It Starts with the Egg: How the Science of Egg Quality Can Help You Get Pregnant Naturally, Prevent Miscarriage, and Improve Your Odds in IVF

I read this whole book in one day and I haven’t done anything like that in about 15 years lol. I’m in my 30s and I was diagnosed with a diminished ovarian reserve last year. I have never been pregnant. I was told that my odds were very low. My first egg retrieval my doctor got double the eggs she was expecting (which was still under 10, 10 is the least amount ideal for IVF) but all embryos were abnormal. 2nd retrieval, same amount of eggs and 2 normal embryos. Now this wasn’t because of the book...I believe that happened due to Coq10 my husband and I were taking, which I later found the book mentions highly. Unfortunately my first transfer last week was a fail. Now to the book. I just finished reading. I honestly wish I read this years ago. With all the knowledge I learned about IVF but now reading this book, I believe this could have gotten me pregnant naturally years ago. This book has amazing information, easy to understand, and case studies to back it up. My plan is to give my body a break from almost a year of IVF and try naturally based on suggestions of this book. If it doesn’t work in 6 months, I believe my body will at least be fully ready to accept my next IVF transfer. My take aways from this book are: If you are trying to convince naturally and would never consider IVF down the line, understand this book mentions IVF ALOT so go into it knowing that. For me that’s great since I went through it and there’s a possibility I may have to again. I understood all the terminology and it made sense. However based on the reviews, this book is still extremely helpful for natural pregnancy which is my new goal and focus now anyway. It looks like most of the reviews were a result of a natural pregnancy. The book only has one chapter for male issues so if you are looking for more context, this book doesn’t give it. But that should be expected, the purpose of the book is to concentrate on the egg not sperm. I suggest do your own research on acupuncture which is supposed to be very helpful. They touched on it very briefly, not a lot of context, but maybe because acupuncture helps other fertility factors and not necessarily the egg. Don’t put too much weight on getting rid of every toxic item you have. If you did that you would have nothing left. Also, you don’t have to change every single thing you eat. The book clearly states that’s not practical, but the idea is to switch out as many toxic items/foods as you possibly can for safer alternatives. I truly believe this book will work and I will be sure to update this review hopefully with good news by year end!

I bought this book back in June of 2024 when my husband and I were told that we may be able to get pregnant when we were told for over ten years that we wouldn't be able to. I'm not taking IVF, and nothing against anyone who is, but I wanted to be honest in that I'm an older woman wanting to get pregnant. My mom had five miscarriages before she had me, and I don't want to go through that pain if I can avoid it. My husband and I have read this book from cover to cover. We have looked at the citations and we're so impressed by Rebecca Fett's research in the US, Europe, Australia, and beyond. She talks about what root extracts could be contaminated in certain countries, what is a myth and what is truth. If there is controversial info out there, she gives you both sides. She talks to you about how to talk to your fertility specialists, doctors, spouse, etc about everything. My husband is going to wear boxers, which he hates, because of this book. We've switched from plastic to stainless steel and glass, we've gone from nonstick Teflon to Green Pan brand, and we've stopped having sodas. Everything we eat now is organic, frozen instead of canned if we can't get fresh, and all of our stainless steel straws have been brought with us. My husband and I don't care if you think that were crazy for doing this. What we do want is a healthy baby, if that's in God's plan. We are doing all that we can on our end to give ourselves our best shot. Is IVF expensive? Yes. Is adoption expensive? Yes. Are supplements expensive? Yes. Is switching our entire life around expensive? Yes. But you know what else is expensive? Having a baby with a brain disorder that needs hundreds of thousands of dollars of medical care. You know what else can be expensive, mentally, emotionally, and in cash? Not being able to have a baby, having a miscarriage, having several miscarriages, and the heartache that goes along with all of it. My husband and I are getting at least three months of supplements under our belts before we start trying, and let me tell you, God sent us this book, and Rebecca Fett. Also, do you know who emailed me about her new book when I said that Amazon was saying it wouldn't ship until February of 2025 when I preordered it? Rebecca Fett emailed me back when I told her about the problem. She was so sweet and kind. She really does want us all to have that baby, if we can. God bless her. If I could, I'd buy this for everyone that I know who is trying to get pregnant if they wouldn't be offended. Heck, I might still do it if they share their life with me and want some help.

