Chicago start-up raises US$3.1m to boost maternity care in the US

Chicago maternal health start-up Partum Health has raised US$3.1m in seed round funding to improve maternal health outcomes in the US.

Research has shown that each year thousands of women face traumatic pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum experiences that are largely preventable.

Two factors that significantly contribute to the nation’s current maternal health crisis include the relative undersupply of maternity care providers and a lack of postpartum support.

Partum Health aims to address these gaps by partnering with obstetricians and midwives to provide patients with complementary, specialised care.

“We started Partum Health in 2021 to create a new standard of care for families in the US,” explained Meghan Doyle, co-founder and CEO of Partum Health.

“The data on maternal health outcomes in the US is clear – our system is not meeting the needs of birthing people or their families, despite significant expense and strain on OBs and midwives.

“It’s time that families have the support of a team of experts to prevent and address the incredibly common complications that emerge from fertility through postpartum.”

The health tech start-up says it complements the support families receive from their obstetricians or midwives by providing care that prevents and addresses the most common complications of pregnancy, including perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, pelvic floor dysfunction and avoidable C-sections.

According to the company, a set of physical and mental health services is tailored to the needs of each family in order to achieve better health and mental health outcomes during pregnancy and postpartum.

Matt Rogers, co-founder and head of operations, said: “We are building a model for the future that combines the convenience of mobile apps, chat and on-demand care with hands-on support so that families can receive the care they need in a way that works best for them.

“Since this journey can be intense emotionally and physically, we want to ensure families feel as confident as possible.”

With the new funding secured, Partum Health aims to continue building on the momentum that was generated from its launch in Illinois, increasing the number of in-network insurance providers that cover its services and expanding into new markets.

Kerry Rupp, general partner of True Wealth Ventures, the round’s lead venture capital firm, said: “The Partum Health team is bringing accessible, evidence-based care to families across the country.

“We are proud to partner with the Partum Health team as they redefine what maternal care looks like in the US and shine a light on a market opportunity that has been historically overlooked and underfunded.”

MAGIC Fund, The Fund Midwest, Tawani Ventures, Bridge Ventures, Pioneer Healthcare Partners, and several individual investors also participated in the latest funding round.