Aimee Raupp | The Fertility Authority Podcast

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  Miracle at 44: From Failed IVF and a 1% Chance to Conceiving Naturally 01.09.2026 31分

  Jen shares her fertility journey from frozen eggs, failed IVF, miscarriage, and being told she had about a 1% chance of success to ultimately conceiving naturally and giving birth to a healthy baby girl at 44.After freezing eggs years earlier as an “insurance policy,” Jen returned to fertility treatment at 43 believing IVF was her only option. Instead, all five of her previously frozen eggs were lost during the thaw, embryos from another retrieval stopped developing, and her clinic told her it was time to consider donor eggs.Jen decided she was not ready to accept that answer.She began working with a fertility-focused naturopath, discovered Aimee Raupp’s best selling fertility book: Yes, You Can Get Pregnant, and eventually joined Aimee’s fertility program. Together, they looked beyond fertility statistics and focused on nutrition, hormones, thyroid health, supplements, digestion, stress, emotional healing, and rebuilding trust in her body.We discuss how age-shaming affected Jen’s confidence, why self-forgiveness and surrender became such an important part of her fertility journey, and what changed when she stopped treating fertility as something she had to control perfectly and instead focused on becoming healthier, supported, and more compassionate toward herself.After another miscarriage and an incredibly difficult year that included losing her father, Jen conceived naturally again at 44. That pregnancy resulted in her healthy daughter, Ruby James.Key Topics* Jen came to Aimee at 43, approaching 44, after experiencing miscarriage and a difficult fertility treatment journey.* She had frozen five eggs in 2016 while single, believing egg freezing would serve as an “insurance policy” for having children later.* When she and her partner decided to start a family at 43, Jen returned to the same fertility clinic believing IVF was essentially her only option.* Jen describes experiencing significant age-shaming during fertility treatment and being made to feel that her chances of becoming a mother were extremely low.* Her clinic attempted to use her previously frozen eggs alongside eggs from another retrieval, but all five frozen eggs died during the thaw and three embryos from the new retrieval stopped developing after three days.* After the failed cycle, Jen was told she had approximately a 1% chance because of her age and was encouraged to consider donor eggs or possibly IUI instead of another IVF cycle.* Walking away from that clinic became a major turning point, and Jen decided she wanted to explore another approach rather than accept that her fertility journey was over.* Jen began working with a fertility-focused naturopath who evaluated hormones and bloodwork that she says had not previously been explored in depth.* Around six weeks after her retrieval, Jen tried naturally and became pregnant on the first attempt, but that pregnancy ended in miscarriage at eight weeks.* Discovering Aimee’s book Yes, You Can Get Pregnant dramatically changed Jen’s perspective because it was one of the first resources she found that gave her hope about pregnancy after 40.* Jen says the emotional component of Aimee’s work became just as important as nutrition and supplements because she carried years of regret about not becoming a mother sooner.* A major part of their work involved forgiving her younger self, processing grief, and questioning the belief that she had somehow “missed her chance.”* Jen eventually realized that motherhood was happening at the right time for her life, her relationship, and the person she had become.* Letting go of the age-shaming she experienced in fertility treatment became another important part of rebuilding confidence in her body.* Jen incorporated Aimee’s nutrition approach and made major lifestyle changes around sugar, soy, dairy, alcohol, coffee, and other foods.* Instead of seeing the diet only as something she had to do to become pregnant, Jen began viewing it as a way to improve her overall health.* Having a supportive partner helped make the nutrition changes more sustainable, particularly because Jen worked in the restaurant industry and her partner was a chef.* Aimee and Jen discuss monitoring hormones, progesterone, estrogen, digestion, thyroid function, supplements, herbs, and other health markers during their work together.* Jen experienced significant improvements in digestion and overall health while working on these areas.* During the fertility journey, Jen’s father passed away, adding another major source of grief and stress during an already difficult period.* Instead of expecting perfection during that time, Jen continued following much of the plan while allowing herself more flexibility.* In February 2021, while working with Aimee, Jen discovered that she was naturally pregnant again at 44.