Infertility Doesn't Care About Ethnicity - by Sheila Lamb & Yemi Adegbile (Paperback)

About the Book

As well as stories to read, the book includes a number of relevant illustrations, expressing, visually, the empathy, hope and validation needed when women and couples are from ethnic communities as finding it a struggle to get pregnant.

Book Synopsis

Are you finding it challenging to become a mother when other women seem to achieve this quickly and easily? Was it a shock for you? Are these emotions familiar - anger, sadness, shame, envy, grief, anxiety, depression, and loneliness?

When you are a Black, Asian, Indian or other ethnic woman, your immediate thought is that it must only be you because no-one else is talking about infertility or miscarriage. Or if they are, there's a lot of shaming and blaming going on.

Please know that you are not alone and that it's not your fault.

Finding other women who are like you and who know how you are feeling may have seemed impossible, until now. In Infertility Doesn't Care About Ethnicity, you'll find invaluable support - because dealing with infertility, fertility treatment, miscarriage, stillbirth, donor conception, surrogacy or living childfree after infertility, is anything but easy. All of these are taboo subjects in many cultures around the world, which leaves women feeling very isolated and lonely.

Infertility Doesn't Care About Ethnicity is not a book that cures infertility, nor gives medical advice or guarantees that IVF will work. All the women involved in this book share the emotional realities of their personal struggle. Most of them aren't writers - their stories are in their own words with phrasing authentic to their culture, which will be recognizable if you're from that community. Situations they share haven't been embellished to shock you - they happened. They understand like no-one else does, what you are going through, and they know that reading their words will bring you comfort, validation and possibly hope; that however your future turns out, you too will be okay.

Their stories reveal:

- that IVF is not one-hundred per cent successful

- that after a woman has a miscarriage there are no guarantees that she'll get pregnant the next time and give birth to her baby

- that when her baby is stillborn, she won't ever 'get over it'

- that she is a mother regardless as to how her child was conceived, and

- that being childfree after infertility takes immense strength and courage.

All of us hope that this book helps to open the narrative for all ethnic women around the globe, and that it will be a survival guide for women who are finding it a challenge to conceive. We also want it to be an excellent resource to people who haven't experienced this struggle, especially your family and friends, healthcare professionals; doctors, nurses, midwives, sonographers, embryologists and receptionists, as well as those practicing alternative therapies, counsellors, coaches and therapists. Religious and community leaders can also offer much better support for these very valuable members of their organizations by understanding the trauma and devastation experienced when getting pregnant isn't easy.

The eBook version will always be free, download your copy from www.mfsbooks.com/infertility-doesnt-care

A small donation from the sale of each paperback book will be made to select charities that specifically assist Black, Asian, Indian and other ethnic woman who are finding it a challenge to conceive.

Review Quotes

"A great book to read and share! Beautiful reflections about so many different journeys through infertility and loss. The authors have written encouraging and empowering love letters and given measured and sensible advice for communicating with others who don't understand the infertility experience." Camille TC Hammond MD MPH, CEO Tinina Q Cade Foundation, CadeFoundation.org

"This collection of real stories from a diverse group of people helps to raise more awareness about the struggles so many face from chronic illness, to multiple losses, and making difficult decisions. Definitely worth a read and you can connect with the contributors on social media to learn more." Nadine Lewis @nadinendoivf

"A wonderful book which has been so thoughtfully put together with some raw, and heartbreakingly honest experiences in infertility, IVF and baby loss from women of all backgrounds. I have no doubt this book will go on to help many women and families across the globe." Kajal @aurelias_wish

"This is great! I wish I had a book like this when I was I was undergoing infertility and IVF. It's heartwarming to read the experiences of others and I would recommend this book to anyone that needs support, guidance, reassurance and hope." Manjeet @fitspiration-fitter