Artificial Intelligence Applications in Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Postpartum Period: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: The use of digital health technologies, such as chatbots and virtual assistants based on artificial intelligence, has grown significantly in maternal health. These tools have been applied at different stages of the pregnancy and postpartum cycle, with emphasis on health education, risk monitoring, breastfeeding support, and mental healthcare. Despite their potential, challenges remain regarding clinical effectiveness, equity of access, and ethical safety. The aim of this study was to map the available evidence regarding the applications of artificial intelligence in pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care, with particular emphasis on conversational agents, virtual assistants, machine learning models, and clinical decision support systems, as well as their potential benefits, limitations, ethical implications, and implementation challenges. Methods: A scoping review was conducted between August and September 2025 in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Nursing Database, Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences, and Google Scholar. Original articles, reviews, experience reports, and theoretical reflections published in Portuguese, English, or Spanish that addressed the use of digital tools based on artificial intelligence in the pregnancy and postpartum cycle were included. The analysis of the studies was organized into five thematic axes: applications in prenatal care; support during childbirth; postpartum monitoring and breastfeeding; perinatal mental health; and ethical, technical, and implementation challenges. Results: The search identified 6230 records, of which 13 studies were included. Findings indicate that chatbots and virtual assistants show good acceptability, promote health education, and contribute to the early detection of physical and emotional risks. However, most of the studies are exploratory, with methodological limitations, lack of clinical trials, and limited validation in socially vulnerable contexts. Conclusions: Chatbots and artificial intelligence tools are promising resources for perinatal care, particularly as a complement to face-to-face attention. Their consolidation requires robust studies, cost-effectiveness assessments, and public policies that ensure equity and digital inclusion.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Nursing Reports, 2026 · DOI ↗