The use of different information being either signals, images, or qualitative assessments along with the integration of such items, to realize a comprehensive framework for pregnancy monitoring, has been a trending topic in recent years and started getting more and more attention worldwide.
ICT4MOMs aims at exploring the novel opportunities provided by predictive analytics to build an ICT infrastructure to consistently help mothers manage their pregnancy. This project aims at addressing pregnancy monitoring encompassing different disciplines, disseminating results and advancements in the scientific, technological, social, and economical fields.
Regarding purely technological advancement, the first direct technological impact will start from the consolidated experience of the Telefetalcare project; the project aims at improving such an already available prototype.
The ultimate aim is to provide mothers with an integrated telemedicine service focused on pregnancy, which makes use of a smartphone and a low-cost, compact, wearable, and easy-to-use device, capable of recording fetal heart rate and contractions simultaneously and with the least possible discomfort.
The telemedicine infrastructure conceived is expected to produce two main results:
1) a prototype model of a remote monitoring health service for a temporary risky condition, as pregnancy is, which includes suggestions for the lifestyle and prediction for the next evolution of the pregnant condition;
2) a conceptual framework for developing general home care prevention services, following the increasing health care policy of prevention. Moreover, it will provide a further example that wearable devices, by themselves, are not sufficient for the correct management of patients/citizens, and an ICT infrastructure must be carefully designed and organized.
Nowadays, Italian and European healthcare costs related to pregnancy and birth are consistently increasing. Risk pregnancies resulting in preterm birth usually generate unpleasant effects on both mothers and babies leading to high pregnancy- and childbirth-related hospital expenses.
Thus, more efficient remote monitoring technologies as the ones proposed by ICT4MOMs are expected to provide solutions to overcome several pregnancy risk factors and improve pregnancy management.