Natal Mind aims to enhance mental health support for parents-to-be with AI-powered coaching. The project is among 10 promising teams selected for the fifth Health Incubator Helsinki program in the spring of 2024.

In 2022, Annika Järvelin spent several weeks observing practices in maternity and child health clinics across Helsinki as part of the Biodesign Finland program. During this time, she repeatedly noticed the same gap: the lack of mental health support for pregnant women and their partners.

To address this unmet need, Järvelin teamed up with obstetrician-gynecologist Aura Pyykönen, psychologist and psychotherapist Riikka Lemmetyinen, doctoral researcher Henni Tenhunen, and business developer Wintom Zecarias to launch an Aalto University research-to-business project, Natal Mind.

“We are developing a mobile app that offers psychological coaching during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period,” Järvelin, Commercial Lead of the Natal Mind project, summarizes the idea.

Personalized virtual coach, available 24/7

Natal Mind’s mobile app centers around a virtual birth coach named Nathalie. Through the app, Nathalie engages with parents, offering psychological support and coaching tailored to their unique journey – around the clock.

“Users can customize Nathalie’s appearance, language, and accent to create a more personalized and relatable experience,” Järvelin explains.

Nathalie is equipped with an emotion tracker that monitors the user’s emotional state throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum. 

“This feature provides customized exercises to reduce stress, prepare for childbirth, and improve communication between parents and healthcare providers.”

Riikka Lemmetyinen, Annika Järvelin, Aura Pyykönen and Henni Tenhunen from Natal Mind

Improved mental health, far-reaching results

The challenges that Natal Mind seeks to solve are not unique to Finland but are prevalent worldwide. Despite increasing awareness of mental health issues, including postpartum depression, the resources available to support parents are often limited.

In Finland, for example, public education for childbirth preparation has undergone significant cuts over the years.

“Many parents, especially those facing difficult circumstances such as infertility, pregnancy loss, or cultural barriers, struggle to find the support they need,” Järvelin notes.

The lack of mental health support can have long-term effects, not just on the parents but also on their children. Studies have shown that parental stress and anxiety can impact parent-child interaction, child development, and the overall well-being of the family.

Järvelin emphasizes that preparation for childbirth and parenthood benefits the entire healthcare system.

“Our main goal is to reduce fear and anxiety related to childbirth and becoming a parent. Proper mental preparation can reduce complications, shorten recovery time, increase the motivation of healthcare staff, and ultimately result in lower healthcare costs.”

Going global with the support of Health Incubator Helsinki

Natal Mind’s mobile app is currently being tested clinically at HUS Helsinki University Hospital. The team aims to spin out from Aalto University by the end of 2024.

Having joined Health Incubator Helsinki in spring 2024, Natal Mind is setting its sights on global markets and now seeking the assistance to reach this goal.

“There’s a long list of potential opportunities, and each market has its own pros and cons. Receiving guidance in making these decisions was one of the main reasons we applied to the program,” Järvelin says.

In addition to the international expertise offered by Health Incubator Helsinki, Järvelin highlights the value of the program’s wide networks.

“Health Incubator Helsinki provides more than just access to investors. Through the network built by the program’s business advisors, we can connect with policymakers who are often difficult to reach on our own. It’s also invaluable to learn from the experiences of other teams attending the program.”

If you’re interested in collaborating with the Natal Mind project, please contact the team!

Contact details: 

Annika Järvelin, Commercial Lead
annika.e.jarvelin(at)aalto.fi

Check out all the companies in the Health Incubator Helsinki program.

Text: Saana Lehtinen, Uoma Media Oy

Photos: Natal Mind, Otto Olavinen