Learn about the nuMoM2b and the nuMoM2b Heart Health Studies

NuMoM2b (Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-be) is a prospective cohort study of 10,000 nulliparous women with singleton gestations. The participants have undergone research assessments over the course of their pregnancies to study the mechanisms for and prediction of adverse pregnancy outcomes including hypertensive disease of pregnancy, preterm birth and fetal growth restriction. A study visit was conducted during each trimester of pregnancy. Data were collected through interviews, self-administered questionnaires, clinical measurements, ultrasounds, and medical records review to ensure collection of pertinent demographic, psychosocial, dietary, physiologic, and pregnancy outcome information. Maternal serum, plasma, urine, and cervico-vaginal fluid were collected at each visit; maternal blood for DNA was collected at Visit 1; and cord blood and placenta were collected at delivery. These samples are stored in a repository for later use. Finally, an overnight sleep study was done on a subset of the women at Visit 1 and Visit 3.

The nuMoM2b Heart Health Study is a prospective follow-up study of the women enrolled to nuMoM2b through periodic contacts and a study visit including assessment of cardiovascular risk factors at about 2 to 3½ years after the nuMoM2b pregnancy. The follow-up study includes as many as possible of the 10,000 nuMoM2b participants. The cardiovascular assessment includes clinical and laboratory measurements as well as an interview and self-administered questionnaires used to assess physical activity, depression, psychological stress, nutritional status, and sleep. An overnight sleep study is also done on a subset of the participants to assess sleep disordered breathing. Outcomes of later pregnancies are also collected. The overarching goal of the nuMoM2b Heart Health Study is to better define the relation between outcomes of pregnancy and long-term cardiovascular health of women.

The studies are supported by grants from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).

The research sites participating in the nuMoM2b Heart Health Study are listed below