The GrowBaby Test: Genetic Insights | with Angela Hywood

Pregnancy is one of the most beautiful journeys you can take, but it can also feel uncertain.

If you’ve experienced pregnancy loss, faced complications, or you simply want to give your baby the very best start, you’ve probably wondered: Am I doing everything I can?

At Floralia, we want to replace guesswork with confidence. One of the most powerful tools our fertility team is now using is the GrowBaby Genetic Screening Test by LifeDNA. 

Why Your Genetics Matter?

Your body is built on thousands of proteins that keep you alive and thriving. Each gene is like a set of instructions, made up of “letters” in your DNA code. These instructions tell your body how to grow, repair, and function.

Sometimes small variations — called SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) — change how those instructions play out. They don’t necessarily cause illness, but they do influence how your body processes nutrients, balances hormones, handles toxins, and responds to stress.

When it comes to fertility and pregnancy, these subtle differences can make a big impact. And by knowing them gives us a chance to tailor your care with incredible precision.

What The GrowBaby Test Does?

The GrowBaby Test looks at 42 genetic variations across 11 biological pathways that research has shown to influence pregnancy outcomes. It gives us a personalised map of how your body may respond during conception and pregnancy.

It provides insight into factors that may contribute to:

• Preterm birth or baby size outside the normal range
• Recurrent pregnancy loss
• Pre-eclampsia
• Gestational or pregnancy-induced hypertension
• Gestational diabetes
• Miscarriage
• Stress and cortisol dysregulation
• Neural tube defects

Armed with this knowledge, we can refine your nutrition and supplementation plan so you’re supported with the right nutrients, in the right form, at the right dose — for your unique genetics.

Why This Information is Transformative

Instead of taking a generic prenatal vitamin, the GrowBaby Test helps ensure:

• You’re supported with the exact nutrients your genes need (for example, methylated folate instead of folic acid if required).
• Doses are adjusted to suit your body, not a “one-size-fits-all” approach.
• Your nutrient levels are truly optimised during the critical 100-day preconception window — when eggs and sperm are maturing and setting the stage for pregnancy.

And let’s be clear: this isn’t just about mums. Men’s genetics and sperm DNA matter just as much. Half of your child’s blueprint comes from dad. Supporting men with the right nutrients and lifestyle strategies improves sperm quality, reduces DNA fragmentation, and directly influences the lifelong health of your future child.

What the GrowBaby Test Does Not Do

GrowBaby is not a diagnostic test, per se. It won’t tell you whether you’ll have a complication, nor does it screen for birth defects or genetic diseases.

Instead, it provides actionable insights into how your unique biology functions, so we can be proactive in reducing risks and giving you and your baby the healthiest start possible.

How The Test Works

The process is simple, safe, and non-invasive:

• 1. Collect a saliva sample at home with the kit provided.
• 2. Send it to the lab.
• 3. Receive your personalised results in just a few weeks.

We’ll then sit down together to go through your report in detail and create a plan that is fully tailored to you. So that you can get an idea of what a GrowBaby test looks like and what details it uncovers, we've attached a sample report here for you.

Who The Test Is For

GrowBaby is valuable for:

• Women and couples preparing for pregnancy who want to use the 100-day preconception window wisely.
• Couples experiencing infertility, subfertility, miscarriage or recurrent pregnancy loss.
• Newly pregnant women wanting to optimise their health and reduce risks.
• Women who have experienced pregnancy loss or complications such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, or hypertension.

Pairing GrowBaby with Other Functional Tests

The GrowBaby Test is powerful on its own, but it becomes even more insightful when paired with other functional assessments. Together, these give us both the blueprint (your genetics) and the current expression of your health.

Some of the complementary tests we may recommend include:

• Standard & Advanced Blood Tests – thyroid function, blood sugar, cholesterol, iron studies, vitamin B12, folate, and other key markers of maternal health.
• Fatty Acid Profile – evaluates essential fatty acid balance for hormone and brain health.
• Vitamin D Status – critical for fertility, immunity, and pregnancy outcomes.
• Microbiome Testing – explores reproductive microbiome, gut health, microbiome balance, and inflammation.
• Methylation Panels – measure how effectively your body manages DNA repair, detoxification, and folate/B12 metabolism.
• DUTCH Hormone Testing – gives a complete picture of reproductive and adrenal hormone health.
• Environmental Toxin & Essential Element Panels – highlight toxic exposures and ensure minerals are balanced.

By combining GrowBaby with these tests, we gain a 360-degree view of your health — allowing us to create the most effective and personalised plan to support you and your baby.

A Path Towards Empowered Fertility & Pregnancy Care

Pregnancy is not just about chance — it’s about preparation. By understanding your genetic blueprint, we can provide you with precision nutrition, evidence-based care, and lifestyle strategies that are tailored to you.

The GrowBaby Test by LifeDNA is about transforming uncertainty into empowerment—helping both partners feel confident that you’re doing everything possible to conceive a healthy baby, nurture a thriving pregnancy, and give your child the best possible start in life. What a gift that is.

If you’d like to learn more or get started, please reach out to your fertility team practitioner or  book an initial fertility appointment with us today.

Naturopath and Founder of Floralia Wellness & Apothecary, Angela Hywood, has been specialising in women’s health, hormones and fertility for over 30 years.