Skip to content
2000
Volume 7, Issue 1
  • ISSN: 2666-7967
  • E-ISSN: 2666-7975

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed drastic challenges to the health system and resulted in drastic measures to reduce the high morbidity and mortality rates observed among affected individuals. Pregnant women were faced with an unexpected suspension of anti-natal care with the recommendation of indoor confinement. Telemedicine (Tm), defined as the delivery of healthcare communication, stood up as a valuable tool to address those needs with its convenience of remote monitoring and ease of use. This review aimed to verify the transition of Tm in obstetrical care, define factors and barriers associated with its acceptance, its performance, and how it evolved during the COVID-19 era to guide its role in modern obstetrics. Four electronic repositories were searched: PubMed, Scopus, WOS, and Google Scholar using the keywords (pregnant, telemedicine, COVID-19, feto-maternal health, outcome, satisfaction, and health care); eligible studies were included in the analysis. Despite the challenges and difficulties faced by Tm during its early implementation in the pandemic, its effectiveness was demonstrated. Looking back to the lessons learned from the pandemic, Tm stood out as a reliable, safe, cost-effective tool for delivering anti-natal care during lockdown. Its role in alleviating anxiety and stress associated with the pandemic was notable. There are still gaps in our knowledge that need to be researched further, practically, the long-term outcome of Tm follow-up for both the mothers and their babies, and from a lower income countries' perspective as Tm services faced digital literacy in those areas. It has been anticipated that Tm will play a crucial role in modern obstetrics, as an integral part of the health service or as a complete part. Moreover, by adopting the 2 models, pregnant women will have the leverage of to aim for better delivery and outcomes in the presented health care.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/covid/10.2174/0126667975363969241210093406
2024-12-13
2026-01-09
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. EzeamiiV.C. OkobiO.E. SaniW.H. Revolutionizing healthcare: How telemedicine is improving patient outcomes and expanding access to care.Cureus2024167e6388110.7759/cureus.6388139099901
    [Google Scholar]
  2. GoldbergerK.A.R. SrinivasS.K. Obstetrical telehealth and virtual care practices during the COVID-19 pandemic.Clin. Obstet. Gynecol.202265114816010.1097/GRF.000000000000067135045037
    [Google Scholar]
  3. StoltzfusM. KaurA. ChawlaA. GuptaV. AnamikaF.N.U. JainR. The role of telemedicine in healthcare: An overview and update.Egypt. J. Intern. Med.20233514910.1186/s43162‑023‑00234‑z
    [Google Scholar]
  4. KhoshrounejadF. HamedniaM. MehrjerdA. Telehealth-based services during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review of features and challenges.Front. Public Health2021971176210.3389/fpubh.2021.71176234350154
    [Google Scholar]
  5. GoyalL.D. GargP. VermaM. KaurN. BakshiD. AroraJ. Effect of restrictions imposed due to COVID-19 pandemic on the antenatal care and pregnancy outcomes: a prospective observational study from rural North India.BMJ Open2022124e05970110.1136/bmjopen‑2021‑05970135387835
    [Google Scholar]
  6. GoyalM. SinghP. SinghK. ShekharS. AgrawalN. MisraS. The effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on maternal health due to delay in seeking health care: Experience from a tertiary center.Int. J. Gynaecol. Obstet.2021152223123510.1002/ijgo.1345733128794
    [Google Scholar]
