The Kindbody Blog
Your resource for all things fertility, wellness, and women's health
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- Visit Your Ob/Gyn for a Preconception Check-up: Visit your OB/GYN ideally 6-12 months before you plan to start trying to conceive or wish to be pregnant. This is an excellent time to review your medical history, discuss any chronic conditions (such as diabetes, hypertension, or thyroid disorders), and evaluate any medications you may be taking. Getting these conditions under control before pregnancy can significantly reduce your risk of complications later on.
- Control Chronic Conditions: If you have chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, migraines, or asthma, work with your healthcare provider to ensure they’re well managed before conception. For example, poorly controlled diabetes can increase the risk of birth defects and preterm labor, while uncontrolled hypertension can lead to preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and other serious complications.
- Reach a Healthy Weight: Being either underweight or overweight can affect fertility and pregnancy outcomes. If necessary, work with your healthcare provider to achieve a healthy weight before trying to conceive. A balanced weight helps reduce the risk of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, fetal growth issues and other complications.
- Take Prenatal Vitamins: Start taking prenatal vitamins with at least 400-800 mcg of folic acid before conception. The idal time to start a prenatal vitamin is 2-3 months before you start trying to conceive. Folic acid is crucial for preventing neural tube defects, which can occur very early in pregnancy, sometimes before a woman even knows she’s pregnant.
- Review Medications: Some medications may not be safe during pregnancy. Talk to your OB/GYN about any prescriptions or over-the-counter medications you’re taking. They may need to be adjusted, switched, or discontinued before you conceive.
2. Nutrition and Physical Activity: Fueling Your Body for Pregnancy
What you eat and how active you are can have a significant impact on both your pregnancy and long-term health. Here’s how to nourish your body for optimal pregnancy health:
- Focus on a Nutrient-Rich Diet: A balanced diet is essential for your health and your baby’s development. Aim to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. Meet with a nutritionist and speak to your OB/gYN based on your weight, risk factors, and medical history. You may need to adopt a special diet to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and/or manage your weight gain during pregnancy to reduce risk of complications. Important nutrients for pregnancy include:
- Folate: To help prevent neural tube defects.
- Iron: To support increased blood volume and prevent anemia.
- Calcium: For the development of your baby’s bones and teeth.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Essential for brain and eye development.
- Stay Active: Regular exercise, such as walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga, can help you maintain a healthy weight, improve circulation, reduce stress, and ease common pregnancy discomforts. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week, unless advised otherwise by your Ob/Gyn.
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Pregnancy increases your blood volume, and staying hydrated supports better circulation, digestion, and the health of your amniotic fluid.
3. Managing Stress and Mental Health
Pregnancy can be both exciting and stressful. Managing stress is not only important for your emotional well-being, but it also plays a key role in your physical health. Chronic stress can increase the risk of complications like preeclampsia, preterm birth, and high blood pressure.
- Practice Stress-Reduction Techniques: Activities like deep breathing, meditation, prenatal yoga, or even just taking a walk can help calm your mind and reduce stress. Even a few minutes a day can make a big difference in your overall well-being.
- Sleep Well: Try to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Quality rest is essential for both physical and mental health. As pregnancy progresses, consider using pillows to support your body and help you sleep more comfortably.
- Seek Emotional Support: Pregnancy can bring up many emotions, and it’s important to lean on supportive partners, family members, and friends. If you’re feeling particularly overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out to a counselor or therapist specializing in maternal mental health. Addressing mental health concerns early can help prevent more serious conditions, such as postpartum depression.
- Establish care with a therapist or psychiatrist before pregnancy: If you have a history of depression or anxiety or are currently taking medications to treat anxiety or depression - it is important to establish care with a therapist or psychiatrist before pregnancy. This can insure that your current medications are safe for pregnancy and optimize your mental health before conception. You may also need more regular check-ins with your mental health provider during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Addressing mental health concerns early can help prevent more serious conditions, such as postpartum depression.
4. Avoid Harmful Habits: Protecting Your Health and Baby’s Future
Certain habits and exposures can negatively affect both you and your baby’s health. Eliminating these risks is essential to ensure a safe pregnancy:
- Quit Smoking: Smoking during pregnancy can increase the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and even stillbirth. If you smoke, seek help to quit before becoming pregnant. There are resources and support systems available to help you with this process.
- Avoid Alcohol: No amount of alcohol is considered safe during pregnancy. Drinking alcohol can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), which can cause long-term developmental and physical issues in children.
- Steer Clear of Drug Use: Both illicit drugs and certain prescription medications can be harmful to pregnancy. If you're on any medication, discuss with your Ob/Gyn whether it’s safe for you to continue taking it while trying to conceive or during pregnancy.
- Limit Exposure to Environmental Toxins: Certain chemicals in household cleaners, pesticides, and even beauty products can be harmful during pregnancy. Whenever possible, opt for natural, non-toxic alternatives.
