The 12-Year Wait: Failed IVF to Jaclyn's Natural Pregnancy at 40

110. Kezia, Mandy, and Carly join us to share their deeply personal experiences with trying to conceive in their 40s. The conversation cuts through the noise of societal "age limits" and the buzzword of perimenopause, replacing clinical statistics with radical authenticity. From overcoming health hurdles like endometriosis and emergency surgeries to navigating the complexities of vasectomy reversals and secondary infertility, these women open up about the "aha moments" that reignited their desire for motherhood and the mental fortitude required to stay the course when the world says it’s too late.The episode goes beyond the physical journey, diving into the spiritual and emotional shifts that occur during this "second chapter" of life. Listeners will hear a raw look at the daily realities of "workbench sex," the solitary grief of a negative pregnancy test, and the life-changing impact of finding a supportive community. Whether discussing the nuances of breastfeeding while trying to conceive or the importance of trusting one's inner intuition, Kezia, Mandy, and Carly offer a defiant and hopeful perspective. They remind us that the journey isn't just about the outcome, but about the resilience, education, and empowerment found along the way.Get the resources, transcript and more information about this episode: https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/episode110/TTC Sisterhood Circle: Join the waitlist and receive the email to sign up!Shop the Show 🛍️ To browse every product recommended by our host and guests, visit:  https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/shop/ (Note: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you—it helps keep the episodes coming!)Support the Pod ❤️ If you enjoy our content and want to help us stay independent, you can donate to the show here: https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/donate/ 

109. Jaclyn shares her incredible 12-year gap between children. Jaclyn opens up about the grueling process of IUI and IVF, the emotional toll of a negative pregnancy tests and secondary infertility. She shares how leaving a high-stress 60-hour work week and moving to a new city created the space for a surprise pregnancy just weeks after her 40th birthday.We also dive into the practical realities of being a "geriatric" pregnant woman, from managing extreme nausea and low iron to the logistics of a scheduled C-section during COVID. Jaclyn shares why she chose to embrace a more relaxed parenting style the second time around. Whether you are currently in the thick of infertility or navigating a large age gap between your kids, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late for a new chapter.Get the resources, transcript and more information about this episode: https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/episode109/TTC Sisterhood Circle: Join the waitlist and receive the email to sign up!Shop the Show 🛍️ To browse every product recommended by our host and guests, visit:  https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/shop/ (Note: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you—it helps keep the episodes coming!)Support the Pod ❤️ If you enjoy our content and want to help us stay independent, you can donate to the show here: https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/donate/ 

108. After five boys and two devastating miscarriage in her 40's, Anne-Marie believed her journey to motherhood was over. She decided to reclaim her body through a health and wellness routine—incorporating a GLP-1 (semaglutide) and a major abdominal surgery—only to discover she was pregnant with her first daughter soon into her tummy tuck recovery.In this raw and authentic conversation, we dive into the reality of "Ozempic babies," navigating a high-risk pregnancy in your mid-40s, and the shock of facing gestational diabetes and post-birth eclampsia. Whether you are looking for hope after loss or curious about the intersection of weight-loss medication and fertility, Anne-Marie’s "second chapter" story is a powerful reminder that it is never too late for a beautiful surprise.Get the resources, transcript and more information about this episode: https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/episode108/TTC Sisterhood Circle: Join the waitlist and receive the email to sign up!Shop the Show 🛍️ To browse every product recommended by our host and guests, visit:  https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/shop/ (Note: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you—it helps keep the episodes coming!)Support the Pod ❤️ If you enjoy our content and want to help us stay independent, you can donate to the show here: https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/donate/ 

