A few days before my 41st birthday, I received what felt like the most precious gift, a positive pregnancy test. Then, on my actual birthday, I found myself in the doctor’s office for an ultrasound. Everything looked promising, and it seemed as if the stars had aligned to bring this new life into our family. I was overcome with gratitude and filled with hope.
But at the 12-week ultrasound, my world shattered. The doctor confirmed the news so many parents dread—there was no heartbeat. I had lost the baby we were already so deeply excited about.
Grief, guilt, and unanswered questions
I was flooded with questions and self-blame:
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Why me?
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How could this happen?
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I’m healthy—what went wrong?
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Was it because I’ve been stressed?
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Was it the sledding trip with my daughter Eden?
I felt so guilty. All I could do was wonder: Will my daughter ever have the sibling we all dreamed of?
When I asked my doctor what I could do to improve my chances of a healthy pregnancy, her response was clinical and dismissive: “Nothing. It’s just common.” She labeled me as “just a 1 in 4 statistic.”
That didn’t sit right with me. As someone passionate about functional medicine, I knew there had to be deeper answers, root causes to uncover and actionable steps to take. That moment sparked a journey into understanding how to support egg quality, optimize fertility, and recover with hope.
The link between egg and sperm health and pregnancy outcomes
One of the most eye-opening discoveries in my research was the significant role both egg and sperm quality play in fertility. For years, fertility conversations have centered almost entirely around women, but male health contributes to nearly 50% of infertility cases.
Nutrient status, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial health all directly impact the health of both egg and sperm. When we nourish our bodies with the right tools, we can support better outcomes.
This understanding inspired the launch of WeNatal. Along with my best friend and co-founder, Vida, and I built a company and community to empower couples to optimize their reproductive health together.
RELATED: Vida’s story: Pregnancy after miscarriage
Biological age vs. chronological age: Why it matters for fertility
One of the most encouraging things I’ve learned is that your chronological age doesn’t tell the full story. While society loves to point to a woman’s age as the limiting factor in fertility, it’s biological age, the true state of your cells, that carries more weight.
At 41, I had my telomeres tested and discovered my biological age was closer to 32. That gave me immense hope. It was evidence that the way I cared for my body through nutrition, stress reduction, and lifestyle was having a real impact.
Biological age is influenced by:
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Diet and micronutrient levels
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Oxidative stress and inflammation
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Sleep and stress management
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Exercise and movement
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Environmental toxin exposure
Supporting mitochondrial and cellular health is especially important for egg quality, as mitochondria power the energy-intensive process of ovulation and early embryo development.
The science behind egg health and chromosomal abnormalities
Contrary to popular belief, most chromosomal abnormalities in eggs don’t gradually accumulate over the decades. Instead, they tend to occur during the final stages of egg maturation, particularly during a process called meiosis. It’s here that errors, like aneuploidy, where eggs have too many or too few chromosomes, can develop.
This doesn’t happen because we age, but rather because aging leads to mitochondrial dysfunction, which increases the risk of meiosis errors.
The good news? We can actively support mitochondrial health through:
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Targeted antioxidant support
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Stress reduction and sleep hygiene
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Limiting environmental toxins
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Nutrient-dense diets and supplementation
My fertility protocol: From grief to resilience
Once I understood that fertility isn’t static and that egg quality can be supported through science-backed choices, I took action. I read It Starts with the Egg by Rebecca Fett, which emphasized how vital male health is, and how often it's overlooked. I worked with my husband to start a daily supplement protocol rich in antioxidants, omega-3s, and micronutrients (now the foundation of WeNatal for Him).
For myself, I focused on:
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Vitamin D
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Coenzyme Q10
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N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)
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Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)
RELATED: Can men take prenatal vitamins?
These ingredients, now central to our Egg Quality+ formula, support mitochondrial function, egg maturation, and cellular resilience. I also gave myself space for emotional healing with:
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Three months of recovery before trying again
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Three weekly acupuncture sessions
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Meditation and mindfulness
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Reading Spirit Babies, which helped me stay connected to the child I hoped was still meant for me
And finally, after this deeply personal journey, I welcomed my rainbow baby, Emma, just four days after my 42nd birthday.
Why egg quality trumps egg quantity
The fertility world often obsesses over egg count, but what truly matters, especially after age 35, is egg quality.
Supporting quality involves:
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Reducing oxidative stress
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Supporting hormone balance
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Optimizing mitochondrial function
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Addressing lifestyle and nutrient gaps
Even with fewer eggs, high-quality eggs can lead to successful, healthy pregnancies.
RELATED: How to choose a prenatal vitamin
A Note from Ronit: Finding hope and supporting egg quality after miscarriage at 41
After my own experience with loss, I know how isolating and heartbreaking the fertility journey can feel, especially after 40. But I also discovered something powerful: we’re not as powerless as we’re led to believe.
At WeNatal, we’re on a mission to change the narrative, from one of fear and statistics to one of science, empowerment, and hope. While we can’t control every outcome, we can take meaningful steps to support egg and sperm quality, optimize biological age, and create the healthiest foundation possible for conception.
Whether you're just beginning your journey or trying again after loss, WeNatal’s formulas, created with the latest fertility research, are here to support you and your partner every step of the way.
Sending you strength, love, and the belief that your story is still unfolding,
Ronit
RELATED: Your fertility meal plan: A week of healthy, easy recipes
References
Bentov Y, Yavorska T, Esfandiari N, Jurisicova A, Casper RF. The contribution of mitochondrial function to reproductive aging. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2011;28(9):773-783. doi:10.1007/s10815-011-9588-7
Hamczyk MR, Nevado RM, Barettino A, Fuster V, Andrés V. Biological Versus Chronological Aging: JACC Focus Seminar. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2020;75(8):919-930. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2019.11.062
Zong Y, Li H, Liao P, et al. Mitochondrial dysfunction: mechanisms and advances in therapy. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2024;9(1):124. Published 2024 May 15. doi:10.1038/s41392-024-01839-8
