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. I was flooded with questions and self-blame: Why me? How could this happen? I’m healthy—what went wrong? Was it because I’ve been so stressed about work? Was it because I recently went sledding with my daughter Eden?
I felt so guilty. And it was all I could do to keep wondering, 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, she simply said, “Nothing. It’s just common,” and labeled me as “just a 1 in 4 statistic.” But this response didn’t sit right with me. As a long-time advocate of functional medicine, I knew there had to be a root cause. I became determined to understand why miscarriages happen and, more importantly, what we can do to improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy.
Through my research, I discovered that both egg and sperm quality play a vital role in pregnancy viability. I was shocked to learn how much men’s health affects conception—and how impactful the right nutrients can be on improving fertility outcomes. This journey inspired me to launch WeNatal alongside my best friend and cofounder, Vida, with the goal of empowering couples to optimize their reproductive health together. There is so much we can do to improve egg and sperm quality, and our goal is that WeNatal helps others find support, knowledge, and hope on their path to family-building.
The power of biological age vs. chronological age
Our chronological age—the number of years we've lived—doesn't tell the full story of our health and potential. Biological age, which reflects the actual condition of our cells, can paint a dramatically different picture.
When I was 41, I underwent a telomere test to measure my biological or cellular age. The results were surprising: my cells were the age of a 32-year-old.
This experience reinforced my belief that I wasn't too old to have a baby without assistance and that there’s a lot we can proactively do to support fertility and cellular health, no matter our age.
Biological age is determined by various factors, including lifestyle, diet, stress levels, and overall cellular health. For instance, a 30-year-old with an unhealthy lifestyle might have cells that appear significantly older due to factors like inflammation, nutrient deficiencies and chronic stress. Conversely, a 40-year-old who prioritizes nutrient-dense foods, takes targeted supplements, and effectively manages stress may have better egg quality and overall cellular health.
The science of egg health and chromosomal abnormalities
Along with the idea that your fertility decreases dramatically after age 35, another prevailing belief is that our eggs accumulate chromosomal abnormalities over time, but research suggests this isn't quite accurate. The majority of chromosomal errors happen just before ovulation, during a cell division process called meiosis. The egg starts with two copies of each chromosome (what's known as diploid), and through meiosis, divides to create four cells, each with one copy of each chromosome. One of these cells will mature into an egg that's ready for fertilization.
When meiosis doesn't function correctly, these chromosomal errors can lead to conditions like aneuploidy, where an egg may have an abnormal number of chromosomes, potentially resulting in fertility challenges, miscarriage, or genetic disorders.
Aging doesn’t directly cause these chromosomal abnormalities. Instead, it creates conditions, like mitochondrial dysfunction, that can predispose eggs to mature incorrectly. I knew that by optimizing mitochondrial function and promoting my cellular health, I could improve my egg quality.
My journey to better health and fertility
Driven by this new understanding, I researched ways to enhance fertility naturally. I read the book It Starts with the Egg by Rebecca Fett and learned that male health is a vital part of the picture, accounting for half of the fertility equation—but is often overlooked.
I discovered that certain antioxidants, vitamins and minerals could significantly improve sperm health, so I began supporting my husband with a nutrient-rich regimen, which later became the foundation of WeNatal's male formula.
I also made sure to upgrade my own supplement routine with vitamin D, CoQ10, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), and alpha lipoic acid (ALA), (which became the basis for our Egg Quality + formula. I also incorporated three months of recovery after my pregnancy loss, plus acupuncture three times weekly, and mindfulness practices to support both my physical and mental health.
Throughout this process, I clung to hope. A friend introduced me to the book Spirit Babies: How to Communicate with the Child You’re Meant to Have, which brought me comfort and renewed my belief that my baby was waiting for me. This journey led to the birth of Emma, my rainbow baby, who arrived four days after my 42nd birthday—a testament to resilience and the power of preconception health.
When it comes to egg health: it's quality over quantity
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that egg quality matters far more than quantity. With lifestyle adjustments, supplements to cover any nutrient gaps, and a focus on mental wellness, I'm a firm believer that you can support your fertility and overall health at any age. I encourage you to prioritize yourself, take proactive steps to reduce your cellular age, and hold onto the hope that the right journey awaits you.
Sending love and encouragement,
Ronit
