Pouch Health launches pregnancy app to tackle fragmented care journey
Developed in a clinical setting the app has sights on NHS integration
A new digital health startup, born out of a leading London clinic, is aiming to streamline pregnancy care with an all-in-one app designed to support women from early pregnancy through to birth.
The idea for Pouch Health emerged from the team’s hands-on experience at the London Pregnancy Clinic, where they care for hundreds of patients each month. The app has been designed through a collaborative effort between pregnant women, midwives, general practitioners, gynecologists, and obstetricians.
“We realised that what was missing was a single app that could do it all—track, organise, and connect,” said co-founder Tom Ushakov.
“So, we built it—but we’re still actively working to refine it. We’re tightening up the user experience, adding new features, and constantly expanding our library of content to ensure that the app grows with our users.”
A centralised tool
Pouch Health is designed as a centralised tool to address the often fragmented experience of pregnancy care - where information is scattered across emails, printouts, patient portals, and the patient’s own memory. The app aims to bring everything into one secure, user-friendly space, helping women stay organised, informed, and connected throughout their pregnancy.
Tom continued:
"Pouch started inside London Pregnancy Clinic to support our own patients—but it quickly became clear we were onto something much bigger. Pregnancy can feel overwhelming, and we wanted to make it easier, more connected, and way more supportive.
“Unlike generic apps, Pouch lets users book reassuring appointments with trusted specialists, access expert-backed insights, keep maternity records safe in a handy digital wallet, and feel part of a real community—all in one place. We're here to democratise personalised prenatal care across the UK—and we're just getting started. Our vision? To support every pregnancy journey, everywhere."
At the core of this approach is the Digital Pouch, a feature that functions as a personal medical hub. It allows users to upload, securely store and access their scan reports, test results, appointment summaries, and key documents in one place. The Digital Pouch also includes smart reminders and prompts, reducing the risk of missed appointments or lost information - common issues in both private and public care settings.
Currently, most information in the Digital Pouch needs to be uploaded by the user themselves, though limited integration is available with some private clinics. While not yet a seamless solution, it marks a significant improvement in giving women ownership over their medical data and reducing the everyday admin burden that comes with pregnancy care.
Additional features include a baby growth tracker and community forums.
By bringing these tools together in one platform, Pouch Health aims to give women more control, reduce the stress of managing disconnected systems, and provide a sense of continuity in an otherwise piecemeal process.
Social connection built-in
While the app incorporates clinical tools, it also prioritises emotional and community support - areas often overlooked in traditional care models.
“Pregnancy isn’t an illness, but it transforms the female body in profound ways, and for many, it’s uncharted territory,” said Dr. Fedor Ushakov, a fetal medicine specialist with over 40 years’ experience.
“Pouch Health is about creating a space that combines expert-led knowledge with the emotional support every woman deserves.”
Loneliness in pregnancy is a key focus for the team, with social connection built into the platform’s early design.
“I’m always amazed by how many couples strike up conversations with the strangers sitting next to them in our waiting room,” Dr. Ushakov added.
“Pregnancy is a deeply personal experience, but it’s also a universal one—and it always helps to have someone who’s going through the same thing as you.”
A path to the NHS
The app has been piloted with users over recent months, with feedback helping to shape product development.
“Pouch is meant to grow with the women who use it,” said Tom Ushakov. “Pregnancy isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience, and neither should their tools be.”
Currently being rolled out in private clinics, the company says NHS partnerships are a future goal once the product proves its value and scalability in clinical practice.