Launched in the U.S. in 2022, the French-Made app has captivated expectant moms everywhere by showing them how a simple app can greatly change this special period in their lives.
Published on April 30th, 2024
A decade ago, Pamela Druckerman's influential book, Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting, took the nation by storm, challenging conventional American parenting norms. It emphasized early autonomy for children, the importance of parental self-care, and maintaining calm authority—elements that resonate deeply in French culture. These subtle yet significant differences are also the basis of the WeMoms pregnancy tracking app and why it’s so popular among millions of American moms.
Born in France, Supporting Women Worldwide
Founded in Paris in 2015 by Antoine Cardoso and Dino Jaegle, WeMoms was created to address the unmet needs of pregnant women who struggled to relate to the idealized images of perfect, young mothers yet also found it challenging to connect with like-minded women elsewhere.
As a father of twins, I feel the need for expectant moms to be seen, heard, and cared for. There are millions of pregnancy resources that tell women when their due date is, but very few prioritize regular check-ins on their emotional well-being.
Dino Jaegle, COO of WeMoms
From left to right: Co-founder & CEO Antoine Cardoso, CEO France Pauline Leflon Perrin, and Co-founder & COO Dino Jaegle
Fast forward to 2024, and the app now has over 500,000 monthly active users. Acquired by the French tech giant Voodoo in 2022 to enter the US market, WeMoms has quickly become a favorite. It often gets featured by Apple as an App of the Day and has kept its title as the Best Pregnancy App in Europe since 2017. Recently, Google also joined in on the praise, naming it one of the best apps of 2021.
So, what sets WeMoms apart from other pregnancy resources out there?
Reason #1: True to Its French Roots, WeMoms Treats Pregnant Women Like Goddesses
American expats lucky enough to experience pregnancy in France often share similar stories. It isn't unusual for strangers on the street to offer congratulations ('félicitations!') and compliments when they come across a pregnant woman. This tradition is deeply rooted in French culture and first came about after World War I. Historically, during the rebuilding of the nation after wars, families who successfully had children were highly praised and even awarded medals. A century later, this respectful attitude persists. When you're pregnant, you're simply amazing.
In a nod to its French heritage, the WeMoms app simulates this tradition virtually. Within hours of downloading the app, users are greeted with affirmations like "You are amazing ❤️" and "You are beautiful." Over the coming weeks and months, the app constantly reminds you how incredible you are for the remarkable achievement of nurturing a human life within you. It wants you to know that even though countless women have experienced pregnancy, it remains a remarkable achievement every single time.
Reason #2: The French Reject Mom Guilt, and So Does the WeMoms App
In France, the idea of "mom guilt" has no place in society. Moms are encouraged to keep their own identities and well-being while they journey through motherhood. For instance, breastfeeding is seen as a choice rather than a must. French moms often go back to work soon after having a baby, supported by a good childcare system, and there is no shame attached to moms who work. It's also common for moms to go out in the evenings, eat at restaurants, or pick back up their hobbies. This way of thinking helps create an environment where moms don't feel guilty for taking time for themselves or for not meeting unrealistic standards of perfect motherhood.
Unsurprisingly, the majority of WeMoms' awesome in-app content reflects these beliefs. A quick glance will tell you that over 70% of the app’s articles focus on making you feel good—topics like "Staying Fit," "Self-Care Ideas," "Nurturing Relationships," "Mental Wellness Zone," and "Beauty Corner" are the main focus. You won’t find any mention of breastfeeding, a relief for expectant moms in the US who are often exhausted by this divisive topic.
While this approach might seem unusual to us Americans, it raises an important question: why should women suddenly become supporting characters once they become mothers? This journey should empower them, making their heroic arc that much stronger. After all, becoming a mother didn't diminish Aphrodite’s beauty—it only made her more radiant.
Reason #3: French Simplicity At Its Finest
Have you ever found pregnancy resources completely overwhelming, yet inadequate? You get told that gestational diabetes is a serious risk during pregnancies, yet after reading countless articles and studies, you can't tell if any of it applies to you because of your age, medical history or demographic background?
As you might get by now, the French have a laissez-faire attitude about pregnancies, and that extends to not overwhelming yourself with information that will do little good to your mental or physical health.
WeMoms uses this approach by making sure that you only need to read a few targeted articles at any stage of your pregnancy. These articles are timely, succinct, and scientifically grounded, helping you cut through the noise. During a detailed onboarding process, OBGYN Jessica DiMartino will guide you through a series of questions to pinpoint exactly what information will be most useful on your pregnancy journey. The app then tailors its content for you, even giving you a 3D reconstruction of your baby. As one user noted:
This app has more answers than I have questions. For the first time, I have clarity and don't feel unprepared.
Reason #4: Community Support, The French Way
In France, community events for pregnant women are quite common and extend far beyond the prenatal classes. These events, which include walking groups, yoga classes, art therapy, and cooking classes, emphasizes that a strong support network is essential as women enter into motherhood—significantly more so than buying the best stroller or baby carrier.
While WeMoms can't organize these real-life events for its virtual members, it has been praised for its ability to connect moms through discussions. The app alerts you to potential friends who share your interests and post on forums. These forums are not just generic groups sorted by due dates.
For instance, if you're a career-oriented mom, you can join the 'Working Moms' group, which has over 10,000 members and has about 11 posts each week. If you're feeling out of place giving birth at 40, connect with over 12,000 members in the '+35s Pregnancies' group. Struggling with conceiving? Share your experiences with 21,000 other women facing similar challenges. WeMoms ensures that no topic is off-limits. If it's on your mind, you'll find a supportive community ready to engage and make you feel heard, like this mom did:
I first downloaded this app while pregnant with my first and so far only son in 2022 and used it every day of the process. I made so many friends and just being in the community helped me so much every day just having someone there can make all the difference in the world. I've recently come back at 5 months pp and it's even better with the update and seeing my mommy friends with their new babies… it feels like him for me.
Curious? Download the WeMoms app from the App Store and upgrade your pregnancy experience today!
