VR in healthcare is being increasingly used for multiple purposes in the medical field, from training healthcare providers to providing 3D imaging for radiologists. Recently, immersive medical VR technology has been shown to have significant benefits for pregnant women and their babies.
HOW CAN VR HELP IN PREGNANCY?
The use of VR in pregnancy is an innovative way to provide emotional and physical support for pregnant mothers. Virtual reality applications in healthcare can help women feel more comfortable during pregnancy and labor, as well as prepare them for the birth process. It can also be used to reduce pain during labor, shorten labor time, and improve birth outcomes by reducing postpartum depression rates.
APPLICATIONS OF VR IN PREGNANCY
REDUCING ANXIETY & STRESS
Pregnancy is a highly stressful event in women’s lives. Anxiety and fear during pregnancy have adverse medical, mental, biological, and behavioral effects on the mother and her child. VR can be of great help in reducing pregnancy-related stress.
The process and pain of childbirth is one of the main concerns of pregnant women. Using VR, it is possible to create an immersive artificial environment similar to that of the operating room and the delivery process. The expecting mother can experience delivery artificially before it actually happens, so that she knows what to expect. This helps to reduce the anxiety and fear of childbirth significantly.
PAIN MANAGEMENT DURING DELIVERY
Anxiety can frequently raise the level of pain in childbirth as well as the likelihood of postpartum depression. Traditionally, various pharmacological and nonpharmacological methods are employed to mitigate the pain and stress of labor.
As a non-pharmacological method, immersive VR provides a simulated environment and helps to distract the pregnant woman’s concentration on pain signals to something different. The user’s brain is preoccupied with the flood of information provided by the virtual environment. This restricts the mind from processing pain signals. Studies have shown that laboring women find immersive VR to be a beneficial tool in their overall labor and delivery experience.
MONITORING FETAL DEVELOPMENT
VR can be very useful to assess embryonic posture and growth. It is estimated that 26% of pregnancies may end in miscarriage. VR technology can be a game-changer in the case of high-risk pregnancy.
Using fetal MRI results, VR 3D models of the fetus can be constructed. These models have a strong resemblance to the postnatal appearance of the new-born baby. They allow doctors to have a detailed view of the entire internal structure of the fetus, which is invaluable in assessing any abnormalities. VR medical training techniques can also be used to train healthcare providers to perform obstetric ultrasonography and laparoscopic surgeries.
CONNECTING WITH THE UNBORN BABY
VR is a revolutionary way for expecting mothers to connect with their unborn child in a more intimate way. Companies such as ‘Meet Your Baby’ are offering VR experiences where ultrasound images and videos are transformed into a 360-degree spherical space resembling a womb. This will enable the would-be parents to actually see their baby inside the womb and effectively bond with it even before it is born. [i]
CONCLUSION
As with all medical technological advancements, it is essential to take necessary precautions and guidelines into consideration when implementing VR applications in pregnancy. However, it is undeniable that VR can be highly effective in helping pregnant women through this very special experience.
ENDNOTES:
https://meetyourbaby.com/