nurtur

Thrilled to join this incredible panel tonight to talk about the future of women’s health! ?? At nurtur, we’re transforming maternal mental health by predicting and preventing postpartum depression before symptoms even appear—because support shouldn’t come after a crisis, but before it ever begins. Looking forward to discussing the role of AI, innovation, and policy in shaping better outcomes for women with this powerhouse lineup: ? Vanessa Villaverde – Senior Program Investment Officer, California Health Care Foundation ? Varun Kapoor, MD, MBA – CEO & Co-Founder, Nura Health ? Annette Walker – President, City of Hope Orange County ?? Moderated by Debbie Lin, PhD, Life Science Investor Join us! Details below ? ??? March 13, 2025 | ?? 5:30-8:30 PM ?? JLL, 17877 Von Karman Ave, Suite 500, Irvine, CA #WomensHealth #MaternalHealth #AIinHealthcare #Leadership #Innovation #PanelDiscussion #nurtur

For the new moms, the moms-to-be, and the ones cheering them on—here are some must-read books! ???? Navigating new motherhood comes with so many emotions—joy, exhaustion, love, and sometimes, a little (or a lot) of overwhelm. Whether you’re looking for guidance, reassurance, or just a good laugh, these books are here to help: ?? The Fourth Trimester – Kimberly Ann Johnson A must-read on healing, self-care, and adjusting to life with a newborn. ?? What No One Tells You – Dr. Alexandra Sacks & Dr. Catherine Birndorf An honest take on the emotional and mental changes of becoming a mom. ?? The Happiest Baby on the Block – Dr. Harvey Karp Because we all need sleep—and so do our babies! ?? Good Moms Have Scary Thoughts – Karen Kleiman A comforting, illustrated guide reminding moms that they’re not alone in their feelings. ?? Sh!t No One Tells You – Dawn Dais For when you need to laugh through the chaos. Motherhood is beautiful, messy, and everything in between. Have a favorite book that helped you through the early days? Drop it in the comments! ?? #Motherhood #NewMoms #PPD #MaternalMentalHealth #ParentingBooks #nurtur

We’re proud to share that nurtur has won second place at the 2025 Sloan Healthcare Innovations Prize! ?? A huge thank you to the organizers, judges, and everyone who supported us on this journey. It’s an incredible honor to be recognized among such groundbreaking healthcare innovations. And an extra special shoutout to our co-founder, Kristen Ellefson, for her amazing pitch last Thursday! Your passion and dedication to transforming maternal mental health truly shined on that stage. In the spirit of International Women's Day, we celebrate the women making incredible strides in healthcare and innovation—Kristen, and everyone who is part of the nurtur journey. This is just the beginning—onward and upward! ?? #nurtur #maternalhealth #healthcareinnovation #WomensDay #IWD2025

Exciting news! ?? nurtur has been selected as one of the seven finalists for the 2025 Sloan Healthcare Innovations Prize! We’re honored to be recognized for our work in transforming maternal mental health, and we’re even more excited that our co-founder, Kristen Ellefson, will be pitching our vision tonight at the Finals—February 27, 2025, at the MIT Media Lab (6–9:30 PM EST, in-person). If you're in the area, come support us as we share how #nurtur is shaping the future of maternal healthcare. See you there! ?? #SloanHealthcareInnovationsPrize #MaternalMentalHealth #HealthcareInnovation

What if I told you that one group of mothers in the U.S. is still three times more likely to die during or after childbirth? CDC data from 2023 highlights a disturbing trend: while the maternal mortality rates for white, Hispanic, and Asian women have seen slight declines, the rate for Black women has increased—from 49.5 to 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births. This represents a continuation of a longstanding disparity in maternal health outcomes. This is not just a statistic. This is preventable loss. ?? The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income nations. ?? Black women, regardless of socioeconomic status or access to care, remain at the highest risk. ?? Bias in healthcare and systemic inequities continue to drive these disparities. At nurtur, we are committed to addressing health disparities through innovative, AI-driven solutions that aim to predict and prevent mental health complications during the perinatal period that are highly correlated with maternal mortality. By leveraging technology to provide proactive care, we seek to ensure that all mothers, particularly those most at risk, receive the support and care they deserve. The work ahead is urgent, and the need for systemic change is clear. Every mother deserves a healthy and safe experience, both during and after childbirth. #MaternalHealth #HealthEquity #BlackMaternalHealth #PostpartumCare #nurtur #InnovativeHealthcare

