From cheek swab to clearer plan.
This is the detailed walk-through of what happens after you order. Timing, what's in the kit, how to take a good sample, and how your report arrives. Calm, considered, and the same process for every kit we send.
Four stages, each with realistic timing.
Your kit arrives
We dispatch your kit by Royal Mail to the address you provide at checkout. Inside is a sterile cheek swab, simple instructions, a return envelope and your unique Kit ID.
- Free UK shipping included.
- You can wait until you're ready to swab — there's no expiry pressure on unactivated kits.
- Track delivery via your order confirmation email.
Typical timing
2 to 4 working days
From dispatch to your door, UK addresses.You activate, swab and return
Activate your kit in the Nature's Code portal using your Kit ID, complete the consent step, then collect your cheek swab and post it back in the prepaid return envelope. The whole thing takes about 15 minutes at home.
- Activate at portal.naturescode.uk before swabbing.
- No appointments, no blood, no clinic visit.
- Sample is stable in the return packaging for several days.
At your pace
~15 minutes
Activation, swab and packaging combined.Your sample is processed
Your sample arrives at our UK lab partner, where selected nutrient-related genetic markers are analysed. Markers are interpreted by the HerCode rules engine and translated into nutrient-level guidance.
- UK lab partner, controlled processing.
- Selected nutrient-related markers only — not ancestry, family relationships or disease risk.
- You'll receive an email when your sample is received and another when your report is ready.
Typical timing
2 to 3 weeks
From sample receipt to report ready.Your report is ready in your portal
Your personalised plan appears in your private Nature's Code portal, covering 9 nutrients with priorities, recommended levels, food sources, personalised guidance and safety notes.
- Access via secure login at portal.naturescode.uk.
- Read at your own pace — start with priority nutrients.
- Your DNA results page explains the genetic markers behind your recommendations.
Available immediately
From email notification
Read on any device, any time.What's in the box.
Sterile cheek swab
Sealed, individually packaged. Designed for buccal sample collection.
Sample collection tube
Pre-labelled with your unique Kit ID for traceability.
Step-by-step guide
Plain-English instructions for activation, sampling and returning.
Prepaid return envelope
Tracked Royal Mail return to our UK lab partner. No postage to pay.
How to take a good sample.
This avoids contaminating the sample with food residue, mouthwash or toothpaste compounds.
Rotate the swab as you go. Repeat on the other cheek with the same swab. Light contact gives a weak sample.
Place the swab in the collection tube according to the kit instructions. Avoid touching the swab tip with your fingers.
Process questions, practical answers.
What if my sample fails the lab quality check?
If your sample doesn't yield enough genetic material for analysis, we'll email you directly and dispatch a replacement kit at no extra cost. There's nothing for you to do other than send the new sample back when it arrives.
Sample failures are uncommon and usually relate to swab technique rather than anything personal. Following the three sample collection tips above significantly reduces the chance of failure.
How will I know my sample has been received?
You'll receive an email confirmation when your sample arrives at the lab, and a second email when your report is ready in your portal. You can also check your status at any time by logging in at portal.naturescode.uk.
Can I share my report with my GP, midwife or partner?
Yes. Your report is yours. You can show it to your GP, midwife, fertility specialist or partner at your discretion. The report is designed to sit alongside clinical care, not replace it.
If you'd like a print-friendly version to take to an appointment, this is available from inside your portal.
Do I need an appointment, blood draw or fasting?
No. The whole process is at-home and uses a cheek swab — no blood, no fasting, no appointment. Sample collection takes about a minute once you're ready.
What happens to my sample after analysis?
Your sample is processed at our UK lab partner. After analysis, the physical swab is destroyed in line with standard secure-disposal procedures. Your genetic data is used only to generate your personalised report and is handled in line with our DNA Privacy commitments.
Can I order a kit for someone else?
Yes. Kits can be ordered as gifts or for a partner. The person who provides the cheek swab should activate the kit in the portal and give consent themselves — the report belongs to whoever activates and consents, not to whoever bought the kit.
Full details are on our Activate Kit page.
What if I lose my Kit ID?
Get in touch via our contact page with your name and the email address used at checkout. We can look up your Kit ID and resend it.
What if I change my mind?
If your kit hasn't been activated, you can return it for a refund within 14 days of receipt. Once a kit is activated and your sample has been processed, the report is generated and a refund isn't possible — but please contact us if anything's gone wrong, we'd rather hear from you than have you stuck with a problem.
Ready to start your plan.
Three to four weeks from cheek swab to a clearer, personalised pregnancy nutrition plan. Free UK shipping, no subscription, one private digital report.