Advancing maternal health: the role of telehealth in antenatal care

The integration of digital health technologies in antenatal care is changing maternal healthcare. Studies from 2012 to 2024 show increasing interest in using technology to improve prenatal health outcomes. High-income countries like the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom lead the way, while low- and middle-income countries such as Ethiopia, Madagascar, and Iran are starting to catch up. This shift highlights the purpose of telehealth in expanding maternal care accessibility.

A review of academic literature found 4,892 studies on this topic, and after careful selection, 126 publications were considered important. This review shows that digital health solutions have been increasingly used since 2017, with the most interest seen in 2023. Different research methods, like randomized controlled trials and observational studies, have been used to assess the effectiveness of these digital tools.

Digital health tools include things like virtual consultations, mobile health apps, wearable health monitors, and decision-support systems for healthcare providers. These technologies allow remote monitoring, earlier detection of problems, better patient participation, and smarter healthcare decisions.

They fill important gaps in antenatal care by providing affordable and scalable solutions, especially for people with limited access to healthcare. This demonstrates what is telehealth service, as it enables expectant mothers to receive remote medical guidance.

Key areas of telehealth intervention in maternal care

Digital health tools in pregnancy care focus on areas like managing diabetes, supporting mental health, controlling weight, monitoring high-risk pregnancies, and providing general health education for mothers.

1. Managing Gestational Diabetes

Many pregnant women face gestational diabetes, which needs careful management to avoid problems. Digital tools like telemonitoring and self-help apps improve blood sugar control. Apps such as TeleGDM, Glucose Buddy, GDm-health, and Stay-Active mHealth give real-time feedback on blood sugar, offer diet tips, and provide personal feedback, which helps lower risks for mother and baby. Studies show these tools help in managing weight and improving overall health.

2. Mental Health Support

Anxiety and depression during pregnancy can affect both mother and child. Digital apps like iCOPE and MTA help identify mental health issues early and offer therapy, support groups, and online consultations. These digital services are effective, especially for those without access to in-person care. Through these services, expectant mothers can have what is telemedicine visit, ensuring they receive professional mental health guidance remotely.

3. Control of Gestational Weight Gain

It’s important to manage weight gain during pregnancy to prevent issues like preeclampsia. Digital tools like WeChat-based programs and Buddy Healthcare apps offer customized diet and exercise advice, helping mothers stay within safe weight limits for a healthier pregnancy.

4. Monitoring High-Risk Pregnancies & Hypertension

Women with high-risk pregnancies or high blood pressure need close monitoring. Wearable devices and remote systems, like wireless blood pressure monitors, track health data and alert doctors to potential problems. These tools reduce hospital visits and improve health outcomes by catching issues early.

5. General Maternal Health Education & Support

Education before birth is vital, and digital tools are enhancing this area. Mobile apps give instructions, remind of prenatal visits, and offer chat support with doctors. Programs for quitting smoking, managing anemia, and tele-ultrasound imaging also support maternal health.

Technological innovations enhancing antenatal care

Several categories of digital health technologies are reshaping maternal healthcare by enhancing accessibility, efficiency, and personalization. The four primary technological advancements in antenatal care include:

1. Teleconsultations

Video and audio consultations allow healthcare providers to offer remote prenatal care, addressing patient concerns in real time. This method is particularly beneficial for women in rural areas or regions with healthcare shortages. The rise of teleconsultations during the COVID-19 pandemic underscored what is telehealth and its role in providing consistent care remotely.

2. Mobile Health (mHealth) Applications

Smartphone applications have become indispensable tools for self-monitoring, appointment scheduling, medication reminders, and personalized health education. These apps enable expectant mothers to track fetal movements, blood pressure levels, and glucose readings, empowering them to take a proactive role in their health.

3. Wearable Health Monitoring Devices

Devices such as smartwatches and Bluetooth-enabled blood pressure monitors allow continuous monitoring of vital signs. These tools provide real-time health data to both patients and physicians, ensuring timely interventions and reducing the risk of pregnancy-related complications.

4. Decision-Support Systems for Healthcare Providers

Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven decision-support tools assist healthcare professionals in diagnosing and managing pregnancy-related conditions. These systems analyze patient data and provide recommendations based on clinical guidelines, improving the accuracy of medical decisions.

Trends in digital health adoption and future prospects

The adoption of telehealth in antenatal care has followed a dynamic trajectory over the past decade. While digital tools have been utilized since 2012, their adoption saw a marked increase in 2017, with further expansion during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. This growth was driven by the urgent need for remote healthcare solutions, especially in regions experiencing medical facility constraints.

Most digital health interventions have been implemented as enhancements to traditional antenatal care rather than full replacements. Approximately 90 studies reviewed focused on integrating digital solutions with conventional prenatal visits, while 36 studies explored the possibility of fully substituting in-person consultations with telehealth alternatives. Complementary digital tools have proven effective in improving service efficiency while maintaining the benefits of face-to-face care.

The increasing reliance on digital health solutions in antenatal care is expected to continue, with several key developments shaping the future of maternal healthcare:

1. Expansion of AI-Driven Predictive Analytics

Artificial intelligence is expected to play a more prominent role in antenatal care by analyzing large datasets to predict pregnancy complications. Predictive algorithms could enable early diagnosis of conditions such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and fetal growth restrictions.

2. Integration of Digital Health in Low-Resource Settings

The use of digital tools for antenatal care is growing not just in rich countries but also in places with fewer resources. This is important where medical facilities are lacking, and there aren’t enough healthcare professionals. Mobile health programs, text-based health education, and remote monitoring are now affordable ways to provide essential pregnancy care in these areas.

One major advantage of digital health in these settings is connecting pregnant women with healthcare providers more easily. Through online consultations, expectant mothers in remote areas can get medical advice without traveling far. Mobile apps with symptom-checking features help women identify possible pregnancy issues and get timely medical help.

3. Regulatory Frameworks and Standardization

The widespread adoption of digital health solutions necessitates the development of regulatory frameworks to ensure data security, ethical AI use, and compliance with medical guidelines. Standardization of digital antenatal care protocols will be critical in maximizing the effectiveness of these technologies.

4. Greater Patient Engagement and Personalization

Future digital health innovations will focus on enhancing patient engagement by offering more personalized care plans. AI-driven chatbots, virtual pregnancy assistants, and interactive educational platforms could revolutionize how expectant mothers access information and medical support.

Final thoughts

From teleconsultations and mobile applications to wearable monitoring devices and AI-driven decision support, these technologies are revolutionizing prenatal care by improving accessibility, patient engagement, and clinical outcomes.

Gestational diabetes management, mental health support, gestational weight gain control, high-risk pregnancy monitoring, and maternal education are among the key areas where digital health solutions are making a measurable impact. As adoption trends continue to rise, further advancements in AI, predictive analytics, and telemedicine will shape the future of antenatal care.

While challenges such as regulatory gaps and disparities in healthcare access remain, the ongoing evolution of digital health technologies holds the potential to enhance maternal and neonatal outcomes on a global scale. With continued research and innovation, digital antenatal care will play an increasingly vital role in ensuring safer pregnancies and healthier mothers and infants.