A Seattle-area military veteran has launched a platform designed to address the often-overlooked challenges of postpartum care, a period she describes as more challenging than combat. Yuzi Care, founded by Stephiney Foley, a West Point graduate and immigrant from New York City, aims to connect new parents with crucial mental health and physical recovery support.
Foley’s inspiration for Yuzi Care stemmed from a deeply personal experience. Following the birth of her second child, she found herself overwhelmed and questioning her well-being although driving between Seattle and Tacoma. “I have all the markers of being a tough individual,” Foley told FOX 13 Seattle. “And nothing was harder than postpartum.” That moment of crisis spurred her to create a resource that would prevent other parents from reaching a similar breaking point.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in eight women report experiencing postpartum depression, yet more than half of those affected do not receive treatment. Foley observed a stark contrast in the support offered to expectant parents versus those navigating the postpartum period. “After you supply birth, you’re invisible because all the attention gets redirected,” she explained. “Moms included— we redirect our care and attention to the baby rather than ourselves.”
Yuzi Care functions as a centralized hub for postpartum support, offering parents the ability to find specialized perinatal care providers, manage appointments, and process payments. The platform emphasizes the interconnectedness of physical recovery and mental health, connecting users with experts who understand the complexities of the “fourth trimester” – the period following childbirth. Foley’s core philosophy is that prioritizing self-care is essential for effective baby care.
The platform’s innovative approach has garnered national recognition. Yuzi Care recently won the 2026 South by Southwest (SXSW) pitch competition, selected from thousands of applicants. For Foley, the achievement is rooted in a commitment to accessibility. “Coming from a lived experience of surviving postpartum…making [care] accessible to everyone, regardless of your color, gender, zip code, or socioeconomic background is my mission,” she said.
Foley highlighted the significant hormonal shifts experienced during the postpartum period, noting they surpass those experienced during menopause, yet societal expectations remain unchanged. She described a systemic “drop of the ball” in support, which Yuzi Care aims to bridge.
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