research to improve the quality of care for every woman, every child. Women and birth : journal of the Australian College of Midwives, 31 (4), 242-243.
Ranchordas, M., Rogerson, D., Soltani, H., & Costello, J.T. (2018). . British Journal of Sports Medicine.
Fair, F., Watson, H., Gardner, R., & Soltani, H. (2018). . Reproductive Health, 15 (58).
Marvin-Dowle, K., Kilner, K., Burley, V.J., & Soltani, H. (2018). . BMJ open, 8 (3), e016258.
Ranchordas, M., Rogerson, D., Soltani, H., & Costello, J.T. (2017). . Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2017 (12).
Soltani, H., Lipoeto, N., Fair, F., Kilner, K., & Yustawati, Y. (2017). . BMC Women's Health, 17 (102), 1-9.
Soltani, H., Duxbury, A., Rundle, R., & Marvin-Dowle, K. (2017). . BMC Nutrition, 3 (1), 1-15.
Soltani, H., Smith, D., & Olander, E. (2017). . Journal of Pregnancy, 2017, 1-2.
Marvin-Dowle, K., Burley, V.J., & Soltani, H. (2016). . BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 16 (268), 1-24.
Childs, C., Siraj, M.R., Fair, F., Selvan, A., Soltani, H., Wilmott, J., & Farrell, R. (2016). . Journal of wound care, 25 (9), 499-512.
Rogerson, D., Soltani, H., & Copeland, R. (2016). . BMC public health, 16 (371), 1-12.
Sandall, J., Soltani, H., Gates, S., Shennan, A., & Devane, D. (2016). . Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2016 (4).
Soltani, H., Low, L.K., Duxbury, A., & Schuiling, K.D. (2016). . International Journal of Childbirth, 6 (1), 5-18.
Soltani, H., & Fair, F. (2016). . Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2016 (2), CD012099.
Soltani, H., Arden, M., Duxbury, A., & Fair, F. (2016). . Journal of Pregnancy, 2016, 1085916.
Chan, L.-.N., Soltani, H., & Hazlet, T.K. (2015). . The Journal of Pediatrics, 166 (2), 502.
Soltani, H., Duxbury, A., Arden, M., Dearden, A., Furness, P., & Garland, C. (2015). . Journal of Obesity, 111 (5 pt.2), 1-10.
Sandall, J., Soltani, H., Gates, S., Shennan, A., & Devane, D. (2015). Midwife-led continuity models versus other models of care for childbearing women. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, (9), CD004667.
Rogerson, D., Soltani, H., & Copeland, R. (2015). . Public Health Nutrition, 19 (2), 371-381.
Soltani, H., Duxbury, A.M.S., Rundle, R., & Chan, L.N. (2015). . Evidence Based Midwifery, 13 (1), 29-34.
Furness, P., Arden, M., Duxbury, A., Hampshaw, S., Wardle, C., & Soltani, H. (2015). . Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 5 (2), 89.
Soltani, H., Fair, F., & Hakimi, S. (2015). . Midwifery, 31 (2), 271-273.
Soltani, H., Duxbury, A.M.S., Arden, M.A., Dearden, A., Furness, P.J., & Garland, C. (2015). Maternal Obesity Management Using Mobile Technology: A Feasibility Study to Evaluate a Text Messaging Based Complex Intervention during Pregnancy. Journal of obesity, 2015, 814830.
Souza, J., Widmer, M., Gülmezoglu, A., Lawrie, T., Adejuyigbe, E., Carroli, G., ... Temmerman, M. (2014). . Reproductive Health, 11 (1), 61.
Yeeles, H., Trinick, S., Childs, C., Soltani, H., & Farrell, T. (2014). Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 4 (9), 547-549.
Soltani, H., Fair, F., & Duxbury, A. (2014). . British Journal of Midwifery, 23 (1), 22-31.
Arden, M.A., S Duxbury, A.M., & Soltani, H. (2014). What women really think about gestational weight management: A thematic analysis of posts made in online parenting forums. Pregnancy hypertension, 4 (3), 231.
Arden, M., Duxbury, A., & Soltani, H. (2014). . BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 14 (216).
