Using smart devices for prenatal care: Assessing the willingness among women with pregnancy-related anxiety

Abstract

Background: Wearables and smart devices could complement face-to-face prenatal care appointments by monitoring pregnant women's health, especially since pregnancy may be a vulnerable time when mental health issues and pregnancy-related anxiety may arise. Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the extent whether the willingness of women to use smart devices for pregnancy care monitoring differs between those with pregnancy-related anxiety and those without. Methods: A survey was conducted to ascertain participant's general characteristics, attitudes toward smart devices, the willingness to use them, and the level of pregnancy-related anxiety (PRAQ-R2). Associations between the willingness and pregnancy-related anxiety parameters were analyzed. Results: Completed questionnaires from 210 women were included in the analysis. A significant difference between women showing high and low levels of pregnancy-related anxiety was observed in terms of their willingness to use a smartwatch (median score 4.00; interquartile range (IQR) 4.00–5.00 vs. 4.00; IQR 3.00–4.00; P = .02), smart contraction counter (median score 4.00; IQR 3.00–5.00 vs. 3.00; IQR 3.00–4.00; P = .02), smart blood pressure monitor (median score 5.00; IQR 3.00–5.00 vs. 4.00; IQR 3.00–4.00; P = .003) or sleep tracker (median score 4.00; IQR 3.00–5.00 vs. 3.00; IQR 2.00–4.00; P = .007). Overall, anxious women showed significantly higher willingness to use smart devices in the context of prenatal care. Conclusions: The data suggest that pregnant women are receptive to using smart devices to enhance their prenatal care, particularly those experiencing higher levels of anxiety. This study serves as an initial step in evaluating attitudes toward these devices. As a follow-up, it is recommended that acceptance and feasibility studies are conducted alongside the further development of existing and new pregnancy-specific wearables.