Pregnancy loss affects up to 25% of all pregnancies, yet it remains one of the most overlooked areas of women’s health innovation. Despite affecting millions globally, the field has been characterized by long wait times, limited treatment options, and persistent stigmatization.
Now, a new generation of entrepreneurs and researchers is developing solutions across the pregnancy loss journey – from emotional support to diagnostic breakthroughs and improved treatment delivery.
The Clinical Reality
Professor Dr. Ruben Kuon leads the specialized care unit for couples with recurrent pregnancy loss at Heidelberg University. Recurrent pregnancy loss – defined in some guidelines as two or more, and in others as three or more losses – affects 2-5% of couples, depending on the definition applied. Single losses, however, are far more common. “One pregnancy loss happens to approximately 15 to 25% of all couples, making this a very common health issue,” Kuon explains.
Despite the prevalence, accessing appropriate care remains challenging. The medical complexity of pregnancy loss involves genetics, anatomy, endocrine systems, immunology, and mental health: “The condition is quite complex, requiring not only specialized medical education but also significant time investment for proper patient counseling,” Kuon notes.
This complexity creates significant bottlenecks in the healthcare system. At Heidelberg’s unit, wait times stretch six to nine months. “This creates a frustrating paradox,” Kuon says. “Couples are told that timing matters and age is a factor, yet the healthcare system fails to provide timely access to appropriate care.”
The shortage of specialists compounds these delays. “We have a limited number of specialists with expertise in this field, which creates the access bottleneck,” Kuon notes. Even when patients do reach specialized care, answers often remain elusive. “In approximately 50% of cases, we cannot identify evidence-based risk factors despite thorough diagnostic evaluation.”
The Digital Opportunity
Given these systemic challenges, Kuon advocates for digital tools to democratize access, starting earlier in the patient journey. Current research suggests couples should receive digital support even after single losses. “Following one pregnancy loss, patients should receive counseling about risk factors and underlying causes,” he explains. “It’s crucial to reassure couples that they bear no responsibility for the loss while providing evidence-based information.”
This early intervention approach could help address the specialist shortage. “We’re experiencing physician shortages across reproductive medicine and gynecology today. Effective digital tools that meaningfully impact patient outcomes represent a big opportunity for better pregnancy loss care, especially if they integrate medical expertise with psychological support,” Kuon says.
Kuon’s work at digital health startup Fertia reflects his understanding that reproductive health issues are interconnected. The platform allows users to switch between cycle disorders, pregnancy loss, infertility, and pregnancy support while maintaining their history. “These conditions are interconnected rather than isolated,” Kuon explains.
An integrated approach recognizes that patients may move between different reproductive health challenges throughout their journey. “Our platform’s design at Fertia allows seamless transitions between different care phases while maintaining continuity of information and support,” he notes.
Beyond Women’s Health
One crucial aspect often overlooked is that pregnancy loss affects couples and partners, not just the pregnant person. Kuon emphasizes this broader impact: “Especially when we talk about recurrent pregnancy loss, it’s a couple topic. It’s not only affecting the women,” he explains. “We see a high risk of depression, anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress for both the women and their partners.”
The implications also extend far beyond immediate pregnancy outcomes. “There’s a fundamental misunderstanding that recurrent pregnancy loss is solely a fertility issue. Pregnancy loss represents both immediate psychological trauma and long-term health implications as research shows it can signal future risks for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and ongoing mental health issues,” he says. “Investment in improved pregnancy loss care would generate significant long-term benefits for individuals and society alike.”
The Innovation Landscape
Today multiple approaches are emerging to address these systemic gaps. Sibyl offers AI-powered emotional support specifically for pregnancy loss, providing 24/7 guidance and clinically-reviewed resources.
Many fertility and maternal health startups are taking the integrated approach that Kuon advocates, combining medical expertise with psychological support across the full spectrum of reproductive health challenges, including pregnancy loss care. Fertia exemplifies this comprehensive approach.
Treatment delivery is also improving through targeted innovations like Calla Lily Clinical Care‘s tampon-shaped device addressing progesterone leakage during threatened miscarriage treatment. The company secured £1 million for clinical trials to address a problem costing the UK economy £236 million annually.
Breaking the Silence
Despite its prevalence, pregnancy loss remains what Kuon calls ‘a taboo topic’: “Raising awareness requires speaking openly about this topic, given how many people it affects,” he says.
The emerging innovation ecosystem represents a shift toward comprehensive care for an overlooked health issue. For the estimated 25% of couples who will experience pregnancy loss, these developments offer hope for better support during one of life’s most difficult experiences. The question now is whether healthcare systems will embrace these innovations with appropriate urgency.
