Why take part?

Women who experience placental complications (syndromes) during pregnancy, such as pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure and kidney problems), gestational hypertension (high blood pressure during pregnancy) and fetal growth restriction (baby being small) have twice the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes later in life, compared with women who have a healthy pregnancy. So understanding the links between placental syndromes and a woman’s future heart health is vitally important.

By assessing risk factors for heart disease and diabetes in women before and during their pregnancy and after delivery of their baby, the POPPY study will allow us to understand if, and how, placental syndromes increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes, and, therefore, how best to reduce this risk and potentially prevent placental syndromes in the future.