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Congratulations, you’re pregnant! Pregnancy is such a unique experience that it is both one of the most exciting and one of the most nerve-racking adventures in most women’s lives. On the one hand, is the excitement of taking part in the miracle of life, and on the other hand, you are a nervous wreck because you want everything to go perfectly.
In the United States, the average number of biological children per family has remained between 1 and 2 since the late 1970s, according to Census.gov. So it is fair to say that most pregnancies in the US are a new experience by first-time mothers. Because pregnancy is new, exciting, and uncertain, it is common practice for expecting mothers to download a pregnancy app.
Over half of pregnant women have downloaded a medical app to track their baby’s growth. As pregnancy apps became available for free download at the turn of the century, newly expecting mothers began finding comfort in knowing what was going on inside their bodies. Pregnancy apps provide regular updates and visuals to the mom-to-be who can’t yet see or feel her baby growing.
While an app that gives you updates on the size of your baby and the changes that a typical body is experiencing during each stage of pregnancy can seem harmless, there may be a reason to think twice before downloading that pregnancy app.
The pandemic has caused an exponential growth in the number of downloads of mobile health apps, up to a 25% increase in downloads. This increase may be due to fewer in-person visits and less time with the doctor to discuss the new mother’s changing body.
Because we have become a society that thrives on instant gratification, the model of an instant download of a free app is very appealing when compared to waiting several weeks for your first prenatal appointment with your doctor. If you are relying on information provided in your app, just keep in mind who is behind the content on your pregnancy app.
The majority of pregnancy apps are operated by non-medical organizations; instead, they are usually run by journalism-type institutions. In fact, a 2021 study of 29 pregnancy apps showed only 28% of apps referenced literature in their content. On top of that, only 40% of the apps studied covered each stage of pregnancy thoroughly and appropriately.
While we acknowledge that these health apps do contain useful information and tidbits, it appears to be largely incomplete, lending the question of whether it was designed for a more nefarious purpose.
Unsuspecting mothers, who were simply looking for more details on their growing poppy seed, were the driving force behind the initial construction of these apps, but is that still the only purpose today? Or is it possible that well-intentioned mothers are downloading pregnancy apps and in turn unknowingly exchanging their sensitive health information and providing a consumer to soak up their advertisements?
Consider that all mobile apps have to make a profit somewhere. Generally, most apps make a profit off of annoying ads that pop up or show on the sideline while you are trying to use the app. The primary goal of the app can phase more into getting consumers to view or click on the ads rather than the original intention of providing accurate health information.
Along with the advertising bombardment you will probably receive while using a pregnancy app, you are likely going to find yourself getting a lot more junk e-mail. Most of the apps require a sign-up which means you are giving your email away to companies that can target you based on all the details you provided on your pregnancy. A 2017 study showed that almost all the pregnancy apps studied gave away private health information to third parties.
With pregnancy hormones circulating on high, the emotional burden of targeted ads like stretch mark cream and expensive cord blood banking can take a toll on a woman who is just trying to learn about her baby’s development.
So what can a woman do? Some doctors have recognized that their patients have a need to understand their pregnancy each step of the way, but it would not be possible for doctors to provide every answer, every time.
The solution for the health information and targeted ad problem of pregnancy apps might be that more and more doctors will begin to develop their own apps or resources that are comprehensive, free from advertising, and that adhere to strict HIPAA privacy laws. Until we get to that point, awareness is the most important tool that we can use to prevent pregnancy apps from causing more harm than good.
Of course, there are always old-fashioned books or e-books that can be read, although they are not quite as exciting as logging in each day to see how your little one has developed. Every woman must weigh her decision on whether the risk is too great.
My Virtual Physician is available to help guide you through your pregnancy and answer any questions that may arise. With our monthly complete care plan, you can see your online OBGYN doctor as many times as needed throughout the month to address any of your pregnancy questions that come up.
