In December 2025, a woman in France documented her labor and delivery using a Garmin smartwatch and a companion app, marking a novel application of wearable technology in maternal healthcare. The woman, who has not been publicly identified, utilized the Garmin device to meticulously track the timing and duration of her contractions.
The application, available through Garmin’s Connect IQ store, allows users – with the assistance of a partner – to record contraction intervals, frequency, and start and end times. This detailed logging provides a clear record of labor progression, potentially aiding in informed decision-making and communication with healthcare providers. The app was initially launched in April 2021 and received an update in January 2025.
While Garmin initially focused on fitness tracking and athletic performance with its smartwatch lines – including the Fenix, Forerunner, and Venu series – the company has increasingly integrated health and wellness features. In November 2020, Garmin introduced menstrual cycle tracking to its smartwatches, and subsequently expanded this functionality to include pregnancy tracking within the Garmin Connect platform. This feature allows users to log pregnancy-related symptoms, monitor progress toward their due date, and receive weekly updates. It as well enables the setting of personalized reminders for exercises like Kegels and hydration goals.
The integration of pregnancy and labor monitoring represents a unique offering in the smartwatch market, differentiating Garmin from competitors. HeraMED, a healthcare company, is collaborating with Garmin to leverage the data collected by these smartwatches to improve maternal care. This partnership aims to bridge the gap between daily life and high-quality maternal healthcare by translating smartwatch data into actionable insights and support.
The monitoring of labor, as described by experts, involves the use of a tococardiographe, a device employing two sensors. One sensor, a tocodynamometer, measures uterine activity by recording pressure on the abdomen during contractions. The second, a cardiotocographe, utilizes ultrasound to monitor the fetal heart rate. The resulting tracings are interpreted by medical professionals to assess the well-being of both mother and fetus.
A normal delivery, according to medical definitions, begins spontaneously with low identified risks, and these risks are continuously evaluated throughout labor and delivery. The baby is typically born in a head-first position between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation.
Garmin has not released a comprehensive list of compatible devices for the contraction tracking application, but the functionality is reported to work with newer models, despite the app’s initial release date predating their availability. The company continues to update the application, suggesting an ongoing commitment to expanding its capabilities in the maternal health space.
