Cardiometabolic Health in First Time Pregnancy

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 to women who have a healthy pregnancy.

This study aims to assess risk factors for heart disease and diabetes in women who are actively trying to conceive, before and during their pregnancy, and 9-12 months after delivery of their baby, to see whether placental syndromes make a difference to their heart health. This 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. The investigators will also recruit women who are NOT planning pregnancy, as a control group.