LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

LISTEN ON APPLE

Infertility is rising—and the default “there’s nothing you can do” is failing couples. In this expert conversation, Brigid Titgemeier talks with WeNatal co-founders Ronit and Vida about the science of trimester zero (the 90–100 days before conception) and why fertility must be treated as a two-partner protocol. We dig into insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and how targeted prenatal nutrition (with clinically-relevant doses and bioavailable forms) supports egg quality, sperm health, healthy pregnancy, and postpartum recovery.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why fertility is a team sport (male factor plays a part of approximately 50% of miscarriages/drivers)
  
• The big disruptors: stress, sleep debt, toxins, ultra-processed foods
  
• Trimester Zero: how to prep eggs & sperm for better outcomes
  
• The must-have prenatal nutrients and forms that matter
  
• Postpartum depletion and why prenatals still matter in this stage
  
• AMH perspective: egg quality vs. quantity and mitochondrial support
  
• New! WeNatal Protein+

Timestamps

00:25 – Meet Ronit & Vida + why fertility is a team sport
02:00 – Stress as the umbrella disruptor (sleep, toxins, nutrient gaps)
05:27 – Their miscarriage stories
09:12 – Building the evidence stack (male antioxidants, sleep, detox basics)
10:40 – Functional testing + formulation rigor
26:54 – The big three drivers: insulin resistance, inflammation, oxidative stress
29:40 – Ultra-processed diets, low movement, and simple wins
31:10 – Stress, sleep, and why sleep sometimes beats exercise
33:21 – Trimester Zero: 90–100 days before conception to influence egg/sperm quality
35:38 – Labs that matter: insulin, hs-CRP, cortisol patterning
41:42 – The two-year postpartum window & long-term health
44:06 – Having kids later
52:00 – Mindset: information without fear; choose your stress boundaries
01:05:08 – New: WeNatal Protein+ and heavy metals in protein powders
01:12:45 – Where to learn more + free magnesium link

Why Fertility Is a Team Sport

Fertility outcomes reflect both partners. Male factor contributes to roughly half of miscarriages and subfertility cases. Sperm quality (count, motility, morphology) responds to lifestyle shifts and targeted antioxidants in as little as 72 days, aligning perfectly with the trimester-zero window. For women, oocytes mature around 100 days, and quality is highly sensitive to sleep, stress, micronutrients, and toxicant exposure.

Trimester Zero: The 90–100 Day Advantage

Think of preconception like training for a race: results follow consistent inputs. Core levers:

• Sleep first. Repair, hormone balance, detoxification—all improve with sleep.
  
• Nutrient density + strategic supplementation. Micronutrients (e.g., choline, vitamin D, methylfolate, iron) meaningfully move the needle.
  
• Toxin-light environment. Water/air filtration and swapping common household products reduces body burden.
  
• Movement. Even 4,000 steps/day correlates with better male hormone profiles.
  
• Stress regulation. Chronic stress suppresses progesterone, disrupts cycles, and impairs sperm.
  

Mechanisms That Drive Infertility (and How to Counter Them)

• Insulin resistance: Ovulatory dysfunction & altered sex-hormone signaling.
  
• Chronic inflammation & oxidative stress: Damages mitochondria, the energy engines driving egg and sperm quality.
  
• Thyroid dysfunction & nutrient depletion: Increased risk of miscarriage, anemia, low energy, mood changes.
  

Prenatals that Actually Work: Dose, Form, and Clean Testing

Labels matter. Look for bioavailable forms (e.g., 5-MTHF folate), clinical doses (e.g., ~400 mg choline, ~4,000 IU vitamin D, individualized iron), comprehensive formulas (~24 key nutrients), third-party testing, and no fillers. The form of iron is crucial for tolerance; gentler chelates can help minimize constipation while correcting anemia risk.

Postpartum Depletion Is Real

Baby “withdraws” what it needs. Without consistent repletion (diet + prenatal), moms face higher risks of fatigue, hair loss, anemia, mood symptoms, and a harder transition into perimenopause—especially when pregnancies happen later or close together. Keep a prenatal going through at least two years postpartum.

Resources & Links Mentioned

Watch the full episode on YouTube

Brigid’s Website

Brigid’s Instagram

WeNatal Website

WeNatal Instagram

Free Fertility Masterclass

Get a FREE Magnesium valued at $35 when you subscribe to WeNatal using Brigid’s link: https://wenatal.com/brigid

NEW WeNatal Protein+ Waitlist