MAVRIC aims to compare cervical cerclages (stitches) put in via the abdominal route versus the vaginal route in women who have a weak cervix.  The trial aims to improve the overall quality of care provided to high-risk women by preventing them from having miscarriages or early deliveries and providing them with healthy babies.

The trial is being co-ordinated by the Maternal and Fetal Research Unit at King's College London and is funded by the Moulton Charitable Foundation.  MAVRIC is supported by the Preterm Birth Group in the UK and is being undertaken at over 20 hospitals across the country.  

Professor Andrew Shennan is the chief investigator for MAVRIC.  He has extensive experience in co-ordinating and managing successful national clinical trials.  The other trial co-investigators are Prof Phillip Bennett, Prof Steven Thornton, Dr Siobhan Quenby and Dr Manju Chandiramani.