5. Monitoring and Regular Prenatal Care
Once you’re pregnant, it’s crucial to stay in regular contact with your Ob/Gyn. Regular prenatal visits allow us to monitor both your health and your baby’s development. Early detection and management of complications can significantly improve outcomes.
- Attend Regular Prenatal Visits: These visits are essential for monitoring your health, checking for early signs of complications, and ensuring your baby is growing well. Your Ob/Gyn will monitor your blood pressure, weight, fetal development, and perform routine screenings such as fetal genetic screening, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm labor, and much more. I encourage you to take a list of questions to each of your prenatal visits so that you can ensure your questions are answered and you can maximize the time you have with your provider.
- Know the Warning Signs: While most pregnancies progress without major issues, it’s important to be aware of warning signs that something might be wrong. Severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, headaches that won’t go away, sudden swelling, and visual disturbances are all red flags. If you experience any of these, contact your Ob/Gyn immediately.
- Get Vaccinated: Certain vaccines are recommended during pregnancy, such as the flu shot and the Tdap vaccine (for whooping cough). These vaccines help protect both you and your baby from serious illnesses that could cause complications. I also encourage you and anyone that lives with you or will be interacting with you and your baby regularly to also get vaccinated.
6. The Importance of Postpartum Care
It’s important to remember that pregnancy does not end with the delivery, the postpartum period lasts until a full year after delivery and is full of tremendous physical and emotional changes. In fact, the majority of preventable maternal deaths occur in the postpartum period.
- Support: It truly takes a village and having a new baby is no exception. Having a person that can be with your baby for at least 1 hour a day so that you can focus on yourself, take a shower, or just sit quietly is so important.
- Self care: Ensure you are eating, drinking lots of water, and getting enough sleep. Your physical and emotional health will allow you to take better care of your baby.
- Doctor’s visits: Ensure you visit with your OB/gYN, midwife, therapist, and other providers regularly in the postpartum period. Try to schedule virtual visits if they are available to reduce the stress of traveling with your baby.
- Headaches: If you have a headache in the first 6 weeks after delivery, be sure to check your blood pressure and notify your ob/gyn as it may be a sign of elevated blood pressure.
Conclusion: Your Health, Your Baby’s Future
The health of both you and your baby is intertwined, and optimizing maternal health before and during pregnancy is essential to achieving the best possible outcome. By focusing on preconception care, proper nutrition, stress management, and avoiding harmful substances, you can significantly reduce the risk of pregnancy-related complications.
Every pregnancy is unique, so it’s important to work closely with your Ob/Gyn to create a personalized care plan that meets your individual needs. Together, we can help ensure that you have a healthy, happy pregnancy, a safe delivery, and supportive postpartum period.
If you’re planning to conceive or are already pregnant and want to optimize your maternal health, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Ob/Gyn. We’re here to guide you every step of the way to ensure you and your baby are both as healthy as possible.
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NEW YORK, November 21, 2024 – Kindbody, the leading national fertility clinic network and global family-building benefits provider for employers, today announced it ranked No. 72 on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500™, which recognizes the fastest growing and most innovative technology companies in North America. Kindbody grew 1,910% during the period of 2020 to 2023 due to the growing demand for fertility and family-building care from employers and patients nationwide. Kindbody has ranked within the top 100 on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 list for two consecutive years.
“We are incredibly honored to be recognized by Deloitte and to stand alongside some of the world’s most groundbreaking companies,” said Scott Bruckner, Chief Financial Officer of Kindbody. “This award is a reflection of our rapid growth, the dedication of our exceptional team, the invaluable partnerships with our employer clients, and the critical importance of making fertility and family-building care accessible and affordable for everyone, now and in the future.”
Since 2018, Kindbody has led the reproductive healthcare industry for its significant technology investments. The company’s initial seed capital acquired the foundational code for KindEMR. Fertility is highly predictable and the objective was to replace anecdotal decision-making with predictive technology.
Kindbody’s Chief Technology Officer Richard Forsythe said, “Receiving this esteemed award is a remarkable achievement for our team. This recognition is a testament to our team's relentless commitment to innovation and reflects our continuous investment in advancing technology to better support our physicians and improve patient outcomes."
Kindbody’s proprietary technology is centered on its HIPAA-compliant electronic medical record (KindEMR) for increased standardization of care, offering online scheduling for virtual and in-person appointments and an intuitive patient portal. The KindEMR supports the full spectrum of reproductive health and family-building care including both female and male fertility, fertility preservation, genetic testing, in vitro fertilization (IVF), donor and surrogacy services, and adoption. Additionally, Kindbody has invested heavily to improve artificial intelligence (AI) in fertility treatment. The Company is working on several AI products including: a more personalized, standardized decision making tool allowing for more efficiency for the provider; an improved prognosis tool so the patient knows what to expect and predicts their likelihood of success; and AI in the lab to better predict which embryo is best to transfer and which egg is best to fertilize.
