Celebrating World Infertility Awareness Month with Stephanie Boag

During World Infertility Awareness Month in June, author Stephanie Boag talks about her books, inspired by her family’s IVF journey.

Stephanie has published a children’s book and a non-fiction account of her journey towards motherhood, which included 10 cycles of IVF.

What inspired you to write the books?

I was inspired to write the sticky pineapple series which are available on my website: www.stickypineapple.com to help give a voice to infertility and help others speak to their children, family, friends and colleagues about their own experiences and make it OK to talk about.

I was inspired to write the children’s book to help other parents explain to their own children in a beautifully illustrated, creative, imaginary way how they were born via IVF. It is based on a real authentic conversation with my then 5-year-old Alice at bedtime when she asked, “Mummy how did I come into this world? Did I come out of your tummy?”

I was inspired to write the adults book Sticky Pineapple and A Powerful Mind: Waiting For A Heartbeat which is also available on my website: www.stickypineapple.com to help give a voice to infertility. I wanted to share my own infertility journey including undertaking 10 cycles of IVF over many years, before eventually having our two precious little girls. I want to help other men and women navigating their own infertility and IVF journey given they may be struggling with their own feelings of grief, shame, isolation, loss, anxiety, depression, hope and disappointment.

What were some of the challenges of your IVF journey?

The emotional and physical demands on your mind and body and the feelings of guilt, shame, isolation, trauma and grief are real when you have so many miscarriages or failed egg or embryo transfers. You really have to be resilient and remain as positive and mentally strong as you can be to maintain the belief and the hope that eventually you will hold your own healthy precious baby in your arms which after many losses we were lucky enough to do.

How would you like your books to help others?

Over 40 million people globally suffer from infertility and 1 in 6 Australian couples are navigating IVF. I hope my books inspire them and help them navigate their own infertility journeys and also encourages them to get help and support along the way and give a voice to infertility.

What has the feedback been so far?

People love the illustrations and the themes in the children’s book and it has helped them have similar conversations with their own children.

People love the adults book and are grateful to me for my vulnerability and openness to share my own challenging infertility journey to help inspire and support and give hope to millions of others navigating the same path.

Where can people find the books?

The books are available globally through thousands of online retailers including Amazon, Booktopia, Barnes and Noble, Readings, Waterstones etc.

Is there anything else you’d like to mention?

The references to pineapple hold a special meaning in the books. While not scientifically proven there is a theory that pineapple (especially the core) contains something called bromelain. Bromelain is an enzyme that helps break down and digest our food. It is known to have both anticoagulant (blood-thinning) and anti-inflammatory properties. There is a theory that these properties might help with embryo implantation

The pineapple is also known as being a symbol for infertility. It is about all that one goes through after the diagnosis of infertility including feelings of guilt and not being “enough.” The shape of the pineapple reminds women to stand tall and as if wearing a crown to counter the negative feelings that can affect mind and body.

In a New York Times article it describes the pineapple as now a “powerful symbol for women struggling with fertility.”

It is also World Awareness Infertility Month in June and International Pineapple Day on 27 June so I would love people to buy my books, share my website with their networks and write a review on my website and Amazon to help millions of others suffering infertility to have resources to help their own journeys.