* Jen says this pregnancy felt very different because she felt stronger physically and emotionally and believed she had done everything she reasonably could to support her body.* Although pregnancy after 40 came with anxiety and some minor complications, Jen describes feeling physically well throughout the pregnancy.* Her experience with her new OB was also very different from her earlier fertility treatment experience, with her care team being supportive rather than focusing primarily on her age.* Jen gave birth at 44 and turned 45 approximately one month later.* Her daughter’s name, Ruby James, carries a special connection to Jen’s late father. Ruby was his July birthstone, while James was his first name.* Aimee had unknowingly helped inspire the name Ruby during one of their conversations when she commented on Jen’s ruby necklace.* Jen says one of the hardest parts of the fertility journey was learning to surrender control after miscarriage.* As a business owner who was accustomed to being in control, she struggled with the uncertainty of fertility and pregnancy.* Through Aimee’s teachings, emotional work, and mantras, Jen began practicing trust instead of trying to control every possible outcome.* She learned to trust her instinct to try naturally and trust that she was taking the right steps even though she could not control exactly how the story would unfold.* Aimee discusses the importance of creating a sense of safety in the body, not only through nutrition and physical health but also by addressing fear, urgency, stress, and what she calls mental inflammation.* Jen says the emotional work of stopping self-blame and feeling that she was “not enough” became one of the most important parts of her journey.* She also emphasizes that fertility support should not be about perfectly checking every diet or supplement box.* Building the right support team became another major lesson for Jen, including practitioners, Aimee, her partner, and other people who genuinely believed in and supported her.* Jen says accountability and structure helped reduce the overwhelming amount of fertility information available online.* She encourages women to choose a path and trusted team rather than constantly jumping between different fertility recommendations.* Jen also learned to give herself grace when she was not perfect with food, supplements, or other parts of the plan.* Her message to other women navigating fertility is to recognize that it is a journey, give yourself compassion, surround yourself with the right support, and keep trusting yourself.* Jen ultimately conceived naturally after being told she had roughly a 1% chance and gave birth to a healthy baby girl at 44.Timestamps00:00 - Welcome to The Fertility Authority and Aimee’s root cause approach01:20 - Introducing Jen’s Story of Hope02:05 - Life with baby Ruby almost one year later03:20 - Starting the fertility journey at 43 after miscarriage04:05 - Freezing eggs in 2016 as an “insurance policy”05:05 - Returning to fertility treatment at 43 and believing IVF was the only option06:10 - Age-shaming and being told the odds were extremely low07:30 - Losing all five frozen eggs during the thaw08:15 - Embryos stop developing and everything is lost09:00 - Being told she had about a 1% chance and should consider donor eggs10:10 - Walking away from the fertility clinic and choosing another path11:05 - Finding Aimee, a naturopath, and the Egg Quality Diet12:00 - Conceiving naturally on the first try after retrieval12:40 - Pregnancy reaches eight weeks before miscarriage13:20 - Finding Yes, You Can Get Pregnant and discovering hope after 4014:20 - Why the emotional work became just as important as diet and supplements15:15 - Processing regret and forgiving the younger version of herself16:10 - Letting go of the belief that she should have become a mother sooner17:10 - Realizing this was the right time in her life to become a mom18:00 - Releasing the age-shaming from fertility treatment18:45 - Making the Egg Quality Diet part of everyday life20:00 - Sugar, dairy, soy, alcohol, coffee, and improving overall health21:15 - Why understanding the “why” behind nutrition helped Jen stay consistent22:10 - Hormones, estrogen, supplements, herbs, digestion, and thyroid support23:30 - Losing her father during the fertility journey24:25 - Following the 80/20 approach through grief and an incredibly difficult year25:15 - February 2021: the positive pregnancy test at 4426:05 - Feeling physically and emotionally different during this pregnancy27:00 - Pregnancy after 40 and finding a supportive OB28:05 - Giving birth at 4428:35 - How Aimee helped inspire the name Ruby James30:00 - Why surrender was one of Jen’s hardest lessons31:00 - Learning to trust after miscarriage32:10 - Following her instinct to continue trying naturally33:15 - Releasing control and allowing the journey to unfold34:10 - The emotional