The underlying biology of pregnancy has always been shrouded in mystery. And increasingly, research is linking what happens during pregnancy to a person’s health over the course of their lifetime.

The state of maternal health is dire in the United States: it’s more dangerous for women to be pregnant today than it was for their own mothers.

The need for women's health and pregnancy health advancements is undeniable and urgent. Despite lifesaving breakthroughs in fields like oncology and cardiology, women's health hasn’t kept up. The U.S. is in a state of crisis, with an increasing number of preventable maternal and infant mortalities.

“The more we talk about these things, the more women realize, ‘Other moms have gone through this and they’ve come out on the other side, and I’m going to come out on the other side too,’ ” Ellen says. “I’m sure that was a lot of the comfort that Jessica had. She saw that I was OK, my babies were OK, and she would be, too.”

Recently, Mirvie CEO and Co-Founder Maneesh Jain sat down with one of Mirvie’s investors, Holly Maloney, Managing Director at General Catalyst, to discuss how better diagnostics can enable biology-driven and preventative care that can leapfrog pregnancy care into the 21st century.

“I didn't think I had a risk,” Alicia says. “I know there's always a risk of anything because pregnancy is different for everybody, and it's different with each one. But I didn't feel any different than I did with my first pregnancy. That's what was crazy.”

“No one mentioned postpartum preeclampsia,” Courtney says. “Maybe it's because my blood pressure went back to normal after delivery. My labs were perfect. But I’ve learned the more you can listen to your body and listen to yourself to advocate for yourself, the better."‍

ACOG 2023 in Charm City is a wrap! We had a wonderful time connecting with hundreds of attendees from all around the world in Baltimore, hearing from leading experts on themes including the maternal mortality crisis and preeclampsia, and learning so much.‍

The future is bright for innovation in pregnancy health and the prenatal care journey. After decades of patients being forced into the same pathway for care delivery, doctors and patients are breaking the mold and redefining what optimal pregnancy health means for them.

“They told me I was going to have to be admitted,” Jenny recalls. “And I said, ‘I can't really be admitted. I mean, it's too early. And, you know, I have a baby shower to go to.’ They said, ‘Well, you're having a baby today.’”