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Prenatal video visits simplify life for a busy working mom
Convenient care option offers a mix of in-person and virtual prenatal visits, supported by an at-home toolkit.
With 2 young children at home, Karissa Yoakum and her husband appreciated the convenience of having some prenatal appointments by video.
When Karissa Yoakum found out she was pregnant with her third child, she and her husband were excited.
“We’ve always wanted to add a third child to our family,” Yoakum said.
Yoakum was also nervous. She was 2 months away from opening her new hair salon. She worried about finding time for prenatal appointments — and bringing her 2 young children along.
Then, her ob-gyn, Emily West, MD, told her about an option that would let her do some of her prenatal visits by video.
“I was instantly interested because of my busy lifestyle and knowing that I could actually save some time,” Yoakum said.
Video visits offer easier access to high-quality care
Ob-gyn Emily West, MD, talks with Kaiser Permanente member Karissa Yoakum during a prenatal video appointment.
To support the video visits, Yoakum received an at-home toolkit. The kit included a fetal doppler to detect and monitor the baby’s heart rate, a blood pressure monitor, and a weight scale.
The blood pressure monitor and scale are Bluetooth-enabled and paired with an app on Yoakum’s phone. The app sent secure readings to her electronic health record. The readings could only be viewed by Yoakum’s care team.
Members who choose this care option are still seen in person at key moments during pregnancy. They also go into the doctor’s office for procedures like lab tests, vaccinations, and ultrasounds.
Members can ask that a video visit be changed to an in-person appointment at any time. They can also 
decide they want to have all their maternity appointments in person.
Getting started with video prenatal visits
During an office visit at the start of a pregnancy, the member talks with their doctor or nurse-midwife about their health history and preferences. They decide together if using the at-home maternity toolkit is a good option.
If it is, a nurse teaches the member how to use the toolkit devices and app. Members also have access to technical support through a dedicated hotline.
Helping pregnant patients play an active role in their care
Dr. West says her patients appreciate being able to take a more hands-on role in their care.
“If they aren’t feeling well or have a headache, they can check their blood pressure without having to make a trip to my office,” she said.
Video visits make it easier for patients to keep up with their prenatal appointment schedule.
“Typically, if patients come in for an appointment, it’s going to take at least an hour out of their day,” said Dr. West. “But with virtual care, they can sign in and have their visit in just 15 or 20 minutes.”
Virtual care also saves patients the trouble of taking time off work and finding child care or transportation.
Yoakum and her newborn, Liya
Saving time for what matters most
Yoakum was thrilled to have a healthy baby girl — and grateful for the flexibility that video appointments provided.
“Every hour is so precious. I want to make sure I am spending it the best way possible,” she said.
Maternity care with our at-home toolkit is available at select Kaiser Permanente medical centers in California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Talk with your clinician if you’re a Kaiser Permanente member and want to learn more.
Learn more about maternity care at Kaiser Permanente.