At the 12-week ultrasound, the doctor was running behind schedule, prompting the nurse to suggest performing the NIPT test first. My partner, Uri, was unexpectedly present, despite the restrictions of the ongoing pandemic. Amidst his nervousness, he questioned my calm demeanor. “Aren’t you nervous?” he asked. I responded confidently, “Why should I be? There’s no reason to worry.”
Little did I know that the next few moments would shatter my world completely and change the trajectory of my life and my career. The doctor began the ultrasound, and I quickly realized that the heartbeat was not there. I screamed, “Where is the heartbeat?” The doctor’s response was heart-wrenching: “You’re right, it’s not there.” The strong heartbeat that had filled me with hope just weeks before, was no longer present.
Leaving the doctor’s office with a printout of my perfect baby (who I later found out was a girl), I was left with a hollow feeling. We discussed the next steps, and the encounter concluded, leaving me with a lingering sense of loss and uncertainty. The doctor’s dismissive words haunted me: “Just keep trying. It’s common, especially at your age.”
Unsatisfied with this explanation, my Functional Medicine background compelled me to dig deeper. Drawing on my work with Dr. Mark Hyman, I recognized that there’s often a root cause to challenges. I delved into research, beginning with the book “It Starts with the Egg” by Rebecca Fett. My quest was to understand how I could improve the quality of my aging eggs.
As I journeyed through the research, I stumbled upon a pivotal realization: men’s health has a profound impact on fertility and pregnancy, constituting 50% of the equation. The shock was palpable. Further investigation on “sperm quality and miscarriage” on PubMed revealed a wealth of pertinent studies. The revelation that men taking antioxidants like L-carnitine, vitamins C and E, N-acetylcysteine, zinc, could increase their partner’s chances of conception and live birth by more than four and five times, respectively, was a game-changer.
Right away I got my husband in an intensive regimen of sperm quality-improving nutrients. A mix of antioxidants, CoQ10, NAC, omega-3, and a multi became his daily routine. This became the cornerstone of what later evolved into WeNatal’s formula.
Elevating my own supplement routine, I amplified my preconception regimen with additional folate, Vitamin D, CoQ10, NAC, and Melatonin. Collaborating closely with my Functional Medicine doctor, Afrouz Demeri, helped identify my unique needs and devise a personalized support plan.
Recognizing the importance of recovery, I took three months before attempting conception again. I devoted myself to acupuncture, attending sessions 3x per week, (there was a school of acupuncture by my house and it was very affordable).
Looking back, I wish I had acknowledged the importance of mental health and sought professional support during this tumultuous period. I learned that taking the time to heal and care for oneself is imperative.
My dear friend, Kaya, introduced me to the book “Spirit Babies: How to Communicate with the Child You’re Meant to Have,” which reignited my hope. I clung to the belief that my baby was waiting for me.
The journey was far from easy, but I persevered. Emma, my rainbow baby, arrived just four days after my 42nd birthday. Her presence was a testament to resilience, hope, and the power of preconception care.
I know this is not an easy journey and I am sending you all so much love during your journey. If there is anything that we can do to support you here at WeNatal, please don’t hesitate to reach out via email care@wenatal.com
Xoxo,
Ronit