Duxbury, A., Soltani, H., & Martin, S. (2014). . Evidence Based Midwifery, 12 (2), 40-45.
Afshari, P., Medforth, J., Aarabi, M., Abedi, P., & Soltani, H. (2014). . Midwifery, 30 (1), 65-72.
Sandall, J., Soltani, H., Gates, S., Shennan, A., & Devane, D. (2013). Midwife-led continuity models versus other models of care for childbearing women. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, (8), CD004667.
Soltani, H. (2013). . Evidence-Based Medicine, 18 (2), ebmed.18.2.e12.
Sandall, J., Soltani, H., Gates, S., Shennan, A., & Devane, D. (2013). Women who receive midwife care throughout their pregnancy and birth have better outcomes. Saudi Medical Journal, 34 (11), 1202.
Soltani, H., Furness, P., Mcseveny, K., Arden, M., Garland, C., Sustar, H., & Dearden, A. (2012). . Journal of Obesity.
Soltani, H., & Sandall, J. (2012). . Midwifery, 28 (2), 146-149.
Ranchordas, M., Rogerson, D., & Soltani, H. (2012). . Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (4).
Soltani, H., & Scott, A.M.S. (2012). . International Breastfeeding Journal, 7 (18).
McClimens, A., Ibbotson, R., Kenyon, C., Mclean, S., & Soltani, H. (2012). . British Journal of Midwifery, 20 (10), 746-751.
Lu, G., Abduljalil, K., Jamei, M., Johnson, T.N., Soltani, H., & Rostami-Hodjegan, A. (2012). Physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models for assessing the kinetics of xenobiotics during pregnancy: achievements and shortcomings. Current drug metabolism, 13 (6), 695-720.
Abduljalil, K., Furness, P., Johnson, T.N., Rostami-Hodjegan, A., & Soltani, H. (2012). . Clinical Pharmacokinetics, 51 (6), 365-396.
Abduljalil, K., Furness, P., Johnson, T.N., Rostami-Hodjegan, A., & Soltani, H. (2012). Anatomical, physiological and metabolic changes with gestational age during normal pregnancy: A database for parameters required in physiologically based pharmacokinetic modelling. Clinical Pharmacokinetics, 51 (6), 365-396.
Furness, P.J., McSeveny, K., Arden, M., Garland, C., Dearden, A., & Soltani, H. (2011). . BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 11 (69).
Soltani, H., Hutchon, D.R., & Poulose, T.A. (2010). . Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 8.
Sandall, J., Devane, D., Soltani, H., Hatem, M., & Gates, S. (2010). . Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 55 (3), 255-261.
Soltani, H. (2009). . Evidence based midwifery, 7 (4), 140-142.
Soltani, H., & Arden, M. (2009). . Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, & neonatal nursing, 38 (5), 586-594.
Murray-Davies, B., Soltani, H., & Wilkins, H. (2009). . British Journal of Midwifery, 17 (4), 234-237.
Sandall, J., Hatem, M., Devane, D., Soltani, H., & Gates, S. (2009). . Midwifery, 25 (1), 8-13.
Dickinson, F., & Soltani, H. (2008). . Practising Midwife, 11 (5), 48-52.
Hatem, M., Sandall, J., Devane, D., Soltani, H., & Gates, S. (2008). . Cochrane database of systematic reviews, (4).
Ross, A., Dickinson, F., & Soltani, H. (2008). The Practicing Midwife, 11 (3), 19-24.
Hodnett, E.D., Stremler, R., Willan, A.R., Weston, J.A., Lowe, N.K., Simpson, K.R., ... SELAN (Structured Early Labour Assessment and Care by Nurses) Trial Group, (2008). Effect on birth outcomes of a formalised approach to care in hospital labour assessment units: international, randomised controlled trial. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 337, a1021.
Soltani, H. (2008). . Midwifery, 24 (2), 138-142.
Ross, A., Dickinson, F., & Soltani, H. (2008). Going home after instrumental birth. The practising midwife, 11 (3), 19-24.
Soltani, H., Dickinson, F.M., Kalk, J., & Payne, K. (2007). . Midwifery.
