Teen Pregnancy Is Out, 40+ Births Are In / Denied IVF — After Three Miscarriages / Mid-Cycle Bloat Is No Joke 😵‍💫

Hi friend!

If you grew up hearing that teen pregnancy was the biggest health risk of your generation… you’re not alone. But new data just flipped the script: for the first time in U.S. history, more babies are being born to women over 40 than to teens.

This isn’t about “waiting too long” — it’s about rewriting the rules. People are taking control of their timelines, thanks to better science, changing priorities, and a cultural shift that’s long overdue.

Whether you’re planning for kids, postponing, or not sure what your future holds, there’s no one-size-fits-all path. And we’re here to explore all the winding, wonderful ways people are navigating it.

🍼 Peek the stats and what this shift means for reproductive health.

Ovulation: bloating, breakouts, and being so over it

If you feel puffy, moody, or just off mid-cycle — it’s not in your head. Ovulation isn’t just about fertile windows and LH surges. For many, it comes with a whole vibe shift: bloating, breakouts, tender boobs, and next-level irritability.

Why? Hormones like estrogen and LH spike around ovulation, which can cause water retention, digestive changes, and oilier skin. Add in a side of mood swings, and yeah… it’s a lot.

We break down what’s happening in your body — and how to feel better when the bloat hits.

➡️ Ovulation bloating, explained

Ever had a “phantom period”? Yeah, it’s a thing.

Cramping, mood swings, spotting, the full PMS package — but no actual period? That could be a phantom period, and yes, it’s a real thing.

Phantom periods can happen for a bunch of reasons, like hormonal birth control, perimenopause, stress, or just your cycle being… weird. It’s basically your body acting like a period is coming, even when it’s not.

We looked at what causes these ghost periods — and when they’re worth checking out.

➡️ What a phantom period is — and why it happens

“I’m sorry, sweetheart, but three miscarriages aren’t enough.”

That’s what Meela Imperato was told after her insurance denied coverage for IVF — not once, but three times. Despite having experienced multiple losses, a diagnosis of unexplained infertility, and backing from one of the top fertility clinics in NYC, Meela was told she hadn’t “suffered enough” to qualify.

Every appeal from her doctors was denied. The turning point came during a desperate call to her insurance company, where a representative with a kind voice confirmed the harsh truth: the system demanded more loss to approve care.

Ultimately, Meela and her husband paid out of pocket for IVF — a privilege not everyone can afford. That decision led to their son, Ari. But Meela’s story is a powerful reminder: insurance policies shouldn’t dictate who gets to grow their family.

💔 Why IVF coverage gets denied — and how we fight back

Must-reads, must-sees, and must-listens for your health & wellness journey:

• What types of exercise should you do when trying to conceive?

• Where American girl dolls got their first period 👯

• If going to space for 3 minutes makes you an astronaut, then I’m a gynecologist 💀

• Thigh gaps & hip dips: Babe, these are all made up!

• This woman has had her period for 1,000 days 👀

• Study finds walking ‘nearly halves’ recurrence of low back pain

• Perimenopause under 40 & SSRIs during pregnancy on the pod 🎧

Lastly, being pregnant while Black in America shouldn’t mean facing higher risks — but it does. It’s Black Maternal Health Week, and this powerful piece is a must-read reminder that birth equity isn’t a luxury, it’s a life-saving necessity.

xo,
The Rescripted Team