After pregnancy, women who had complications like gestational diabetes or high blood pressure face higher risks of heart disease later in life. A new program called NuViva is being tested to help these moms get healthier after delivery. The program combines nutrition advice, exercise guidance, and pelvic floor health education through a smartphone app. Women meet with a team of health experts four times over their first year after giving birth. Researchers are measuring whether this program improves heart health and helps women feel better overall, including their mental health and fitness levels.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether a new postpartum health program can help women who had pregnancy complications reduce their risk of heart disease and improve overall wellness
- Who participated: The study is currently in pilot phase, meaning it’s being tested with a small group of women who recently gave birth, particularly those who experienced complications during pregnancy like gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, or other pregnancy-related issues
- Key finding: This is a pilot study still being developed, so final results aren’t available yet. The program aims to improve cardiovascular health scores (a measure of heart health) at one year after delivery by providing personalized nutrition, exercise, and health monitoring through a smartphone app
- What it means for you: If you recently gave birth, especially if you had pregnancy complications, this type of program may help you reduce your future risk of heart disease. However, this is still being tested, so talk to your doctor about whether similar programs are available in your area
The Research Details
NuViva is a new postpartum health program currently being tested in its early stages (pilot phase). The program brings together different types of health experts—nutritionists, fitness trainers, and doctors—to work with women after they give birth. Women in the program meet with the team four times over 12 months and use a smartphone app to track their health information and get personalized advice. The app is based on guidelines from the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, which is a major organization of pregnancy and women’s health doctors worldwide.
The program focuses on three main areas: nutrition (what and how to eat), physical exercise (movement and fitness), and pelvic floor health (the muscles that support the bladder and other organs). Women also answer questions about their mood, lifestyle, and eating habits. The team measures blood pressure, weight, and other body measurements, and does blood tests when needed. They also test how fit women are and check on their mental health and breastfeeding status.
This approach is different from typical postpartum care because it’s comprehensive and coordinated. Instead of women seeing different doctors separately, this program brings everything together in one place with one team, making it easier for women to get the support they need.
This research matters because pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes and high blood pressure are warning signs that a woman may develop heart disease or diabetes later in life. Currently, most women don’t get special follow-up care after pregnancy, even if they had these complications. By testing a program that provides coordinated care and support right after pregnancy, researchers hope to catch and prevent health problems before they become serious. The smartphone app makes it easier for busy new moms to stay connected with their health team without having to travel to many appointments.
This is a pilot study, which means it’s in the early testing phase. The researchers are still developing and refining the program, so this isn’t the final evidence yet. The study was published in a respected medical journal focused on women’s health, which is a good sign. However, because it’s a pilot study, the sample size (number of women) hasn’t been specified yet, and final results aren’t available. Readers should understand this is promising early-stage research, not yet proven to work widely. The program’s success will depend on whether women actually use it and stick with it over the full year.
What the Results Show
The NuViva program is still being tested, so complete results aren’t available yet. The main goal is to see if the program improves women’s cardiovascular health score (a measure of heart health) one year after giving birth. The program tracks multiple health measures including blood pressure, weight, fitness level, and blood sugar control. Early feedback from the pilot phase will help researchers understand whether women find the program helpful and whether they’re willing to participate in all four visits over the year.
The smartphone app is a key part of the program because it allows women to record their health information between visits and receive personalized education and reminders. This technology-based approach may help women stay engaged with their health goals even when they’re busy caring for a newborn. The program also measures whether women are satisfied with the program and whether it’s practical to deliver in community settings.
Beyond heart health, the researchers are also measuring other important outcomes. These include changes in body weight and measurements, mental health and mood (which is important because postpartum depression is common), how well women’s pelvic floor muscles are working (important for bladder control and sexual health), physical fitness improvements, and breastfeeding rates. The program also tracks whether women continue to participate and feel satisfied, which helps researchers understand if the program is practical and acceptable to new moms.
This program builds on existing knowledge that pregnancy complications are linked to future heart disease risk. Previous research has shown that women who have gestational diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy are more likely to develop these conditions again later in life. However, most postpartum care is fragmented, meaning women see different doctors in different places without coordinated communication. NuViva is designed to improve on this by providing coordinated, comprehensive care right after pregnancy when women are most motivated to make healthy changes. The use of a smartphone app and the FIGO pregnancy passport guidelines represent newer approaches to postpartum care that haven’t been widely tested yet.
This is a pilot study, so it has important limitations. The final sample size and complete results aren’t available yet, which means we can’t draw firm conclusions about how well the program works. The program is being tested in specific community settings, so results may not apply to all women or all areas. Because it’s a new program, we don’t yet know if the benefits last beyond one year or if women continue to follow the recommendations after the program ends. The program requires women to have access to a smartphone and be willing to use an app, which may not work for everyone. Finally, we don’t yet know how much the program costs or whether insurance will cover it, which could affect whether it becomes widely available.
The Bottom Line
This research is promising but still early-stage, so strong recommendations can’t be made yet. However, if you recently gave birth and had pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes or high blood pressure, it’s worth talking to your doctor about postpartum heart health screening and preventive care. Look for programs that combine nutrition advice, exercise support, and regular health monitoring. If similar programs become available in your area, they may help reduce your future risk of heart disease. Confidence level: Moderate—this is based on the program’s design and early testing, but final results aren’t available yet.
This program is designed for women who recently gave birth, especially those who experienced pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes, high blood pressure during pregnancy, preterm birth, or problems with the placenta or baby’s growth. Women who want to reduce their future risk of heart disease and diabetes should pay attention to this research. New moms who are interested in coordinated health care and using technology to track their health may find this approach appealing. However, women who had uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries may not need this specific program, though general postpartum health care is still important for everyone.
The program involves four visits over 12 months, so it’s a year-long commitment. The main health outcome (cardiovascular health score) is measured at one year. However, realistic expectations for seeing major health changes may take longer. Weight loss and fitness improvements might be noticeable within 3-6 months if women follow the nutrition and exercise recommendations. Mental health improvements often happen within weeks to months. The long-term benefits for preventing heart disease and diabetes would take years to fully measure, but the program aims to set women up for success over decades.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track weekly blood pressure readings, daily step count or exercise minutes, and weekly weight measurements. Use the app to log meals and rate mood daily. This creates a clear picture of progress and helps identify patterns between lifestyle choices and health markers
- Set a specific, achievable goal like ‘walk 30 minutes three times per week’ or ‘add one vegetable to each meal.’ Use the app’s reminder feature to prompt these behaviors at the same time each day. Share progress with the health team during check-ins to stay accountable
- Review health trends monthly using the app’s dashboard to see patterns in blood pressure, weight, fitness, and mood. Celebrate small wins like consistent exercise weeks or improved mood scores. Adjust goals quarterly based on progress and feedback from the health team. Set calendar reminders for the four scheduled visits and any recommended lab tests
This research describes a program currently in pilot testing and is not yet proven effective. This information is educational and should not replace medical advice from your doctor. If you recently gave birth, especially if you experienced pregnancy complications, discuss postpartum health screening and prevention strategies with your healthcare provider. Do not start a new exercise program without clearance from your doctor, particularly if you had a complicated pregnancy or delivery. Always consult with qualified healthcare professionals before making significant changes to your nutrition, exercise, or health care routine.