Lauren Fleming: The Support We Deserve—Innovation and Empathy in Pelvic Health
From “something’s not right” to a company that helps women feel better today
The story behind Hem Supportwear
After giving birth in May 2020, Lauren Fleming experienced symptoms she didn’t yet have language for—heaviness, dragging, that “sideways-tampon” feeling. Early searches created fear; early appointments brought dismissal. A pelvic floor physical therapist finally named what she’d been suspecting: pelvic organ prolapse.
External support garments brought relief—but the options were bulky, visible under clothing, and uncomfortable. That gap sparked Hem Supportwear: a modern garment that provides gentle lift and compression to help people move more comfortably while they heal and strengthen—developed with guidance from pelvic floor PTs.
Product + pedagogy (and why both matter)
From day one, Hem has been more than a product. Lauren built an educational hub for patients and healthcare professionals, because prolapse is a clinical condition that often arrives with confusion, stigma, and silence. The goal: give people language, tools, and agency—and give clinicians better options to recommend.
Building in a stigmatised space
Creating a medical-adjacent product meant 20+ prototypes, fit testing, and material choices that balance comfort with functional support. A first manufacturing partnership failed to meet spec, forcing Lauren to walk away, eat sunk costs, and delay launch—ultimately protecting product quality and brand trust.
Marketing sometimes has its own hurdles (platform flags on anatomy terms and underwear imagery). Hem navigates this with story-led content, clinician partnerships, and community word-of-mouth.
What customers say
Hem’s biggest validation comes from messages like: “I’m on my feet all day—this kept me comfortable,” and clinicians who are grateful for another tool in their kit. Customer care is more than a strategic choice, it’s the right thing to do for a community already navigating something vulnerable.
Founder operating system: lessons you can use
Trust your gut—then verify. Use contracts, specs, and timelines to turn feelings into facts.
Define success up front. Shared standards make hard conversations clearer.
Focus beats multitasking. Work in concentrated blocks; don’t straddle caregiving and deep work.
Get help early. Customer support and specialist advisors protect both customers and capacity.
Track the wins. A monthly accomplishments log combats tunnel vision and shows real momentum.
What’s next for Hem
Hem 2.0: informed by user feedback—fit refinements, fabric options, and variable support levels.
Support for pessary users: adding tools and education for those managing prolapse internally.
Medical advisory board: formalising clinical expertise to guide content, testing, and roadmap.
Innovation spotlight
Lauren highlights Reia Health for its self-managed pessary—expanding access across prolapse grades and bringing care closer to home.
Closing Thoughts
Hem Supportwear didn’t begin with a market gap; it began with a person looking for language, relief, and dignity. Lauren’s story is a reminder that innovation in women’s health isn’t just new materials or clever manufacturing—it’s about agency. Pairing thoughtfully designed products with education, advocacy, and compassionate support shortens the distance between “something isn’t right” and “I know what to do.”
If this conversation helps even one person feel seen, supported, and better equipped to navigate prolapse, that’s real progress—and exactly the kind we want more of.