Can a first-year postpartum intervention program mitigate cardiovascular risk profile, and complications in a future pregnancy in women with preeclampsia in first pregnancy?

It is well-known that preeclampsia (PE) is strongly associated with increased risks of complications in the following pregnancy, and later cardiovascular disease, including early-onset chronic hypertension. The postpartum period provides a unique opportunity for risk screening and cardiovascular preventive interventions for women with PE.The overall aim of the proposed research project is to evaluate the efficacy of a comprehensive medical examination and behavioural intervention program during the first year postpartum in women with PE in first pregnancy, with the intention to reduce the cardiometabolic risk profile 1 year postpartum and adverse pregnancy outcomes in a potential second pregnancy.Population: A Swedish multi-centre two-armed parallel randomized controlled trial (RCT) of postpartum primiparous women with PE.Intervention: Conducted from 6 weeks to 1 year postpartum, including medical examinations, and use of an interactive Smartphone App for promotion of a healthy life-style.Control: Standard follow-up care.Primary outcome: Reach of a healthy BMI (returning to early 1st pregnancy weight if BMI was 5% if BMI was ≥25) assessed at 1) 1 year postpartum visit, and 2) early in a potential second pregnancy in the Pregnancy Register.The planning grant will be used to conduct a feasibility study, design the RCT protocol, develop the App, and create a PE patient advisory board together with the cross-disciplinary research team from four regions.