Mykel B. Davis On Why Maternal Health Tech Is the Next Frontier in Women’s Empowerment

The modern maternal health crisis is a long-standing issue that has been quietly overlooked for far too long. Mothers face numerous challenges, many of which stem from societal norms that often devalue their needs. These challenges include barriers to accessing quality healthcare, inadequate prenatal care, limited parental leave, unaffordable childcare, and disparities driven by systemic racism, discrimination, and economic inequality. Together, these factors create a complex crisis that demands urgent attention and action.

With all of this in mind, Mykel B. Davis, Founder and CEO of Muscle Up Mommy, understands why tech innovation is critical in creating a change. Mykel doesn’t just understand the world of tech innovation. She also deeply understands maternal needs.

The maternal health crisis is not just a personal issue for mothers; it’s a pressing workplace and societal challenge that calls for innovation. One critical area that demands attention is the lack of breastfeeding support in the workplace, which directly impacts employee retention, productivity, and overall company culture.

Mothers returning to work often face significant barriers to breastfeeding, including inadequate lactation spaces, inflexible schedules, and a lack of understanding from employers. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, nearly 60% of working mothers stop breastfeeding sooner than they intend due to these challenges. This abrupt transition can lead to feelings of guilt, stress, and disengagement, ultimately affecting their job performance and satisfaction.

From an employer's perspective, the cost of failing to support breastfeeding employees is steep. A study by the Center for American Progress found that the average cost of replacing an employee is 20% of their annual salary , and for working mothers, lack of support is a leading reason for leaving their jobs. Companies that provide comprehensive breastfeeding support, such as dedicated lactation rooms and flexible pumping schedules, report up to 94% employee retention among career moms, according to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Maternal health tech is a critical, yet underrepresented frontier when it comes to women’s empowerment. Despite its underrepresentation, technology advancements have been proven to create opportunities for women to advocate for their health, balance their personal and professional lives more effectively, and navigate motherhood with greater confidence and increased functionality.

“Empowered mothers lead to empowered families and communities,” says Mykel. "Understanding this innate nature of how access directly impacts workplace culture and is the direct solution in bridging the gap in the maternal health crisis, this is why maternal health tech is so important — and one of the many reasons why I advocate so strongly for Muscle Up Mommy J35 Wearable Breast Pumps."

Muscle Up Mommy was founded by Mykel in 2016 after becoming a first-time mom to twin girls the year prior. Seven years after that, she gave birth to her youngest daughter. Facing the challenges that she had with balancing motherhood and her aspirations, Mykel has been on a mission of revolutionizing motherhood through tech-driven solutions. She created the first Black-owned wearable breast pump, and has made it her mission to advocate for more accessibility and convenience for breastfeeding moms.

 Muscle Up Mommy’s J35 Wearable Breast Pump exemplifies the innovation needed to transform the breastfeeding experience for modern moms. Designed with convenience, autonomy, and discretion in mind, the J35 empowers mothers to pump on the go without compromising their routines or privacy. Inspired by her own personal experiences, Mykel shares that her entire ecosystem of products and resources was developed with intention to help not only simplify motherhood, but to show moms that they can take back control over their lives. 

With trends like wearable technology, telemedicine, AI-powered tools, digital platforms, and tracking apps making it easier for mothers to access the care that they need and better manage their everyday lives, J35 wearable breast pumps could not be excluded. 

By offering accessible and tech-driven solutions like the J35 Wearable Breast Pump, Mykel is empowering mothers to seamlessly integrate their caregiving responsibilities with their careers--ensuring that mothers can breastfeed without being tethered to the wall, and enabling them to stay active, engaged, and productive throughout the day.

"Muscle Up Mommy's wearable breast pumps stood out as a solution at the intersection of health, technology, and empowerment."

This is an experience that she believes solidified her stance as a tech founder advocating for innovation in women’s health. 

"The feedback I received at AfroTech reaffirmed that maternal health tech isn’t just the next frontier—it’s a movement that demands attention, investment, and continued innovation. AfroTech provided a global platform to demonstrate how products like the J35 wearable breast pump not only simplify motherhood but also give women the autonomy to pursue their goals without sacrificing their maternal needs."

The future of maternal health tech is focused on creating innovative solutions that empower women to take control of their health and navigate motherhood with greater ease and confidence. With advancements in wearable technology, telemedicine, and digital health platforms, the landscape is shifting to provide more personalized care, increased accessibility, and improved work-life balance for mothers.

“We are revolutionizing maternal health with our wearable breast pump.” Mykel says. “We’re giving moms the direct tools they need to reclaim their time, mobility, and independence while breastfeeding. Back in the day, we had to sit stationary in a dark, isolated room and connected to the wall to pump. Now we have access to breastfeed while chasing our dreams.”

By integrating tech into motherhood, Muscle Up Mommy is breaking down barriers to breastfeeding and work-life integration, giving moms the autonomy to thrive both at home and in their careers. With a vision of expanding access to quality maternal health solutions, Muscle Up Mommy is paving the way for a future where maternal health tech is not just a luxury but a standard for empowering women everywhere.

As Muscle Up Mommy continues to pave the way for accessible, flexible, and empowering solutions, it’s clear that maternal health tech is more than just a tool—it’s a powerful catalyst for social and workplace transformation.

“We've seen enough of moms choosing to turn in their career badge to be home and raise the children as a result of restrictions around lactation, time considerations, and pay gaps with childcare and income." Mykel says." My hope is with our J35 wearable pumps, more moms can authentically choose what's best for them and their families with accessibility in mind.”

“And to other tech founders and support partners, I say: prioritize mothers in your innovation. As a first-time mom of twins, I didn't have an equal opportunity to choose. Daycare was far out of reach, breastfeeding was not accessible in the workplace — there were no lounges, pump breaks, or other basic accommodations. So I stayed home,” Mykel continued. “Maternal health is everyone’s responsibility, because strong mothers build strong families and communities. I urge innovators to look at motherhood as a vital opportunity to drive change. Develop tools that are practical, culturally inclusive, and empathetic to the real challenges moms face. Collaborate across industries — whether it’s healthcare, tech, or finance. Continue to create comprehensive solutions that uplift mothers and forge a pathway forward for better lives ahead.”

For press and media inquiries, please contact Press@muscleupmommy.com

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