Next-Generation Medical Technology to Save Mothers and Their Babies

From ultrasound powered by artificial intelligence to image-sharing tools on the cloud, medical technology advancements are improving the quality of health care at an unprecedented rate. Yet, when it comes to one of the most universal and compelling health care needs – a smooth and successful pregnancy and childbirth – we still have a long way to go.

Every day, approximately 800 women die from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. The United States accounts for the highest maternal death rate in the developed world, and the number has been steadily increasing over the last two decades. What should be a moment of joy and celebration can become an unbearable tragedy.

The operative word in these troubling statistics is “preventable.” And one of the keys to avoiding these tragedies is more closely monitoring the health of the mom and baby. The idea that you can’t manage what you don’t measure rings particularly true in pregnancy and childbirth.