Late 30s hopeful mom-to-be. Sometimes life doesn't work out the way you hoped...Ordered this book when AMH scores tested low. Not sure how that's going to work out after implementing instructions, but book mentioned some basic vitamins which are helpful. I was told in the past to take vitamin D by my gyno (prior to fertility journey) and did for a while but eventually forgot. Book reminded me of the importance of vitamin D generally but also in making quality eggs. I started taking vitamin D & B as well as other things she includes, and my life has turned around in ways I did not expect. I used to struggle with severe sadness in the week before period. I'm talking crying all day long for 2 days, feeling like I couldn't do basic things, and like I was generally unloved despite the very supportive and wonderful people in my life telling me otherwise. I had isolated myself from friends to an extent and thought maybe I needed to seek out medication for depression, since I had been on it before. Add to it the fact that the conception journey is BRUTAL when you struggle and all the intrusive thoughts about aging etc. that encumber you as you learn the reality of how much time you have. It's only been one month of taking the vitamins, and I haven't been able to get in to see my doctor to confirm, but I'm betting I had a deficiency, as many women do--especially those of us working in offices. I feel lighter and more energetic generally, and I did not have any of the same drastic feelings this month as menses approached. Even though I was sad when I the dreaded period came again, and I had some minor irritability on a home depot run, I didn't suffer the way I have months prior. This is life changing for me personally. Maybe it also feels like I am empowered to do something while I wait for fertility clinic referral, but I think it's more, something subtle and under the surface is just clicking better. I'm thankful to the writer and will update if I have success getting that AMH up a little.

This book was extremely helpful for me on my fertility journey. It was an easy read and had extremely useful information on changes that can be made in my daily life such as swapping nail polish and plastic to glass containers. I also enjoy that there are updated editions with current research and data. I was able to bring some of the medication suggestions to my doctor as well. I encourage all women going through a fertility battle to read this book!

Nice information

This book is the only book you need! It gives you clear descriptions of supplements and what they do and the research behind them. I am very impressed and feel like this will help me to carry a healthy pregnancy. I recently miscarried prior to getting this book and feel it was due to poor egg quality (I'm 38 and have very low AMH and borderline FSH). Granted both of these are more geared toward quantity and not quality and neither are completely accurate month by month so don't get too caught up in a numbers game. I realize that my eggs are limited and in order to get a good egg I need to build them up. The infertility doctors will not tell you about supplements you can take. They even brushed off my concern about a Vitamin D deficiency. The month before I got pregnant I started taking Vitamin D and another fertility supplement called Fertilify. It took me 4 years to get pregnant and I was told I would need IVF in order to conceive. I got pregnant on a cancelled cycle due to cysts. I used the clear blue digital ovulation test (I love that it is clear (smiley face) and you don't have to figure out if the line is darker etc). I did a lot of research before getting this book and I've read a lot of the other books and this is really the only one I needed. I will keep this updated if I get pregnant again and carry to term. I was devastated to miscarry after seeing a strong heartbeat at 6 weeks 3 days and then finding out 2 weeks later the baby stopped growing at 8 weeks. This book has given me hope that I can get pregnant again and get a good egg. I hope this review helped you in some way! Don't give up hope!

I knew that getting pregnant was not going to be easy for me, at 28 years old I had two large chocolate cysts on both of my ovaries that have been growing for 5 years, I had stage 3 endometriosis and my hormonal balance was in the worst possible condition, when I saw my doctor for the first time he was not very hopeful, at 28 years old he recomended we move straight to ivf as my ovaries are losing eggs everyday. I immediatly started looking for books and bought Dr.Rebeccas book and finished it in two days, I followed all the recommendations, and I even did some more, changed our sheets and shower curtain, changed our liquid detergent, bought an air purifier and did acupuncture, I followed a gluten free, no dairy from cows and no packaged food diet, I cut out all types of inflammatory oils and looked at the ingredients of everything. I started the supplemnts and health journey in May and my eggs were collected in August, I had 2 eggs, I was a bit disappointed but what really made me happy is that they were high quality eggs, our cycle was pushed multiple times due to Covid closures and on October we did the transfer, that gave my body almost 6 months of trying to get back on track, keep in mind my husband did not have any issues and we did not require Artificial insementation, and finally, two weeks after our transfer by the grace of god, I was pregnant, on my first appointment we discovered it is twins. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, honestly, it made a huge impact on our ivf journey, I know It makes you feel paranoid but knowing that you did everything you could have possibly done even if you did not get pregnant is a lot better than blaming yourself later for not following the recomendations or asking yourself what If I did this or that, and at last, you only need one good high quality egg and a lot of hope and faith in god that it will happen. I countinued to follow most of Dr. rebeccas advice after we got pregnant and I even bought her brain health book and followed on her advice with my babies.

