Expectations: Do you know a new mom with recent preeclampsia?

AUGUST 2015

PREECLAMPSIA FOUNDATION NEWS

Online research study open to moms with recent histories of preeclampsia

The Preeclampsia Foundation and Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital are now accepting applicants to their online research study, Heart Health 4 Moms (HH4M). The study is open to women who have had babies in the last five months who had preeclampsia during their pregnancies.

The study focuses on healthy behaviors in new mothers with recent preeclampsia to improve their long-term health. You must live in a U.S. state or territory and have access to an internet-enabled smartphone or tablet. Up to $250 stipend will be provided. Learn more at www.hh4m.org or en español at www.hh4m.org/es.

Are You a New Mom?

Planning your next pregnancy after preeclampsia

Preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome during pregnancy and postpartum can be traumatic. You may have experienced fear, grief, NICU time, or complications with your own health. But you also may have experienced the joy of becoming a parent and still have a strong desire to have a child or more children.

When thinking about another pregnancy, your two biggest questions probably are: why did this happen to me and will it happen again? You can read about some theories and recent research on the causes of preeclampsia here. Research suggests the risk of having preeclampsia again is approximately 20%. However, experts cite a range from 5% to 80% depending on when you had it in a prior pregnancy, how severe it was, and additional risk factors you may have. So what can you do to plan for your next pregnancy?

Read on for Planning Tips

More exciting research news!

(From left) Preeclampsia Foundation Executive Director Eleni Tsigas gratefully accepts a $22,500 medical research grant award from the Community Foundation for Brevard's Lisa Davidson, Grants & Programs Manager, and Community Foundation for Brevard Board Members Robert Naberhaus III and Juliana Kreul.

We're please to announce that we've received an additional grant for $22,500 from the Community Foundation for Brevard to study the genetics of preeclampsia and its association with cardiovascular disease, both of which dramatically impact the health of women and children.

This grant will extend research funded in 2014 by the Community Foundation to study preeclampsia and its impact on the long-term health of mothers and infants through The Preeclampsia Registry™.

The Community Foundation's initial grant of $30,000 was used to expand The Preeclampsia Registry to include a biobank of DNA samples -- we've collected more than 500 DNA samples since, which is quite an accomplishment!

Get All the Details

Want to start a Promise Walk in your hometown?

Are you tired of not being able to "Make Strides" with us every May because there isn't a walk near you? Do you want to see preeclampsia awareness increased in your community?

We need you! On Tuesday, September 8, 2015, at 8:30 pm ET, we will be hosting our New Walk Coordinator Webinar. Dozens of volunteers from around the country will tune in to learn what it takes to make a walk happen. This year, a team of volunteers at 37 walk sites helped us raise almost $500,000. Imagine what could happen if the walk spread to your community too!

You'll be supported by a team of absolutely awesome staff and fellow volunteers to help ensure your event is a success. But you don't have to take our word for it!

"Being a first-time coordinator, planning a walk seemed like such an intimidating task. But everyone is so helpful, and informative, and they are always there when I have a question. I personally don't think there could be a more awesome team at the Preeclampsia Foundation, and I want everyone to know how much I appreciate all of their help!" -- 2015 first-time walk coordinator

Think you have what it takes, or just curious? Come join us!

Our response to ACOG's Committee Opinion on First-Trimester Risk Assessment

In a recent Committee Opinion issued by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: First-Trimester Risk Assessment for Early-Onset Preeclampsia, ACOG states that taking a detailed medical history to evaluate for risk factors is currently the best and only recommended screening approach for preeclampsia. The opinion further states that current predictive tests for preeclampsia may harm more women than they benefit, and concludes that there is no role for first trimester screening until interventions are available that will reduce the incidence of preeclampsia.

"The Preeclampsia Foundation believes we need to continue to encourage the development of new innovative predictive and screening tests for preeclampsia," stated Eleni Tsigas, Executive Director. "Getting medical history alone is insufficient for calculating a pregnant woman's risk for preeclampsia and does not reflect the reality of most OB care. We know that healthcare providers are not consistently taking comprehensive medical histories and then appropriately counseling patients found to be at increased risk about which warning signs to report. The lack of consistent counseling is harmful to women's health, as evidenced by research that shows patient delays in seeking care and lack of symptoms knowledge substantially contributed to maternal deaths from preeclampsia."

Did your OB take a thorough medical history and discuss it with you before your preeclampsia experience? Go to our Community Forum to tell us about your experience.

Here's Our Full Response

Register for NASSHP Conference by Sept. 14 for no late fee

The North American Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy (NASSHP) will meet in Chicago from October 16 to 18. This biennial meeting has multiple objectives. It enables young investigators, trainees, and junior faculty to present and discuss their research related to high blood pressure in pregnancy, and to network with established investigators. It also creates a rare opportunity for individuals in basic and clinical sciences from diverse disciplines to interact and provide updates on the latest advances in managing pregnant women with hypertension.

Register Here

Promise Walk headband: Hot new limited item!

Be one of the first to purchase this adorable green and white chevron 1" wide headband with the Promise Walk logo along the width of the band.

The outside material is shiny satin and the inside material is a nonslip hot pink velvet to hold the headband in place. There is elastic at the bottom of the headband so it stretches to fit. It's hand-washable and made in America!

Get yours first for only $20, while supplies last!

Place Your Order

A fond farewell to NICHD's retiring Director

We wish Dr. Alan Guttmacher, Director of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), a happy retirement when he leaves his post in September. Dr. Guttmacher has been a strong advocate for preeclampsia research and The Preeclampsia Registry, and has deliberately included the Preeclampsia Foundation in all preeclampsia-related initiatives such as the Human Placenta Project. We have greatly appreciated his support, wisdom, and compassion! We are equally optimistic about NICHD's continued attention to preeclampsia under its new leadership, Dr. Catherine Spong, a longtime Foundation friend, who assumes the post of Acting Director upon Dr. Guttmacher's retirement.

P.S. Thanks for keeping in touch with the Preeclampsia Foundation!

Our patient education and research funding could not happen without you. If you like this content and want to get more out to families like yours, please make a gift at preeclampsia.org/donate.