IMAGES: Biomechanics and imaging research for maternal health and neonates

Antenatal and Intrapartum Care

• Recording of fetal position and presentation
• Recording of maternal-fetal dyadic interaction
• Recording of pregnancy-related physiological changes, through the detection of the alterations of abdominal thermal patterns
• Development of the STAR-Mat (Smart Thermal Analysis Resource in Maternity Services) goggles (Fig. 1)

Postnatal and Neonatal Care

• Breastfeeding: Understanding the physiological parameters of breastfeeding in the maternal-infant dyad and the personalised function of lactation through a novel non-invasive approach and a combination of complex data analysis
• Neonatal Care: Continuous monitoring and detection of infections/inflammations. Solutions for clinical and community-based settings

• Development of a novel 3D motion tracking system (SKEL)
• Investigation of static and dynamic biomechanical changes/adaptations during labour
• Investigation of maternal/fetal heat exchange

(WE-PPLuS): WEarable technologies for Positive Pregnancy LifestyleS

We-PPLUs project aims to integrate the socio-cultural and public health benefits of local women’s groups with the diagnostic and data-generating capacity of sustainably powered monitoring technology. In collaboration with our business partners we are testing and developing a simple to use monitoring system that can collect several biomarkers, to monitor pregnant women’s health status and facilitate their wellbeing through a personalised approach.

The project (funded by the QR-Global Challenges Research Fund) is a collaboration between UCLan, Rinicare Ltd (UK business partner), Fernandez Hospital ‘Health Care for Women & Newborn’ – Hyderabad India, and two Bangalore NGOs (India): the Bangalore Birth Network (BBN) and the Society for People’s Action and Development (SPAD) (Fig 2).

Virtual Midwifery Birth Centre (VMBC)

Immersive technologies offer new and innovative ways in which to train midwives and enhance relational care practices. Utilising virtual reality (VR), midwives are immersed into virtual environments to engage with practices and scenarios that may be difficult to stimulate using conventional training methods. After a successful evaluation of VR training in the UK (Fig 3), this approach is now being delivered as part of an international collaboration via the Virtual Midwifery Birth Centre (VMBC).