Books
Sticky Pineapple and the Little Precious Gems
How I Came Into This World
This is a children’s book explaining in an engaging, creative and imaginary way how two little girls came into the world through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). The book was inspired by a conversation between a five-year-old girl and her mum at bedtime when the former asked, “Mummy, how did I come into this world? Did I come out of your tummy?”
Sticky Pineapple and a Powerful Mind
Waiting for a Heartbeat
The infertility struggles that people experience are real and often not spoken about.
Everyone’s journey through infertility is unique and personal, yet the feelings of isolation, loneliness, grief, and silent suffering are shared among millions of men and women around the world in their quest to have a healthy baby and start a family of their very own.
I was inspired to write this book, which provides deep personal insights into my own journey in the hope that it helps give infertility a voice and provides support to other people experiencing their own challenging infertility journey, particularly via in vitro fertilisation.
Selected Excerpts
Miscarriages
“Well, the good news is that there is a heartbeat,” she said. “The not-so-good news is that it is not growing as it should so I want to see you in another week’s time to see what’s happening.”
My stomach dropped. A wave of disappointment came over me. Hopeful that there was still a heartbeat I called my husband to explain the news. A week later, we had to face our fears as the ultrasound showed no heartbeat. He was beside me for this appointment. This would be the first of many miscarriages I would experience over the next three years.”
The Quest Continues
“I got the confirmation I finally needed. I had one baby that was still alive but there was no sign of the second heartbeat. The blood loss they put down to my body potentially passing the other baby, who had already died. The look on the registrar and the doctor’s face was grave. So, I had officially had a miscarriage somewhere between eight and ten weeks, but I had another baby who was still growing. With feelings that were bittersweet, we drove home mostly in silence as the emotional roller coaster and mix of grief and joy and the inevitable toll it was all taking on us in our quest to have a family continued.”