About the 2024 Deloitte Technology Fast 500
Now in its 30th year, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest-growing
technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies — both public and private — in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2021 to 2024. In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the company’s operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least US$50,000, and current-year operating revenues of at least US$5 million. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America.
About Kindbody
Kindbody is the leading U.S. fertility clinic network and global family-building benefits provider for employers on a mission to make fertility care more affordable and accessible for all. Kindbody serves patients at 35+ state-of-the-art signature clinics and IVF labs, 400+ partner clinics, and in 113 countries around the world. Trusted by more than 133 employers, Kindbody’s physician-led model covers the full-spectrum of reproductive healthcare including fertility assessments, fertility preservation, genetic testing, IVF, donor and surrogacy services, adoption, postpartum care, and menopause support. Kindbody is the only fertility benefits provider that serves patients directly, delivering a seamless, integrated experience with superior health outcomes at lower cost. Recognized for technology innovation and industry leadership, Kindbody has been named to CNBC Disruptor 50, Fast Company’s Brands that Matter, Forbes Best Startup Employers, Inc.’s Best In Business list of most admired companies, as well as Deloitte Technology Fast 500™, which recognizes the fastest growing and most innovative technology companies in North America. Founded in 2018, Kindbody has raised more than $315 million in debt and equity funding from leading investors including Perceptive Advisors, JP Morgan Chase’s Morgan Health, GV, RRE Ventures, Claritas Health Ventures, Rock Springs Capital, Distributed Ventures, Whatif Ventures and TQ Ventures. Visit www.kindbody.com. and follow us on Instagram and Linkedin.
About Deloitte
Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world’s most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500® and more than 8,500 U.S.-based private companies. At Deloitte, we strive to live our purpose of making an impact that matters by creating trust and confidence in a more equitable society. We leverage our unique blend of business acumen, command of technology, and strategic technology alliances to advise our clients across industries as they build their future. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Bringing more than 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte’s approximately 460,000 people worldwide connect for impact at www.deloitte.com.
# # #
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- Coping With Infertility, Miscarriage, and Neonatal Loss: Finding Perspective and Creating Meaning By Amy Wenzel, PhD
- Get a Life: His & Hers Survival Guide to IVF By Richard Mackney and Rosie Bray
- How to Help Friends & Family Through Infertility By Alex Kornswiet
- It Starts With The Egg By Rebecca Fett
- Let’s Talk about Egg Donation By Carole Lieber Wilkins and Marna Gatlin
- Modern Families: Parents and Children in New Family Forms By Susan Golombok
- Not Pregnant By Cathie Quillett
- Queer Conception: The Complete Fertility Guide for Queer and Trans Parents-to-Be By Kristin Liam Kali
- The Art of Waiting: On Fertility, Medicine and Motherhood By Bette Boggs
- The Baby Loss Guide By Zoe Clark-Coates
- The Big Freeze: A Reporter's Personal Journey into the World of Egg Freezing and the Quest to Control Our Fertility By Natalie Lampert
- The Trying Game By Amy Klein
- We Are Family: The Modern Transformation of Parents and Children By Susan Golombok
Podcast List: https://www.pfcla.com/blog/best-fertility-podcasts
" ["post_title"]=> string(64) "Helpful Fertility Books & Podcasts from a Licensed Therapist" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(58) "helpful-fertility-books-podcasts-from-a-licensed-therapist" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2024-11-20 09:13:32" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2024-11-20 14:13:32" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(29) "https://kindbody.com/?p=10049" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [3]=> object(WP_Post)#4943 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(10041) ["post_author"]=> string(1) "1" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2024-11-11 11:37:00" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2024-11-11 16:37:00" ["post_content"]=> string(10993) "By Leyla Bilali, Dandi Chief Clinical Officer, BSN, RN (Kindbody Partner, Dandi Fertility)
IVF injections are a walk in the park, said nobody ever! I’ve been a fertility nurse for over a decade, and I can confidently say that across the thousands of patients I’ve cared for, the stress of injections is usually the most consistent pain-point. When I eventually went through my own fertility journey, even though I was technically an expert, I came to understand this stress on a deeper level.
Trypanophobia (the fear of needles in medical settings) is enough to put most people on edge. But there’s also the physical pain of injections and the mental anxiety of not being sure if you’re mixing, preparing and injecting properly. There’s a lot at stake and meds are really expensive, so it’s totally valid to have a fear of messing up.
Dr. Google is readily available, but internet guidance isn't always sufficient (or even medically-credible). It’s usually one-way information, so patients are unable to ask questions or get direct feedback in the moments they need it most! The old cliche “knowledge is power” couldn’t be more true here. Specifically, personalized and proactive guidance can make all the difference in creating a more comfortable, supported and empowered injection experience.