toll of watching other women become mothers35:20 - Creating safety in the body and reducing mental inflammation36:20 - Moving beyond the pressure of “I’m running out of time”37:15 - Why fertility is about more than perfectly checking every box38:10 - Building the right fertility support team39:15 - Accountability, guidance, and reducing information overwhelm40:15 - Choosing one trusted path instead of trying everything online41:25 - Giving yourself grace when the plan is not perfect42:10 - Jen’s message: trust and be kind43:00 - How Jen worked with Aimee and the Yes, You Can Get Pregnant eCourse44:10 - Why Stories of Hope matter for women trying in their 40s45:00 - From a 1% prognosis to naturally conceiving a healthy baby girlResources / Helpful Links* Aimee Raupp Resources & Freebies* Aimee Raupp Fertility Books This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aimeeraupp.substack.com/subscribe
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  The Research On Egg Quality That Your Fertility Doctor Missed 25.08.2026 29分

  Episode SummaryThis episode explores groundbreaking research from 2023 to 2026 that is transforming our understanding of female fertility and ovarian aging. Hosted by Aimee Raupp, a seasoned fertility expert, it covers inflammation, AMH, insulin resistance, NAD+, light exposure, stress, and oral health, offering practical insights for women seeking to optimize their reproductive health.Keywordsfemale fertility, ovarian aging, inflammation, AMH, insulin resistance, NAD plus, fertility research, reproductive health, stress, oral healthKey Topics* Chronic inflammation and its effect on egg quality* The role of AMH and inflammation in fertility* Insulin resistance as a driver of IVF success* NAD+ levels and mitochondrial health in eggs* Impact of light exposure and circadian rhythms on ovaries* Stress and ovarian reserve decline* Oral inflammation and systemic reproductive effects* Practical steps to improve the ovarian environmentSound Bites* “Inflammation ages your tissues faster than your birthday”* “Low AMH reflects inflammation, not just egg count”* “NMN and resveratrol fuel mitochondrial health”Chapters00:00 Introduction to New Fertility Research02:25 Chronic Inflammation and Female Fertility06:37 Peritoneal Endometriosis and AMH Levels10:44 Insulin Resistance and IVF Outcomes15:21 NAD+ and Cellular Energy in Eggs20:31 Light Exposure and Ovarian Function21:25 Stress and Its Impact on Ovarian Reserve23:45 Oral Inflammation and Reproductive Health10 Things You Can Do With This Research* Get your inflammation markers checked — hs-CRP, homocysteine.* Look at your gut — a major driver of the inflammaging pattern.* Stop fearing a low AMH number by itself; it’s a data point, not a verdict.* Prioritize protein and fiber at breakfast to support insulin sensitivity.* Move your body after meals — even a 10-minute walk helps glucose regulation.* Get morning sunlight within the first hour of waking.* Put your phone away 30–60 minutes before bed.* Build in real nervous system downtime — acupuncture, breathwork, meditation, nature walks.* Don’t skip your dental checkups.* Work with someone who looks at your whole picture — gut, blood sugar, inflammation, sleep, stress.Perfection doesn’t equal pregnancy. It’s consistency and frequency that moves the needle.ClosingEgg quality isn’t a fixed countdown. It’s shaped by inflammation, metabolic health, mitochondrial energy, circadian rhythm, and nervous system regulation. Age is a modifier, not a mandate.Before you go: there’s exciting new endometriosis research I haven’t covered yet — that’s coming as its own dedicated episode soon. If endo might be part of your story, ask your doctor about a pelvic MRI or 3D sonohysterogram in the meantime.Ready to work on this? Head to aimeeraupp.com and book a coaching call. Grab the revised edition of Yes, You Can Get Pregnant — it has the full lab panel, the nutrition breakdown, and every protocol I referenced today. And follow me on Substack, Instagram, and right here on the podcast for more research like this every week.Research Citations* Ameho & Klutstein — “The effect of chronic inflammation on female fertility,” Reproduction, 2025. PMID: 39932461* [Authors incl. AW Horne] — AMH decreased in superficial peritoneal endometriosis with elevated inflammatory profile, University of Edinburgh, Reproduction and Fertility, 2026 (venous blood n=105, peritoneal fluid n=38). DOI: 10.1530/RAF-25-0127* Bai et al. — Insulin resistance and IVF outcomes, Human Fertility, 2025 (cohort n=1,193). PMID: 40684365* NAD+ gene expression and human oocyte quality, single-oocyte RNA-seq (n=46), JARG, 2025. DOI: 10.1007/s10815-025-03720-1* Ying et al. — Circadian rhythm disruption and ovarian follicular development, EBioMedicine, 2026. PMID: 41797048* Jiang et al. — Chronic stress and meiotic arrest/ovarian reserve decline, Frontiers in Endocrinology, 2023. PMID: 37720535* Kles et al. — Chronic oral inflammation impairs female reproduction, Journal of Dental Research, 2026. DOI: 10.1177/00220345251412768Note: only studies #2 (Edinburgh AMH) and #3 (Bai IVF cohort) are direct human clinical data; the rest are animal/rodent models or ex vivo human tissue. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aimeeraupp.substack.com/subscribe