  7. DiamantiA. SarantakiA. KalamataN. VivilakiV. VarnakiotiD. LykeridouA. Pregnancy during the pandemic: The psychological impact of COVID-19 on pregnant women in Greece.Euro J Mid20237January1610.18332/ejm/15746336761448
    [Google Scholar]
  8. RathA. NayakP. BegumJ. MitraS. A survey of the psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pregnant women attending a tertiary care centre of Eastern India – a cross-sectional study.Przegl. Menopauz.202322419620110.5114/pm.2023.133593
    [Google Scholar]
  9. ShahhosseiniZ. NikbakhtR. HajipourL. SalarianN. TabaghdehiM.H. The relationship between fear and anxiety of corona and childbirth experiences in women referring to health centers in mazandaran province: A longitudinal study.J. Mazandaran Univ. Med. Sci.2024332283544
    [Google Scholar]
  10. SmithK.A. HowardL.M. VigodS.N. D’AgostinoA. CiprianiA. Perinatal mental health and COVID-19: Navigating a way forward.Aust N Z J Psyc202357793794310.1177/0004867422113781936440619
    [Google Scholar]
  11. KassaZ.Y. ScarfV. TurkmaniS. FoxD. Impact of COVID-19 on maternal health service uptake and perinatal outcomes in sub-saharan africa: A systematic review.Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health2024219118810.3390/ijerph2109118839338071
    [Google Scholar]
  12. AtkinsonJ. HastieR. WalkerS. LindquistA. TongS. Telehealth in antenatal care: Recent insights and advances.BMC Med.202321133210.1186/s12916‑023‑03042‑y37649028
    [Google Scholar]
  13. Borges do NascimentoI.J. AbdulazeemH. VasanthanL.T. Barriers and facilitators to utilizing digital health technologies by healthcare professionals.NPJ Digit. Med.20236116110.1038/s41746‑023‑00899‑4
    [Google Scholar]
  14. HuangX. LinJ. FushmanD.D. Evaluation of PICO as a knowledge representation for clinical questions.AMIA Ann Symp Proc 20062006359363
    [Google Scholar]
  15. DuarteP. PinhoJ.C. A mixed methods UTAUT2-based approach to assess mobile health adoption.J. Bus. Res.201910214015010.1016/j.jbusres.2019.05.022
    [Google Scholar]
  16. KwatengO.K. AppiahC. AtiemoK.A.O. Adoption of health information systems: Health professionals perspective.Int. J. Healthc. Manag.202114251753310.1080/20479700.2019.1672004
    [Google Scholar]
  17. MiddlemassJ.B. VosJ. SiriwardenaA.N. Perceptions on use of home telemonitoring in patients with long term conditions – concordance with the health information technology acceptance model: A qualitative collective case study.BMC Med. Inform. Decis. Mak.20171718910.1186/s12911‑017‑0486‑528651588
    [Google Scholar]
  18. FtouniR. AlJardaliB. HamdaniehM. FtouniL. SalemN. Challenges of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review.BMC Med. Inform. Decis. Mak.202222120710.1186/s12911‑022‑01952‑035922817
    [Google Scholar]
  19. QuiñonesI.L.E. NoveroV.M. Acceptability of telemedicine among patients undergoing prenatal and postnatal care in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic.Philipp. J. Obstet. Gynecol.2022461121910.4103/pjog.pjog_5_22
    [Google Scholar]
  20. GillenwaterJ.A. RepM.A. TroyA.B. PowerM.L. VighR.S. MackeenA.D. Patient perception of telemedicine in maternal-fetal medicine.Telemed. J. E Health2024301198203[PMID: 37466478
    [Google Scholar]
  21. McCabeM. GersonK.D. HirshbergA. 892 Remote monitoring of pregnant and postpartum women with COVID-19.Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol.20212242S553S55410.1016/j.ajog.2020.12.915
    [Google Scholar]
  22. RingroseJ.S. PolleyG. McLeanD. ThompsonA. MoralesF. PadwalR. An assessment of the accuracy of home blood pressure monitors when used in device owners.Am. J. Hypertens.201730768368910.1093/ajh/hpx04128430848
    [Google Scholar]
