UK hospital launches pregnancy app to help women on their maternity journey

A new pregnancy app will allow pregnant women in Hull to access their maternity records from home.

The Badger Notes app, launched by Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, is part of a new electronic system that records women’s clinical interactions with health professionals throughout the full course of their maternity journey.

The app, updated with information drawn from hospital maternity records, allows women to access their records and add or adjust their preferences, such as where they want to give birth and details of their birthing partner.

The platform aims to replace the traditional hand-held paper file that women are given.

“In the past the hospital and the person who was expecting a baby each had separate paper records. If the pregnant person forgot their paper record, we would not be able to see or know what has been done in the community, likewise community may not see the hand-held notes the consultant has written,” said Liz Davis, digital midwife.

“Now, with this new service, pregnant people and hospital staff both have a full record of their care, wherever they are, at whatever stage of their pregnancy journey.”

She added: “There’s a real shift now towards electronic record keeping and digital access. People already access many elements of their healthcare online; GP appointments, prescriptions, hospital letters and so on, so why not maternity care too?

“This is going to make a huge difference in the way we as professionals care for pregnant people, both during their pregnancy and in the postnatal phase.

“It will save a lot of time as midwives do not have to double enter data onto paper and in this respect it will help to reduce our paper use and our environmental impact too.”

Rukeya Miah, head of midwifery said: “We are thrilled to bring Badger Notes to people using maternity services. This innovative system will deliver a more joined up approach across maternity care, and reflects our commitment to providing expectant families with the highest standards of support and empowerment.

“The system will contribute massively to improved patient information and experience and ultimately, contribute to positive maternal outcomes by increasing choice, personalisation and empowering patients participate in their maternity journey.”

Because the system is personalised, patients can also add details about themselves, such as occupation and any allergies and add their own plans and preferences for care, before and after birth, Miah said.

She said midwives will provide women with details of how to create an account and access Badger Notes, though the app can be downloaded anytime from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.