Typically, when couples talk about the process of getting pregnant, it’s in the context of infertility. One company is trying to change that.
“[It’s] kind of once a couple has already been trying, and that process can be incredibly physically, emotionally and financially taxing,” said Alexandria DeVito, founder and CEO of pre-pregnancy wellness platform Poplin. “So how do we … approach getting pregnant like we approach many other major milestones: in advance with guidance, tools and support along the way?”
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Poplin provides just that. It offers a test for couples before they start trying to conceive. The test gives information about their overall health along with recommendations to improve their chances of getting pregnant. And after historically only providing its tests in labs, New York City-based Poplin is now partnering with at-home testing company Getlabs so couples can give their blood samples in a more comfortable setting, the companies announced Monday.
Miami-based Getlabs is currently able to reach about 55% of the American population in their homes, said Lauren Testa, director of business development for the company.
Through the partnership, couples will select a test from Poplin’s website, which sells a test for women and a test for men starting at $149 each. They then schedule an appointment with Getlabs, and a full-time phlebotomist from the company will come to the couple’s home to draw their blood. Getlabs will then drop off the blood sample at Quest Diagnostics, Poplin’s lab partner, to process the test. In about three to five days, consumers will receive a report — which describes their blood type, immune status, hormone status, metabolic status and nutrient status — through Poplin’s app. They will then schedule a call with one of Poplin’s experts to go over their results and receive recommendations to improve their health.
“The really cool thing I think about this process is allowing couples to test together at home,” DeVito said in an interview. “It otherwise wouldn’t be possible without Getlabs … One of the things we’re really trying to change is the paradigm around fertility. Biology does not care about our cultural construct; fertility has historically been a female problem. I think this provides the opportunity for us to not only test both couples, but to provide a way to do it in a convenient, fairly intimate format with your partner.”
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Poplin’s tests are available for people even if they’ve already begun the process of trying to conceive. Testa of Getlabs said that doing the test in peoples’ homes adds a layer of comfort during a difficult time in couples’ lives.
“It’s a very intimate experience,” Testa said in an interview. “Our phlebotomists really try to build a rapport, make couples feel comfortable, because it’s a tough journey at some points in trying to conceive.”
DeVito said that Poplin’s ultimate goal in working with Getlabs is to improve the accessibility of its pre-pregnancy tests, as well as reduce the stigma around fertility.
“So much of the time, there’s a lot of friction in getting information about your own body,” DeVito said. “By reducing as many barriers as we can … we’re able to get people information so much earlier in the journey. That allows us to be able to serve our ultimate goal, which is to support couples in being healthier so that they can be healthier for themselves and their future family.”
Getlabs’ competitors include Workpath and Ash Wellness. DeVito claims Poplin is the only company offering direct-to-consumer pre-pregnancy tests. However, there are companies that offer tests for fertility, such as Ro and Everlywell.
Photo: Prostock-Studio, Getty Images
