Thousands of first-time mums are joining a study led by researchers from Cambridge University to understand why some develop pre-eclampsia and placental complications during pregnancy and how it affects their long-term health.

The study, called the POPPY study, is being conducted by a team from Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Cambridge. It is the first large-scale study in the UK to monitor women before, during, and after their first pregnancy to identify factors that influence the health of their placenta and their long-term risk of cardiovascular problems. By understanding these risks, researchers hope to improve the health of women who experience placental complications throughout their lives.

Placental complications, which affect about 1 in 10 pregnancies, include pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension, and fetal growth restriction. If not monitored or treated, these conditions can lead to serious problems for both the mom and the baby.

Factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, autoimmune conditions, age, and obesity before pregnancy can increase the risk of pre-eclampsia and placental complications. However, it is still unknown why these factors affect some women and whether there are other causes.

Furthermore, women who experience placental complications are twice as likely to develop heart disease and diabetes later in life compared to women who have a healthy pregnancy. It is unclear if placental complications directly cause these conditions or if they occur in women who already have underlying health issues before pregnancy.

Women at high risk of developing pre-eclampsia are advised to take a daily dose of aspirin from the twelfth week of pregnancy until birth to reduce the risk. If pre-eclampsia develops, the only cure is delivering the baby, usually around 37 to 38 weeks.

Dr. Bernadette Jenner, a medical registrar in obstetric medicine and clinical pharmacology, is leading the POPPY study in Cambridge. She hopes the study will provide insights into the causes and long-term health effects of placental conditions.

Professor Ian Wilkinson, a clinical pharmacologist and Professor of Therapeutics, is also leading the study. He emphasizes the need for better understanding of how common pregnancy complications affect women’s long-term cardiovascular health to reduce the risks and prevent complications.

The POPPY study is currently open at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, and additional sites will open soon in Glasgow and London. Participants must be planning their first pregnancy and live in one of the study locations. Participation will involve regular monitoring and tests alongside regular pregnancy check-ups.

If you are interested in participating in the POPPY study, you can find more information on their website.