FIGO pregnancy passport: A useful tool for women and their healthcare providers to mitigate health risks following pregnancy complications
The FIGO Committee on the Impact of Pregnancy on Long-Term Health has published the FIGO pregnancy passport in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics (IJGO) in July 2023.
An innovative tool to provide tailored intervention in the postpartum period
The FIGO Pregnancy Passport is a document for women with any pre-pregnancy or pregnancy-induced risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases. It was created for health professionals to share with patients after delivery and before discharge from the hospital. It is available as a digital resource, as well as a printable document.
The pregnancy passport facilitates screening and planning for the optimal management of women who have had complications, such as hypertensive disorders or gestational diabetes, during pregnancy. The objective of the passport is to reduce the risk of future health events, with the aim of global use.
A woman's awareness of her own cardiovascular risk is crucial
Women who experience complications during pregnancy are recommended to undergo postpartum screening and intervention to reduce the risk for adverse long-term health outcomes. By identifying and addressing potential health issues early on, women can take proactive steps to safeguard their health and wellbeing in the years to come.
The FIGO Pregnancy Passport enables this by allowing women to record their background, pregnancy information and pregnancy-related cardiometabolic risk indicators in a simple document. It also supplies information on the impact of pregnancy complications on future health, along with appropriate interventions to reduce such risks. In addition, the passport includes recommended tests and schedules for monitoring women within the first 12 months after delivery, which should enhance their participation in postpartum intervention programmes.