How Virtual Tech is Helping Boost Postpartum Care

Due to recent technological advancements in healthcare, more patients are choosing to sign up to healthcare services online. This is evident in a survey that showed that around 70% of consumers prefer digital healthcare solutions.

Although the same survey indicates that the majority of these users are women, maternal healthcare services still need improvement. Although most new moms experience both depression and anxiety, they don’t get screened for mental health at any stage of their pregnancy or after, postpartum. Experts believe that with technologies such as telehealth, new mothers can have better access to healthcare services because they are available anytime at lower costs.

Even if consultations are done online, government agencies impose regulations to ensure that healthcare professionals online are credible and well-trained. All telehealth nurses need to accomplish a bachelor’s or master of science degree in nursing and be registered nurses in any US state that is part of the Nursing Licensure Compact. Apart from a degree, Iowa also requires virtual nurse practitioners to get certifications from a national credentialing agency to ensure that providers are capable in their field, including women’s health care.

Accessible Healthcare Services

Most remote health companies also train these practitioners on how to use virtual tech and platforms. Other US states like Texas will require a local telemedicine license for out-of-state providers, which includes a Texas Medical Jurisprudence Examination. Lastly, they would need to have additional training on how to use technology and health platforms. This shows that telehealth services provide the same quality of care that patients can expect from in-person visits.

Telehealth and other medical technologies benefit patients in many ways, especially new moms who are still navigating their way through motherhood. Here are three examples of how virtual technologies can help women in postpartum care:

According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, the reasons why most mothers are unable to receive proper maternity care is because of inaccessible clinics, expensive consultation fees, and lack of maternity leave for working mothers. This is why telehealth plays a crucial role in ensuring that mothers receive the necessary maternal care they need.

With telehealth services, mothers don’t need to worry about leaving their other children at home without supervision because they can have consultations online. It will also eliminate the need to travel to and from the hospital and help working mothers attend appointments in their free time because telehealth is available anytime.

Cost-Effective Care

Apart from its accessibility, telehealth services can help mothers save money and time. Kimberly Lankford said telehealth costs less than in-person visits, especially for minor health issues. The national median cost for a video-based virtual visit is $50, compared to $85 for low-severity treatment at a doctor’s office, $130 for an urgent care facility visit, and $740 for an emergency room visit.

Access to reliable maternal care information online can also help mothers reduce their healthcare expenses. For mothers who have undergone a c-section delivery, our article on ‘When Can I Have a Bath After C Section Delivery’ can help mothers understand the steps they need to take for a quick recovery at home. There are also online communities for parents that are willing to share their stories and tips on how to overcome the aftereffects of giving birth.

Reliable Monitoring Devices

Lastly, innovations like remote patient monitoring (RPM) devices allow mothers to keep track of their health and help doctors record patient data outside a healthcare facility. These devices, which are worn on the patient’s wrist, can alert the patient if their vitals reach a particular threshold and will require immediate medical intervention. RPM can track glucose meters for mothers with diabetes, blood pressure for hypertension or postpartum preeclampsia, and oxygen levels for mothers with asthma. With this, mothers can adjust their lifestyle to ensure that they are within healthy levels and lessen hospital visits.

As this article shows, technology is having a huge impact on postpartum care and the future looks increasingly bright for any mothers having difficulties.