Practical information, expert videos, podcasts, interactive tools, antenatal courses and important contacts are now available in one place. University Hospital Olomouc has launched BabyAppka, a new mobile application designed to help expectant parents navigate pregnancy, childbirth and the first days and months of their baby’s life.
University Hospital Olomouc is the first hospital in the Czech Republic to offer parents its own comprehensive application directly connected to its maternity and neonatal departments.
BabyAppka was developed as a joint project involving the Neonatal Department, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, the National Telemedicine Centre and other hospital staff, in cooperation with the Olomouc Region.
Around 30 healthcare professionals, project specialists and programmers contributed to the final version of the application. Almost two years passed from the initial idea to its launch, with development taking place between November 2025 and August 2026.
The idea for the application originated with MUDr Vladimír Mišuth of the Neonatal Department at University Hospital Olomouc.
We wanted to create a modern and accessible platform that would inform parents about what to expect during pregnancy, childbirth and the period afterwards. People routinely use apps for almost everything today. When planning a holiday or looking for a restaurant, they want to find information in advance. The same applies to childbirth. Parents want to know what to expect, how things work here and how they can prepare.
MUDr Vladimír Mišuth of the Neonatal Department at University Hospital Olomouc
Ing Petra Gajdoš of the National Telemedicine Centre at University Hospital Olomouc also contributed to the project, coordinating its organisational and technical development. “In an age of information overload and social media, it can be difficult for expectant parents to find reliable, trustworthy information. The aim was to create a place where parents can find reassurance and information directly from healthcare professionals — information that reflects how care is actually provided at University Hospital Olomouc,” says Gajdoš.
One of the main objectives was to bring all the essential information together in a clear and accessible format. “Pregnancy and the period after childbirth can expose mothers to an overwhelming amount of information. That is why the application is designed as a practical guide, taking parents from the first weeks of pregnancy through childbirth and into the postnatal period,” she adds.
Three key stages
The application guides parents through three key stages: pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period.
During pregnancy, expectant mothers can find advice on exercise, nutrition and preparation for childbirth. The application also provides information about antenatal courses, maternity ward registration and practical interactive checklists. “Preparation for childbirth begins in the early stages of pregnancy. The application therefore provides information on healthy exercise, nutrition and ergonomics during pregnancy. It also includes practical tools, such as an interactive checklist of what to bring to the maternity hospital and the option to contact the department quickly,” explains Mišuth. “The application can be a useful resource for all expectant mothers, regardless of which maternity hospital they choose.”
The second section focuses on childbirth and the hospital stay. Parents can find information about the course of labour, pain-relief options, the layout of the delivery rooms and care on the postnatal ward. It also provides information on newborn care and screening examinations.
The third section covers the postnatal period and the first months of a child’s life. Topics include maternal mental health, breastfeeding, infant care, children’s emotional and physical development, and relationships between partners after the birth of a child. The application also addresses fathers and their role during pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period.
Videos, podcasts and interactive tools
A key feature of BabyAppka is the range of formats used to present information. Alongside written content, the application includes short videos, podcasts and interactive tools. “The content has been designed to be natural, easy to access and easy to understand for today’s parents. It is not limited to written information — there are also video guides and podcasts featuring experts. Parents can access the material whenever they need it and at their own pace,” says Mišuth.
Around 30 healthcare professionals, project specialists and programmers contributed to the application. “The biggest challenge was coordinating the entire team. Around 30 people from different professional backgrounds were involved in developing the application, and coordinating their work was not always easy. That makes it all the more satisfying to see the project successfully reach completion,” says Gajdoš.
The Olomouc Region supported the project through an individual grant.
“The regional government provided CZK 690,000 to support the development of the application, and there is certainly no regret over a single crown invested in such a useful project. BabyAppka also fits perfectly with the regional OLIVIE strategy, which aims to improve the physical and mental health of people living in the region,” said Ladislav Okleštěk, Governor of the Olomouc Region.
BabyAppka was developed gradually, and its content will continue to expand in cooperation with the Centre for Digital Health. Further thematic sections and interactive features are planned. “If the application helps even one mother or father feel more confident and better prepared for pregnancy and childbirth, then all the effort has been worthwhile,” adds Mišuth.
BabyAppka is available free of charge on the App Store and Google Play. Parents can start using the application from the early weeks of pregnancy.
