mHealth for Women with Pregnancies with Fetal Anomalies: A Scoping Review

The purpose of this review is to investigate the current landscape of evidence-based mHealth resources designed to support pregnant patients with fetal anomalies, with a focus on enhancing maternal wellbeing, disseminating relevant information, and facilitating communication with nurses, physicians, and other health care professionals.

Using the JBI (formerly known as the Joanna Briggs Institute) scoping review protocol and the PRISMA-ScR framework, we conducted a comprehensive search across databases including CINAHL, Medline, Web of Science, and Google Scholar.

A keyword search was conducted, resulting in 227 unique records. Articles discussing mobile apps for pregnancies with a fetal diagnosis or fetal risk for anomaly were included, including hospital-affiliated or telehealth apps that were adapted for use with this specific population.

Ten articles were selected for inclusion. Our analysis identified several predominant themes. The surge of mHealth, influenced in part by the COVID-19 pandemic, has provided critical access to care for pregnant patients with fetal anomalies through mobile platforms. Comprehensive resource tools integrating informational components via mHealth are needed to offer flexibility to patients as well as nurses, physicians, and other health care professionals. Adopting a patient-driven approach in developing mHealth resources is important in meeting the needs of patients, their families, and their health care team.

A framework for the development and implementation of high-fidelity mHealth resources tailored to this vulnerable population is needed. Emphasizing a patient-centered approach in the creation of mHealth resources is paramount to ensuring their effectiveness and usefulness for pregnant women experiencing fetal anomalies, their families, and the perinatal health care team.