HOW Wearables and AI are CHANGING Pregnancy Care By Amelia Roessler T . raditionally, expecting parents might get snapshots of their health at prenatal appointments, followed by a
tracking those changes over time could tell us more about maternal health. Scientists at Scripps Research have found preliminary evidence that suggests even common wearable devices—such as the Apple Watch, Garmin, and Fitbit—could remotely monitor pregnancy-related health changes by tracking patterns like heart rate that correlate with hormonal fluctuations. Pregnancy-specific technology is taking monitoring even further. Researchers are studying wear- able devices capable of tracking fetal heart rate, fetal movement, uterine contractions, and other indicators. Stanford researchers have even developed a wearable ultrasound patch designed to continuously monitor fetal blood flow, with the goal of helping doctors identify potential
Collecting thousands of data points is one thing. Figuring out what they mean is another. That’s exactly where AI could become useful. Instead of expecting a pa- tient or healthcare provider to sift through days or weeks of data or readings, AI systems can analyze large amounts of information to look for patterns or changes that might deserve a closer look. AI and machine learning have expanded rapidly in maternal, fetal, neonatal, and reproductive healthcare. According to the National Library of Medicine, AI promises advances in risk predic- tion, diagnostics, and treatment optimization. Machine learning models have been applied to predict things such as preeclamp- sia, preterm birth, gestational diabetes, hemorrhaging, and delivery mode using maternal de- mographic, clinical, and lab data. But prediction isn’t diagnosis. An algorithm identifying a pattern doesn’t necessarily mean some- thing is wrong, which makes the role of healthcare providers espe-
period of anticipation and hoping things are still good. Today, the intersection of technology and maternal healthcare is creating a new world for the in-between. Now, smartwatches, rings, apps, continuous monitors, and AI-powered tools can collect information day and night. But does having more information actually lead to better care—or just more information to worry about? What Pregnancy Wearables Can Actually Track The smartwatch already on your wrist knows quite a bit about you. Depending on the device, it might track your heart rate, sleep, activity, temperature, respiratory rate, and other health trends throughout the day and night. During pregnancy, some of those measurements naturally
complications earlier. What Does AI Add to the Equation?
change—and researchers are investigating whether
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