App to help 100,000 pregnant women

A new smartphone maternity app — whatsupmum — is being targeted at helping over 100,000 pregnant women in Ireland navigate the world of pregnancy, nappies and newborns.

Expectant mums will be able to navigate the unknown world of impending motherhood with the HSE-backed app, which provides information from the country’s top maternity and paediatric professionals.

The app dispels the many myths of pregnancy and babies by giving the latest medical information from experts such as midwives, dieticians and obstetricians.

On average 50% of the estimated 100,000 women who are pregnant in Ireland at any given time are first-time mums. They can now get expert advice at the touch of a button on their smartphone.

Whatsupmum — a website, smartphone app and web TV — gives demonstration film clips on the slippery task of giving a newborn a bath for the first time, the best nappy-changing technique and even how to measure formula.

The director of Healthcare Help, Michelle Berkery, who developed whatsupmum, said it will help mothers confused by all the conflicting information on pregnancy and parenthood on the internet.

“People are going to the internet and their phones for information but there is no control over what is out there.

“This is HSE information and the guidelines they are standing over. We went around the country filming doctors, obstetricians, dieticians, midwives, public health nurses to get all the information.

“This is one complete guide which is a summary of everything.”

She said a Sky News-style video format of the whatsupmum website is currently being rolled out to the waiting rooms of maternity hospitals around the country.

“While you are sitting there you will be watching video clips on the benefits of breast-feeding, why you shouldn’t smoke, what you should eat, signs of labour, pelvic floor exercises.

“It tells you how to register the birth, first-aid, resuscitation, budgeting tips, what to bring into the hospital, how to cope with morning sickness.”

Prof Michael Turner, director of the HSE’s obstetrics and gynaecology programme, welcomed the new app.

He said: “The goal of the project is to provide pregnant women and new parents with expert advice from top healthcare professionals in an easy format.”

*For more information go towww.whatsupmum.ie