Digital healthcare technologies have the potential to revolutionize prenatal care by giving expectant moms real-time access to health information and assistance. This chapter reviews the current state of digital health technologies in pregnancy care. It discusses their capacity to enhance patient results, boost patient involvement, and lower healthcare expenses. Mobile apps have become increasingly popular for tracking pregnancy progress, providing educational resources and connecting patients with healthcare providers. Healthcare professionals can monitor vital signs using wearable technology like smart watches and activity trackers. The use of telemedicine enables patients in rural or underserved areas to receive healthcare services through remote consultations and virtual appointments. However, there are also limitations and challenges associated with digital health technologies in pregnancy care. This chapter is based on a survey of the most recent research findings and literature on the application of digital health technology, including articles from peer-reviewed journals.
Top1. Introduction: The Changing Landscape Of Pregnancy Care
Pregnancy is a unique and transformative experience that brings about significant changes in the lives of women and their families. Over the years, pregnancy care has undergone significant changes due to advances in technology and innovations in healthcare delivery. The digital age has ushered in a new era of healthcare technologies that have transformed the way pregnancy care is delivered, monitored, and managed (Bagalkot et al., 2018). In the past, pregnancy care was primarily delivered in a traditional healthcare setting, where women would visit their obstetrician or midwife for routine check-ups and ultrasounds. However, with the advent of digital health technologies, pregnancy care has expanded beyond the traditional healthcare setting, allowing women to receive care remotely, from the comfort of their homes. Mobile health applications, wearable’s, telemedicine, and virtual consultations are just a few examples of technologies that are transforming pregnancy care. These technologies not only increase women's access to personalised, real-time information about their health and the wellbeing of their unborn children, but they also provide healthcare professionals with more data to manage pregnancies (Peyton et al., 2014). Mobile health applications are one of the most popular and regularly utilised technologies in pregnancy care for tracking and managing pregnancies. These apps offer women a wealth of information about their pregnancy, including advice on nutrition, exercise, and prenatal care. They also allow women to track their symptoms, monitor their weight, and record their baby's movements.
Wearable technology is another innovative technology that is transforming pregnancy care. The health parameters of the mother and foetus, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and foetal movement, can be continuously monitored with wearable technology. This technology allows for early detection of potential complications, and can also provide women with greater peace of mind throughout their pregnancy (Mukhopadhyay, 2015). Telemedicine and virtual consultations have also become increasingly popular in pregnancy care. Women may now consult with their healthcare practitioners remotely thanks to these technology, which eliminates the need for in-person consultations. Women who reside in rural regions or have restricted mobility would particularly benefit from this because it eliminates the need for them to go far for care (DeNicola et al., 2020). Artificial intelligence (AI) is another technology that is transforming pregnancy care. AI has the potential to analyse vast volumes of data and give healthcare professionals new perspectives on patient treatment. It can also be used to predict potential complications, such as preterm labour or preeclampsia, allowing for early intervention and management (Oprescu et al., 2020). Personalized medicine and genomics are also playing an increasingly important role in pregnancy care. Advances in genomics have allowed healthcare providers to better understand the genetic makeup of both mother and baby, allowing for personalized care and early detection of potential genetic abnormalities (Ginsburg & Willard, 2009). Social media and online communities have also transformed pregnancy care, providing women with a wealth of information and support throughout their pregnancy journey. Expectant mothers can leverage online communities to connect with each other, exchange experiences, and seek advice. Such communities also offer a platform for education and knowledge-sharing (Chan & Chen, 2019). Even though digital health technologies provide numerous advantages for prenatal care, some ethical issues and difficulties need to be resolved. Concerns include issues with data security and privacy as well as the potential for healthcare practitioners to place an undue emphasis on technology at the expense of face-to-face interactions with patients. The field of pregnancy care has seen considerable changes as a result of the development of digital technologies. Pregnancy care is being offered in a completely new way, thanks to the development of technology like wearable’s, telemedicine, AI, personalised medicine, genomics, and online communities. Despite the numerous advantages offered by these technologies, there are ethical and practical challenges that must be addressed to ensure that their use in pregnancy care is safe, efficient, and centered around the patient's needs.