Over 40 Fabulous and Pregnant

115. Fertility coach Jen Richards shares her raw, beautiful, and seven-year-long journey to motherhood. From navigating the confusing world of unexplained infertility at age 40 to experiencing the BOGO "dating website" swirl of sperm banks and the heartbreaking silence of a 13-week miscarriage, Jen opens up about what it really takes to survive the emotional trenches of late-30s and 40-plus family building.
Jen shares the incredible, fortuitous turning point in her story: navigating the "new frontier" of private embryo donation after a close friend offered a basket of hope. We talk about the unspoken realities of a 48-hour C-section labor, the severe postpartum anxiety that followed her victory, and the liberating day she finally said goodbye to the breast pump. Whether you are currently staring down a difficult medical crossroads, considering donor options, or looking for permission to let go of a strict natural birth plan, Jen’s relentless hope and grounded wisdom will make you feel less alone in the woods of your own journey.
Get the resources, transcript, and more information about this episode: https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/episode115/
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/

114. Ruth, an oil painter and children’s book author, shares her journey to welcoming her daughter at 43. Ruth opens up about the reality of facing back-to-back miscarriages in her 40s, how receiving genetic testing results brought unexpected healing, and the radical mindset shift that allowed her to view her body not as failing, but as profoundly "badass."
Moving past the fear and labels of a typical clinical setting, Ruth shares her experience working with a practice of supportive midwives to plan a natural home birth. From a sudden, explosive water-breaking moment on the toilet to an efficient, 8-minute standing labor, Ruth's story is a beautiful, primal, and refreshingly positive look at later motherhood. Whether you are currently trying to conceive over 40, recovering from pregnancy loss, or exploring the care model of midwifery, this episode offers a powerful reminder to slow down, practice rest as resistance, and trust the pace of your own life.
Get the resources, transcript, and more information about this episode: https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/episode114/
Get Rejoova Eggs & Rejoova Repair. Use code FAB 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/

113. When Jeani scheduled a doctor's visit to address hot flashes, night sweats, and an elevated FSH level, she assumed she was simply following in the footsteps of her mother and sisters who had all entered early menopause. Instead, a routine ultrasound revealed a dislodged IUD, and a month later, on September 11th, a positive pregnancy test that quite literally left her weak in the knees. At 43 years old, with her oldest daughter on the cusp of high school graduation, Jeani found herself forced to completely rewrite the blueprint for her upcoming retirement years. In this episode, she dives deep into the complex, heavy emotions that followed, bravely uncovering the profound sense of shame and unworthiness she carried throughout her pregnancy as she struggled to accept a gift she felt she hadn't planned for or deserved.
Jeani pulls no punches when discussing the distinct physical and emotional differences of carrying a baby in her 40s versus her 20s. From an early fetal viability scare and a whole new level of bone-deep exhaustion to a sudden preeclampsia diagnosis at 38 weeks, her path to the delivery room required total mental endurance. She walks listeners through her intense, multi-hour induction in Sioux Falls, detailing the physical agony of a grueling hour-and-a-half push to deliver a sunny-side-up baby—and the incredible labor positioning trick from a seasoned nurse that finally brought her son safely to her chest. Looking back with a heart full of grace, Jeani shares an emotional message for other women navigating later-in-life motherhood, wishing she could tell her pregnant self to banish the embarrassment, accept the support of a baby shower, and fully celebrate the beautiful disruption of a mid-life miracle.
Get the resources, transcript, and more information about this episode: https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/episode113/
Get Rejoova Eggs & Rejoova Repair. Use code FAB 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/

112. Dr. Stephanie Gray, a functional medicine practitioner, nurse practitioner, and author of Your Fertility Blueprint. After navigating a complex, 10-year secondary infertility battle that involved eight IUIs, two out-of-state surgeries for endometriosis, and a devastating standstill with multiple failed euploid embryo transfers, Stephanie had to become her own medical detective. She shares how she used PubMed research to advocate for her own health, eventually uncovering a chronic, low-grade uterine infection (endometritis) from a previous birth and a silent blood clotting condition that conventional doctors completely missed.
Stephanie shares the powerful cross-section where conventional reproductive endocrinology and functional medicine meet. Dr. Gray explains why she believes the global decline in fertility is being heavily driven by a toxic world, touching on environmental toxins, soil depletion, and EMF radiation. She also shares the exact high-dose antioxidant protocol she used to achieve an incredible 60% euploid embryo rate at age 39. From the traumatic reality of surviving a life-threatening postpartum hemorrhage to navigating a high-risk pregnancy with placenta previa, Stephanie’s story is a masterclass in patient self-advocacy. Tune in to discover the practical, root-cause steps you can take to optimize your egg quality and uterine environment, and get a heavy dose of encouragement to trust your intuition when something doesn't feel right.
Get the resources, transcript, and more information about this episode: https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/episode112/
Get Rejoova Eggs & Rejoova Repair. Use code FAB 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/

111. Journalist and mental strength trainer, Bettina Gordon shares the raw truth about being ambivalent about kids for years, dealing with a year of unprotected sex where nothing happened, and the exact tipping point that shifted her mindset from fearing a loss of freedom to embracing motherhood at 44. If you’ve ever felt crushed by the loud outside noise telling you you're running out of time, Bettina’s story is the ultimate proof that your mindset dictates your reality, not a number on a calendar.
Bettina breaks down the fascinating science of biological versus chronological age, proving why fertility is simply an extension of your overall system, not an isolated ticking clock. From discovering her pregnancy in a majestic alpine hut on a mountain peak to navigating a 100% natural, unmedicated hospital birth run by midwives, Bettina's journey is a masterclass in trusting your intuition. You'll walk away knowing exactly how women in their 40s possess the ultimate superpower for motherhood, how to actively lower your biological age through five foundational lifestyle pillars, and why you should never give your power away to a medical system that relies on outdated statistics.
Get the resources, transcript and more information about this episode: https://over40fabulousandpregnant.com/episode111/
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/