This a moving and brutally honest first-hand account of a woman’s entry into the Silent Sorority of infertility.
Pamela writes in a captivating way, covering the difficult topics of assisted reproduction, relationship stress, miscarriage, and adoption. I loved the way she includes practical information about the processes of IVF and adoption. She includes other women’s stories around adoption, highlighting that adoption is neither a replacement nor a panacea for having your own kids.
Pamela also elucidates society’s role in the shame that women feel when they can’t have kids – from the many pregnancies around her, to language use in the undermining of the pain and loss that one feels at having no choice in one’s reproduction.
All in all, I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to know more about what’s involved in the process of IVF, from a practical perspective, emotionally, with regard to relationships, and anything else you may have liked to know.
The author is incredibly honest about such intimate details, and it helps to have someone talk about their journey, especially with her appropriate sense of humour (I especially liked the part where she addresses the question “Have you ever considered adoption?” with the answer “there’s nothing wrong with our brains, for Pete’s sake, it’s our reproductive organs that are messed up.”). This book is like having an honest, funny, tearful conversation with a good friend who has been there.
Overall Rating: 4/5
Related posts:
