Obstetrician’s low-tech tool inspires smartphone app that benefits mothers, babies and physicians

For immediate release

May 9, 2012

KINGSTON, ON -- A low-tech cardboard wheel used for decades by physicians to calculate pregnancy delivery dates has inspired the creation of a novel iPhone app with the potential to improve the health of new mothers – while also changing medical practice.

Developed by Dr. Graeme Smith, a Kingston General Hospital obstetrician, Maternelle is a post-pregnancy tool that, for the first time, focuses on the health of new mothers as well as their babies.

"Until now, post-partum follow-up saw most of the attention placed on the baby’s health. This tool reminds both the mother and her doctor to also monitor the mom’s health, including such important indicators as blood pressure and weight," says Dr. Smith, who is also a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Queen’s University.

"This monitoring is vital, because not controlling such indicators may lead to other diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, later in life."

The app evolved out of Dr. Smith’s original vision of a post-birth version of the pregnancy wheel that highlighted follow-up health milestones for both mother and baby, including immunization dates.

Working with PARTEQ Innovations, the technology transfer office of Queen’s, Dr. Smith expanded the scope of his idea, resulting in an interactive app that enables new mothers to take charge of their health while at the same time encouraging doctors to view pregnancy and post-partum health through a new lens.

"Pregnancy is a stress test that can reveal underlying health issues," Dr. Smith says. "At the same time, it is often the first time a woman regularly accesses the health care system. So it’s a new and early window of opportunity to identify risk factors and implement strategies to improve the mother’s long-term health."

Maternelle alerts mothers to key health milestones for both baby and mom. Mothers can keep track of their baby’s immunizations, while also setting personal health goals, recording their progress, and documenting results of follow-up tests. Built-in email capability makes it convenient for mothers and doctors to connect.

The app builds on Dr. Smith’s groundbreaking Maternal Health Program, believed to be the first in the world to use pregnancy and the post-birth period as crucial opportunities for focusing on disease prevention in women, particularly heart disease.

While Maternelle was initially developed for the iPhone, future plans are to target Android and Blackberry smartphone markets as well.

"This is a first-of-a-kind app for a high unmet need," says Dr. Michael Wells, Manager of Commercial Development, Life Sciences, at PARTEQ. "We have high hopes this app and related marketing materials can lead to a fundamental change in medical practice towards new mothers and their long-term health."

Contact:
Dr. Michael Wells,
Director, Commercial Development
PARTEQ Innovations
P: 613. 533. 6000 x 79138
E: mwells@parteqinnovations.com