The Baby Dream – Learning to Live with Infertility and Loss is my heartfelt account of my experiences with infertility and IVF. This autobiography highlights my determination to firmly hold onto the dream of having a baby.
It shows how my dream was shaped by society’s conditioning, challenged upon meeting my husband, shaken through many rounds of IVF, realised through pregnancy, and changed through complications I experienced while pregnant.
Join me on this inspirational journey as I travel courageously through pain, grief and joy, and experience situations that will change me forever. Be uplifted by my messages of hope as I discover what else is possible.
Meaning behind my book and what you can hope to gain from reading it.
My book was released in May 2021 by Animal Dreaming Publishing. This autobiographical book started through my need to write about how I was feeling, as a way to process my grief and loss experiences.
Personally, I find writing cathartic in helping me with my healing process. Initially, I did not plan for it to be a book to be shared with you all.
The Baby Dream was formed through my diary-like entries made over a period of many years. Starting when I first came to discover that I would not be able to have a natural pregnancy. Continuing as I considered IVF and embarked on many rounds of IVF treatment. Culminating in my experiences with loss and grief and how to move forward as a childless woman still holding a baby dream.
Why I wrote this book and what I hope it can support you with.
I decided to self-publish this book many years after my multiple losses and well into my grief healing. Hoping it could be a valuable resource for others experiencing similar journeys to mine.
I understand that everyone’s journey through grief and loss is different, as is everyone’s infertility experience. However, I did not want you to feel alone on your journey, as I had, feeling like no-one else understood.
In writing this book I wanted to open up a conversation about taboo topics that many in society shy away from. In order that your experiences could be validated and normalised, that you may feel supported hearing some of your story reflected in another woman’s words.
Hoping that you may also gain some additional tools to help you on your healing journey or that others may become more empathic and understanding to your pain.
Where you can get a copy of my book.
You can find copies of The Baby Dream – Learning to Live with Infertility and Loss for sale on my website: narelleudson.org. If you are local to Brisbane you may find copies at your local bookshop, or ask your bookshop anywhere in Australia to order you in a copy in, if not already in stock.
If you live anywhere else in the world other than Australia you can find your copy through all of the online platforms where you buy your books: Amazon, Book Depository, Booktopia etc.
More about the author and what I do.
As well as being an author, I am also a professional counsellor, who works in private practice supporting people through telehealth all over Australia. I specialise in supporting people with grief and loss.
I am also a teacher and a natural healing therapist, who works with mind, body and soul through modalities such as Reiki, Crystal healing and massage. I attend public speaking events to share more about the work I do and my book.
Grief and Loss due to infertility, childlessness and/or pregnancy loss
Infertility and pregnancy loss can be very difficult things to talk about in our pronatalist society where we are pro birth. The grief we experience is very real but often not recognised by society, which can cause our grief to become disenfranchised.
With as many as 1 in 4 pregnancies resulting in loss I believe it is very important that we acknowledge this loss, so we do not have to feel isolated or alone in our healing!
Support during infertility and loss.
If you or someone you know has experienced or is experiencing infertility and or pregnancy or infant loss please reach out for support.
It is important that we process our grief and loss in healthy ways and this can be done through speaking to a counsellor or psychologist who specialises in grief and loss and/or has lived experience. You may also feel comfortable gaining support through online support groups, books, family or friends.
Remember you are not alone and help is always available!