Since the LMUP was developed there have been changes in family formation in the UK, in particular an increase in the number of same sex couples having children, solo mothers (women choosing motherhood without a partner, often using sperm donation), and other newer forms of parenting such as parenting partners. In tandem, there have also been legal changes. Civil partnership for same sex couples was introduced in 2004, the “need for a father” provision in fertility treatment was removed in 2008, and same sex marriage became law in 2013.

In summer 2019 we explored the LMUP question wording, using cognitive interviewing, in light of these UK's social and legal trends, and we field tested the changes for validity and reliability. We have now published our findings in relation to item 5 (partner discussion/agreement):

An update to the UK LMUP has been published:

Barrett G, Nolan EM, Gürtin ZB, Stephenson J, Hall JA. 2020 London Measure of Unplanned Pregnancy and newer family forms: an update Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health Abstract Full text

We recommend a change to the introductory sentence for item 5 and the addition of a new response option when the LMUP is used in the UK. The changes are included in the updated UK LMUP.

The new item 5 response option is likely to be relevant to other language/country versions. As always, a process of ensuring any changes are locally valid is necessary.

Our research was, in part, facilitated by the UK's Donor Conception Network whom we would like to thank.

If you have any questions about this research or would like to know more, please contact us.