Gestational hypertension is common in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 12 to 17 pregnant women have complicated situations due to increased blood pressure. Gestational hypertension can lead to dangerous complications for both mother and baby, including preeclampsia, eclampsia, stroke, and premature birth. Controlling the rising blood pressure is key to keeping them safe and healthy. However, the complicated process of monitoring blood pressure during pregnancy and after childbirth can be a barrier for many pregnant women and practitioners. For pregnant women with regular jobs and other responsibilities, frequent visits to doctors' offices and the need for complicated tracking and reporting of blood pressure data can be barriers to maintaining the required level of care and put both mother and baby at risk. RPM device solves this problem by enabling pregnant women to easily monitor their blood pressure at any time at home or work and transmit the results to the doctor, which can reduce the number of visits to the doctor's office.
According to Fran Ayalasomayajula, founder of Research for Equitable Antenatal Care and Health (REACH), one of our best tools to combat gestational hypertension is using remote blood pressure monitoring devices. It is vital to have close monitoring throughout the third trimester (and sometimes even longer) because not all women show obvious signs of hypertension. Therefore, remote patient monitoring is a time-saving and cost-effective solution for them.
According to the CDC, gestational diabetes affects 6% to 9% of pregnant women in the United States, and the trend has increased in recent years. The most effective way to mitigate the effects of gestational diabetes on mother and baby is through frequent and close remote patient monitoring of blood sugar levels, nutritional tracking, exercise and medication or insulin injections when necessary. If it is not effectively controlled, high blood sugar can be very dangerous for both mother and baby. It can lead to abnormally large infants, shoulder dystocia or other birth injuries to babies, cesarean section, premature birth, hypertension and preeclampsia, macrosomia, and even stillbirth.
The diagnosis of expectant mothers with gestational diabetes means frequent visits to dietitians and obstetricians, making pregnancy more complicated and time-consuming. Pregnant women who work, live in rural areas, or lack insurance may think this additional care is difficult and expensive, preventing them from adhering to their treatment plan as rigorously as they should. Remote patient monitoring can reduce the impact of these barriers, making it easier for pregnant women and their medical teams to access additional care.