  23. SalmanD.A. ObeidR.Z. JaafarZ.A.A. Secondary Postpartum Haemorrhage following vaginal delivery: A 3-year survey of causes and management.Ginekol. Pol.2020911060761210.5603/GP.a2020.009533184829
    [Google Scholar]
  24. AbdulqaderS.K. NoriW. AkramN.N. KinaniA.M. Radiological modalities for the assessment of fetal growth restriction: A comprehensive review.AL-Kindy Col Med J2024201413
    [Google Scholar]
  25. JeganathanS. PrasannanL. BlitzM.J. VohraN. RochelsonB. MeirowitzN. Adherence and acceptability of telehealth appointments for high-risk obstetrical patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. MFM20202410023310.1016/j.ajogmf.2020.10023332984803
    [Google Scholar]
  26. UdegbeB.C. ClappM.A. BryantA.S. Disparities from bedside to “webside”: Barriers to achieving equity in telemedicine in obstetrics.AJOG Glob. Rep.20233110015910.1016/j.xagr.2022.10015936618830
    [Google Scholar]
  27. MoiseI.K. IvanovaN. WilsonC. WilsonS. HalwindiH. SpikaV.M. Lessons from digital technology-enabled health interventions implemented during the coronavirus pandemic to improve maternal and birth outcomes: A global scoping review.BMC Preg Childb202323119510.1186/s12884‑023‑05454‑336941565
    [Google Scholar]
  28. FarrellR. CollartC. CraigheadC. The successes and challenges of implementing telehealth for diverse patient populations requiring prenatal care during COVID-19: Qualitative study.JMIR Form. Res.202263e3279110.2196/3279135275833
    [Google Scholar]
  29. BrunoB. MercerM.B. HizlanS. Virtual prenatal visits associated with high measures of patient experience and satisfaction among average-risk patients: A prospective cohort study.BMC Preg Childb202323123410.1186/s12884‑023‑05421‑y37024808
    [Google Scholar]
  30. StentzelU. GrabeH.J. SchmidtS. TomczykS. van den BergN. BeyerA. Mental health-related telemedicine interventions for pregnant women and new mothers: A systematic literature review.BMC Psychiatry202323129210.1186/s12888‑023‑04790‑037118689
    [Google Scholar]
  31. BaudierP. KondratevaG. AmmiC. ChangV. SchiavoneF. Digital transformation of healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic: Patients’ teleconsultation acceptance and trusting beliefs.Technovation202312010254710.1016/j.technovation.2022.102547
    [Google Scholar]
  32. AbarcaG.V. SanchezP.P. CamachoA.M. Virtual teams in times of pandemic: Factors that influence performance.Front. Psychol.20211262463710.3389/fpsyg.2021.62463733679543
    [Google Scholar]
  33. MaddenN. EmeruwaU.N. FriedmanA.M. Telehealth uptake into prenatal care and provider attitudes during the COVID-19 pandemic in new york city: A quantitative and qualitative analysis.Am. J. Perinatol.202037101005101410.1055/s‑0040‑171293932516816
    [Google Scholar]
  34. IsraniD.K. ChawlaN.S. Human‐machine interaction in leveraging the concept of telemedicine.Hum Mach Inter.Wiley202321124510.1002/9781394200344.ch8
    [Google Scholar]
  35. NazariE. Digital innovation for healthcare in COVID-19 pandemic.Digital Innovation Healthcare COVID-19 Pandemic: Strategic Solution.Elsevier2022113710.1016/B978‑0‑12‑821318‑6.00016‑5
    [Google Scholar]
  36. PerezM.V. MahaffeyK.W. HedlinH. Large-scale assessment of a smartwatch to identify atrial fibrillation.N. Engl. J. Med.2019381201909191710.1056/NEJMoa190118331722151
    [Google Scholar]
  37. MarkweiM. GojeO. Optimizing mother–baby wellness during the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic: A case for telemedicine.Women Health2021171745506521101326210.1177/1745506521101326233926323
    [Google Scholar]
  38. VarnfieldM. ReddC. StoneyR.M. An mhealth system to support women with gestational diabetes mellitus: Feasibility and acceptability study.Diabetes Technol. Ther.202123535836610.1089/dia.2020.050933210954
