Usability and Acceptance of Non-Functional Wearable Prototypes for Maternal Health: A Parallel-Group Pilot Study

TL;DR

This study tested how well pregnant women and non-pregnant women could use and accept three wearable garment prototypes designed for maternal health.

Contribution

The study provides early usability insights for wearable prototypes specifically designed for pregnant women.

Findings

The Bra prototype received the most favorable usability ratings among pregnant women after extended wear.

The Maternity Belt showed declining usability ratings related to fit and comfort over time.

No clear preference was observed between pregnant and non-pregnant groups for the Strap prototype.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Wearable technologies become increasingly important in surveillance of biometric parameters in pregnant women; however, early-stage usability data on wearable form factors specifically designed for pregnant women remain limited. This study evaluated the usability and acceptance of three non-functional wearable garment prototypes intended for future breathing exercise guidance and sleep-related applications. The prototypes incorporated sensor dummies that were technically capable of operation but intentionally deactivated for this usability pilot study. Methods: Eighteen pregnant women (second and third trimester) and twelve non-pregnant women tested three prototypes (Bra, Strap, Maternity Belt (hereafter Belt)) for 24 h. Usability was assessed using structured, participant-completed questionnaires addressing fit, material properties, comfort, and wear-related issues immediately after fitting (T0) and after 24 h of wear (T24). Analyses were descriptive and exploratory. Results: Among pregnant women, the Bra prototype showed consistently favorable usability ratings across multiple domains, particularly after extended wear, whereas the Belt demonstrated declining ratings related to fit and comfort over time. The Strap showed intermediate usability with specific strengths related to pressure and friction. In non-pregnant women, usability ratings were largely comparable between the Bra and Strap, with no clear preference pattern. No systematic differences were observed between pregnant and non-pregnant groups. Conclusions: This exploratory usability study suggests that garment form factor plays a critical role in acceptability during pregnancy. The Bra prototype demonstrated the most favorable usability profile among pregnant women, while the Belt revealed design limitations that warrant further modification. These findings provide formative guidance for the development of functional maternal wearables, with future studies integrating objective testing and validated measures to optimize performance and evaluate adherence in larger cohorts.

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