107. Britt Fohrman, a birth doula of 24 years found herself navigating the very journey she had supported hundreds of others through—but with a tragic twist. After years of fertility struggles and the sudden loss of her husband, Britt shares how she honored his final wish by continuing their path to parenthood as a solo mother. From winning a legal battle for her husband's sperm to finding a "miracle" egg donor within her own community, Britt’s story is a masterclass in resilience, spiritual alchemy, and the power of choosing life.We dive into the unconventional and the sacred, exploring how Britt utilized "Sex Magic" and tantric pleasure practices to prepare her womb and nervous system for a successful transfer at 48. Britt pulls back the curtain on the "cognitive dissonance" of pregnancy after loss, the reality of a 42-week induction that ended in a C-section, and the honest, often unspoken challenges of bonding and breastfeeding in your late 40s. Whether you are navigating your own TTC journey or looking for inspiration on how to move through profound grief, this episode offers a visceral look at the intersection of modern science and ancient wisdom.Get the resources, transcript and more information about this episode: https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/episode107/TTC Sisterhood Circle: Join the waitlist and receive the email with the sign link!Britt's Course: Preparing Your Vagina for Birth use code JAMIE for 10% off Shop the Show 🛍️ To browse every product recommended by our host and guests, visit:  https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/shop/ (Note: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you—it helps keep the episodes coming!)Support the Pod ❤️ If you enjoy our content and want to help us stay independent, you can donate to the show here: https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/donate/ 

106. Jamie welcomes Jessianna, a military veteran who shares her incredible 20-year path to becoming a mother at age 48. After nearly two decades of marriage, multiple deployments, and a history of heart-wrenching losses—including several miscarriages and a life-threatening double ectopic pregnancy—Jessianna opens up about the resilience required to keep going. She discusses the medical hurdles she faced, from a pituitary gland microadenoma to the physical toll of multiple failed IVF and IUI rounds, and how she navigated the complex decision to eventually move forward with donor eggs.The conversation dives into the realities of a "geriatric" pregnancy, including managing gestational diabetes with insulin and the unexpected challenges of an emergency C-section. Jessianna offers a raw look at the postpartum period, discussing baby blues, the importance of mental health support, and the logistics of breastfeeding with a lip tie. With three master's degrees and a career of service behind her, she reflects on why 48 was the perfect age for her to finally welcome her daughter. This episode is a powerful testament to the idea that hope prevails and that there are many different, equally beautiful paths to parenthood.Get the resources, transcript and more information about this episode: https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/episode106/Shop the Show 🛍️ To browse every product recommended by our host and guests, visit:  https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/shop/ (Note: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you—it helps keep the episodes coming!)Support the Pod ❤️ If you enjoy our content and want to help us stay independent, you can donate to the show here: https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/donate/ 

105. After anchoring the news for nearly 30 years, Emmy-award winner Marla Tellez found herself reporting on her own miracle: a successful pregnancy at 48 using her own frozen eggs. In this episode, Marla shares the incredible 12-year timeline from freezing her eggs at age 37 to welcoming her daughter, Sloan, just days before her 49th birthday. She pulls back the curtain on the technical and emotional hurdles of later-in-life parenting, including navigating a partner’s prior vasectomy through sperm extraction and the decision to pause treatments during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.Marla’s story is a testament to the power of proactive fertility preservation and the resilience required to chase a dream across decades. From running three miles on the day of her induction to the raw “identity crisis” of the postpartum period, she offers a candid look at what it really takes to conceive and carry a baby in your late 40s. Whether you are currently “TTC” or considering freezing your eggs, Marla’s journey provides a roadmap of hope, scientific possibility, and the reminder that the best headlines are often the ones we write for ourselves.Get the resources, transcript and more information about this episode: https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/episode105/Shop the Show 🛍️ To browse every product recommended by our host and guests, visit:  https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/shop/ (Note: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you—it helps keep the episodes coming!)Support the Pod ❤️ If you enjoy our content and want to help us stay independent, you can donate to the show here: https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/donate/ 

