Femtech Fes! Online Vol. 10 "A New Pregnancy Journey with Femtech"
Nausea, skin problems, hair loss, back pain... During the approximately 10 months from conception to birth, a woman's body undergoes various changes. Additionally, many factors affect mental health, such as hormonal imbalances, physical changes, and fear of childbirth.
The 10th Femtech Fes! Online! was themed "A New Pregnancy Life with Femtech." We invited Yuko Imamura from the Japan Health Policy Council to introduce changes and concerns of the body and mind during pregnancy, communication with partners and doctors, and Femtech products that support them.
Physical and Mental Changes During Pregnancy
First, the event examined the physical and mental changes that occur during each stage of pregnancy.
[Early Pregnancy: 0-3 Weeks]
Missed period, persistent low-grade fever, sleepiness, fatigue, breast tenderness, loss of appetite, sensitivity to smells, morning sickness or nausea when hungry, changes in taste preferences, frequent urination, increased vaginal discharge.
Many symptoms are similar to PMS or a cold, so many people don't realize they're pregnant at this stage. It's important to remember that pregnancy tests can only be used 7-10 days after a missed period.
[First Trimester: 2-4 Months]
Morning sickness (weeks 5-11), frequent urination, constipation, increased saliva production, fatigue.
Increased irritability and stress, emotional instability, crying without reason or feeling like crying, apathy.
This is the period when clear physical and mental changes begin to occur due to hormonal shifts!
Even for the same person, the severity of symptoms can vary greatly between their first and second pregnancies!
Placenta completion = stable period, growing belly, prone to anemia, liquid discharge from mammary glands, stretch marks, leg cramps, pregnancy gingivitis, mental stability as physical changes settle down.
Physical changes become apparent externally.
This is also the period referred to as "Pregnancy glow" in Western countries, when pregnant women's skin becomes radiant and beautiful, glowing with an aura!
Palpitations, shortness of breath, swelling, increased basal metabolism, back pain, pubic bone pain, widening of the pelvis, urinary incontinence, Braxton Hicks contractions/labor pains.
A mental state similar to early pregnancy can occur, leading to "maternity blues" (constant tension, anxiety-induced insomnia, decreased concentration).
In Japan, pregnancy is often said to be 10 months, which refers to menstrual age, counting 1 month = 28 days from the first day of the last menstrual period as day 0. There is also a method of counting 9 months (fertilization age, with the first day of fertilization as day 1), and it was found that the common perception varies from country to country.
We also answered urban legends about pregnancy: "Can you really choose the baby's sex?", "What is 'maternity high'?", and "Is exercise and sex prohibited?"
Anxieties During Pregnancy
The anxieties and worries experienced during pregnancy are unique to each individual. Beyond concerns like "Will the baby be born safely?" and "Changes in roles and relationships," there are also communication challenges such as "How do I convey my worries to my partner?" and "How can I get them to take ownership?" It was found that in today's information-rich age, even when researching online, it can be difficult to discern what is correct or suitable for oneself, which can lead to increased worries.
When comparing the reasons why experienced mothers and current pregnant women couldn't discuss their anxieties with their partners, a common response among experienced mothers was "It's easier to talk to my own mother or other female acquaintances than my partner." In contrast, a top answer among current pregnant women was "My partner reacted poorly the first time I brought it up, so I stopped talking about it." This suggests that current pregnant women might have fewer communities where they can share their worries and anxieties.
Based on these "physical and mental changes during pregnancy" and "anxieties during pregnancy," we explored various Femtech products, focusing on two solution types: ① understanding and controlling one's own body, and ② visualizing and sharing changes in one's body. Here are some of the services introduced at the event.
Reliefband
A smart band that alleviates nausea, motion sickness, and chemotherapy-induced vomiting.
It reduces nausea and feelings of sickness by altering nerve activity in the median nerve through neuromodulation (micro-electrical stimulation). It's also effective for hangovers.
Bonzun
Bonzun, a virtual midwife, is an information platform covering various pregnancy symptoms.
The app includes a feature that checks symptoms and advises whether a medical visit is necessary based on the gestational week.
Keleya
An app that customizes personal training programs to your stage of pregnancy.
It offers support for both training and dietary habits.
Baby-Scan
The world's first at-home ultrasound scanner. It transmits scanned data to an app, saves it to a dedicated cloud, and allows sharing with family and friends.
Bloomlife
A wearable device that tracks uterine muscle contractions, frequency, intensity, and labor pains.
It also features a function to send tracked data to an app and share it with a partner. It can be used continuously from the second trimester of pregnancy.
Did you find any Femtech solutions that interest you? Products that allow sharing, like Baby-Scan and Bloomlife, might be effective in helping partners take ownership.
In Japan, it feels like access to such information, services, and products is still limited. Moving forward, it is desirable to establish an environment where those who need Femtech can access it when necessary, with enhanced grants and services from local governments.
fermata hopes to help alleviate worries and anxieties by dissecting the stages from pregnancy to childbirth and introducing and providing cutting-edge solutions as a first step!