065. What happens when a top fertility expert becomes the patient at 48 years old? Dr. Jeanie Schlafly joins us to share her raw, vulnerable journey through pregnancy loss and the decision to use donor eggs to complete her family.
Along with Dr. Jeanie Schlafly’s pregnancy story at 48, she also answered quite a few questions from our listeners (like low AMH, not having a cycle, and more) at the end of this show which are NOT shown here. You can listen to the show or read the Q&A HERE.
On episode 65, Dr. Jeanie Schlafly pulls back the curtain on her own transition from world-class fertility specialist to patient. At 48 years old, Dr. Schlafly shares the intimate details of her journey to motherhood using donor eggs, offering a rare bridge between medical expertise and the raw, emotional reality of late-stage pregnancy. She discusses the resilience required to navigate loss and the profound shift in perspective that comes when a doctor must follow the very advice she gives her patients.
Beyond the personal narrative, this conversation dives into the functional medicine approach to fertility. Dr. Schlafly explains how she optimized her health through lifestyle shifts and stress management to support a successful pregnancy in her late 40s. Whether you are currently weighing the decision of donor eggs or seeking a boost of hope for your own over-40 journey, this episode provides the perfect blend of clinical wisdom and heartfelt encouragement.
About the Guest
Dr. Jeanie Schlafly is a double board-certified physician and holistic fertility specialist based in Denver, Colorado. After a decade-long career in medicine, Dr. Schlafly founded Baby Hope Fertility, where she blends high-level clinical expertise with a functional medicine approach to help couples uncover the root causes of infertility. Her passion is deeply personal: at 48 years old, she successfully welcomed her own child via donor eggs after navigating her own complex fertility hurdles. Now a proud mother of two living in the Mile High City, Dr. Schlafly is dedicated to helping women over 40 advocate for their health and find their own unique path to motherhood.
Connect with Dr. Jeanie Schlafly:
- Instagram: @babyhopefertility
- Website: https://www.babyhopefertility.com/
Key Topics
The Personal Journey
- Motherhood at 42, 44, and 48: Dr. Schlafly details the timeline of her pregnancies, including her transition from spontaneous conception to the decision to use donor eggs.
- The Shift to Donor Eggs: An honest look at the emotional process of “letting go” of a genetic connection and the specific criteria she and her husband used to select a frozen egg donor in Colorado.
- The Patient Experience: What it felt like for a medical professional to undergo the “two-week wait,” handle the anxiety of pregnancy tests, and the unique bonding experience of “breast crawl” with her daughter born at 48.
The Clinical & Holistic Approach
- Functional Medicine for Fertility: How identifying root causes—beyond just “age”—can optimize health for both partners before attempting IVF or natural conception.
- Stress Resilience vs. Stress Removal: Practical advice on moving the body from a “fight or flight” (sympathetic) state to a “rest and digest” (parasympathetic) state through mindful breathing and nature.
- The “Fertility Diet”: Why Dr. Schlafly cut out gluten and sugar and focused on clean meats and organic produce to improve her energy and pregnancy outcomes at 48.
- Advocating for the “Middle Ground”: Discussion on the options that exist between basic OB-GYN care and high-intervention IVF, and why getting as healthy as possible first increases the chances of success.
Resources & Links
Note: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. I only recommend products our guests truly love!
TTC Questions: Q&A with Dr. Jeanie Schlafly
Instagram: Follow Over 40 Fabulous and Pregnant
YouTube: Watch Episodes HERE
Recommended Products: Doppler Fetal Monitor – Perfect for bonding with baby!
Shop More: See ALL products recommended by our guests
Support the Podcast: Donate to the Podcast
Community: Join the Over 40 Fabulous Facebook Group