Wearable devices could monitor pregnancy-related health changes

A recent study published in Lancet eBioMedicine highlights the potential of wearable devices, such as Apple Watches and fitness trackers, to monitor pregnancy-related health changes by tracking physiological patterns, particularly heart rate. Researchers from Scripps Research analyzed data from 5,600 participants, including detailed health information from 108 women spanning three months before pregnancy to six months postpartum. They found that heart rate patterns closely aligned with fluctuations in key pregnancy hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and hCG, which are critical indicators of pregnancy progression. For example, heart rate typically dropped between weeks five to nine, then steadily increased until shortly before delivery, and stabilized around six months postpartum. This research suggests that wearables could play a transformative role in prenatal care, especially for women living in "maternal care deserts"—areas with limited access to obstetric services. Early detection of abnormal heart rate patterns may help identify adverse pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage, preeclampsia, or gestational diabetes. While the findings