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  An AMH of 0.1, Six Failed IVFs, and a Baby at 42 12.08.2026 56分

  Miranda shares her five year fertility journey, from low AMH and multiple failed IVF cycles to an endometriosis diagnosis, immune support, gut healing, and finally a healthy natural pregnancy at 42. Aimee Raupp guides the conversation with clinical context, showing how the bigger picture emerged only after looking beyond standard IVF protocols.We discuss why repeated IVF did not work, how endometriosis and inflammation showed up in Miranda’s symptoms and outcomes, and what changed once the team focused on root causes like uterine scar tissue, immune dysfunction, gut health, and environmental exposure.Key Topics* Miranda’s fertility journey began after marriage in her late 30s, with an initial AMH of 0.545 at age 37 and early warning signs that standard IVF might be a poor fit.* She was told she had the egg count of a 50 year old woman and would likely need multiple retrievals, leading to a major financial and emotional burden as a cash pay patient.* Her first IVF cycle was derailed when she ovulated through stimming medications, a sign that the standard protocol was not adequately suppressing ovulation for her body.* A severe allergic reaction to a COVID vaccine, treated with prednisone, coincided with her second retrieval and may have influenced that cycle, which produced 7 eggs, 4 fertilized, 3 blasts, and 2 PGT normal embryos.* Both transferred embryos ended in a chemical pregnancy, followed by a third retrieval with poor egg quality and no usable blasts, deepening frustration with the first clinic.* A second RE changed protocols with estradiol priming, but Miranda experienced intense headaches and a severe reaction pattern that Aimee flagged as a clue for estrogen dominance and possible endometriosis.* Miranda ultimately pursued a consultation with Dr. Check and then Dr. Vidali after recognizing that endometriosis, inflammation, and low ovarian reserve might be driving the repeated failures.* Dr. Check encouraged timed intercourse and later IVF, but Miranda had repeated failures, including one cycle where no eggs were retrieved and another where she ovulated too soon and the cycle converted to an unsuccessful IUI. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aimeeraupp.substack.com/subscribe
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  The Real Driver of Low AMH and POI 24.07.2026 16分

  Rethinking AMH and Ovarian Reserve: The Inflammation ConnectionIn this episode, Aimee Raupp challenges traditional beliefs about AMH levels and ovarian reserve, emphasizing how inflammation plays a crucial role in ovarian aging. She discusses groundbreaking research suggesting that ovarian decline isn’t solely about egg quantity but also the health of the ovarian environment.Key topics:* The history and misconceptions surrounding AMH testing* Why AMH is not a definitive measure of total egg reserve* The impact of systemic inflammation on ovarian aging* The discovery of ovarian stem cells and the potential for new egg formation* How chronic inflammation damages granulosa cells, reducing AMH* The importance of understanding the ovarian environment in fertility* The influence of autoimmune conditions, gut health, and diet on ovarian reserve* Practical steps to identify and reduce ovarian inflammation* The significance of current research outpacing mainstream medical guidance* Encouragement to look beyond AMH numbers to understand true fertility healthTimestamps: 00:41 - Introduction and the history of AMH testing 01:09 - Why a high or low AMH isn’t the full fertility story 01:52 - Inflammation’s role in ovarian health and aging 02:22 - Limitations of AMH as a fertility marker 03:20 - The analogy of the factory to explain AMH fluctuations 04:16 - Women in menopause still have eggs: myth vs. reality 04:45 - Ovarian environment vs. egg quantity 05:13 - The American Society of Reproductive Medicine’s stance on AMH 05:48 - Challenging the dogma: Are we really running out of eggs? 06:16 - Recent studies and the impact of ovarian stem cell research 07:07 - Breakthrough research by Jonathan Tilly on ovarian stem cells 08:05 - Evidence supporting the regeneration of follicles in adults 09:03 - The lag between research and clinical practice 09:32 - The myth of running out of eggs and new findings 10:01 - The longevity of eggs in menopause 11:01 - Rethinking ovarian aging and the role of inflammation 11:32 - How inflammation damages the ovarian support system 12:02 - NLRP3 inflammasome system and chronic