Digitalization in Midwifery?

We Prefer to See You Rather Than Monitor You

Technological developments are advancing at lightning speed. Also in midwifery. Apps, gadgets, AI in midwifery, home monitoring, online consultations… The digitalization of maternity care is in full swing. You might be wondering whether that is a good development. Will my care soon become mostly digital?

At Verloskundigen Amsterdam we take a very nuanced view of these developments. Yes, technology can be a valuable addition. But no, it should never replace personal care. At our practice you will therefore continue to see us in person, at every consultation.

Technological Developments in Midwifery

In recent years, many new technological tools have been introduced in healthcare. In midwifery we also see trends such as:

• Pregnancy apps with week-by-week information
• Online consultations via platforms such as Teams
• Home monitoring of blood pressure or heart rate
• Wearable gadgets that track your baby’s movements
• AI in midwifery for risk assessment or record keeping
• Digital patient records and automated reporting

That sounds efficient. And sometimes it is. The digitalization of maternity care can save time and streamline processes. But pregnancy and childbirth are not administrative processes. It is about you, your body and your feelings. And that is exactly where the difference lies.

Is AI in Midwifery the Future?

We do not have a crystal ball, but it seems likely that AI will also play a role in midwifery. For example in analyzing data and recognizing patterns. This could help estimate risks or support medical decision-making. And that can be valuable, particularly in secondary or tertiary care.

But in primary midwifery care, which is where we work, the focus is on something else. We believe it is about building trust and getting to know each other. About giving personal attention and learning to read and listen between the lines.

We need to be able to rely on our intuition. To sense whether something is right, or whether we need to look further. And for that we want to see you regularly during your pregnancy, talk to you and get to know you. We see how you walk in, hear how you speak and sense whether something feels right. Sometimes someone says, “I’m doing fine.” But we still feel that something is not quite right. That gut feeling does not develop behind a screen.

No Full Digitalization at Verloskundigen Amsterdam Zuid

Let us be clear: we are not against technology. We also work with digital records and use technology where it adds value. For example for proper documentation or fast communication.

But replacing consultations with video calls? Or doing fewer in-practice check-ups because you can measure everything yourself at home? That is something we very deliberately choose not to do.

Through a screen we may see you, but we are still less present for you. Through an app we cannot sense whether you are feeling tension. And an algorithm does not know your real story. Any convenience or time savings simply do not outweigh everything that personal contact brings.

Because during pregnancy a lot happens to you. Physically and mentally. And in that phase you want to be seen. Not just monitored.

What Does This Mean for You as a Pregnant Woman in Amsterdam-Zuid?

If you receive care with us, it means that you will:

• Visit our practice regularly for personal appointments
• Get to know all of our midwives
• Build a relationship with us
• Have space to ask all your questions and share your doubts
• Be well prepared for your birth

We believe that self-confidence grows through connection. By seeing each other and talking together. Technological developments in healthcare are interesting, and in some areas truly valuable. But not as a replacement for personal contact in primary midwifery care. Not in our view.

Get in Touch for Personal Contact with Your Midwife

Would you like to meet us personally? Or do you have questions or doubts you would like to discuss with us? You are very welcome. Simply visit one of our practices in Amsterdam-Zuid: on Churchilllaan or Willemsparkweg. Contact us and we will see you soon, in person.