Pregnant in the Pandemic? It Helps to Have Good Wi-Fi.

December 14, 2020

(MIT Technology Review) – One of the most significant is that millions of women and babies have become subjects in a hasty experiment. The hypothesis: Would it be better if more prenatal and postpartum care happened at home? Pregnancy, including birth and aftercare, is the single largest reason for hospital visits in the US, and on average a typical pregnancy will involve between 12 and 14 medical appointments. Proper prenatal visits can prevent life-threatening complications. But limiting in-person care is vital during the pandemic, especially for pregnant women, who are more likely to develop severe or even fatal covid infections. As a result, an unprecedented number of women are turning to virtual care or telehealth services such as video appointments, text support, and phone calls.