Digital Maternal Care: Effectiveness of a Fetal Kick Monitoring App on Pregnancy Outcomes in Primiparous Women with Gestational Diabetes

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor of Maternal & Newborn Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Menoufia University, Egypt

2 Pediatruc Nursing Department, Faculty of nursing, Assiut University

Abstract

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) poses serious risks for both mother and fetus, especially in primiparous women. Monitoring fetal movements is a safe, simple method to assess fetal health. When supported by digital maternal health tools, it can enhance early detection of fetal distress, strengthen maternal-fetal bonding, and improve pregnancy outcomes through better self-care. Aim: To explore the effectiveness of a fetal kick monitoring mobile application in improving pregnancy outcomes among primiparous women diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Methods: A randomized controlled intervention design assigned participants to control or study groups. The study was conducted at the Maternal and Child Health Centers in Shebin El-Kom. Results: Women who used the fetal kick tracking app had higher daily monitoring rates (90.4% vs. 62.8%), more consistency (36.2 vs. 28.7 days), and fewer missing days (9.6% vs. 37.2%) than those in the control group. After intervention, the study women’s knowledge regarding fetal movement monitoring rose from 11.5% to 75.0%. After the intervention, fetal movement monitoring adherence rose from 19.9% to 87.8%. The app improved pregnancy outcomes by reducing preterm birth (5.8%), low birth weight (3.8%), NICU hospitalizations (4.5%), emergency cesarean sections, and prolonged labor, and increasing normal vaginal delivery (65.4%). Conclusion: The fetal kick-tracking app improved maternal involvement, knowledge, practice, and pregnancy outcomes. Digital maternal health tools may serve as cost-effective adjuncts to standard prenatal care. Further comprehensive multicenter studies are needed to evaluate fetal kick monitoring applications across varied demographics and circumstances and analyze long-term effects on moms and babies.

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