First Step

Was es macht

First Step is an emergency birth kit designed for unexpected births outside the hospital. Thanks to its high user-friendliness and simple handling, even people without medical training can be safely guided through a birth in emergency situations.

Deine Inspiration

During a previous semester, I developed a product focused on pregnancy monitoring that helps pregnant women maintain control over their own health and their baby's condition. The topic stayed with me, and I began to think more about how important this kind of support could also be during a childbirth. Especially in today’s world, where uncertainty is common, many expectant parents are looking for more safety and reassurance. That’s what inspired me to create First Step.

So funktioniert es

The set consists of a three organized sections: preparation, birth, and aftercare. Each section contains all the essential tools such as gloves, clamps, and blankets. A key component is the smart tracker, which includes ECG and pressure sensors. These are used to monitor the heart rate of both mother and fetus, as well as the intensity and frequency of contractions. The collected data is transmitted to the app, where it is continuously analyzed and displayed in real time, also accessible to the attending midwife. If necessary, she can be reached via live video chat to offer support, assist with decision-making, and give precise instructions. In addition, a step-by-step guide - available both digitally and in print - provides clear orientation to help parents navigate through the birth process safely.

Designprozess

At the beginning of my research, I spoke with various stakeholders to identify the core requirements for the product. I conducted interviews with pregnant women and mothers, as well as experts such as midwives and doctors. A market analysis of existing emergency kits - typically found in ambulances or hospitals - helped me define the contents of the set. After creating a first functional prototype, I visited the maternity ward of a hospital to present my concept to midwives and gather feedback. To determine the required technology for the tracker, I researched various methods for collecting the necessary data, such as the heart rate and intensity and frequency of contractions. After gathering this information i spoke with experts to identify the most suitable solutions. Following these discussions and several iterative design loops, I arrived at the final concept, which I then refined and completed in detail. For the visual design, I took inspiration from first aid kits to clearly convey the character of a medical emergency product.

Warum es anders ist

First Step stands out through its exceptional user-friendliness. It is the first emergency birth kit specifically designed for people without medical training, like expecting parents. The application is intuitive and guides users step-by-step, making it possible to begin at any stage of labor -whether at the onset of contractions or during active birth. It provides optimal support and reassurance until professional medical help is available.

Pläne für die Zukunft

The next steps involve conducting detailed user tests to identify areas that still need improvement. These tests should take place in realistic scenarios - under stress and without professional medical support. Following this, the set will need to be adapted for production to ensure ease of manufacturing. Ideally, the product should not become waste if unused, but be reusable after thorough reconditioning. To maintain this cycle, coordination with medical practices and health insurance providers will be essential.

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