Soltani, H., Dickinson, F., & Leung, T.N. (2005). . Evidence based midwifery, 3 (2), 64-85.
Soltani, H., & Dickinson, F. (2005). . British journal of midwifery, 13 (10), 633-636.
Soltani, H., Dickinson, F., & Symonds, I. (2005). . Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (4).
Soltani, H., Dickinson, F., & Symonds, I. (2005). Placental cord drainage after spontaneous vaginal delivery as part of the management of the third stage of labour. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, (4), CD004665.
Wood, C., & Soltani, H. (2005). Does pethidine relieve pain? The practising midwife, 8 (7), 16-25.
Soltani, H., Dickinson, F., & Tanner, J. (2004). . The Practising midwife, 7 (9), 27-30.
Soltani, H., & Taylor, G.M. (2003). Changing attitudes and perceptions to hyperemesis gravidarum. RCM midwives : the official journal of the Royal College of Midwives, 6 (12), 520-524.
Madhok, R., Taylor, A., Soltani, H., & Ireland, K. (2002). . Journal of public health medicine, 24 (1), 2-5.
Simmons, D., & Breier, B.H. (2002). Adult obesity and growth in childhood - Fuel mediated teratogenesis driven by maternal obesity may be responsible for pandemic of obesity. BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL, 324 (7338), 674-675.
Fraser, R., & Soltani, H. (2002). Adult obesity and growth in childhood - Obstetricians seem reluctant to consider interventions to reduce mean birth weight. BMJ-BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL, 324 (7338), 675.
Thornton-Jones, H., Hampshaw, S., & Soltani, H. (2002). Evidence, policy making and the art of the possible: A methodology applied to screening. Journal of Clinical Excellence, 4 (1), 9-16.
Soltani, H. (2002). Midwifery research: the past, present and future. RCM midwives : the official journal of the Royal College of Midwives, 5 (11), 384-388.
Soltani, H., & Fraser, R. (2002). Pregnancy as a cause of obesity--myth or reality? RCM midwives journal : official journal of the Royal College of Midwives, 5 (5), 193-195.
Simmons, D., Breier, B.H., Fraser, R., Soltani, H., Stettler, N., Stallings, V.A., ... Langley-Evans, S. (2002). Adult obesity and growth in childhood [4] (multiple letters). British Medical Journal, 324 (7338), 674-676.
Fraser, R., & Soltani, H. (2002). Adult obesity and growth in childhood. Obstetricians seem reluctant to consider interventions to reduce mean birth weight. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 324 (7338), 674.
Simmons, D., & Breier, B.H. (2002). Adult obesity and growth in childhood. Fuel mediated teratogenesis driven by maternal obesity may be responsible for pandemic of obesity. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 324 (7338), 674.
Soltani, H., & Fraser, R.B. (2000). . British journal of nutrition, 84 (1), 95-101.
Soltani, H., & Fraser, R.B. (2000). Erratum: A longitudinal study of maternal anthropometric changes in normal weight, overweight and obese women during pregnancy and postpartum (British Journal of Nutrition (2000) 84 1 (96)). British Journal of Nutrition, 84 (6), 947.
Soltani, H., & Fraser, R.B. (2000). A longitudinal study of maternal anthropometric changes in normal weight, overweight and obese women during pregnancy and postpartum. British Journal of Nutrition, 84 (1), 95-101.
Soltani, H., Bruce, C., & Fraser, R.B. (1999). . Archives of disease in childhood : fetal and neonatal, 81 (2), F122-F124.
Soltani, H., & Dickinson, F. (n.d.). Timing of prophylactic oxytocics for the third stage of labour after vaginal birth. .
Fair, F., Marvin-Dowle, K., Arden, M., & Soltani, H. (n.d.). Healthy Weight Services in England before, during and after pregnancy: a mixed methods approach. .
Conference papers
Soltani, H., Watson, H., Fair, F., van den Muijsenbergh, M., Papadakaki, M., Jokinen, M., ... Vivilaki, V. (2021). Perinatal mental health services for mothers from ethnic minority and migrant backgrounds. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, 31, 176.
