“Telehealth Delivers Better Healthcare Outcomes for Mothers & Their Babies” is a collaborative post.
Becoming a parent can be extremely overwhelming, especially for new mothers with babies who need around the clock care and support.
However, advancements in technology have helped to take some of the stress out of parenting during those crucial first few months.
From the first few days after birth until the child becomes a toddler, digital telehealth services have become crucial to new mothers.
They often need timely advice, medical guidance and support without going through the stress of taking their babies to a medical facility for in-person check-ups.
Read on as we explore the different ways telehealth supports mothers in Australia and the United States (US) during the early stages of a baby’s life.
How Telehealth Supports a Child’s Development
At every stage of a child’s development their behaviour changes, which can generate new questions for mothers. The pressure can be overwhelming, but that’s where telehealth comes in.
With virtual care at their disposal, mothers have a direct line to paediatricians, lactation consultants and other professionals who offer 24/7 care.
Telehealth services for toddlers and infants cover a wide range of care. These include:
- Well-child visits: This allows providers to monitor the growth of the baby and assess their emotional wellbeing. They can also track milestones and reassure mothers about their child’s health.
- Urgent care: Paves the way for clinicians to swoop in when there’s a problem with the baby’s health.
- Nutrition guidance: Mothers can connect with dieticians or lactation consultants for advice on breastfeeding, formula feeding or when to introduce solid foods.
- Therapies and specialist care: Children with developmental needs, such as autism spectrum disorder, can access occupational or physical therapy sessions at home thanks to telehealth.
- Follow-up care: After they’re discharged from hospital or finish a procedure, telehealth gives doctors a way to keep up with the health and progress of a child.
How Telehealth Supports Mothers in Australia
Telehealth providers such as Qoctor have swarmed the market since virtual care became a key part of Australia’s health sector.
Established in 2016 by a team of general practitioners, Qoctor offers a wide range of virtual healthcare services that are especially valuable for busy mothers.
This recent Qoctor review highlights how the platform provides affordable access to general practitioners and other essential medical services.
These are hugely important to mothers. Rather than waiting for an appointment or taking long trips to a medical facility, they can often get the solution to problems via digital mediums.
Qoctor has a strong focus on tackling illnesses that tend to affect children at an early age, especially asthma.
They have measures in place that make it possible for mothers to access quick and affordable features that help them manage potentially life-threatening conditions without panicking.
Qoctor also has bulk-billed mental health plans that support mothers who are struggling with postnatal depression or anxiety.
The early months after birth can be emotionally challenging, but Qoctor makes mental health support accessible without mothers having to worry about the cost.
How Telehealth is Changing Healthcare in the US
The US was late to the telehealth party, but many regions around the country have now started treating virtual care as a key part of their healthcare provision.
Many medical facilities in the US have embraced telehealth in the past few years, helping families gain access to timely medical services at their own convenience.
One example of this in action is the neonatal telehealth services offered by Children’s Hospital Colorado.
Families with premature or medically fragile babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) can use a programme called Baby Chat.
This service allows parents to see and talk to their infants through secure video calls when they cannot be physically present.
It helps to reassure the parents and strengthen the bond between a mother and her infant, which is crucial for the emotional development of the child.
Telehealth also helps to provide follow-up care across the US, and it comes in handy for mothers discharged from a NICU with their newborn, especially those who live far away from the hospital.
Tele-discharge programmes allow doctors to conduct post-care check-ins through telehealth.
They also make sure that the mother stays on track with recovery and feeding routines, saving them the stress of travelling long distances for frequent check-ups.
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