Cambridge mum becomes first to give birth during POPPY pregnancy research study

A Cambridge mum is the first to give birth while taking part in a pregnancy research study called POPPY.

Chloe, 30, gave birth to a baby boy, Idris, in May, while involved in the long-term study on the health impacts of complications that can affect the placenta.

The study at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) aims to understand more about the risks of developing heart disease and diabetes in women who experience placental complications.

These can include pre-eclampsia - which is high blood pressure during pregnancy - and conditions that can restrict the baby’s growth.

Women with these complications have twice the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes later in life, compared to those who have a healthy pregnancy.

Researchers involved in the Preconception to pOst-partum study of cardiometabolic health in Primigravid PregnancY (POPPY) study hope that assessing risk factors for heart disease and diabetes in women before, during and after pregnancy could help them prevent placental complications in future and improve women’s health over their lifetime.

Claire signed up to POPPY in September 2023 after spotting a poster advertising it in Cambridge at a time when she was planning her first pregnancy.

She made her first visit to the POPPY team before becoming pregnant and underwent several tests to establish her baseline health, which included an echocardiogram (heart scan), carotid (artery) ultrasound, a blood pressure check and a blood test.

“It was all quite interesting, and it was really nice chatting to the research nurses, finding out a bit more about the study and about their work more broadly. It was a nice added bonus to have a bit of a check-up of my own cardiovascular health too,” she said.

A couple of weeks later, Chloe found out she was pregnant so returned to CUH soon after for an early pregnancy visit and had regular checks throughout her pregnancy, at 12, 20 and 36 weeks. She may also be seen again when Idris is nine months old.

The flexibility of the study team mean she could take part without it affecting her job as a teacher and the visits were co-ordinated with her regular scans.

“I really liked contributing to research that might help people in the future, and being part of the early stages of the POPPY study. It feels like I’m part of something significant that’s an important area of research,” she said.

“Taking part in research is a really good way of learning about something you might not know much about, and it’s a good opportunity to find out more about your own health too.

“I know that placental complications can be debilitating and scary, so it’s good to do something that could help prevent them in the future. It’s exciting to be part of that research!”

Prof Ian Wilkinson, chief investigator of the POPPY study, said: “The whole POPPY team sends their warmest congratulations to Chloe and family on the arrival of Idris, who is the first baby to be born in the POPPY Study.

“I would like to thank Chloe and all the other women who have volunteered to take part. The study will help us to understand why women who develop complications like high blood pressure in pregnancy are at an increased risk of heart attacks and stroke in later life.

“POPPY is still actively recruiting women and more details can be found on our website at www.poppyuk.net.”

POPPY is open for recruitment at CUH, Glasgow Royal Infirmary in Glasgow, Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital, and St George’s Hospital, both in London.

University College Hospital in London and Saint Mary’s Hospital, part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, will be opening recruitment in September.

Dr Helen Macdonald, chief operating officer for the NIHR Clinical Research Network East of England, said: “We are grateful for people like Chloe, and everyone in the East of England, who participate in vital research like the POPPY study. Because of them taking part, researchers are able to find out more about health conditions and possibly learn how to prevent them occurring in the future.”

The study was funded by the Wellcome Trust and is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

The Cambridge Independent is also highlighting the value of research in a series of articles in support of CUH’s Love Research campaign.

Visit www.bepartofresearch.uk if you would like to find out more about research and how you can take part,