Meet Dr. Sonal Patel | Physician & 4th Trimester Expert

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Sonal Patel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Sonal, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
As a pediatrician and neonatologist, I founded NayaCare to close the critical gap in 4th‑trimester care by bringing newborn and maternal support directly into families’ homes and onto their phones. By combining medical care, lactation support, mental health screening, and our AI companion Naya, we reduce unnecessary ER visits, support breastfeeding and recovery, and make high‑quality postpartum care more accessible and equitable—so more families not only survive the newborn period, but truly thrive.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I’m the founder of NayaCare, a 4th‑trimester medical practice that brings postpartum care—both newborn and maternal—directly into families’ homes and onto their phones. As a pediatrician and neonatologist, I saw the same pattern over and over: we invest so much in birth, then send families home to “figure it out” during one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. NayaCare was born from that gap and from my own experience as a mother. We center the mom–baby dyad through in-home visits, virtual care, lactation support, and now our AI companion, Naya, which gives parents 24/7 guidance and reassurance.

What sets us apart is that we treat the 4th trimester as a critical medical and emotional phase—not an afterthought. We don’t just see the baby or just the mother; we see them together, in the real environment where feeding, sleep, recovery, and mental health all collide. I’m most proud that we’re helping families avoid unnecessary ER visits, feel more confident, and actually enjoy their newborn instead of just “surviving” those early weeks. I’m also excited that we’re using technology in a humane way—Naya is designed to extend care and combat misinformation, not replace the human relationship.

Getting here has not been easy. Postpartum home and virtual care is still a relatively new model, and there was a lot of educating to do—of families, colleagues, and systems that are built around short visits in clinics and hospitals. As a physician-entrepreneur, I had to learn business, tech, and advocacy on the fly while still honoring my roles as a mother and wife. I overcame challenges by returning to the stories of the families we serve, leaning on my support system, and being willing to iterate—on our services, our workflows, and even my own expectations of what “success” should look like.

Along the way, I’ve learned a few key lessons: listen deeply to mothers—they will tell you exactly where the system is failing them. Don’t be afraid to build something that doesn’t fit neatly into existing boxes. And remember that impact takes time; changing how we think about postpartum care is a marathon, not a sprint.

What I want the world to know about me, my brand, and my story is this: NayaCare exists because no family should feel alone, dismissed, or confused in the 4th trimester. Postpartum care is not a luxury; it’s healthcare. My journey as a mother and physician has shown me that when we truly support that first chapter after birth—physically, emotionally, and practically—we change the trajectory of entire families for years to come. That’s the story I’m committed to rewriting, one family at a time.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Golden–all things Golden: brewery, hiking, dancing, kayaking, great food, farmers market–all in a 2 mile radius!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I’d like to dedicate this shoutout first to my children, who truly gave me the insight into what postpartum care should look and feel like. Experiencing that vulnerable period as a mother reshaped how I practice medicine and inspired me to reimagine the 4th trimester for other families. I also want to recognize my husband, who has been my rock through every season—supporting the long hours, the risks of entrepreneurship, and the emotional weight of this work. Without their love, perspective, and unwavering support, none of this would exist in the same way.

Website: https://www.nayacare.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nayacare

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonal-patel-md-12982a141/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nayacarecolorado

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nayacare6918

Other: Tiktok: @sonalpatel4tridoc

Image Credits
Image Credits: Sonal Patel