This Overlooked Innovation Could Save Thousands of Mothers

Maternal health care is in crisis. But the solution might surprise you.

For years, the femtech industry has poured billions into fertility solutions. Apps that track ovulation. At-home hormone tests. AI-enhanced IVF. These innovations have transformed family planning.

But what happens after conception?

The sobering reality is that the United States has a maternal mortality rate of 18.6 per 100,000 live births. This is significantly higher than other developed nations. It's a number that should shock us into action.

The next frontier in femtech isn't about getting pregnant. It's about keeping mothers alive and healthy.

The Shift from Fertility to Maternal Health

Over the past decade, more than $10 billion in venture and private equity funding has flowed into fertility innovations globally. In the UK alone, femtech companies raised over £200 million in 2023, with fertility solutions capturing the majority of this investment. This investment has yielded impressive results. But it's also created a glaring gap.

While we've made strides in helping people conceive, we've neglected the critical periods of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. This oversight has real, often tragic, consequences.

Now, innovators are turning their attention to this underserved market. And the potential is enormous.

Innovations on the Horizon

Imagine a world where every expectant mother has access to advanced remote monitoring. Where AI-enhanced tools can predict and prevent complications during labour. Where postpartum care is comprehensive and accessible.

This isn't science fiction. It's the emerging reality of maternal health tech.

Remote monitoring technologies for pregnancy complications could potentially reduce maternal mortality rates by up to 25%. AI-enhanced labour and delivery tools have shown promise in reducing caesarean section rates by up to 30% in pilot studies.

These aren't just incremental improvements. They're life-saving innovations.

The Investment Opportunity

The business world is taking notice. The global femtech market is projected to reach $60 billion by 2027, with maternal health solutions expected to be a significant driver of this growth. In the UK, government initiatives like the NHS Innovation Accelerator have allocated £15 million specifically for maternal health innovations, while UK-based maternal health start-ups secured £45 million in funding in 2023 alone—representing a 180% increase from the previous year.

This isn't just about market potential. It's about creating a future where every pregnancy is safer, every birth is supported by the best technology available, and every new mother receives the care she needs.

Challenges and Considerations

Of course, technology alone isn't a panacea. We must address systemic inequalities in healthcare access. We need to ensure these innovations reach those who need them most, not just those who can afford them.

There's also the question of balancing high-tech solutions with the irreplaceable human element of care. How do we leverage AI and remote monitoring without losing the crucial personal touch in maternal care?

The Road Ahead

The maternal health tech revolution is just beginning. It promises to transform not just individual lives, but entire communities and healthcare systems.

For investors, healthcare providers, and innovators, the message is clear: The next big opportunity in femtech lies in maternal health. It's a chance to make a real difference, to save lives, and to reshape the future of healthcare.

The question isn't whether we can afford to invest in maternal health tech. It's whether we can afford not to.

A Call to Midwives: Shape the Future or Watch from the Sidelines

To every midwife reading this, to every woman working in women's health: the future of maternity care is being written right now. The question is—will you help write it, or will you simply react to what others decide?

We stand at a crossroads. Technology is reshaping our profession whether we embrace it or not. We can sit and moan after changes are made to our beloved profession, or we can work together to make the future of midwifery fit for purpose—for more midwives and women using the service.

The time is now. Midwives need clear, strong direction to support innovation and the culture to use data and passion to support women. We need the courage to test an idea, fail fast, learn from the results, and try again.

Your lived experience matters. Your clinical insight is invaluable. Your voice in shaping maternal health technology could be the difference between innovation that truly serves women and technology that misses the mark entirely.

Don't let others decide the future of your profession. Be part of the solution. Champion the innovations that will make maternity care safer, more equitable, and more effective for every woman who walks through your doors.

The maternal health revolution needs midwives at its heart. Will you answer the call?