stress 12:29 - The destruction of granulosa cells and declining AMH 13:28 - How turning off the inflammatory alarm can slow ovarian aging 13:53 - Linking inflammation to conditions like endometriosis and Hashimoto’s 14:16 - Impact of diet and gut health on ovarian reserve 15:18 - Numbers are data points, not destiny 15:46 - Viewing AMH as a smoke detector for inflammation 16:10 - Root cause workup and anti-inflammatory strategies 16:39 - Invitation to explore part two of the series for practical insightsResources & Links:* Yes You Can Get Pregnant – Revised Edition by Aimee Raupp* Jonathan Tilly - Northeastern University (search for his current publications)* NLRP3 Inflammasome researchConnect with Aimee Raupp:* Instagram* Website This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aimeeraupp.substack.com/subscribe
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  She Was 45, Had 7 Retrievals, 2 Failed Transfers, and Got Pregnant Naturally. This Is Rebecca's Story. 29.06.2026 58分

  SHOW NOTESThis is one of the most remarkable fertility journeys I have ever had the privilege of witnessing in over 21 years of clinical practice.Rebecca came to me as an acupuncture patient in 2012. Over the next decade I watched her freeze eggs in her mid thirties, improve her AMH and FSH through diet and lifestyle, navigate a demanding career in New York City, find her person, and then embark on one of the most grueling and ultimately triumphant paths to motherhood I have ever seen up close.Seven retrievals. Two failed transfers. Two mock cycles. Hysteroscopies. Endometrial biopsies. Seven rounds of PRP. Two IUIs. A chronic endometritis diagnosis that changed everything. A clinic switch. And one sweet, perfect baby boy.She was 45 when she got pregnant. She gave birth at 46.In this episode Rebecca shares everything. The failed transfers and what we found when we dug deeper. The immune panel that finally gave us answers. The decision to switch clinics. The ovarian PRP. The Egg Quality Diet. The emotional work. The mantra she said to herself every single day. And what she wants every woman in the thick of this journey to know.This is not a story about luck. This is a story about belief, about doing the work, and about what becomes possible when you refuse to accept that your biology is fixed.What we cover in this episode:Why the foundations you build in your mid thirties matter enormously even years later. How Rebecca's AMH and FSH actually improved between her first and second egg freeze through diet, acupuncture, and lifestyle. What chronic endometritis is, why it is so frequently missed, and how it was affecting her transfers. The immune panel that changed the entire clinical picture. Why switching clinics and moving to low stim and mini stim protocols made a difference. Ovarian PRP and what Rebecca noticed cycle by cycle. The Egg Quality Diet and how she implemented it fully. Managing a high stress career while going through fertility treatment. The emotional and spiritual work that held her together. Her mantra and why she credits belief as one of the most important parts of her journey.Resources mentioned in this episode:Yes, You Can Get Pregnant by Aimee Raupp, revised 2026 edition: aimeeraupp.com/booksThe Egg Quality Diet by Aimee Raupp: aimeeraupp.com/booksWork with Aimee and her team: aimeeraupp.com/coachingThe Fertility Authority on Substack: aimeeraupp.com/substackRebecca's mantra:I am worthy. I prayed and it is coming. I am doing all I need to do. We are ready. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aimeeraupp.substack.com/subscribe
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  Ovarian Communication Meditation 25.05.2026 8分

  Ovarian Communication MeditationYour ovaries are listening.This 8-minute guided meditation is an invitation to slow down, drop in, and open a line of communication with your ovaries. Through breath, visualization, and intentional awareness, you will send love, energy, and healing directly to your reproductive center -- and learn to listen to what your body is trying to tell you in return.This is the kind of practice that no protocol, supplement, or lab result can replace. It is you, your body, and the quiet wisdom that lives within.Settle in. Press play. Your ovaries are ready. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aimeeraupp.substack.com/subscribe
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  A Meditation for Your Ovaries: Calming the Brain-Ovary Connection 11.05.2026 5分

  I recorded this meditation for a program I am running and it felt too good not to share. It is short, it is calming, and it is exactly the kind of nervous system reset I think so many of you need right now, especially if you have been deep in the research from this series. Press play, close your eyes, and give yourself five minutes. You deserve it. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aimeeraupp.substack.com/subscribe