Monitoring Physiological Changes During Pregnancy Amidst COVID-19

A groundbreaking study published in Frontiers in Public Health explores how wearable technology, like the Oura ring, is being used to monitor physiological changes in pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19. By continuously tracking HR, HRV, RR, and sleep patterns, the study uncovered crucial insights into how the infection affects women in different trimesters.

Key Findings:

  1. Significant Physiological Changes:
    • In the third trimester, significant increases in HR and RR were observed, along with a marked decrease in HRV and deep sleep duration during the peak of COVID-19 symptoms.
    • Similar but less pronounced changes were seen in the second trimester, with physiological changes returning to baseline after the peak period.
  2. Sleep’s Role in Monitoring Health:
    • Deep sleep was notably reduced during the COVID-19 infection period, underscoring the role of sleep as a health indicator during pregnancy.
    • Continuous sleep tracking allowed for better identification of physiological stress signals linked to COVID-19.
  3. Potential for Real-Time Monitoring: This study demonstrates the potential of wearable technology to provide real-time monitoring of pregnant women’s health during the pandemic, enabling timely interventions.

At Centralive, we are helping researchers leverage wearable technology to collect real-time health data and gain deeper insights into maternal well-being. By seamlessly integrating wearable sensors like the Oura ring, our platform allows for continuous monitoring of vital metrics such as heart rate, sleep, and respiratory rate. These advancements provide researchers with the tools needed to enhance personalized care for pregnant women, offering opportunities for early intervention and improved health management.

Full Paper

Authors: Tamara Jimah, Priscilla Kehoe, Holly Borg, Pamela Pimentel, Amir Rahmani, Nikil Dutt, Yuqing Guo