Summary
Researchers are using smart ring data from 30 weeks of gestation to investigate whether HRV patterns can predict the onset of labor, potentially improving on traditional due date estimates.
Methods
Multimodal smart ring worn from 30 weeks gestation until delivery
Key Findings
- Autonomic activity reflects neuroendocrine changes before labor
- Transition from pregnancy to labor may be measurable via HRV
- Current due date estimates don't capture physiological factors
- Wearable data collection feasible throughout late pregnancy
Limitations
Research ongoing, predictive accuracy not yet established
What This Means for You
While not yet proven, HRV patterns in late pregnancy may eventually help predict when labor will begin. If you're pregnant and tracking HRV, look for patterns in the weeks before delivery—though don't rely on this for medical decisions yet.
Source
Read the original paper in Frontiers in Medicine ↗
Added to HRV Zone: 2026-01-23