Why Pregnancy Care Should Be Proactive for Safer Outcomes | Blush & Bloom Podcast | Ep. 7

Gigi
5 days ago
3 min read

Why Waiting for Symptoms Is Too Late in Pregnancy Care | Blush & Bloom Podcast | Ep. 7 with Sharlon Handelman-Gotlib

When it comes to pregnancy, too much of our care still depends on waiting for symptoms to appear. But by the time many complications are detected, it can already be too late to prevent serious outcomes for mothers and babies.

In this episode of Blush & Bloom, I spoke with Sharon Handelman-Gotlib, Co-Founder and CEO of Shela Health, about why pregnancy care needs to move from reactive to proactive and how AI and precision medicine can help catch risks long before symptoms show up.

Sharon’s mission is simple but powerful: give every pregnant woman the information she needs to feel safer, more prepared, and better supported throughout her journey.

In This Episode, We Cover:

✨ Why one in four pregnancies face serious complications, and why that number is still so high

✨ The difference between proactive and reactive pregnancy care✨ Common complications like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth, and how they can be detected early

✨ How Shela Health’s AI-driven approach works with doctors and clinics to personalize care

✨ The role of precision medicine in pregnancy

✨ What women can do to advocate for themselves during prenatal care

✨ How diverse data and ethical AI make pregnancy care more inclusive

✨ Sharon’s vision for making pregnancy safer worldwide

Why Early Detection Matters

Sharon explained that 25% of pregnancies involve serious complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, or preterm birth. Many of these can be managed or even prevented if they are identified early.

Unfortunately, most pregnancy care is still reactive. “We need to stop waiting for symptoms,” she said. “Early diagnostics and precision health should be the gold standard, just like in cardiology or oncology.”

Shela Health’s model integrates with existing clinic visits. Using demographic, clinical, and biological data, their AI algorithms can flag high-risk pregnancies early, giving doctors and mothers time to take preventive steps.

Understanding Preeclampsia

One complication Shela Health focuses on is preeclampsia, a serious condition marked by high blood pressure and signs of organ damage.

Symptoms can include severe headaches, changes in vision, nausea, and swelling, but these often appear only after the condition has progressed.

By spotting risks earlier, doctors can closely monitor patients, adjust treatment plans, and reduce the chance of emergency deliveries or extended NICU stays.

Proactive Care in Action

In Shela Health’s approach, if the AI model identifies a woman as high-risk, she undergoes targeted lab tests to confirm the risk level. From there, doctors and patients create a tailored plan, whether that means more frequent monitoring, medication, or lifestyle adjustments.

For women with minimal risk, the system avoids unnecessary tests and interventions, focusing resources where they’re needed most.

Building Trust with AI in Women’s Health

Sharon emphasized that trust is key. That means validating models with diverse datasets, protecting patient privacy, and following strict regulations.

“AI is powerful, but it only works if it’s built for the right populations and used responsibly,” she explained.

Advice for Women

Her message to pregnant women: Know your risks, ask questions, and explore the tools available to you. Come prepared to prenatal appointments, understand your family history, and don’t hesitate to advocate for yourself.

About Our Guest: Sharon Handelman-Gotlib

Sharon Handelman-Gotlib is the CEO and Co-Founder of Shela Health and a leader in the Israeli FemTech community.

With deep experience in business development, operations, and strategy, including in the pharma industry, she has a proven track record of turning long-term visions into practical, fast-delivered solutions.

Sharon is known for her ability to influence and inspire, whether by building strong teams, creating innovative business processes, or driving new approaches to women’s health. She believes in doing the right thing, the right way, with honesty and respect.

Her mission with Shela Health is to transform pregnancy care from reactive to proactive, using AI and precision medicine to detect complications early and give women and clinicians the information they need for safer, healthier pregnancies.

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