Can I Use AI To Learn About Pregnancy

Can you use the newest technology to learn about your pregnancy and the best ways to promote both yours and the baby’s health? Is AI up to that important task?

So, how do I know so much about AI and pregnancy?

Hi — I’m Hilary — The Pregnancy Nurse 👩‍⚕️. I have been a nurse since 1997 and I have 20 years of OB nursing experience, I am also the curly head behind Pulling Curls and The Online Prenatal Class for Couples. 🩺​ Not only have I helped deliver thousands of babies, but I am also the creator of hundreds of pregnancy articles and content online. In the process of creating those articles I have tried AI to see if it could help me at all….

Ok, so….

Does AI Have Correct Pregnancy Information?

Yes, and no. Things that have a “firm” answer (like, how big is my baby at 30 weeks gestation) can often be answered by AI (or by the answer Google will give you anyway). But, things that have a bit more nuance (and pregnancy is all about nuance) is too complicated for AI.

How does AI Work?

To find out this answer, I interviewed AI itself, with Chat GPT:

“Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the ability of machines to mimic human intelligence and perform tasks that typically require human cognitive abilities, such as learning, problem-solving, reasoning, perception, and decision-making.

AI systems work by using algorithms, which are sets of rules or instructions that govern how the system processes data to produce a desired output. These algorithms can be designed to learn from data and improve their performance over time through a process called machine learning.

There are different types of machine learning, including supervised learning, unsupervised learning, and reinforcement learning. In supervised learning, the algorithm is trained on labeled data, meaning that the desired output is provided along with the input data. The algorithm learns to map inputs to outputs based on the provided examples.

In unsupervised learning, the algorithm is given a set of unlabeled data and is tasked with discovering patterns or structures in the data. In reinforcement learning, the algorithm learns by interacting with an environment and receiving feedback in the form of rewards or penalties based on its actions.

AI systems also rely on various techniques and technologies, including natural language processing (NLP), computer vision, robotics, and deep learning. These techniques enable AI systems to understand and interpret human language, recognize images and objects, and perform complex tasks in physical environments.

Overall, AI works by using algorithms and techniques that enable machines to process and analyze data, learn from that data, and perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.”

But in more simple terms — AI scans information available online and conglomerates it into answers.

If the answer isn’t online, it can’t create it. If the answer is wrong it will give the wrong answer.

What does AI say about it’s pregnancy information?

I thought it might be fun to ask ChatGPT what it says about using AI for pregnancy information.

Yes, as an AI language model, I can provide information about pregnancy. However, it’s important to note that any information provided by an AI should not be taken as medical advice, and if you have any specific questions or concerns about your own pregnancy, you should consult with a healthcare professional.

That being said, I can provide general information about pregnancy, such as:

• What to expect during each trimester of pregnancy
• Common symptoms and discomforts of pregnancy
• Nutritional recommendations for pregnant women
• Tips for staying healthy during pregnancy
• Information about prenatal care and tests
• Common complications and risks associated with pregnancy

If you have any specific questions or topics you’d like me to cover related to pregnancy, feel free to ask!

But Hilary, you said YOU use AI?

I have it, it’s a fun new toy, and most often I use it to come-up with an outline for a post.

But, every now and then I’ll ask it to create paragraphs, just to see what it says. This is extra great for you, because — as an expert — I already know what the answer should be before AI sends it to me.

I have used 2 AI engines:

• Jasper AI
• Chat GPT

I also use AI in some of my content creation software such as Neuronwriter from time to time….

Times AI has been wrong with Pregnancy…

It’s been a LOT of times, but here are 3 examples I can think of.

I wrote a post about if sour cream was OK during pregnancy. AI returned results saying that sour cream causes miscarriages and you should stay entirely away from it. FALSE

I wrote a post about skiing during pregnancy, and AI said that you can ski best during your third trimester. As you can imagine, trying to keep your balance skiing with a giant watermelon on your belly would be hard unless you were a pro skier, and most professionals don’t recommend it at that point.

And, finally I wrote a post on wine during pregnancy. AI said that wine was super healthy during pregnancy and you should be sure to drink it frequently. However, every single medical organization in the US says that no amount of wine is safe during pregnancy.

As you can imagine, the first instance would create a lot of unnecessary stress avoiding sour cream during pregnancy, and the second and third ones could be really unsafe and obviously problematic.

Times AI is right about pregnancy…

It CAN be helpful. For instance, I asked it what was in amniotic fluid and it gave a really succinct answer that was correct. I often ask it how big a baby is at how many weeks/months, and it answers correctly.

These are short, concrete answers without much nuance (like, when I asked ChatGPT how AI works). I’m also speaking “generally” rather than YOU and how big YOUR baby is right now. It obviously can’t answer that.

Alternatives to AI During Pregnancy

Your best bet is to look for an expert you trust. Most often that can be your doctor or midwife, but sometimes you may have questions outside the time that your doctor/midwife is available. And many things can be answered from an appropriate google search and clicking on a good search.

You’ll want to look for sources that are generally considered correct, and people you can trust — like The Pregnancy Nurse! You do have to be careful though. I’ve read sites that are generally thought to be pretty trustworthy and have read articles that were likely created using AI with false information (recently this happened to me with CNN with something on pregnancy that was completely false).

I also recommend taking a class that takes you from pregnancy through delivery with someone you can trust. While it might seem easier to search for information as you think of it online, you won’t be able to share that info with your partner, and you may miss something important. The Online Prenatal Class removes both those issues and allows you to quickly get prepared for your birth! Plus, the price is set for any budget, so I can’t wait to see you inside!