Wearable Technology in Women’s Health: A Review of Applications for Fertility Tracking and Pregnancy Monitoring

Abstract

The integration of wearable technology into women’s health represents a significant advancement in personalized healthcare, particularly in the domains of fertility tracking and pregnancy monitoring. This review highlights the growing need to consolidate current evidence on the efficacy, applications, and limitations of these technologies to inform future research and clinical practice. As wearable devices become increasingly prevalent, a comprehensive evaluation of their role in enhancing reproductive health outcomes is essential. This review covers the use of wearables for monitoring key physiological parameters such as basal body temperature, heart rate variability, and respiratory rate to predict ovulation and fertile windows. It also examines devices designed for continuous pregnancy monitoring, including those tracking maternal heart rate, fetal movements, and sleep patterns. The accuracy and validation of various wearable technologies are discussed, alongside user acceptability and engagement. The review further addresses the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and internet of things (IoT) technologies in enhancing data analysis and predictive capabilities. Clinical evidence supporting the use of these devices is summarized, and challenges related to data privacy, ethical considerations, and regulatory gaps are explored. Looking ahead, future efforts should focus on refining sensor technologies and algorithms to improve accuracy across diverse populations and cycle variations. There is also a need for large-scale, longitudinal studies to validate health outcomes and ensure equitable access to these innovations. Ultimately, wearable technology holds promise for transforming reproductive healthcare into a more proactive, individualized, and accessible discipline.