Although births have been declining since 2008, experts predict that many families and individuals are planning to grow their family in the coming year. If you’re one of many welcoming a new member to the family, congratulations!
Here are some health and benefits considerations to get the best support:
Explore your medical support options.
One of the most important considerations during pregnancy is having the right support and advocacy throughout labor and delivery, as well as postpartum. Obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs) are most often included in this process, though midwives and doulas also offer unique skill sets that can help improve health outcomes for women and newborns.
Midwives specialize in low-risk pregnancies and can deliver babies but not perform C-sections. Doulas support and guide women through pregnancy, helping to develop birth plans, manage labor and provide pre- and postpartum support. As you’re creating a health care team for your pregnancy, remember to explore the different options available.
Ask about digital tools.
Some health plans offer digital tools and apps that directly support the family building process. Through Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, members have access to Ovia Health’s three mobile apps that offer daily, personalized support. These tools help guide users through the many transitions and milestones that come with fertility planning, pregnancy and early parenting. Members can track their cycle as well as their baby’s progress and growth. They also get on-demand health coaching services for baby sleep coaching and breastfeeding support, and resources and tips—such as how to make the most of your benefits during the family planning, pregnancy and postpartum phases.
Find out how you’ll be supported as a parent.
Before you adjust to life as a new parent (or adjust to life with multiple children), it’s important to know how your benefits package and company culture will be there to support you during your transition. Talk with your HR team about your leave options and how they’ll support you when you return to work, with options like remote work, flexible schedules and flexible working arrangements. Some employers even have resource groups for new parents that provide a strong support network of colleagues facing similar experiences.
Get to know your HSA.
A health savings account (HSA) can offer many benefits along the way when starting a family. HSAs are savings accounts offered through certain qualified high-deductible plans that let you set aside pre-taxed money to use toward qualified medical expenses. Beyond standard exams, medications and the delivery process, savings in an HSA can be put toward things like pregnancy tests, fertility treatments, doula costs and childbirth classes. Postpartum, an HSA can even help cover costs around breastfeeding, such as pumps and lactation supplies.
Practice mindfulness for support from within.
Starting a family can be an exciting time, but for some, it can also be a stressful process with many challenges, fears and anxieties. Research even suggests a link exists between stress and lower fertility. More specifically, stress can have negative impacts on sleep, diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol and caffeine intake, as well as interest in sex, all of which can impact the ability to conceive. Mindfulness meditation is proven to reduce stress levels and improve areas of your life that can often be affected by stress, such as sleep. Reserving time to calm your body and mind can be beneficial for couples who are trying to conceive or undergo fertility treatments.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or experiencing postpartum depression, there are resources to help. Canopie, for example, is working to prevent and address maternal mental health disorders through audio-based programs, coaching and therapeutic techniques at a flexible, low cost to mothers.
As you embark on this new and exciting stage in your life, it’s important to know your options and what resources are available so you can focus on what matters most: family.
