What are Wearables?
Wearables are electronic devices that are worn as accessories, either on the body or as clothing. These devices are capable of taking various measurements, such as heart rate, blood glucose levels, or body temperature, and can provide valuable data to the wearer. These devices come in various forms, such as smartwatches, fitness bands, and sensor-based garments. Wearables have become increasingly popular over the last few years, with millions of people using them for various purposes, ranging from fitness to healthcare.
Smartwatches
Smartwatches are wearable devices that can connect to smartphones and other smart devices. They are designed to provide easy access to notifications, messages, and other information on the go. But apart from that, smartwatches also come with built-in sensors that can monitor health-related parameters such as heart rate, sleep patterns, and calories burned. These sensors make them a valuable tool in tracking maternal health.
Fitness Bands
Fitness bands are another form of wearable devices that can be worn on one’s wrist. They are designed to track physical activities such as walking, running, or cycling. They come equipped with sensors that can measure vital statistics such as heart rate, distance traveled, and calories burned. Fitness bands can be a great tool for expecting mothers to track their steps and physical activity levels. Keeping an active lifestyle during pregnancy is important as it can help to mitigate several health risks, including gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and preterm birth.
Sensor-based Garments
Sensor-based garments are a relatively new concept in the world of wearable technology. These garments are designed to be worn as regular clothing and come equipped with sensors that can continuously monitor health metrics. Sensor-based garments can detect several health-related parameters such as heart rate, body temperature, respiratory rate, and even fetal movements. These garments can be particularly useful during pregnancy, as they allow expecting mothers to remotely monitor fetal movements and other important health metrics.
Advantages of Wearables during Pregnancy
Wearable devices can have several advantages during pregnancy. Here are some of the most notable benefits:
1. Remotely Monitor Health Metrics
Wearable devices can remotely monitor several vital health metrics such as heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure. They can also monitor fetal movements, which can provide valuable insights into the health of the fetus.
2. Keep Track of Physical Activity
Physical activity during pregnancy is essential for maintaining maternal health. Wearables like fitness bands can help expecting mothers track their physical activity levels and steps taken throughout the day. This can encourage pregnant women to stay active during their pregnancy and help improve overall health.
3. Personalized Health Guidance
Wearable devices can provide personalized health guidance based on the data collected. For example, if a woman’s heart rate or blood pressure is too high, the device can provide personalized recommendations and guidance to help manage the issue.
4. Improve Sleep Quality
Wearables like smartwatches can track sleep patterns and provide insights on how to improve sleep quality. Adequate sleep is crucial during pregnancy as it can help expecting mothers stay energized and healthy.
Popular Wearables for Maternal Health
There are several wearables available in the market that can be used to track and monitor maternal health. Here are some of the most popular ones:
1. Bellabeat Leaf
The Bellabeat Leaf is a wearable device that can be worn as a pendant, bracelet, or clip. It is designed to help women track their menstrual cycle, ovulation, and pregnancy. The device can also track physical activity, stress levels, and sleep patterns.
2. Ava Bracelet
The Ava Bracelet is a wrist-worn device that is designed to help women conceive. It tracks metrics such as skin temperature, resting pulse rate, and breathing rate to predict fertile days.
3. LatchMe
The LatchMe is a smart nursing bra that comes equipped with sensors to monitor breast milk production. The device can track how much milk is being produced and when milk levels are low, reminding mothers when it’s time to pump.
4. Owlet
The Owlet is a sensor-based sock that is designed to monitor baby’s heart rate and oxygen levels. The device sends an alert to the parent’s phone if there are any alarming changes in heart rates or oxygen levels.
Precautions While Using Wearables During Pregnancy
While wearables can be a useful tool in tracking maternal health, it’s important to carefully use them and follow some precautions. Here are some important precautions to keep in mind:
1. Consult your Doctor
It’s always recommended to consult with your healthcare provider before using any wearable device to track maternal health. While the devices are generally safe to use, it’s important to ensure that they are not interfering with treatment or causing any harm to the mother or fetus.
2. Avoid Exposure to EMF
Wearable devices emit electromagnetic fields (EMF) that can be potentially harmful to fetal development. It’s important to keep the device away from the abdomen area and not use it for prolonged periods.
3. Keep an Eye on Battery Life
While wearables can track health metrics continuously throughout the day, they require a power source to operate. It’s important to keep an eye on the battery life of these devices and avoid using them if the battery is low.
Conclusion
Wearable technology has come a long way in recent years, and it has become an invaluable tool in tracking maternal health. With wearables like smartwatches, fitness bands, and sensor-based garments, women can remotely monitor several vital health metrics and improve their overall health during pregnancy. However, it’s important to keep in mind the necessary precautions and consult with healthcare providers before using any wearable device. See you again in another interesting article.
