Carea launches launches first-of-its-kind maternal service to proactively connect users with expert support using tracking data
Pregnancy and postnatal wellbeing app Carea has launched Carea Connect, a new integrated support service that proactively connects women with maternal health professionals through the app
Carea Connect is the first pregnancy and postpartum app globally to recommend specialist support using a woman's wellbeing data and the first in the UK to bring maternal health experts together within a single platform
Women can access support across midwifery, perinatal mental health, lactation, infant sleep, mindfulness and coaching, with a guaranteed response within 24-48 hours, without endless online searches, lengthy referrals, waiting lists or private directories
The launch comes as suicide remains the leading cause of maternal deaths in the UK between 6 and 52 weeks after giving birth[1], highlighting the need for earlier, more accessible maternal health and wellbeing support
Carea, the pregnancy and postnatal wellbeing app, has launched Carea Connect, a first-of-its-kind service that analyses a woman's wellbeing data to identify when additional support may be beneficial and proactively connects her with the right maternal health expert.
The launch makes Carea the first UK pregnancy and postpartum app to offer integrated access to a broad network of maternal health professionals within a single platform and the first globally to use tracked wellbeing data to guide women towards specialist support.
The feature tracks changes in mood, emotional wellbeing, physical recovery, baby feeding and sleep over time, helping identify when additional support may be beneficial.
While many pregnancy, postpartum and health-tracking apps allow women to log symptoms, they often leave users to interpret the data themselves and decide whether to seek support, adding to the mental load during pregnancy and early motherhood. Carea is changing this by proactively connecting women with relevant specialists based on the symptoms and information they track.
Women can also explore Carea’s expert network of trusted experts themselves, enabling them to find and request support at any stage of pregnancy or throughout the postpartum period.
Once a woman reaches out to her chosen practitioner, they're guaranteed a response within 24 to 48 hours to arrange a consultation. This commitment to fast response times helps women access trusted support sooner, when timing matters most.
Why faster access to professional support matters
The perinatal period, spanning pregnancy and the first year after birth, is a time of increased vulnerability to mental health conditions[2], including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychosis. Around one in four women in England experience a perinatal mental health problem, affecting an estimated 130,000 women each year. Suicide remains the leading cause of maternal death between six and 52 weeks after birth[1].
Research from the Maternal Mental Health Alliance shows some women can wait up to a year for mental health treatment, while more than 30,000 pregnant women are estimated to be on NHS mental health waiting lists at any one time[3][4].
If a woman using Carea regularly tracks persistent low mood or sadness, the app identifies the pattern and recommends speaking to a relevant specialist.
At launch, the network includes ten trusted specialists covering independent midwifery, lactation consultancy, perinatal mental health counselling, mindfulness and breathwork, pregnancy and postpartum coaching, baby feeding support and infant sleep expertise, with more professionals set to join the platform over time.
Anastasia Shubareva-Epshtein, founder and CEO of Carea, said: "I built Carea because I experienced antenatal depression during both of my pregnancies. I know first-hand how frightening it can be to recognise that something is wrong yet have no idea where to turn for help. Through Carea Connect, we are removing as many barriers as possible between a woman recognising she needs support and actually receiving it."
Practitioners available through Carea Connect have joined the platform because they share Carea's commitment to ensuring women can access trusted, specialist support when they need it most.
Nicky Kantura, a mental health counsellor available through Carea Connect, said: "I’m excited to be partnering with Carea because I believe that no woman should have to struggle alone. Reaching out for support can feel like a big step, particularly during pregnancy, after birth, or following pregnancy or infant loss. By working with Carea, I hope to help more women access specialist maternal mental health support and feel understood, supported and empowered throughout their journey."
Gemma Davies, a responsive baby and toddler sleep coach, said: “I’m delighted to be partnering with Carea on Carea Connect. The pre and postnatal period can bring significant changes to sleep, mental health and wellbeing, and I’m passionate about helping women access the support and practical tools they need to navigate this stage with greater confidence.”
Carea Connect is now available through the latest version of the Carea app on the App Store and Google Play. It is available free of charge, with an initial discovery call with each participating practitioner offered at no cost.
MBRRACE-UK: Maternal death rate has decreased, but mental health issues remain a leading cause
Maternal Mental Health Alliance: Maternal Mental Health Services in England need more funding
About Carea
Carea is a UK-based maternal wellbeing platform founded by a mother who experienced miscarriage, IVF, and the realities of postpartum recovery firsthand. Created to put mothers - not just babies - at the heart of care, Carea combines expert guidance, emotional wellbeing tools and daily trackers to support women through every stage of pregnancy and postpartum. Its mission is to make compassionate, trigger-free antenatal and maternal care accessible to all. The Carea app has already been downloaded 10,000 times since its launch in April 2025.