New Oura Study Details Physiological Changes During Pregnancy

A recent study published by Oura's science team in JMIR mHealth and Uhealth analyzed over 10,000 pregnancies using data collected from Oura rings to document detailed physiological changes throughout pregnancy. The research monitored vital signs including sleep patterns, resting heart rate (RHR), heart rate variability (HRV), respiratory rate, activity levels, and body temperature from preconception through postpartum, revealing distinct time-dependent patterns that reflect maternal body adaptation during pregnancy.

Key findings show an early increase in body temperature, rising by +0.3°C and peaking at week 9. Resting heart rate steadily climbed throughout pregnancy, reaching a peak increase of 10 beats per minute above baseline at week 32, while heart rate variability decreased by over 15 milliseconds. Sleep duration increased significantly during the first trimester but declined as delivery approached. Respiratory rate peaked around week 9 before dropping postpartum. Physical activity, measured by daily steps, declined steadily during pregnancy compared to pre-pregnancy levels.

Importantly, the study identified that subtle early deviations in these physiological metrics were linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly pregnancy loss, highlighting the potential of continuous physiological monitoring to provide early warning signs of abnormal pregnancies.

This extensive data-driven research provides a baseline for healthy pregnancy progression and paves the way for more personalized and proactive maternal healthcare by utilizing wearable technology insights.