Maternal Health Technology: Building a Telehealth Solution for Gestational Diabetes

 Did you know that around 1 in 6 births is impacted by high blood sugar during pregnancy?

That’s a big number! 

Each case of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) can cost about $6,000 a year. 

And here’s something even more concerning;

Half of the women with GDM go on to develop type II diabetes later in life.

Maternal health is super important for all of us. 

It affects not just mothers and babies but also families and communities. 

Unfortunately, managing complications like gestational diabetes often relies on outdated methods, which can be tough for both patients and healthcare providers.

But here’s where technology comes into play! 

Take Malama Health, for instance. Founded by Mika Eddy, they have an app that helps women with GDM easily track their health. 

It’s a great example of how digital solutions can enhance maternal care and lead to better outcomes for both mothers and babies.

If you're ready to create a solution like Malama Health, this blog will be your roadmap for developing a successful Gestational Diabetes app.

Rising Diabetes Rates in Pregnancy in Canada

Recent data shows a worrying trend: diabetes during pregnancy is increasing in Canada. 

From 2005 to 2019, the rates of type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes have all gone up, especially among younger women.

• Type 1 Diabetes: Increased by 25%, from 2.4 to 3 cases per 1,000 deliveries.

• Type 2 Diabetes: Jumped 189%, from 2.7 to 7.8 cases.

• Gestational Diabetes: Rose by 162.7%, from 36.5 to 95.9 cases (without BC). With BC, it went up by 153%, from 41.2 to 104.3 cases.

Young women, aged 15 to 19, saw the biggest increases:

• Type 1 Diabetes: Up by 92.9%, from 1.4 to 2.7 cases.

• Type 2 Diabetes: Rose by 330%, from 1 to 4.3 cases.

• Gestational Diabetes: Increased by 291% (from 10.6 to 38.2) without BC, and by 260% (from 9.9 to 37.8) with it.

Pregnancies with diabetes have higher risks of high blood pressure, C-sections, and issues for babies.

Understanding the Need in Gestational Diabetes Management

Managing gestational diabetes (GD) the old-fashioned way is tough. 

Many Canadian women still use pen-and-paper logs to track their blood sugar and meals. 

This method is time-consuming and can lead to mistakes, making it frustrating for pregnant women.

Healthcare providers also struggle with messy logs. 

It complicates patient visits and makes tracking progress harder.

So, what do women want? Here’s a quick list:

• User-friendly tools: They need a simple way to track blood sugar and meals.
• Personalized insights: Women want tailored advice, like identifying food triggers and spotting blood sugar patterns.
• Easy communication: They need a simple way to share their data with healthcare providers.

A good remote patient monitoring app for diabetes in pregnancy can automate logging, provide personalized tips, and allow secure data sharing. 

Malama Health: A Digital Solution for Gestational Diabetes

In 2022, Malama Health started with founder Mika Eddy’s personal struggle with gestational diabetes.

Tired of pricking her finger and logging meals on paper, she knew there had to be a better way.

That’s when she had the idea to create a digital tool to make managing gestational diabetes easier.

It helps women track their blood sugar, meals, and health data easily. 

The app even syncs with glucometers and allows doctors to monitor patients in real-time.

Malama Health has gained significant traction, attracting over 170 patients in its pilot study with the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, with promising early results. 

85% of users who log at least seven times in the first week continue using the app through delivery, demonstrating its effectiveness in engaging and supporting women with GD

If you’re building a similar solution, take notes from Malama Health. 

Focus on solving real problems, use technology to make life easier, and keep improving. 

Key Features for an Effective Gestational Diabetes Management Platform

A platform to manage gestational diabetes (GD) should be easy to use and helpful for both patients and healthcare providers. Here’s what you need:

1. Simple App for Patients

• Easy Glucose Logging: Let users log their blood sugar levels quickly. Sync with glucometers to save time and avoid mistakes.
• Meal Tracking: Allow users to log meals with a few taps. You can even add features like food recognition to make it easier.
• Track Other Health Data: Patients should be able to track things like exercise, sleep, and medications too.

2. Personalized Insights

• Find Food Triggers: Help patients spot which foods are affecting their blood sugar.
• Custom Tips: Give personalized advice, like suggesting different foods or exercises based on their data.

3. Easy Sharing with Providers

• Real-Time Syncing: Sync the data to the provider’s dashboard automatically.
• Quick Messaging: Allow patients and providers to chat securely in the app.

4. Provider Dashboard

• Clear Data View: Show patient data in charts and graphs so providers can track progress.
• Smart Insights: Use data analysis to help providers make better treatment decisions.
• EHR Integration: Make sure the platform works with existing electronic health records to avoid extra paperwork.

Development Journey of a Gestational Diabetes Management App

Inspired by Malama Health's journey, here are the essential steps for developing a successful digital health platform for managing diabetes during pregnancy:

1. Conduct Thorough User Research

Start by understanding the needs of both patients and providers. 

This involves interviews, feedback, and observing real-world challenges. 

Malama Health saw the struggles women had with paper logs and the difficulties providers faced in accessing and interpreting this data.

2. Design a User-Centered App

Create a patient-facing app that's easy to use and engaging.

• Intuitive Interface: Make the app simple, even for non-tech users.

• Seamless Data Entry: Simplify logging glucose levels and meals with features like glucometer syncing and remote blood sugar monitoring.

• Personalized Insights: Offer tailored recommendations and insights based on user data.

3. Build a Strong Backend

Ensure the platform is secure, scalable, and reliable.

• Data Security: Protect patient data with encryption and follow HIPAA regulations.

• Scalability: Use cloud services to handle growth.

• Reliability: Ensure the platform stays up and responsive for users.

Partner with Healthcare Providers and Institutions for Integration

To smoothly fit the platform into current healthcare workflows, it's important to build strong partnerships with healthcare providers and institutions. 

Collaborating with medical professionals is key. 

This helps ensure that the platform follows clinical guidelines and meets the needs of both patients and providers.

Also, aim to integrate with Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems. 

This allows for easy data exchange and streamlines workflows.

For example, Malama Health teamed up with Stanford Hospital and Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. 

They gathered feedback from doctors and nurses to improve the platform. 

This way, your platform can effectively address the real-world clinical needs.

Case Study: Development of a Digital Health App for Managing Gestational Diabetes

Overview

In response to the rising challenge of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), our health-tech company partnered with a client to develop an innovative smartphone app. 

This app aims to support expectant mothers and healthcare providers by utilizing advanced technology to improve health outcomes for women diagnosed with GDM.

The Challenge

Gestational diabetes affects many pregnant women worldwide, and can lead to severe complications. 

Traditional management methods often rely on diet and exercise alone, highlighting the need for more personalized and effective solutions.

Solution Development

We designed a digital health app that creates a virtual representation of the patient. 

It offers personalized recommendations for diet and lifestyle based on real-time data collected from sensors that monitor glucose levels, vital signs, and physical activity.

Key Features

• Personalized Recommendations: Generates real-time insights for individualized dietary and lifestyle adjustments.
• Data-Driven Approach: Uses AI to analyze patient data and predict health outcomes for tailored interventions.
• Ongoing Monitoring: Continues to track health metrics postpartum to help prevent Type 2 diabetes.

Impact

By delivering a user-friendly and secure platform, this app enhances the management of gestational diabetes, empowering women to improve their health outcomes while ensuring data privacy and security.