She had five children naturally in her 20s, but at 46, Janice discovered that baby number six would require a completely different path involving a vasectomy reversal, IUIs, and eventually donor eggs. Join us as this Registered Nurse shares the raw, three-year journey of “The Longest Wait” and how she finally found peace—and her miracle daughter—in her mid-40s.
On episode 68, After raising five children naturally in her 20s, Janice, a Registered Nurse and Lactation Consultant, found herself on a very different path when she decided to grow her family again in her mid-40s. In this episode, Janice shares the raw and honest details of her nearly three-year journey to motherhood at 46. We dive into the complexities of navigating secondary infertility, starting with her husband’s vasectomy reversal and the subsequent rounds of IUI that didn’t go as planned. Janice opens up about the emotional transition from “natural” conception to the world of assisted reproduction, providing a unique perspective from someone who has spent her career supporting other mothers.
The heart of Janice’s story lies in the pivotal decision to move forward with donor eggs. She discusses the shift in mindset required to embrace a different path to pregnancy and how she ultimately found peace—and her miracle daughter—at age 46. As a lactation consultant, Janice also touches on the experience of breastfeeding in your 40s and how her professional background helped her navigate the anxieties of advanced maternal age. Whether you are just beginning to consider donor eggs or are currently navigating the hurdles of IUIs and reversals, Janice’s story of “The Longest Wait” offers a beautiful testament to the fact that there is more than one way to build a family.
About the Guest
Janice is a Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) who brings a unique blend of professional expertise and deep personal experience to the fertility conversation. After raising five children naturally in her 20s, Janice embarked on a nearly three-year journey to expand her family in her mid-40s, navigating the complexities of a husband’s vasectomy reversal, multiple IUIs, and the eventual decision to use donor eggs. Having experienced motherhood across two different decades, she offers a rare and empowering perspective on the emotional shift from natural conception to assisted reproduction, while providing invaluable insight into breastfeeding and postpartum recovery for mothers over 40.
Connect with Janice:
Instagram: @ja_nice5
Key Topics
- Pivoting the Plan: Understanding when to move from natural conception or IUI to advanced options like donor eggs.
- The Professional as the Patient: How Janice’s background as an RN and Lactation Consultant influenced her perspective on “geriatric” pregnancy.
- Healing the DNA Grief: Processing the emotional transition of choosing a donor and finding peace with a different genetic path.
- Breastfeeding at 46: Insights into lactation and nursing success after a midlife pregnancy.
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!
Instagram: Follow Over 40 Fabulous and Pregnant
YouTube: Watch Episodes HERE
Recommend Products: Compression Socks & Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin & Spirit Babies by Walter Makichen
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Aimee Raupp Fertility on IG: https://www.instagram.com/aimeeraupp/?