    [Google Scholar]
  39. MoulaeiK. BahaadinbeigyK. GhaffaripourZ. GhaemiM.M. The design and evaluation of a mobile based application to facilitate self-care for pregnant women with preeclampsia during COVID-19 prevalence.J. Biomed. Phys. Eng.202111455156010.31661/jbpe.v0i0.2103‑1294
    [Google Scholar]
  40. MoulaeiK. SheikhtaheriA. GhafaripourZ. BahaadinbeigyK. The development and usability assessment of an mhealth application to encourage self‐care in pregnant women against COVID‐19.J. Healthc. Eng.202120211996845110.1155/2021/9968451
    [Google Scholar]
  41. ShoreyS TanTC Thilagamangai Development of a supportive parenting app to improve parent and infant outcomes in the perinatal period: Development study.J. Med. Internet Res.20212312e2703310.2196/2703336260376
    [Google Scholar]
  42. HashemzahiM. KhayatS. KhazaeianS. Effect of COVID-19 self-care training via telemedicine on perceived stress and corona disease anxiety in pregnant women: A quasi-experimental study.J Midw Repro Health20221013066307410.22038/jmrh.2021.60589.1728
    [Google Scholar]
  43. MarshallC. GutierrezS. HechtH. LoganR. KernsJ. SmithD.N. Quality of prenatal and postpartum telehealth visits during COVID-19 and preferences for future care.AJOG Glob. Rep.20233110013910.1016/j.xagr.2022.100139
    [Google Scholar]
  44. KhademhosseiniL. FaridM. NaeeniR.M. KamraniA.M. Telemedicine and pregnancy care from the perspective of iranian pregnant women: A study based on the technology acceptance model.J Nur Midw Sci2024111e14477310.5812/jnms‑144773
    [Google Scholar]
  45. SabetrohaniH. KoohpayehzadehJ. SheikhtaheriA. GoliS. KeramatA. Perspectives of mothers and providers regarding virtual care approaches during pregnancy in high and low-income countries: A meta-synthesis on qualitative studies.Health Soc. Care Commu2023202311610.1155/2023/4131618
    [Google Scholar]
  46. XieW. DaiP. QinY. WuM. YangB. YuX. Effectiveness of telemedicine for pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus: An updated meta-analysis of 32 randomized controlled trials with trial sequential analysis.BMC Preg Childb202020119810.1186/s12884‑020‑02892‑132252676
    [Google Scholar]
  47. NoriW. HameedB.H. ThamirA.R. FadhilA. COVID-19 in pregnancy: Implication on platelets and blood indices.Rev. Bras. Ginecol. Obstet.202143859559910.1055/s‑0041‑173391234547793
    [Google Scholar]
  48. ObeidR.Z. SalmanD.A. Abdul Ameer JaafarZ. Maternal mortality in an Iraqi tertiary hospital: Lessons from the years of the crisis.Int. J. Women’s Health Reprod. Sci.20208436236710.15296/ijwhr.2020.58
    [Google Scholar]
  49. WaliR. Integration of telehealth in routine perinatal care: A model of care for primary healthcare clinics in Saudi Arabia.Cureus20231510e4729510.7759/cureus.4729538021871
    [Google Scholar]
  50. AkramN.N. NoriW. QaissiA.K.W. HadiA.B.A. Multi-systemic inflammatory syndrome in childhood (MIS-C): A review article.J. Pak. Med. Assoc.20217112S70S73[PMID: 35130265
    [Google Scholar]
  51. QuinnL.M. OlajideO. GreenM. SayedH. AnsarH. Patient and professional experiences with virtual antenatal clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic in a UK tertiary obstetric hospital: Questionnaire study.J. Med. Internet Res.2021238e2554910.2196/2554934254940
    [Google Scholar]
  52. HaimiM. The tragic paradoxical effect of telemedicine on healthcare disparities- a time for redemption: A narrative review.BMC Med. Inform. Decis. Mak.20232319510.1186/s12911‑023‑02194‑437193960
    [Google Scholar]
  53. AcobaE.F. Social support and mental health: The mediating role of perceived stress.Front. Psychol.202415133072010.3389/fpsyg.2024.133072038449744
    [Google Scholar]
