Dr. Erickson earns grant to study a method of predicting labor

Elise Erickson, PhD, associate professor of physiology, recently earned an Arizona Biomedical Research Center grant to study a method of predicting labor before it begins. 

By having patients wear a smart ring that can measure physiological data, especially skin temperature, Dr. Erickson will test an algorithm that would predict the start of labor. 

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“There are no valid clinical tools for predicting when labor will start, and the only tests we have for preterm labor are used once signs or symptoms of it are already showing up,” Dr. Erickson said. “Our goal is to provide a narrower window of likely labor onset for obstetric care and expectant families.”

As a certified nurse midwife, Dr. Erickson is often asked when a baby will be born. While due dates are based on average pregnancy duration, no method currently provides a personalized estimate. A more accurate due date could benefit both parents and doctors.

“Women living far from a hospital or those concerned about preterm birth could benefit the most,” Dr. Erickson said. “Care providers may also find this kind of innovation useful as it might help them better plan for labor inductions when we can better predict that pregnancy will be exceptionally long.” 

Inspired by a 2018 study on physiological effects in over a dozen mammalian species and their role in predicting labor, Dr. Erickson set out to lead this study, aiming to demonstrate its potential to improve obstetric care and patient outcomes.

“Because we now have wearable sensors like rings and patches, we have the ability to study how physiology changes in real-time without causing interference with people’s lives,” Dr. Erickson said. “Our work is, to our knowledge, the first human study to show that this could be a promising tool for improving obstetric care and life while pregnant.”

Dr. Erickson is collaborating with Shravan Aras, PhD, assistant director of sensor analytics and smart device platforms for the University of Arizona Health Sciences, and Adarsh Pyarelal, PhD, assistant professor in the College of Information Science.