BehaVR Forms Partnership with Sonder Health Via  NurtureVR

On November 22nd 2021, BehaVR and Sonder Health announced their partnership to offer NurtureVR as an additional support tool for Sonder Health's telefeeding and telelactation clinical services. The Sonder Health telemedicine platform, which is a combination of BehaVR's NurtureVR programme, provides mothers with 24/7/365 support that helps them feel connected and calm during and after birth. It also supports health professionals in times of understaffing.

BehaVR's partnership to Sonder Health gives moms and their families access to 22 weeks worth of educational material, mindfulness skills, and immersive experiences. Moms also have access around-the-clock to specialist-trained telehealth International Board Certified Lactation Consultants IBCLCs and Registered Dietitians, all from the privacy and comfort of their own homes.

Aaron Gani, founder and CEO of BehaVR, says recent studies have shown that the pandemic had a significant impact on the rates of anxiety, stress, and depression in pregnant women. These factors are known to be connected to shorter gestation periods, preterm births, and high rates of infant and maternal mortality. NurtureVR provides a safe place for pregnant mothers and their families to connect with and understand the emotional and physical changes occurring. This allows them to strengthen their coping and resilience mechanisms, which can help to improve the maternal mental health in the U.S.

The risk of depression in pregnancy doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic. Breastfeeding statistics also show that moms and babies are being left hungry, which has led to a 41% rate of newborn re-admittance for feeding issues. The current ratio of IBCLC providers to patients is high. One IBCLC per 193 women is available, but women can have breastfeeding issues at any hour of the day and need to see an IBCLC within three to four hours. Combining Sonder and BehaVR can make a huge difference in the experience of breastfeeding for both moms and babies.

Michele M. Behme RN CEO, Sonder Health believes moms need extra support, especially during the COVID pandemic. The current level of maternal care required by moms is not being met by medical facilities. This includes mental health and lactation support, which are key factors in both mother and baby's health.

Sonder Health offers nutrition counseling and lactation consulting via live virtual visits. This can be done using a tablet, mobile device or computer. Secure video visits are HIPAA-compliant and available online as scheduled or on demand appointments. All providers have been licensed and certified in telehealth delivery to meet clinical quality standards. All lactation consulting services comply with the World Health Organization International Code of Marketing of Milk Substitutes.

Lauren Majors, IBCLC co-founder and president, Sonder Health believes that many women don't receive support for their nutrition, behavioral health or lactation issues until they are diagnosed with a serious problem. The company wishes to change this and provide moms with the support they require when they need it. BehaVR is a partner that allows them to reach more mothers and babies with the care that they need.
NurtureVR has modules that cover everything, from nutrition to lactation to labor. It is specifically designed to help you manage your anxieties and fears during the most crucial phases of pregnancy.

The content continues after birth with eight weeks' worth of postpartum content. This covers topics such as partner intimacy, stress management, maternal-baby bonding and hormonal and emotional change. NurtureVR gives women the ability to customize their skin tone, environment settings, and breastfeeding style. This is all to foster empathy and create a deeper connection between themselves and their babies.

NurtureVR was created and piloted by Hoag Memorial hospital Presbyterian in Orange County, Ca. In 2020, NurtureVR will be available for piloting. It is the result of a collaborative effort with mothers, doctors, nurses, and midwives. NurtureVR was developed from decades of research on VR's potential to reduce pain during pregnancy, create learning environments that are experiential, decrease stress and improve well-being.