WKU team develops innovative app for pregnancy and postpartum support

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – In South Central Kentucky, two out of three women enter pregnancy overweight and 90% of pregnant women are not meeting the recommended physical activity guidelines. That’s why Dr. Rachel Tinius, an exercise science Associate Professor at Western Kentucky University, and a mom, created an app to solve that problem.

“We’re officially the most dangerous developed nation to give birth in,” Tinus says.  “A lot of it has to do with things like obesity. Even mental health plays into a lot of these numbers. And as an exercise physiologist, when I look at all of those factors, there’s one thing that sticks out in my mind that can help all of those, and that’s being physically active and having a healthy lifestyle.”

Local obstetrician, Dr. Joseph Gass says being overweight while pregnant can pose a lot of health risks to not only the mother, but the baby as well.

“There’s kind of an epidemic of obesity in our country right now,” says Gass.

“There’s even risks for miscarriages, and stillbirth rates increase with the level of obesity as well. So there’s a lot of reasons why it would be good to keep your weight down and activity levels up during pregnancy.”

That’s where BumptUp comes in. It’s a health app developed by trained exercise scientists from Western Kentucky University to help pregnant and postpartum women become more active. It offers features like tailored workouts, social support and nutrition education, making it easy for new or expecting mothers to get healthy at home.

The BumptUp app is expected to launch next week. To learn more about the app and to sign up for the waiting list click here.