Maternal Empowerment Through Cervical Health Monitoring (2026-2027)

Background 

Understanding how the cervix changes during pregnancy and labor is essential for supporting maternal autonomy, reducing uncertainty about when to seek care and enabling timely intervention in situations such as preterm labor. While imaging technologies have advanced, subtle cervical changes that precede visible dilation remain poorly understood. Many pregnant people are also unaware of what cervical change looks like, contributing to confusion, premature hospital visits or delays in seeking care — challenges that disproportionately affect those living in rural or underserved areas. 

Digital cervical imaging offers a potential pathway for increasing insight, enhancing communication between patients and providers and supporting equitable, informed maternal decision-making. By gathering perspectives from clinicians and people who are or recently were pregnant, this project aims to examine the feasibility, acceptability and policy implications of using an existing imaging tool, the Callascope, as a noninvasive way to document cervical changes during late pregnancy. 

Project Description 

This project will adapt the Callascope — an accessible, speculum-free imaging device developed by Duke’s Center for Global Women’s Health Technologies — to explore its potential use during late pregnancy. Guided by a human-centered design framework, the project will gather user and provider insights and translate findings into early design concepts and policy considerations. 

Work will proceed across four quarters: 

Foundational research and maternal perspectives 
The team will complete CITI training, prepare IRB materials, and perform literature review.  They will develop surveys and interview protocols to gather maternal perspectives on cervical monitoring. Pilot testing of survey questions will identify areas of refinement. 

Data collection 
Participants will be recruited online from pregnant and recently pregnant individuals (within two years postpartum). The team will collect 30–50 survey responses and 10–15 in-depth interviews. Data will capture perspectives on cervical assessment, self-imaging comfort, access challenges and perceived usefulness of future tools. 

Mixed-methods analysis 
Quantitative survey data will be analyzed using Python-based statistical tools to identify trends and subgroup differences. Interview transcripts will be thematically coded using NVivo to extract common themes related to usability, emotional responses and information needs. The team will review and evaluate data throughout the process. 

Design and translation to maternal health innovation 
Findings will inform design briefs, low-fidelity prototypes and workflow suggestions for integrating cervical imaging into prenatal care. The team will discuss concepts with mentors, refine ideas and articulate implications for clinical adoption and maternal health policy.