Pregnant woman using pregnancy app

Decoding Pregnancy Apps: Are They Reliable?

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"A Deep Dive into the Utilization, Content, and Credibility of Mobile Applications for Pregnancy, Birth, and Child Care."

In today's digital age, smartphones have become indispensable tools, offering instant access to information and connecting us to a global network. Among the myriad of available apps, health applications (apps) have emerged as a popular resource, particularly for pregnant women seeking guidance and support during their journey to motherhood.

Pregnancy apps offer a convenient way to track progress, access information, and connect with other expecting mothers. With a vast selection available, ranging from period/ovulation trackers and due date calculators to comprehensive guides on prenatal care and child development, pregnant women can find apps tailored to their specific needs.

However, the proliferation of pregnancy apps raises concerns about the reliability and accuracy of the information they provide. As these apps become increasingly influential in shaping women's understanding of pregnancy, birth, and child care, it's crucial to evaluate their content and credibility. This article delves into a comprehensive study on the utilization, content, and credibility of mobile applications for pregnancy, birth, and child care, providing valuable insights for expectant mothers and healthcare professionals alike.

How Do Pregnant Women Use Pregnancy Apps?

A recent study explored the usage patterns, content preferences, and credibility perceptions of pregnancy apps among 193 pregnant women. The findings revealed that a significant portion (55%) of participants actively used mobile apps related to pregnancy, birth, or child care. Notably, first-time mothers were more likely to use these apps compared to women who had previously experienced pregnancy.

The study also highlighted a correlation between smartphone usage and app adoption, with women who had used smartphones for a longer period of time exhibiting a higher propensity to use pregnancy-related apps. This suggests that familiarity with mobile technology plays a crucial role in the integration of apps into pregnancy-related information-seeking behaviors.

Information Needs: The most frequently sought information pertained to potential risks and diseases during pregnancy, underscoring the importance of apps in addressing expectant mothers' concerns about their health and their baby's well-being.
Desired Content: Participants expressed a strong desire for expert opinions and Q&A formats related to diet and medication administration during pregnancy, highlighting the need for credible and trustworthy sources within these apps.

While information dissemination was the most common function offered by these apps, the evaluation of information credibility revealed a critical gap: the "information source" category received the lowest score, raising concerns about the transparency and accountability of app developers and content providers.

Navigating the App Store: A Call for Credible Resources

The study's findings underscore the growing reliance on pregnancy apps as valuable information sources for expectant mothers. However, the concerns surrounding app credibility highlight the need for qualified healthcare professionals to play an active role in the development, management, and evaluation of these resources. By ensuring that pregnancy apps provide accurate, evidence-based information, we can empower women to make informed decisions about their health and well-being throughout their pregnancy journey.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.4258/hir.2016.22.2.73, Alternate LINK

Title: Utilization And Content Evaluation Of Mobile Applications For Pregnancy, Birth, And Child Care

Subject: Health Information Management

Journal: Healthcare Informatics Research

Publisher: The Korean Society of Medical Informatics

Authors: Yeonkyu Lee, Mikyung Moon

Published: 2016-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What specific content do pregnant women frequently seek within pregnancy apps?

The study indicates that pregnant women primarily seek information about potential risks and diseases during pregnancy. Furthermore, expectant mothers desire expert opinions and Q&A formats, particularly regarding diet and medication administration during pregnancy. This highlights the importance of pregnancy apps in addressing concerns about the health of both the mother and the baby, emphasizing the need for credible and trustworthy sources within these applications.

How do pregnant women's smartphone habits influence their use of pregnancy apps?

The study reveals a correlation between smartphone usage and the adoption of pregnancy-related apps. Women who have used smartphones for a longer duration are more likely to use these apps. This suggests that familiarity with mobile technology significantly influences the integration of pregnancy apps into information-seeking behaviors. This means that the more comfortable a woman is with using a smartphone, the more likely she is to turn to pregnancy apps for information and support.

What percentage of pregnant women utilize mobile apps related to pregnancy, birth, or child care, and how does this usage vary?

The study found that 55% of the participants actively used mobile apps related to pregnancy, birth, or child care. Interestingly, first-time mothers were more likely to use these apps compared to women who had previous pregnancy experiences. This suggests a higher reliance on apps for information and guidance during the initial pregnancy experience.

What are the main concerns regarding the information provided by pregnancy apps, and what needs to be improved?

A critical concern is the credibility of the information sources within the apps. The study found that the "information source" category received the lowest score, indicating a lack of transparency and accountability from app developers and content providers. To improve this, there's a call for healthcare professionals to actively participate in the development, management, and evaluation of these apps to ensure the accuracy and evidence-based nature of the information provided.

Beyond information, what other functions do pregnancy apps commonly offer, and how do these influence expectant mothers?

While information dissemination is a primary function, pregnancy apps also offer other features such as tracking progress, connecting with other expecting mothers, and providing access to various resources. These apps range from period/ovulation trackers and due date calculators to comprehensive guides on prenatal care and child development. The availability of these tools provides expectant mothers a convenient way to manage their pregnancy journey, access personalized information, and build a supportive community.