  54. ArilhaM. CarvalhoA.P. ForsterT.A. RodriguesC.V.M. BriguglioB. SerruyaS.J. Women’s mental health and COVID-19: Increased vulnerability and inequalities.Front. Glob. Womens Health20245141435510.3389/fgwh.2024.141435539416672
    [Google Scholar]
  55. DuttaS. MoreA. MahajanS. NawaleN. ChoudharyN. ShrivastavaD. Assessment of reproductive health knowledge among college students in northwestern india: A cross-sectional study.Cureus2024162e5468110.7759/cureus.5468138524049
    [Google Scholar]
  56. AkramN.N. AbedM.Y. Indications and outcome of albumin infusion in a neonatal population: A cross sectional study.J Med Chem Sci202251129136
    [Google Scholar]
  57. ChipakoI. SinghalS. HollingsworthB. Impact of sexual and reproductive health interventions among young people in sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review.Front. Glob. Womens Health20245134413510.3389/fgwh.2024.134413538699461
    [Google Scholar]
  58. BenevidesR. ChauK. OusseiniA. InnocentI. SimmonsR. Engaging students to improve sexual and reproductive health: A report of the university leadership for change initiative in niger.Afr. J. Reprod. Health20192315564[PMID: 31034172
    [Google Scholar]
  59. ShrivastavaS.R. ShrivastavaP.S. Feedback in medical education.Must Med Jl2022212939510.4103/mj.mj_10_22
    [Google Scholar]
  60. NikbakhtV.M. GheibiM. MontazeriH. KhaksarY.R. MoezziR. VadieeA. Identification and ranking of factors affecting the delay risk of high-rise construction projects using AHP and VIKOR methods.Infrastructures2024922410.3390/infrastructures9020024
    [Google Scholar]
  61. ManiI. NandakumarM.B. BalakrishnanA.B. RahamathullaM.P. PandiM. Pandemic preparedness for COVID-19: Research, healthcare, and pharmaceutical perspectives.Coronaviruses202451e27102322288710.2174/0126667975267350231025073121
    [Google Scholar]
  62. SharadN. SrivastavaS. KiroV.V. Enterococcal infections: A comparative analysis between the pandemic and the pre-pandemic period.Coronaviruses202451e06112322322410.2174/0126667975266889231102063923
    [Google Scholar]
  63. DeaB.D. AndradeF. JuniorS.M.F. Self-perceived evaluation of prenatal care: A hierarchical analysis by the users of primary health care services in brazil.Rev. Bras. Saúde Mater. Infant.202121259961310.1590/1806‑93042021000200014
    [Google Scholar]
  64. SamantaS. BandyopadhyayA. BhattacherjeeS. DasguptaP. COVID-19 vaccine acceptance among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in a tertiary care hospital of india.Must Med J2023221929710.4103/mj.mj_2_23
    [Google Scholar]
  65. TaylorT. SimpsonA.N. D’SouzaR. Avoiding the echo‐chamber: Embracing qualitative research in obstetrics and gynecology to amplify patient voices.Acta Obstet. Gynecol. Scand.2022101770270410.1111/aogs.1434635510937
    [Google Scholar]
  66. TanhanA. StrackR.W. Online photovoice to explore and advocate for Muslim biopsychosocial spiritual wellbeing and issues: Ecological systems theory and ally development.Curr. Psychol.20203962010202510.1007/s12144‑020‑00692‑6
    [Google Scholar]
  67. OtangaH. TanhanA. MusılıP.M. ArslanG. BuluşM. Exploring college students’ biopsychosocial spiritual wellbeing and problems during COVID-19 through a contextual and comprehensive framework.Int. J. Ment. Health Addict.202220161963810.1007/s11469‑021‑00687‑934744531
    [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/covid/10.2174/0126667975363969241210093406
Loading
/content/journals/covid/10.2174/0126667975363969241210093406
Loading

Data & Media loading...


  • Article Type:
    Review Article
Keyword(s): COVID-19; feto-maternal health; healthcare; outcome; Pregnancy; satisfaction; telemedicine
This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test