Below is a roundup of some of the most practical ways technology has changed the fertility and pregnancy experience. 

Conception Technologies

Tracking has always been a part of the fertility process. While pregnancy can technically occur at any time, there is a short window of time when women are especially fertile. Most menstrual cycle trackers automatically alert users when they are about to enter their fertile period.

However, the odds of getting pregnant increase significantly when the moment of ovulation can be detected. Simple period trackers can give a ballpark range, but they are far from accurate. A new generation of wearable technologies can gather this important data point.

Wearables like Tempdrop monitor the wearer’s natural body temperature. Using this baseline, the technology is able to perceive the subtle rise in body temperature that accompanies ovulation. Users can manually input other biomarkers, like their sleep cycle or cervical mucus levels. 

Fertility Gadgets

One in 10 Americans will face infertility issues. A third of the time, the problem stems from a male issue, such as a low sperm count. For many years, testing male fertility required an invasive medical appointment. Thanks to technology, these tests can be performed at home through a remote testing site. 

After sending off a small sample in a purposefully and discreetly designed container, the lab will email results within one day. The report will contain important fertility information, such as sperm volume and concentration. These tests can’t catch everything, and a doctor’s visit is still in order. Still, they are a good way to get insight before seeing a professional. 

There are also at-home fertility for women that focus on hormone levels.  Unlike contraception tests that measure hormone levels to determine the moment of ovulation, fertility hormone tests look for imbalances that may suggest fertility issues. 

This includes assessing follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone levels. As with male fertility tests, these results are only informative. Identifying the underlying cause of infertility will require visiting a specialist. 

Pregnancy Health Monitors

Getting pregnant is just the beginning of the parenthood journey. Thankfully, there are a plethora of gadgets that can bring peace of mind during the 9-month gestation period. While professional prenatal care is essential for the best pregnancy outcomes, couples can use the following devices to monitor the baby’s health between visits.

Most women do not realize they are pregnant until their first missed period, which occurs anywhere between 28 to 49 days after conception. After confirming their pregnancy, women can use a digital pregnancy calculator to estimate the conception and due date of their child. No method is 100 percent accurate, but most women deliver their baby between the 37th and 40th week of pregnancy.

Expecting parents only get a glimpse of their baby twice before the due date through pre-planned ultrasounds during the first and second trimesters. Couples who want a bit more insight can opt for at-home pregnancy monitoring devices that track everything from the baby’s heartbeat to movements. While there are at-home ultrasound machines on the market, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists advises against gratuitous ultrasounds.

Parents who can’t resist the urge to connect with their developing child can choose a safer device, such as baby bump headphones that channel music and audio into the womb.  As babies develop the ability to hear and make memories early in their development, audio input can help the child form bonds with the outside world. 

Parents can introduce their babies to loved ones through voice messages or calm them with gentle sounds.

Postpartum Technologies

Technology has improved nearly every aspect of the childrearing process. Even traditional baby monitors have gone wireless. Breastfeeding mothers can use mechanical massagers to ease common conditions like blocked milk ducts. 

Pediatric healthcare providers have also embraced telehealth technology as a way to ensure all families are connected to adequate postnatal care and paid leave. Wearables can continuously monitor new mothers for signs of conditions such as postpartum preeclampsia and depression.