???Love Starts from Within: A Valentine’s Day Reminder??? This Valentine’s Day, let’s celebrate every kind of love—especially?self-love.????For moms navigating the?beautiful and challenging postpartum journey, kindness to yourself?isn’t a luxury—it’s essential. Here’s your gentle reminder to: ???Write yourself a love note—You’ve come so far, and you’re doing amazing.? ???Treat yourself to a moment of self-care—You deserve it.? ???Ask for the support you need—Because nobody should walk this path alone. At?nurtur, we know that?self-compassion isn’t just feel-good advice—it’s clinically proven to protect maternal mental health.?Research shows that?building a strong support system, learning to challenge negative thoughts, and embracing self-kindness?can reduce the risk of postpartum depression.? That’s why our approach empowers moms with?evidence-based tools?to strengthen their well-being from within. ???The most powerful love starts from within—because when mothers thrive, their babies do too. Tag someone who deserves a little extra love today or share your favorite?self-love ritual?in the comments. Let’s spread some joy together!??? #ValentinesDay #SelfLoveForMoms #MaternalMentalHealth #PostpartumJourney #PPDSupport #NurturMoms #SelfCareRituals #MomSupport #ParentingWithLove #ScienceOfSelfCompassion

Pregnancy doesn’t just change your body—it rewires your brain. A new study from UC Santa Barbara provides valuable insights into how the brain changes throughout pregnancy. Led by Professor Emily Jacobs and published in Nature Neuroscience, the research followed a first-time mother with regular brain scans from pre-conception to two years postpartum. Key Findings: ?? Gray Matter Changes: As pregnancy progressed and hormone levels increased, there was a measured decrease in cortical gray matter volume. This change is thought to help the brain adapt to the demands of parenthood, similar to shifts seen during puberty. ?? White Matter Fluctuations: The study also observed temporary increases in white matter, which supports communication between different brain regions. These changes were most noticeable in the second trimester and returned to pre-pregnancy levels around birth. ? These findings contribute to our understanding of how the brain adapts during pregnancy and can help inform future research on maternal health and well-being. At #nurtur, we believe in leveraging science to create better support systems for moms—because when we understand the brain, we can better nurture the mind. ?? #PregnancyBrain #MaternalHealth #Motherhood #Neuroscience #MentalHealth #SupportMoms

?? The impact of maternal mental health extends far beyond the individual—it influences the emotional and psychological development of the next generation. A recent study published in Development and Psychopathology reveals the intergenerational transmission of depressive symptoms. It found that maternal depression can impair a mother's ability to socialize her infant's positive emotions, which in turn affects the child's emotional development and resilience. Key findings include: ?? Mothers experiencing depressive symptoms may struggle to engage in positive affect socialization, such as smiling and laughter, which are essential for a toddler's emotional regulation. ?? These early interactions play a critical role in shaping a child’s long-term mental health outcomes. At #nurtur, we are committed to transforming this reality. By leveraging AI-powered technology, we strive to predict and prevent postpartum depression (PPD), equipping mothers with the resources they need to nurture strong, positive bonds with their children. Supporting maternal mental health is more than a healthcare goal—it’s a critical investment in building healthier, more resilient future generations. Together, we can create solutions that empower mothers and strengthen families from the very beginning. #MaternalMentalHealth #PostpartumDepression #ChildDevelopment #MentalHealthResearch #nurtur

Shedding Light on Postpartum Depression in New Fathers ? Postpartum depression (PPD) is often associated with new mothers, affecting 25% of them. However, 10% of new fathers also experience PPD, highlighting the emotional challenges men face during this transformative time. A recent cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) trial designed for fathers shows promise in providing much-needed support. ? While mothers with PPD often show sadness and anxiety, fathers may exhibit: ?? Irritability or Anger:?Short tempers or frustration. ?? Withdrawal:?Isolation from family and avoidance of bonding with their baby. ?? Externalizing behaviors:?Substance use or impulsive actions as coping mechanisms, hypersexuality. ?? Work-Related Changes:?Excessive work or productivity decline. ?? Physical Symptoms:?Fatigue, headaches, or appetite changes. ? PPD in parents, regardless of gender, can impact a child’s cognitive and emotional development. Early detection and intervention are crucial. ? Let’s start the conversation: How can we better support fathers experiencing PPD? Share your thoughts below. ? ???The link to the article is in the comments. #MentalHealthAwareness #PostpartumDepression #PPDSupport #BreakTheStigma #SupportForDads #HealthyFamilies

As we kick off 2025, we’re filled with gratitude for every milestone, every connection, and every bit of support that fueled our journey at nurtur in 2024. ??Building Our Dream Team – Welcoming passionate, mission-driven talent to help make a difference. ???A New Look – Launching our updated website to better share our vision and impact. ???Conferences & Connections – From CDL and HLTH to TechCrunch, DHAI Summit, and conversations with MIT—what an inspiring lineup! ???Partnerships That Inspire – Proud to collaborate with Columbia University and the Perinatal Research Consortium on our Wellcome Trust grant proposal, alongside Yale, Geisinger, and Rutgers. ???Growing Our Reach – Surpassing $3M in our sales pipeline and drawing interest from an industry leader. ???Techstars Success – After 96 mentor meetings, 18 pitch practices, and countless conversations, we celebrated Demo Day with investor interest and excitement for what’s ahead! ???Spreading Awareness – Being featured in articles and interviews, helping us amplify our mission. ? To everyone who has believed in us, supported us, and cheered us on—thank you from the bottom of our hearts.??? ?#nurtur #MaternalMentalHealth #Growth #Innovation #Techstars #Healthcare ?