My Top Tips For a More Comfortable IVF Injection Experience
I've helped so many women through their fertility journeys and specifically with their injections - in the clinic, in their homes and even virtually. And now I've also cofounded a company (Dandi) focused on all things fertility care and comfort - we've partnered with Kindbody in this mission to make fertility care more accessible and simple. So I like to consider myself The Fertility Godmother and share all my experience and knowledge with you. Here are my pro tips for success, and ease, with your IVF injections.
1. Always plan ahead
Preparation leads to confidence and confidence allows for success. IVF can be a long and winding journey – so the more you know up front, the better off you will be. Getting organized and setting up a system for yourself will help to reduce blind spots and surprises. Two specific areas I always coach my patients to focus on in advance of beginning treatment:
- Lifestyle: I get tons of questions ranging from diet to exercise to sexual activity. Knowing what lifestyle changes you might want to make can be really helpful ahead of time. Depending on your clinic, your care team can often provide a lot of this guidance, but if you’re looking for additional personalized support, Dandi offers wonderful (and medically-credible) 45-minute consultations to answer questions about nutrition, supplements, physical restrictions and more.
- Med Prep: IVF treatment usually involves injection protocols with a slew of different meds, various needles and syringes, precision mixing and injecting. The first step is always to watch the video modules your clinic shares with you AHEAD of time and not the day/night of. In fact, when you first get your package of meds, I recommend an unboxing session where you review each individual drug and the apparatus meant to go with it. Live Injection Support via Dandi leading up to the start of your treatment is a great way to get this unboxing session even a walk-through on your first night of injections - or every night if you need it! These sessions are a great way to get 1:1 time with a fertility nurse to make sure you're fully prepared in advance.
2. Create an IVF support system
Whether it’s a friend, partner, therapist or just somebody in your life that’s a great listener – getting support in place can make all the difference. The journey can be all-consuming and nobody should go through it alone. There are some wonderful fertility communities that foster connection among women going through similar struggles.
Consider other types of self-care too, whether it’s daily walks, meditation, quiet time to journal your emotions, or even taking up a new hobby. Proactively planning activities can be really restorative and also help serve as a healthy distraction from the emotional rollercoaster of fertility treatment.
3. Numbing before your IVF injection
While my first few tips focus on getting prepared ahead of time, it’s equally important to know all the pro tips for injections themselves. There’s a lot you can do to foster an easier and more comfortable injection experience. create more comfort, simplicity and peace of mind during injections. Tip #1 – numb prior to injecting.
This is where Dandi’s IVF Care Kit comes into play, with a really comfortable belt + redesigned cooling pad that allows for hands-free numbing prior to your injections. 5-10 minutes can make a huge difference, especially for egg-retrieval injections.
4. Know where to inject
Knowing where to inject can also cause unnecessary anxiety. These Shot Targets are a convenient and non-toxic way to help reduce some of the guesswork. Your clinic can apply for the first time and you can reapply over the outline every week or so as needed.
5. Know how to treat progesterone
If you’re preparing for an embryo transfer, you’ll often encounter progesterone injections, otherwise known as PIO (progesterone in oil). It’s that last part – the oil – which is pesky. Because it’s so thick, it can be more uncomfortable to inject and also cause lingering soreness throughout.
But there are some great hacks to note here! First, heat the progesterone vial prior to injecting – this will thin it out and allow for a slightly easier injection. Dandi’s heating pad actually includes a dedicated pocket to heat your vial ahead of time.
And this heating pad is the second hack! Right after your PIO injection, you can use it to heat the injection site, allowing for the oil to spread instead of lumping under the skin. Not only is the PIO better absorbed with heat, but it also alleviates soreness in the area over time. The best thing about the Dandi heating pad is that it's hands-free - you don't need to be stationary or plugged in. And to even further prevent discomfort post PIO, you can use the Dandi Kit's massager to work through the PIO "knots" right after heating. This combo of heat + massage works really well.
6. Heat therapy for ongoing comfort
Your heating pad isn’t just for PIO injections! Some patients have cramping or discomfort for a few days after the egg retrieval procedure. Heat therapy can help to alleviate these symptoms as well. In fact, they typically give you a one-time use heating pad in the recovery room and you can keep this going at home with Dandi’s hands-free heating pad. It clips into a comfy belt and is an easy solution for on-the-go relief, which is a much improved experience than old, clunky heating pads with plugs, wires and outlets.
You’ve Got This!
I know how hard the fertility journey can be - I've been there. In creating a comforting ritual around the injection process you'll not only feel more empowered but you'll also be set up for success.
At the earliest stages of your journey, take the time to understand and get familiar with the process and what to expect. Getting your support tools in place in advance is key to keeping your peace of mind. Make sure you’re up to snuff on all your meds prior to the first night and be sure to fold in as many pro tips as possible to minimize the discomfort and stress of injections. Dandi is always here to support you - you’re not alone.
In Partnership with theSkimm's Research Agency, SKM Insights, National Survey Reveals How IVF and Fertility Healthcare Access Could Influence 2024 Election
NEW YORK, October 21, 2024 – Kindbody, the leading national fertility clinic network and global family-building benefits provider for employers, today released its 2024 State of Women and Fertility Healthcare Report. The landmark study, available at kindbody.com/state-of-fertility-healthcare, delves into how reproductive healthcare, particularly fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF), is shaping women's perspectives and influencing their votes ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
The report provides critical insights into the emotions, concerns, and voting behaviors of women, highlighting how access to fertility healthcare is poised to influence the political landscape. Notably, the report found that one in two U.S. women are willing to cross party lines to vote for candidates who will protect access to reproductive healthcare services, indicating access to fertility care is a factor that could help determine the outcome of the election.
The survey, conducted in September 2024 with theSkimm's in-house research agency SKM Insights, revealed that reproductive healthcare is a top concern for women, with 92% of respondents considering it a priority and 75% indicating that a candidate’s stance on the issue will influence their vote. Notably, 51% of women also indicated they would be willing to cross party lines to vote for candidates who will vote to protect access to reproductive healthcare services like IVF. The report also highlights the growing impact of reproductive healthcare access on employment decisions. A staggering 41% of respondents said they would consider switching jobs to an employer that provides travel benefits for fertility treatments. This signals the increasing importance of corporate responsibility in supporting reproductive healthcare access.
These findings come at a pivotal moment in the national dialogue, as legislative decisions surrounding reproductive healthcare and IVF continue to dominate the political conversation.
Key Findings:
- 92% of respondents consider reproductive healthcare a significant or top priority.
- 75% said a candidate's stance on reproductive healthcare would influence their vote.
- 65% expressed significant concerns about potential restrictions on services like IVF.
- 51% are willing to cross party lines to vote for candidates who will protect access to reproductive healthcare services.
- 50% would travel to another state, and 24% would consider relocating to a state with better fertility healthcare access.
- 41% said they would consider switching jobs to an employer that provides travel benefits for fertility treatments.
"Women are deeply concerned about the possibility of restricted access to fertility treatments, particularly in light of recent legal challenges. It's not just about family building; this issue impacts mental and emotional health, career decisions, and even political activism," said Dr. Roohi Jeelani, Reproductive Endocrinologist and Chief Medical Officer, Growth at Kindbody. "The findings of this report make it clear that women are ready to take action—whether it's at the polls, through their employers, or even by relocating—to protect their reproductive health."
This report is a vital resource for policymakers, employers, and healthcare providers who are committed to ensuring that women have access to the fertility healthcare they need. For more information, visit kindbody.com/state-of-fertility-healthcare or Kindbody on social media for the latest updates.
About Kindbody
Kindbody is the leading national fertility clinic network and global family-building benefits provider for employers offering the full spectrum of reproductive care from preconception to postpartum through menopause. Kindbody is the trusted fertility benefits provider for 121 leading employers, covering 3.1 million lives. Many thousands more receive their fertility care directly from Kindbody throughout the country at signature clinics, mobile clinics, and partner clinics. As the fertility benefits provider, technology platform, and direct provider of care, Kindbody delivers a seamless, integrated experience with superior health outcomes at lower cost, making fertility care more affordable and accessible for all. Kindbody has raised $315 million in debt and equity funding from leading investors including Perceptive Advisors, JP Morgan Chase's Morgan Health, GV (formerly Google Ventures), RRE Ventures, Claritas Health Ventures, Rock Springs Capital, Distributed Ventures, Whatif Ventures and TQ Ventures. Visit www.kindbody.com and follow us on Instagram, X, and Linkedin.
About SKM Insights
SKM Insights is theSkimm's premiere research and creative agency uncovering women's attitudes, behaviors, and aspirations. With 12 years of expertise from theSkimm, SKM Insights helps businesses understand and engage with women more effectively, driving impactful strategies that resonate with this powerful demographic. The research agency addresses the critical data gap that often overlooks women's unique experiences and needs who historically have been invisible in the numbers that shape our world. Despite influencing 70% of all consumer spending and driving over 80% of purchases, women have been historically underrepresented in key data, affecting areas from car safety to medicine and economic reporting. SKM Insights is committed to closing this gender data gap; to understand the state of women today, in pursuit of a better state of women tomorrow. For more information, visit skmlab.theskimm.com.
" ["post_title"]=> string(69) "Kindbody Releases 2024 State of Women and Fertility Healthcare Report" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(69) "kindbody-releases-2024-state-of-women-and-fertility-healthcare-report" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2024-11-21 11:23:23" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2024-11-21 16:23:23" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(28) "https://kindbody.com/?p=9943" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } [5]=> object(WP_Post)#4929 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(9940) ["post_author"]=> string(2) "85" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2024-10-17 14:55:50" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2024-10-17 18:55:50" ["post_content"]=> string(6406) "A message from our Founder and CEO Gina Bartasi
As we head into ASRM later this week in Denver (and see more of you at HLTH in Las Vegas), the Kindbody team and I can’t wait to catch up with our incredible industry partners and reflect on this important year, and all that’s ahead as we all work to increase access to all who need fertility support. We’re at such a pivotal time in our market - as we close 2024, we are collectively reflecting on a year that presented unexpected regulatory challenges, as well as hugely exciting national dialogue confirming the country’s demand for access and more support for fertility care for all.
I see this period as a watershed moment for all of us working in fertility. This year marks my 15th year of attending ASRM and I am just as eager as year one to continue learning from the best. When we founded Kindbody six years ago, our mission was simple: to make reproductive healthcare available to everyone, not just the privileged few. It’s humbling to note our growth since then - and remarkably make it to be named the largest national brand in fertility in such a short time per Inside Reproductive Health’s Fertility Practice Ownership Report last week.
While we don’t focus on lists at Kindbody, it is important to take a moment to reflect on what our team has achieved in such a short period as a bellwether of what’s possible for all of us in this industry to increase access to more families looking for support. In a few short years, we’ve done what some might have said was impossible - built over 30 clinics, partnered with 150+ employers, served thousands of patients who otherwise would not have had fertility access, and most importantly, created thousands of families across the U.S. - many of whom credit Kindbody with creating an opportunity they never would have had.
Being a first mover in any industry invites critics, and Kindbody is no exception. We know our bold moves have left people with some questions, and I’m eager to share more with our clients, partners and peers about what’s happening at Kindbody. It’s a privilege to be trusted by our valuable patients who encourage us to keep innovating and disrupting the status quo, and from our employers who know us to be thought leaders in the field and count on us to continue to revolutionize how family-building care is delivered - and, by the managed care companies, who we’re not giving up on that there has to be a better way because everyone deserves to have the family they’ve dreamed of.
In our next chapter, growth will continue. And, as we stay on pace to drive transformation, you can expect Kindbody to stick to what we know best: boldly and unapologetically challenging the status quo to transform the industry as a steward of the patient. From our founding moments to today, we’ve always operated as an outsider in a decidedly insider industry. Like any innovator, at times this approach has afforded us massive wins, and at other times, we’ve learned lessons that have helped us learn and improve as a team. An example of this learning curve is a challenge we’ve faced, and are currently tackling head on, RCM, revenue cycle management. While Kindbody’s rapid growth is a huge advantage, it can also come with a price – and the truth is, we grew faster than our backend billing infrastructure was built to keep up with. In talking with industry leaders, there’s always a laugh, followed by a long pause, and then a sympathetic, “Yeah, we experienced the same thing. You will get your arms around it, but it’s going to take awhile.” Our industry is collectively working to solve for the complexities of RCM while we undergo a meaningful transition from self-pay to sponsored fertility care, and here at Kindbody, we’re eager to continue learning from our peers as well as share our lessons as we rapidly catch up to our scale and soon master RCM.
As our growth continues, we’ll face many more lessons learned in the future and you can expect us to keep being open and collaborative in the lessons we’re learning, as we also want to learn from so many of you. So as we get ready to meet one another at ASRM, I’m eager to connect with you all and share that Kindbody is a ready and committed partner to meet the massive demand and lead the national conversation around the future of fertility care. I truly believe this is another new beginning - and you can expect us to get bolder and faster in how we grow and build innovations that democratize care for all - our new goal is simple: ensuring every American with a fertility story can access care from our team that makes their family dreams possible. To get there, we have a lot of work to do and many more partnerships to build.
See you at HLTH! Our Founding Physician and Chief Innovation Officer Dr. Fahimeh Sasan will join the panel “Birthing our Future” to discuss Kindbody’s Doula Program and the future of maternal health. Sunday, October 20, Disco Stage, HLTH Las Vegas, 1:40 - 2:20 PM
Kindbody is presenting at ASRM Scientific Congress & Expo. Learn more about this year's program.
" ["post_title"]=> string(72) "Reflecting on a watershed moment for Kindbody and the Fertility Industry" ["post_excerpt"]=> string(0) "" ["post_status"]=> string(7) "publish" ["comment_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["ping_status"]=> string(4) "open" ["post_password"]=> string(0) "" ["post_name"]=> string(20) "asrm-2024-reflection" ["to_ping"]=> string(0) "" ["pinged"]=> string(0) "" ["post_modified"]=> string(19) "2024-10-17 15:52:38" ["post_modified_gmt"]=> string(19) "2024-10-17 19:52:38" ["post_content_filtered"]=> string(0) "" ["post_parent"]=> int(0) ["guid"]=> string(28) "https://kindbody.com/?p=9940" ["menu_order"]=> int(0) ["post_type"]=> string(4) "post" ["post_mime_type"]=> string(0) "" ["comment_count"]=> string(1) "0" ["filter"]=> string(3) "raw" } } ["post_count"]=> int(6) ["current_post"]=> int(-1) ["before_loop"]=> bool(true) ["in_the_loop"]=> bool(false) ["post"]=> object(WP_Post)#4949 (24) { ["ID"]=> int(10083) ["post_author"]=> string(2) "23" ["post_date"]=> string(19) "2024-12-03 14:11:09" ["post_date_gmt"]=> string(19) "2024-12-03 19:11:09" ["post_content"]=> string(14718) "As an Obstetrician and Gynecologist, I have had the privilege of caring for women through one of the most transformative experiences of their lives—pregnancy. While pregnancy is a joyous and life-changing event, it can also present challenges. As much as we hope for a smooth pregnancy, complications such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm labor and more tragically fetal demise and even maternal mortality can arise. That’s why optimizing maternal health— before, during, and after pregnancy—are critical for reducing risks and ensuring the best outcomes for both mother and baby.
In this blog post, I’ll share my insights into how women can optimize their health to reduce the likelihood of pregnancy-related complications, ensuring a healthier, safer experience for everyone involved.
1. Preconception Care: Laying the Foundation Early
The best way to prepare for a healthy pregnancy is to start long before you get that positive test result. Preconception care is key in addressing health concerns that may impact pregnancy and working to reduce the risk of complications down the road. Here are several steps to take:
- Visit Your Ob/Gyn for a Preconception Check-up: Visit your OB/GYN ideally 6-12 months before you plan to start trying to conceive or wish to be pregnant. This is an excellent time to review your medical history, discuss any chronic conditions (such as diabetes, hypertension, or thyroid disorders), and evaluate any medications you may be taking. Getting these conditions under control before pregnancy can significantly reduce your risk of complications later on.
- Control Chronic Conditions: If you have chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, migraines, or asthma, work with your healthcare provider to ensure they’re well managed before conception. For example, poorly controlled diabetes can increase the risk of birth defects and preterm labor, while uncontrolled hypertension can lead to preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and other serious complications.
- Reach a Healthy Weight: Being either underweight or overweight can affect fertility and pregnancy outcomes. If necessary, work with your healthcare provider to achieve a healthy weight before trying to conceive. A balanced weight helps reduce the risk of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, fetal growth issues and other complications.
- Take Prenatal Vitamins: Start taking prenatal vitamins with at least 400-800 mcg of folic acid before conception. The idal time to start a prenatal vitamin is 2-3 months before you start trying to conceive. Folic acid is crucial for preventing neural tube defects, which can occur very early in pregnancy, sometimes before a woman even knows she’s pregnant.
- Review Medications: Some medications may not be safe during pregnancy. Talk to your OB/GYN about any prescriptions or over-the-counter medications you’re taking. They may need to be adjusted, switched, or discontinued before you conceive.
2. Nutrition and Physical Activity: Fueling Your Body for Pregnancy
What you eat and how active you are can have a significant impact on both your pregnancy and long-term health. Here’s how to nourish your body for optimal pregnancy health:
- Focus on a Nutrient-Rich Diet: A balanced diet is essential for your health and your baby’s development. Aim to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats. Meet with a nutritionist and speak to your OB/gYN based on your weight, risk factors, and medical history. You may need to adopt a special diet to reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and/or manage your weight gain during pregnancy to reduce risk of complications. Important nutrients for pregnancy include:
- Folate: To help prevent neural tube defects.
- Iron: To support increased blood volume and prevent anemia.
- Calcium: For the development of your baby’s bones and teeth.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Essential for brain and eye development.
- Stay Active: Regular exercise, such as walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga, can help you maintain a healthy weight, improve circulation, reduce stress, and ease common pregnancy discomforts. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week, unless advised otherwise by your Ob/Gyn.
- Hydrate: Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Pregnancy increases your blood volume, and staying hydrated supports better circulation, digestion, and the health of your amniotic fluid.
3. Managing Stress and Mental Health
Pregnancy can be both exciting and stressful. Managing stress is not only important for your emotional well-being, but it also plays a key role in your physical health. Chronic stress can increase the risk of complications like preeclampsia, preterm birth, and high blood pressure.
- Practice Stress-Reduction Techniques: Activities like deep breathing, meditation, prenatal yoga, or even just taking a walk can help calm your mind and reduce stress. Even a few minutes a day can make a big difference in your overall well-being.
- Sleep Well: Try to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Quality rest is essential for both physical and mental health. As pregnancy progresses, consider using pillows to support your body and help you sleep more comfortably.
- Seek Emotional Support: Pregnancy can bring up many emotions, and it’s important to lean on supportive partners, family members, and friends. If you’re feeling particularly overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out to a counselor or therapist specializing in maternal mental health. Addressing mental health concerns early can help prevent more serious conditions, such as postpartum depression.
- Establish care with a therapist or psychiatrist before pregnancy: If you have a history of depression or anxiety or are currently taking medications to treat anxiety or depression - it is important to establish care with a therapist or psychiatrist before pregnancy. This can insure that your current medications are safe for pregnancy and optimize your mental health before conception. You may also need more regular check-ins with your mental health provider during pregnancy and in the postpartum period. Addressing mental health concerns early can help prevent more serious conditions, such as postpartum depression.
4. Avoid Harmful Habits: Protecting Your Health and Baby’s Future
Certain habits and exposures can negatively affect both you and your baby’s health. Eliminating these risks is essential to ensure a safe pregnancy:
- Quit Smoking: Smoking during pregnancy can increase the risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, and even stillbirth. If you smoke, seek help to quit before becoming pregnant. There are resources and support systems available to help you with this process.
- Avoid Alcohol: No amount of alcohol is considered safe during pregnancy. Drinking alcohol can lead to fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs), which can cause long-term developmental and physical issues in children.
- Steer Clear of Drug Use: Both illicit drugs and certain prescription medications can be harmful to pregnancy. If you're on any medication, discuss with your Ob/Gyn whether it’s safe for you to continue taking it while trying to conceive or during pregnancy.
- Limit Exposure to Environmental Toxins: Certain chemicals in household cleaners, pesticides, and even beauty products can be harmful during pregnancy. Whenever possible, opt for natural, non-toxic alternatives.
5. Monitoring and Regular Prenatal Care
Once you’re pregnant, it’s crucial to stay in regular contact with your Ob/Gyn. Regular prenatal visits allow us to monitor both your health and your baby’s development. Early detection and management of complications can significantly improve outcomes.
- Attend Regular Prenatal Visits: These visits are essential for monitoring your health, checking for early signs of complications, and ensuring your baby is growing well. Your Ob/Gyn will monitor your blood pressure, weight, fetal development, and perform routine screenings such as fetal genetic screening, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm labor, and much more. I encourage you to take a list of questions to each of your prenatal visits so that you can ensure your questions are answered and you can maximize the time you have with your provider.
- Know the Warning Signs: While most pregnancies progress without major issues, it’s important to be aware of warning signs that something might be wrong. Severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, headaches that won’t go away, sudden swelling, and visual disturbances are all red flags. If you experience any of these, contact your Ob/Gyn immediately.
- Get Vaccinated: Certain vaccines are recommended during pregnancy, such as the flu shot and the Tdap vaccine (for whooping cough). These vaccines help protect both you and your baby from serious illnesses that could cause complications. I also encourage you and anyone that lives with you or will be interacting with you and your baby regularly to also get vaccinated.
6. The Importance of Postpartum Care
It’s important to remember that pregnancy does not end with the delivery, the postpartum period lasts until a full year after delivery and is full of tremendous physical and emotional changes. In fact, the majority of preventable maternal deaths occur in the postpartum period.
- Support: It truly takes a village and having a new baby is no exception. Having a person that can be with your baby for at least 1 hour a day so that you can focus on yourself, take a shower, or just sit quietly is so important.
- Self care: Ensure you are eating, drinking lots of water, and getting enough sleep. Your physical and emotional health will allow you to take better care of your baby.
- Doctor’s visits: Ensure you visit with your OB/gYN, midwife, therapist, and other providers regularly in the postpartum period. Try to schedule virtual visits if they are available to reduce the stress of traveling with your baby.
- Headaches: If you have a headache in the first 6 weeks after delivery, be sure to check your blood pressure and notify your ob/gyn as it may be a sign of elevated blood pressure.
Conclusion: Your Health, Your Baby’s Future
The health of both you and your baby is intertwined, and optimizing maternal health before and during pregnancy is essential to achieving the best possible outcome. By focusing on preconception care, proper nutrition, stress management, and avoiding harmful substances, you can significantly reduce the risk of pregnancy-related complications.
Every pregnancy is unique, so it’s important to work closely with your Ob/Gyn to create a personalized care plan that meets your individual needs. Together, we can help ensure that you have a healthy, happy pregnancy, a safe delivery, and supportive postpartum period.
If you’re planning to conceive or are already pregnant and want to optimize your maternal health, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Ob/Gyn. We’re here to guide you every step of the way to ensure you and your baby are both as healthy as possible.
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As an Obstetrician and Gynecologist, I have had the privilege of caring for women through one of the most transformative experiences of their lives—pregnancy. While pregnancy is a joyous and […]
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