I know at times, IVF can feel like a process where you have zero control, and like you can’t change anything or like your body is failing you. I felt like I was along for the ride and not getting much feedback from doctors as to what I could do to improve my chances at healthy embryos and successful pregnancy. I started this process after having had children in my early 20’s during my first marriage, and now trying again with tubes tied, fibroids, and I’m 41. I started IVF at 39, however. I had a retrieval that started with 9 follicles, normal estrogen and FSH, low AMH of 0.68. I had only 3 mature eggs and 1 day 5 embryo for testing, came back abnormal. Then I read this book. I did most of the supplements and a lot of the diet and lifestyle changes. I had testing done 6 months later and I have 9 follicles (which is great being that I was 40 and turned 41 and it hasn’t gone down at all), better FSH and estrogen labs, and my AMH almost doubled at 1.18. I will update my review once I do retrieval. I also incorporated acupuncture. I really feel like every woman with fertility issues or going through IVF should read this book. And don’t be afraid to take DHEA! It sounded like a lot but I had zero bad side effects and I swear it has helped my AMH! I also FEEL a lot better in general, and much more prepared for IVF. I used the brands recommended, Pure Encapsulations for DHEA, Jarrows Ubiquinol CoQ10. The labs for AMH, FSH, Estrogen were after just 3 months of supplements and changes made from the book, and the follicle count stated the same from one cycle to the next of stims, separated by 6 months, which for my age would normally lead to an egg number decline.

This book is so useful!! When you discover you have infertility complications, if you're anything like me, you go on a Google rampage looking up anything and everything that's supposed to help. Unfortunately it's very hard to weed out the rumours and old wives tales from the proven aids and so I found myself rattling like a maraca having taken up about 15 different vitamins/supplements. After my second unsuccessful IVF I was recommended this book by my acupuncturist and I wish I'd had it sooner. It's based on thorough academic research and gives clear, simple outlines of the various supplements etc which will make a difference - both positive and negative (I was horrified to learn some of the things natural food shops had suggested for me might actually be making things worse). It also provides ideas for lifestyle adjustments, such as switching household products which can be affecting your fertility, and diet recommendations (though you'd probably want a separate book for that, there are plenty available with recipe ideas for fertility-friendly meals). I'd only been making changes for about a month or 6wks when I fell pregnant naturally - I don't for a minute think this is entirely down to the book, I'm sure my recent IVF cycle and a big massive dollop of luck helped considerably, but I do believe this made a difference and I'm trying to continue with some of her suggestions throughout the pregnancy. Plus it made me feel I was doing something pro-active to help things along by trying some of the lifestyle changes like swapping toiletry brands etc. Overall, an easy read which has many valuable ideas.

Great book

This book answered many questions and set us up for success with a fertility journey

A must read if you’re trying to conceive!

不妊治療中でYouTubeで著者のインタビューを見て、そこに書かれていたコメントを読んで即この本を購入しました。 どんなビタミンをどれだけ摂るべきか、検査結果でどの数値を注視するべきか等、あまりネット上にはない情報が多く大変参考になりました。 著者の主張はこうです。 妊娠できるかどうかは卵子の質にかかっていて、それは正しいサプリメントを取ることによって向上させることができる。「卵子の質は年齢で決まってしまうので、卵子の質を向上させることは出来ない」というのは誤り。 そのほか勉強になったのは、 卵子には精子のdnaの損傷を修正する力があるが、これは若い女性の質の良い卵子にしかできない。だから、精子の質を上げる必要がある。 受精は以外と起こっている。着床を持続させることの方が難しい。 著者は研究者ですが、医者ではなく不妊治療の専門家でもありません。自身の不妊治療のため医学書などを読み撤退的にリサーチして完成された本なので、患者目線で知りたいこと、知っておくべきことが書かれています。