Divya Varma

Medical device innovation for safer childbirth

Divya Varma is Chief QA/RA Officer of BirthGlide Limited, a ground-breaking company that is developing medical devices to improve childbirth safety. With 15 years’ experience in quality and regulatory compliance, Divya’s personal experience of two C-sections drives her passion for improving maternal healthcare outcomes.

Of the 681,000 childbirths in the UK annually, 30% of women require traumatic procedures such as instrumental delivery or emergency caesarean section. These rates rise to 44-69% among high-risk groups. BirthGlide aims to address this through a low-cost device designed to reduce complicated labour and emergency interventions.

“BirthGlide’s mission is deeply personal – not just as the Chief QA/RA Officer but also as a mother who has experienced two C-sections. This innovation has the potential to make childbirth safer, less traumatic, and improve outcomes for mothers and babies,” says Divya.

Her achievements include securing four Innovate UK grants for BirthGlide’s development. She has worked on a range of impactful medical devices, from intrauterine implants that support IVF treatments to diagnostic devices, ensuring they meet rigorous standards.

“As a woman leader in a MedTech startup, mother of two, and of ethnic minority, working in this male-dominated role requires overcoming significant self-doubt,” says Divya of winning the Women in Innovation Award. “By sharing my stories and initiatives like internships and women-focused product development, I hope to inspire young women and create a more inclusive environment.” Through the programme, she aims to expand prototyping capabilities and accelerate development processes.

“The biggest barrier I’ve overcome was returning to work after maternity leave,” Divya reflects. “A phased return gave me time to catch up with industry developments, while maintaining communication with my supervisor made my commitment clear.”

Her advice to aspiring women innovators? “Focus on building balance between your work and personal life and a strong network that can guide and encourage you. And be kind to yourself.”

For more information on Women in Innovation

Find out more about the Women in Innovation Award and other support available across the Innovate UK ecosystem on the Women in Innovation programme page.