Rochester, N.Y. --- A new study underway at the University of Rochester hints at what could be the future of healthcare for pregnant women and moms.
It is called "e-Moms ROC" and participants are provided with health information and even reminders via a personal website, emails, or even text message. The study deals exclusively with pregnant women and tracks their access to health information through delivery and into the first 18-months of their newborn’s life.
Each expecting mom that participates in the study has a personal website that offers them advice and guidance on everything from nutrition to exercise to recommended sleep patterns. Moms are also able to receive reminders via email or text message about upcoming doctor’s appointments or even vitamins they should be taking.
Researchers are tracking the health of each mother and their child but they are also focused on how each participant receives their health information. That includes blogs on each mother’s personal website where participating mom’s share stories, tips, and information.
"The pregnant women, you know they really support you and post a lot of supportive information and they share your concerns and you feel you're not lonely," Ying Meng, a participant in the study explained.
"If it works, and we think it will work, then yes that can be incorporated into regular, standard clinical care," the study’s director Dr. Diana Fernandez said of the tech updates. "It's (about) what works, how it works, (and) what's the media that better works for the mom."
The study already involves about 750 mothers but researchers are actively searching for others that will participate.
Those interested can learn more by visiting emomsroc.org - by emailing organizers at signmeup@emomsroc.org – or by calling 585-273-3090.
