One physician. Fifty years of caring for pregnant women and their families. A single, dedicated founder committed to your trust and your privacy.

Unlike most commercially available pregnancy apps and online programs, Maternl has one author and creator. Its passion-driven mission to improve the health and outcomes of pregnancy is derived from over fifty years of caring for pregnant women and their families as an obstetrician. Two principles that I have embraced are the PRIVILEGE a physician has in caring for their patients and the TRUST required in the physician–patient relationship. I believe such TRUST is mandated in programs such as Maternl—and all other online health-related apps and programs. A program with a single, dedicated Founder / Author / Creator such as Maternl is best suited for this, as the user knows who is in charge, who is responsible for the program, and their background and philosophy.

Following is a paragraph I wrote for another platform on what I believe is imperative in a clinical situation, the tents of whhich should likewise be followed in an online program such as Maternl.

On Trust

TRUST: This is a subject I have always been interested in—now 56+ years since entering medical school. The embryo of trust begins at the first meeting between doctor and patient. When meeting a new patient, be humble and appreciative that the patient has chosen you to care for them. Always remember the privilege that is ours as physicians. Show confidence but not arrogance. Look at the patient as did Maimonides: “…never see in the patient anything but a fellow creature in pain.”

Whenever possible, meet the patient dressed in a non-clinical consultation room / office. Listen to the patient’s ‘story’ without interruption. Try to learn as much as you can about his / her life. Discuss their concerns, their fears, and their needs for this visit. If this is an office visit, after the exam, return to the consultation room / office to discuss the visit. This is time-consuming but important to cementing the initial encounter. Allocate more time for a new patient. Explain to the patient what they can expect from you. The patient should leave your office feeling that they have found not only a doctor but an advocate. You should leave the office feeling uplifted that you have ‘helped’ and contributed to the well-being of another patient.

Sometimes, we meet a patient for the first time in an emergency situation like the Emergency Room or Labor and Delivery floor. The challenge to gain trust is more difficult here, as there are almost always time constraints. Here is where words, body language, eye contact, and overt demonstration of ‘professionalism’ take over. We must engage with every patient and engender confidence. Remembering and practicing our privilege to care for and treat these ‘new’ and mostly vulnerable patients that we meet in acute situations—as we would for any other patient—is paramount. Always promote and practice one standard of care for all, and teach the same.

Immersion. One concept I have always tried to practice is immersing myself in my patient’s care. If complications develop, if outcomes become unexpected, if patients die, do not abandon them or their families. These situations require attention and compassion, and indeed test our abilities as physicians. The easier path might be detachment and avoidance, but I believe this is not the best one. Transparency and honesty, apology, and continuity of care can be healing for our patients, their families, and for us.

Trust can and must be attained, but it takes effort and attention. When patients come to us for care, they are vulnerable, needy, and many times frightened. They are seeking professional, high-quality, and ‘human’ caring. Making them feel comfortable, safe, hopeful, and confident with our care, and in our care, will begin the trust required for healing.

Privacy: Our Commitment to You

Maternl strives to uphold all the tenets of trust I have learned and practiced. I believe that your privacy is of the utmost importance. For this reason, I do not ask for any identifiers, registration is not required to use any and all of the programs, and there is no storage of identified data. However, you may use your name, email address, or share your personal information at your will in the message boards or in communication to Maternl.

Furthermore, Maternl strives for and is committed to providing information in all its programs that is accurate and evidence-based—derived from researched, peer-reviewed journals, papers, organizations, and academic medical centers, rather than individuals, as sources. This will provide information, to the best of our knowledge, that is unbiased, up-to-date, and accurate. Maternl uses AI engines that always generate references, which can be further investigated.