The prenatal period can be stressful for expecting patients because it’s when the health of both mother and baby is intricately linked, requiring dedicated and specialized care. During this phase, the baby undergoes rapid development, and the mother's body experiences changes, making it necessary to provide tailored medical support to ensure a healthy pregnancy and successful birth.
The needs of the prenatal patient
A study published in the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists states, “Women who present for prenatal care have unique needs that can be met efficiently and effectively through right sized prenatal care.”
Unlike other patients, expecting mothers need focused attention on both maternal and fetal well-being, requiring regular monitoring and thorough preparation for childbirth. Unfortunately, these specific needs are often overlooked because general healthcare systems aren't always designed to provide the comprehensive and forward-looking care that pregnancy demands.
While there isn’t a one size fits approach to prenatal care as mentioned in the study above, healthcare providers should provide for the common needs of patients:
- Routine visits to monitor fetal development and maternal health.
- Specific dietary recommendations to support fetal growth and maternal well-being.
- Supplements like folic acid prevent birth defects and support the baby's development.
- Blood tests and ultrasounds to detect any potential complications early.
- Counseling or therapy to address anxiety, depression, or stress related to pregnancy.
- Information on childbirth, breastfeeding, and newborn care.
- Safe physical activity routines to maintain maternal health without risking the baby.
- Assistance in creating a birth plan that aligns with the patient’s preferences and needs.
- Management of chronic illnesses like diabetes or hypertension in the context of pregnancy.
- Immediate medical attention for any unexpected complications or concerns during pregnancy.
See also: HIPAA compliant communication for prenatal care
The role of communication
In prenatal care, communication allows expecting patients to receive the necessary information and support throughout their pregnancy. It helps address the needs mentioned by providing updates on fetal development, guidance on healthy practices, and reminders for appointments. This in turn allows mothers to ask questions, share concerns, and receive advice on managing their health and preparing for childbirth.
A review article published in the Journal of Midwifery echoes this sentiment with the statement, “Methods of initiating communication between prenatal care providers and women, together with access to information and training materials, are among important factors affecting the use of prenatal care services…poor communication between patients and healthcare providers, unfriendly behaviors, and negative attitudes of healthcare providers are among major factors…”
Choosing the right communication method, such as HIPAA compliant text messaging, provides for private discussions so that expecting patients can trust the information they receive and stay connected with their healthcare providers. This approach keeps them informed, helps them make well informed decisions, and supports a positive pregnancy experience.
How to use HIPAA compliant text messaging for prenatal care
- Tailor communication for individual needs: Healthcare providers can enhance text messaging by tailoring communications to each patient's specific needs and stage of pregnancy. For instance, sending dietary tips can help manage gestational diabetes, while specific exercise guidelines might be useful for those with high-risk pregnancies.
- Enhance appointment management: Effective appointment management through text messaging includes sending detailed preparation instructions for specific tests or ultrasounds. For example, a reminder to drink water before an ultrasound can ensure clearer imaging results.
- Implement two-way symptom monitoring: Text messaging for two-way symptom monitoring allows healthcare providers to stay informed about their patients' conditions. For high-risk pregnancies, daily or weekly check-ins can be set up, during which patients report symptoms such as blood pressure readings or glucose levels.
- Facilitate medication adherence: Text messaging can help in ensuring medication adherence among prenatal patients. Specific reminders that include medication names and doses, such as “Take one prenatal vitamin at 8 AM,” help patients manage their prescriptions effectively.
- Coordinate care across providers: Text messages can help coordinate care by reminding patients to share updates from specialists with their primary prenatal care provider. For instance, if a patient sees a cardiologist, a reminder to inform their prenatal doctor about the visit can ensure integrated and comprehensive care.
- Offer specific emotional support resources: Text messaging can also connect patients with emotional support resources tailored to their needs. Providers can send links to virtual support groups for expecting mothers experiencing similar situations, like high-risk pregnancies or first-time motherhood.
- Enable efficient logistics planning: Text messaging simplifies logistics planning by providing reminders and links to necessary preparations. Patients can receive prompts to complete hospital preregistration or direct links to online forms.
- Streamline post-delivery coordination: After delivery, text messaging continues to be a valuable tool for coordinating care. Scheduled texts with newborn care tips and breastfeeding support start immediately, helping new mothers navigate the early stages of parenthood.
See also: Leveraging email for maternal health education and communication
FAQs
What is HIPAA?
HIPAA sets national standards for protecting sensitive patient health information.
Can I use regular text messaging apps to communicate with my healthcare provider?
No, regular text messaging apps are not secure and do not meet HIPAA standards for protecting patient information.
How do I know if a text messaging service is HIPAA compliant?
A HIPAA compliant text messaging service will use encryption, secure data storage, and require proper authentication to ensure the security of patient information.
Kirsten Peremore
