Inconceivable Notion, An

Our media is full of parenting success stories: pregnancy through IVF, becoming first-time parents after age 40, overcoming mental or physical barriers to successfully conceive or even using surrogacy. But what of those many people whose stories are not so successful?

Failure of fertility treatment, underlying medical conditions, not meeting a partner until too late, or not meeting the right partner at all, are just a few of the countless reasons why someone’s desire to be a parent may never be fulfilled. An Inconceivable Notion is a collection of stories from women and men who have been unable to conceive, either from physical reasons or through other circumstance.

The contributors, from throughout Australia, discuss the issues that they faced, and how their childlessness has affected their lives and their relationships, past and present. In frank and honest accounts of their thoughts and emotions the women and men interviewed highlight important and rarely discussed issues in society today.

 This is a reflective, thoughtful and overall positive book.