The Infertile Midwife: In Search of Motherhood - A Memoir

’A vital, heartfelt read for anyone navigating the rough seas of infertility and pregnancy loss’ - Leah Hazard, author of Hard Pushed

An insightful, moving memoir, capturing life working as a midwife in a busy NHS hospital at the same time as dealing with experiences of infertility, IVF and loss. As a young married couple, Sophie Martin and her husband spent years trying to conceive. They went through several rounds of IVF, at great expense, and even travelled overseas for treatment, never quite knowing whether they would one day have a family. Alongside this, Sophie was working hard at a job she loved: looking after expectant mothers and newborn babies as a midwife in a busy hospital, where the patients’ daily new additions were a constant reminder of Sophie’s own setbacks in pursuit of motherhood. The Infertile Midwife is a deeply personal, moving account of chasing something that you want so desperately. It also offers a much-needed look at how society treats infertility - from the language we use to the small talk we make - and the ways in which we can all do more to make things better for hopeful parents. With great warmth and honesty, Sophie shares her experiences of the bursts of hope and moments of great loss, but also the humour, love and joy that can be found in even the darkest places.

Sophie Martin (@the.infertile.midwife) is a registered midwife and worked in a London hospital for ten years before moving to a hospital in Essex. Sophie’s wider experience of infertility and baby loss informs her practice, and has led to her being approached by organisations such as Emma’s Diary and My Surrogacy Journey to provide a professional overview. Every October, Sophie curates and delivers a series of online talks and interviews to coincide with Baby Loss Awareness Week, during which she’s been in conversation with guests such as Elizabeth Day and Izzy Judd. Sophie lives in Essex with her husband and young son.