About Us

SoShe has a vision of partner-inclusive, digital-first, health & wellness for pregnancy, birth, and the years postpartum that complements the care of a provider.

We are software-based (beyond telehealth), evidence-based, outcomes-driven, cost-effective, and scalable. And we've built a digital health unicorn before.
#SoSheCanThrive

#SoWeAllThrive

What We Stand For

We believe that new parents are uniquely motivated to take ownership of their health and wellness, and given the right information, tools, and support, they can achieve that.

We believe that health care is decades behind in digital transformation, and that telemedicine and a "digital front door" barely scratch the surface of digital health. We believe that knowledge is power, that preparation matters (aka "preventive care"), and that essential pieces of wisdom sitting in the heads of experts can be digitized and democratized.

​We believe that human support is central and essential, but there aren't enough doulas, mental health professionals, and pelvic floor PTs to solve our way out of our maternal health crisis. Not to mention the high cost of comprehensive, 1-1 expert support, on top of already high cost care.

We believe that tech-first, data-rich interventions (beyond telehealth) are best positioned to leverage deep learning and AI to personalize experiences, and to optimize impact. We believe that consumer choices can change how health care is delivered.

Since day one, we've been giving SoShe away for free to people who can't afford to pay, and partnering with community-based organizations to reach underserved communities through our Access For All Program. 

We envision a world with greater health equity and inclusivity, and broad access to the tools and support new parents need to adjust, recover, and thrive. 

There's a quote about doulas that goes, "If a doula were a drug, it would be unethical not to use it." Our goal is to one day say the same about SoShe.

What We're Building

SoShe is software in a sea of telehealth and digital front doors. While the "village of support" for new families is much needed, there aren't enough doulas, pelvic floor PTs, and mental health providers to solve our way out of our maternal health crisis.

​We need to lean more into consumer-facing, software-first solutions to improve health outcomes and satisfaction at scale, from prevention through diagnostics and digital therapeutics.

Think app-based, partner-inclusive birth prep and real-time labor support that reduce the risk of an unplanned c-section and increase childbirth satisfaction (our v1 is live today).

Think breastfeeding trackers that detect and troubleshoot feeding and supply issues (instead of just "start on the left next time").

Think programs proven to prevent postpartum depression (yes prevent!). 

Think third trimester kick and movement trackers that can prevent 1 in 3 stillbirths (currently 1 out of 170 births).

Think post-birth symptom checkers that reduce maternal mortality by helping people know what symptoms are serious, when to go to the ER, and what to say when they get there (60-70+% of maternal deaths are "preventable").

If others are tech-enabled services business, SoShe is building a software product that can escalate to human support when needed/wanted.

And if others are picking up the pieces from pregnancy and birth, we're doubling down on prevention. Because our rates of perinatal mood disorders, pelvic floor dysfunction, breastfeeding challenges, and labor force opt-outs are higher than they need to be. And there are proven yet under-leveraged ways to improve all of these outcomes and more.

We can do better. New families deserve better. And if we want to drive impact at scale, we need to push beyond telehealth and a digital front door. We need to lean more on software to empower new families to take ownership of their health and health outcomes. That's SoShe's contribution to this collective effort.
​
#SoSheCanThrive    #SoWeAllThrive

How We Got Here

We're a team of tech geeks, birth pros, baby whisperers, and boss moms, and we're passionate about getting women & families the support they need to thrive.

​We're paying it forward because we've experienced the pain of being under-prepared, misinformed, and under-supported. And we've also been blessed to experience great care, real confidence, and growing our families in a way that felt healthy, connected, and exactly as it should be.

SoShe was founded by Shannon Field, a mom of three with 20+ years of experience as a Product Leader turned General Manager (GM). She's led Product, Engineering, Marketing, and Analytics teams at brands like Disney, Pinterest, and Trulia, as well as numerous early stage startups including digital health. Shannon was the first Head of Product & Marketing at Virta Health, an online program for people with Type 2 Diabetes with paradigm shifting clinical outcomes data, best-in-class user experience ratings (NPS), and "unicorn status" ($1B+ valuation). [Read Shannon's Founder Story]

Shannon met maternal health experts Jenn and Naima at a conference, connected with marketer Kaitlyn through a friend and mentor, and lucked upon an intro to health education expert Emma. Friend-of-friend introductions to Shahla and Sam helped bring the tech vision to life. Since then, even more friends, connections, and former-strangers have joined Team SoShe, and we continue to build, learn, and grow together.

T H E   C U R R E N T   S T A T E

Maternal health in the U.S. has been called "a public health crisis."

[ Amer. Journal of Public Health, 2020 ]

#57
The U.S. ranks last amongst developed countries in maternal mortality (number 57 overall) and the death rate has been rising. Read more

3-18x
Racial disparities show black women are 3-18x more likely to die around pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. Read more

33%
Have a traumatic birth, which affects partners too, and can lead to postpartum mental health issues and fear of future pregnancies. Read more

20-40%
Have postpartum depression or anxiety, often undiagnosed and untreated, adding $14B+ of avoidable costs per year. Read more

25-50%
Have physical complications 1-2+ years post-birth, including hip or back pain, incontinence, and painful sex. Read more

40%
Have zero post-birth follow-up appointments with a medical provider, and many covered by Medicaid lose coverage 60 days after giving birth. Read more

43%
Of highly qualified new moms leave the workforce. Read more

In December 2021, the White House issued a nationwide "call to action to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity."

[ The White House Briefing Room, Dec. 2021 ]

A Win-Win
Imagine this: maternal health care not only offers the experience and support that new parents want, but also the results that providers, payers, and employers want.

Imagine fewer:
Unnecessary interventions
Avoidable complications
Deaths and near deaths
Pre-term births
NICU stays and days


Imagine more:
Physical healing
Emotional well-being
Breastfeeding success
Happy households (and sex)
Healthy families
New parents retained/rising in the workforce

SoShe Access For All Program

We've partnered with community-based organizations in New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Indiana, Texas, and Kentucky to provide childbirth prep to underserved families.​​ And we're only just getting started.
Apply For Free Access

L E T ' S   D O   T H I S .

Together, we can better support new families.
Copyright 2024
#SoSheCanThrive