Remote Monitoring Now 'Core Part' of Care
“Remote monitoring for gestational hypertension and diabetes is not just a pandemic-era stopgap—it's now a core part of many high-performing maternal care systems,” explained Dr. Maya Ochoa, CNM. The statement reflects a broader trend toward integrating digital health platforms into standard prenatal monitoring protocols, as recommended in updated clinical guidelines.
- A 2019 study in *Obstetrics & Gynecology* found that remote patient monitoring for gestational hypertension led to a 53% reduction in hospital visits while maintaining positive maternal and fetal health outcomes. - The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), along with the American College of Nurse-Midwives and other organizations, released a consensus statement in April 2025 recommending tailored prenatal care, including the use of telehealth to reduce burdens like travel and time off work. - In Virginia, recently signed House Bill 1904, effective July 1, 2025, allows certified nurse-midwives to be part of the 24-hour on-call rosters for nursery care in hospitals when a physician is unavailable, a measure intended to address maternity care shortages. - Telehealth is a key component of this expanded role, as the new Virginia law permits physician consultations via telehealth for nursery care, extending specialized expertise to areas that may lack it. - Over 35% of U.S. counties are classified as "maternity care deserts," lacking a hospital or birth center with obstetric services and any obstetric providers, a problem digital health platforms are positioned to help alleviate. - A meta-analysis of 32 clinical trials on telemedicine for gestational diabetes found that its use was associated with lower rates of C-sections, preterm birth, and pregnancy-induced hypertension. - The world is currently facing a shortage of approximately 900,000 midwives, which contributes to overworked staff and fragmented care; fully investing in midwifery could prevent an estimated 4.3 million maternal and newborn deaths annually. - Virginia Medicaid policy allows for reimbursement of prenatal and postpartum services delivered via synchronous audio-visual telehealth, though the actual delivery services must be in person.