Soltani, H., Watson, H., Walton, E., Harrop, D., Young, A., & Johnson, L. (2020). . The European Journal of Public Health, 30 (Supple).
Soltani, H., Fair, F., Marvin-Dowle, K., & Lipoeto, N.I. (2020). The effects of a local dairy food supplement on pregnancy outcomes in Indonesia: A feasibility trial. European Journal of Public Health, 30 (Supplement_5).
Fair, F., & Soltani, H. (2020). Experiences of maternal weight management services among women with a raised body mass index. European Journal of Public Health, 30 (Supplement_5).
Fair, F., & Soltani, H. (2020). Evaluating the long-term impact of an antenatal healthy lifestyle service: retrospective cohort study. European Journal of Public Health, 30 (Supplement_5).
Senek, M., Arden, M., & Soltani, H. (2020). . International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 19.
Soltani, H., Fair, F., Watson, H., Raben, L., & Van den Muijsenbergh, M. (2018). . European Journal of Public Health, 28 (Supp 1).
Book chapters
Soltani, H. (2010). . In Stables, D., & Rankin, J. (Eds.) Physiology in childbearing with anatomy and related biosciences. Bailliere Tindall:
Reports
Furness, A., De Vivo, M., & Soltani, H. (2024). . The Active Pregnancy Foundation.
Bhanbhro, S., Memon, Z., Ahmed, W., Ansar, F., & Soltani, H. (2024). Ï㽶ÊÓƵ priorities in maternal and infant nutritional health and risks linked to climate change in Pakistan.
Theses / Dissertations
Fair, F. (2024). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Soltani, H., & Spencer, R.
Memon, Z.A. (2023). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Soltani, H.
Senek, M. (2018). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Soltani, H.
Rogerson, D.J. (2015). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Soltani, H.
Williams, M. (2010). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Lubenko, A., Norfolk, D., Soltani, H., & Woodroofe, N.
Presentations
Soltani, H., Furness, A., & De Vivo, M. (2025). Understanding facilitators and barriers in adapting physical activity during perinatal period by women from diverse communities. Presented at: RCM Conference 2025
Rundle, R., Duxbury, A., & Soltani, H. (2015). .
Posters
Davila Garcia, M.L., Soltani, H., Roast, C., & Danickova, E. (2023). DigiCP - Addressing Health Inequalities through the Digitalization of Perinatal Mental Health Care Pathways. Presented at: Conference Healthcare Analytics and Artificial Intelligence 2023, Sheffield, UK
Other activities
- Co-section editor for “BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth"
- Co-Chair of the International Confederation of Midwives, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
- StandingCommittee (ICM-RSC)
- Invited Lead Gust Editor for "Journal of pregnancy"
- Editorial board member for “Evidence Based Midwifery Journal”
- International advisory committee member for “Midwifery" journal
- Honorary Professor of Midwifery in Doncaster & Bassetlaw NHS Foundation Trust
- Honorary Professor of Midwifery in Barnsley NHS Foundation Trust
- Honorary Professor in Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
- Panel expert member for "The Yorkshire and The Humber Regional Funding
- Committee: "NIHR- Ï㽶ÊÓƵ for Patient Benefit (RfPB)" [June 2013-June 2016]
- Invited expert adviser for several guideline development for the World Health Organization (WHO)
- External examiner for several national and international PhD students
Postgraduate supervision
- Physical activity in obese and overweight pregnancies
- Exploring the need for nutritional interventions in adolescent pregnancies -using record linkage and Born in Bradford Cohort data
- Maternal obesity and psychosocial challenges in following healthy lifestyle, a comparative qualitative study of Normal weight, overweight and obese women
- Third stage of labour management in low risk women
- Weight-loss experiences versus undergraduate nutrition education competencies: A qualitative comparison
- Antioxidants and muscle soreness
- Doctors' perceptions of obstetrics ultrasound: concept, knowledge and practice during pregnancy
- The effect of anti-D immunoglobulin administration on serum cytokine profile during pregnancy
Media
Hora is a Professor of Maternal and Infant Health. She is a registered midwife and has been researching for about 20 years on Maternal and Infant Health. Her expertise is focused around pregnancy and postnatal maternal weight changes, infant feeding, maternal obesity and the organisation of maternity care.
MIDWIVES: Why a continuity of care for pregnant mothers can improve outcomes for babies.
As Health and Social Care Secretary, Jeremy Hunt prepares to announce new measures that promises expectant mothers will be seen by the same midwife throughout labour, pregnancy and birth by 2021, Hora Soltani, Hallam's professor of maternal and infant care, spoke to Hallam FM about her own research which concluded a continuity of care for pregnant mothers led to fewer interventions and complications during birth. Hora's interview was broadcast on Hallam FM's news bulletins.
Three areas of Professor Soltani's Ï㽶ÊÓƵ have been highlighted in the media as follows:
Midwife-led continuity models versus other models of care for childbearing women
The following article attracted widespread global media coverage following its press release in August 2013:
Sandall J, Soltani H, Gates S, Shennan A, Devane D.; Midwife-led continuity models versus other models of care for childbearing women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013, Issue 8. Art. No.: CD004667. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004667.pub3. URL upon publication: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/14651858.CD004667.pub3
Sky News Australia
http://www.skynews.com.au/health/article.aspx?id=89865
Irish Times
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/pregnant-women-fare-better-under-midwife-led-care-study-1.1500216
Evening Echo
http://www.mediacoverage.co.uk/x/monitoring/mediaclips/257584256#257584256
News.com Australia
http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/world/midwife-led-births-beneficial-study/story-e6frfkui-1226701099545?from=public_rss
Daily Mail
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2398582/Call-midwife-Mothers-likely-birth-prematurely-need-epidural.html
BBC Radio Sheffield
Real Radio
Yorkshire Post
BC1 (an international TV station based in Canada)
Midwifery research coverage at a glance from 21 August to 23 August
32 cuttings mentioning Sheffield Hallam's involvement in the midwifery research welfare cuts research appeared in the press and media
36,859 of AVE (Advertising Value Equivalent) was generated
Total circulation: 9.3million
Podcast available for: Midwife-led versus other models of care for childbearing women; Global free access, in several languages including English, Farsi, Arabic and Portuguese available from Cochrane Library
English: http://www.cochrane.org/podcasts/10.1002/14651858.CD004667.pub3
Farsi: http://community.cochrane.org/podcasts/issue-7-8-july-august-2013/midwife-led-continuity-models- versus-other-models-care-childbe-0
Portuguese: http://community.cochrane.org/podcasts/issue-7-8-july-august- 2013/midwife-led-continuity-models-versus-other-models-care-childbear
The Operational Refugee and Migrant Maternal Approach (ORAMMA) project
A new project looking at ways to improve maternal health of migrant women across Europe has been launched by academics from Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and other European institutions.
The Operational Refugee and Migrant Maternal Approach (ORAMMA) project has been funded by the European Commission and will seek to address the health inequalities experienced by pregnant migrants across the continent. Hora Soltani, Professor of Maternal and Infant Health from Sheffield Hallam's Centre for Health and Social Care Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, is working with experts from eight universities and health organisations from five European countries. For more details please see the link below:
http://www4.shu.ac.uk/mediacentre/project-launched-improve-health-europes-pregnant-migrants
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Contrary to the common perception, studies show that Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is not confined to just one religion or tradition. It is widely practised among communities from various faith backgrounds (Christians, Muslims, Traditional African religions and those with no religion).
‘We need to win over people’s hearts as well as their minds’ article published in the Sheffield Telegraph by Professor Hora Soltani, Professor in Maternal and Infant Health, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. Please click on the link below for the full article.
http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/crime/telegraph-debate-is-sheffield-doing-enough-to-deal-with-the-crime-of-fgm-1-8525020
Midwife-led continuity of care
A recent Cochrane report suggests that women who received midwife-led continuity models of care were less likely to experience intervention and more likely to be satisfied with their care with at least comparable adverse outcomes for women or their infants than women who received other models of care.
Further research is needed to explore findings of fewer preterm births and fewer fetal deaths less than 24 weeks, and all fetal loss/neonatal death associated with midwife-led continuity models of care.
For the full review please click on the following link: