From their soft skin and distinct scent to the photos that all of your high school friends share to social media, it’s unsurprising that you’ve been struck by baby fever. When the urge to take the first steps to start a family hits, it can be hard to resist, especially if you’ve dreamt of parenthood throughout your life. Even so, it’s important to avoid the temptation a little while longer to answer one big question: am I ready to start a family?
Budget
Before you start the journey to starting a family, it’s important to know that you’re financially prepared for this commitment. Even if you’re depending on friends and family to help out with your registry must-haves or know you’ve got hand-me-downs coming your way, a lot of necessary expenses might not come to mind at first. Is your car both safe and practical for bringing home a baby? Ask the same question of your living space. Don’t forget about hospital costs, any additional time you need to take off work, and other medical expenses, or the costs of alternative methods like adoption or fertility treatments. It’s best to have these financial necessities prepared in advance whenever possible.
Fertility & Preferences
Do you know what methods you’ll use to start your family? Whether you’re conceiving in the traditional way, using a surrogate, or another option entirely, your choice or restrictions are a crucial part of your family plan. Do you plan to use the best IVF clinic in Los Angeles or pursue the adoption process? Have you and your partner undergone a fertility test? Whatever you decide, be sure to do plenty of research and discuss your options with your doctor for the best results.
Physical Health
Besides considering fertility factors, your health and lifestyle choices are a crucial aspect to consider before starting a family. Is your body (or your partner’s) healthy enough to undergo a pregnancy? You can’t always change the way your health informs your pregnancy and family planning decisions but you can make choices to work towards that goal. For example, antioxidants such as folate and zinc may benefit fertility. Consider your diet as well as factors like supplementation, exercise, and any necessary medications. You want to be as healthy as possible to start your family—and to stay around for a long time after you have it.
Mental & Emotional Preparedness
Don’t let the previous point fool you: your mental health—both individually and as a couple— is equally important when it comes to starting a family. Whatever path you take to parenthood, you’ll be met by plenty of stress along the way. Are you ready to contend with that? For many, the benefits of having a family far outweigh the frustrations. Similarly, is your relationship strong and ready to support another person? Consider signing up for couples counseling to combat any concerns or visiting a therapist or other mental health professional yourself. Even if you don’t think you necessarily need it, it can make a difference in how ready you feel and how well you handle the stress that comes your way.
Career & Lifestyle
If your plans have changed since you first took your job, you might not have considered benefits like parental leave when you signed on. Review your company’s policies—if possible, try to talk to a coworker who’s started their family while working in a similar position. Are you prepared to balance your work goals and responsibilities with those that come with parenthood? Similarly, consider any lifestyle changes you’ll have to make along the way. If you see your friends every weekend or like to go to the bar for every happy hour, the adjustment may be stark.
Every person who’s considering starting their family has a lot to consider and many decisions to be made. Whatever path you take to parenthood—if you decide to start the journey—make sure your budget, health, relationship, and life, in general, are prepared.
For more information, contact the Pacific Fertility Center in Los Angeles, at 10921 Wilshire Blvd Ste 700, Los Angeles, CA 90024, or by calling (310) 209-7700.
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