The acceptability of emergency cervical cerclage within a randomised controlled trial for cervical dilatation with exposed membranes at 16–27 + 6 weeks gestation: Findings from a qualitative process evaluation of the C-STICH2 pilot trial

•Decision making about trial offering and entry is complex for women and HCPs.•Clinical equipoise was shown to be fluid.•Terminology and the initial approach about trial entry influenced the perception of ECC.•There are gaps in clinical and lay understanding of differences between Emergency Cervical Cerclage and elective cervical cerclage outcomes.