Your nutrition consultant
You likely don’t have one of these…yet! It might seem like a luxury or a huge expense, but having a couple of conversations with a nutrition consultant is actually very affordable. In fact, some insurance companies cover the cost. Or, if you have a gym membership or a personal trainer they can typically put you in touch with one.
You’ll discuss changes in your diet, how you can get motivated to make those changes, and what supplements might help with your fertility and eventual pregnancy. Starting to make those life changes can help you feel more in control of your conception journey.
Your genetic counselor
In our modern era, there are a lot of new resources available to hopeful parents that simply weren’t possible before. Just look at Ovia! Thanks to innovations in science, you can now have your genetic information analyzed to determine how likely you are to pass on certain traits to your children. This is a valuable extra step many couples are taking in their TTC planning.
Our partner Recombine offers a genetic screening test called CarrierMap, which you can learn more about here. For some couples, the results of this kind of screening may have important health consequences, such as your likelihood of passing on one of over 250 genetic diseases. But what do you do with that kind of information?
All of Recombine’s patients have access to a certified genetic counselor. They will talk with you about your family history, help you understand your results, and make sure that you have all of the information necessary to make the healthiest choices for your family. This genetic counseling service is free and a fantastic resource for any modern parent. You might find that your insurance also covers the cost of a CarrierMap genetic screening test.
Your insurance company
Speaking of services covered by your insurance, getting in touch with your insurance company should be an early step for any TTC adult. It’s in their best interest for you to have a healthy pregnancy, and many insurance providers offer a number of free programs to help you along the way.
Your banker
Adding a new member to your family is a huge expense, but thankfully it’s your banker or financial planner’s job to help you make sound financial decisions. The more personal of a relationship you have, the more of a sounding board they will be in the years to come. Shop around, find an individual and an institution that matches your values, then start having some real conversations about what expanding your family will mean for your finances.
Your kids
If you already have children, or some nieces and nephews in your life, they can be a great source of inspiration while you’re TTC. It’s not just about spending time with children, reminding yourself of how much you love them, but really about spending time with the younger members of YOUR family. Try talking to them about having a new brother, sister, or cousin. Seeing their excitement can be hugely motivating to keep tracking and trying.
Being TTC can put you in a weird space. You want to share your stress but aren’t sure with whom. You want to share your personal struggles, but maybe this feels too intimate. You want people’s advice, but don’t want to be told how to manage your life. There are people out there who will listen and whose help will be invaluable.
We recommend that any TTC couple consider a genetic screening test. Take some time to learn more about available tests and to discuss it with your healthcare provider as well as your insurance company. Our partners at Recombine will put you in touch with a certified genetic counselor both before and after your test to answer any questions you may have. To learn more about their CarrierMap screening test, tap the button below.
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