Bridging the Gap: How Remote Patient Monitoring Can Protect Maternal Health in Care Deserts

This is the third post in our ongoing series on the consequences of maternity ward closures and what can be done to address them. As rural labor and delivery units continue to disappear across the U.S., the question becomes urgent: How do we ensure pregnant women receive continuous, high-quality care, no matter where they live?

One of the most promising answers is Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM). In a world where maternity care deserts are expanding, RPM offers a vital lifeline, keeping mothers connected to clinical teams without requiring long travel times.

Why Remote Patient Monitoring Matters for Maternal Health

Remote Patient Monitoring isn’t just a tech trend, it’s a powerful tool for promoting equity in prenatal and postpartum care. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), RPM plays a critical role in extending access to care for women in underserved communities.

Here’s how it works and why it’s making a difference:

1. Staying Connected from Home

RPM allows expectant mothers to monitor critical health indicators such as:

  • Blood pressure
  • Blood glucose
  • Weight and fetal movement
  • Mental health
  • Social determinants of health

These readings are shared with care teams in real time, eliminating the need to travel hours to a clinic, especially crucial for women in maternity care deserts.

2. Detecting & Managing Complications Early

Conditions like pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension are leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality. RPM enables clinicians to identify concerning trends earlier, before symptoms escalate into life-threatening emergencies.

A recent study found that RPM leads to improved management, BP control, and better linkages with care teams, thus helping to reduce hospital readmissions and emergency interventions. This is especially true in the postpartum period.

3. Supporting High-Risk Pregnancies with Real-Time Oversight

With RPM, maternal-fetal medicine specialists can guide treatment remotely and adjust care plans as needed. This is especially valuable in rural areas where access to specialists is limited or nonexistent.

Care teams can tailor interventions for high-risk pregnancies including those complicated by diabetes, twin gestation, or history of preterm birth without the logistical barriers of in-person appointments.

4. Improving Postpartum Follow-Up and Reducing Mortality

Postpartum care is often inconsistent, especially for Medicaid-covered mothers or those living far from healthcare facilities. RPM helps close that gap by:

  • Ensuring consistent virtual follow-up
  • Identifying signs of postpartum depression
  • Tracking recovery and healing
  • Improving medication adherence

With maternal mortality rising in the U.S., particularly in the weeks after childbirth, this kind of ongoing support is essential. A CDC report highlights that over 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, many of which occur postpartum.

RPM Is Not Just Convenient. It’s Life-Saving.

As more communities lose access to hospital-based maternity care, RPM is emerging as a critical solution. It helps ensure continuity of care, reduces health disparities, and gives mothers the support they need, when and where they need it most.

Technology alone won’t fix the maternal health crisis, but RPM is a step toward closing the gap for millions of women.