104. Rosey is on to share her IVF pregnancy with donor eggs. Rosey shares the intimate details of her decade-long path to motherhood. After a relatively straightforward journey with her first daughter at age 36, Rosey was met with years of "unexplained" infertility while trying for a second child. She takes us through the clinical maze of IUIs and mini-IVF, the heartbreak of a mid-trimester loss, and her eventual decision to pursue donor eggs. Rosey speaks candidly about the importance of being your own advocate—specifically how she pushed for endometriosis testing when she was told "it’s just your age"—and how she navigated the transition to donor conception with a focus on bonding and peace.We also feature a special "update" where Rosey and I reconnect months after our initial recording. In this powerful segment, she reflects on how her story took one final, unexpected turn.Get the resources, transcript and more information about this episode: https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/episode104/Shop the Show 🛍️ To browse every product recommended by our host and guests, visit:  https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/shop/ (Note: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you—it helps keep the episodes coming!)Support the Pod ❤️ If you enjoy our content and want to help us stay independent, you can donate to the show here: https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/donate/ 

103. For years, Karen was dedicated to her career and travel, waiting for the right moment and the right person. When she finally met Jason in her early 40s, they assumed their path to parenthood would require clinical intervention or adoption. But just as they were planning their future, a "Crohn’s flare-up" turned out to be a life-changing surprise: a spontaneous pregnancy at age 46.In this episode, Karen shares the shock of her "die stealer" pregnancy test and why she was firm about not being a pregnant bride, choosing to separate her wedding from her journey to motherhood. We dive into her experience navigating a teaching hospital, the "peanut gallery" of residents, and how she learned to advocate for her own rest during a grueling three-day induction. Karen also discusses her "mindful minutes" in the classroom and the bittersweet transition of surrendering the life she knew for the "miracle" daughter she waited so long to meet.Get the resources, transcript and more information about this episode:https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/episode103/Shop the Show 🛍️ To browse every product recommended by our host and guests, visit:  https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/shop/ (Note: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you—it helps keep the episodes coming!)Support the Pod ❤️ If you enjoy our content and want to help us stay independent, you can donate to the show here: https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/donate/ 

102. For years, Jude grappled with a single, heavy question: Do I actually want to be a mother? Feeling stuck in ambivalence, her quest for an answer took her from the high-stakes environment of the ER to the depths of the Amazon jungle. After a profound experience with a Shaman in Peru, the "indecision" finally cleared.In this episode, Jude shares her journey of meeting her partner at 39 and navigating the delicate balance of relationship-building with a "ticking clock." We dive into her spontaneous pregnancy at 41, the heartbreak of "twin demise," and her incredibly easeful pregnancy. Jude also tells the hilarious and harrowing story of her 10-centimeter-diluted dash to the hospital in a tiny Toyota Yaris. Tune in to hear how this medical professional learned to surrender her clinical mind to the mystery of motherhood.Get the resources, transcript and more information about this episode:https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/episode102/FREE registration to Fertility Over Forty Summit:https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/Fertilityover40SummitShop the Show 🛍️ To browse every product recommended by our host and guests, visit:  https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/shop/ (Note: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you—it helps keep the episodes coming!)Support the Pod ❤️ If you enjoy our content and want to help us stay independent, you can donate to the show here: https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/donate/ 

101. We have Fallon on to share her spontaneous pregnancy at 40. Fallon was never the girl who dreamed of being a mother. A full-time yoga teacher with a life she loved, she was content being a “dog mom” until the loss of her dog and a new marriage changed her perspective. On the night of her 40th birthday, she and her husband decided to go for it. One month later, she was staring at a positive pregnancy test.In this episode, Fallon talks about the shock of conceiving so quickly, the challenge of navigating a pregnancy with hardware in her pelvis from a previous accident, and what it was like to hear her daughter’s heartbeat for the first time without her husband. From a scheduled C-section on the summer solstice to the ego-stripping challenges of breastfeeding and low milk supply. She reflects on the “sisterhood” of mothers that finally let her in and why she’s choosing to be one-and-done at 40.Get the resources, transcript and more information about this episode:https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/episode101/Shop the Show 🛍️ To browse every product recommended by our host and guests, visit:  https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/shop/ (Note: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you—it helps keep the episodes coming!)Support the Pod ❤️ If you enjoy our content and want to help us stay independent, you can donate to the show here: https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/donate/