Making babies in the 21st century
by Nicole Mikajewski
Around
15 per cent of couples in western countries are infertile. Of these,
thousands try in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) and other reproduction
technologies every year. Only a third are successful.
UniSA graduate and international journalist, Theresa Miller’s new book Making Babies is a collection of the stories of single parents, married and same-sex couples who have been touched by IVF, written from a very personal perspective.
"IVF is not a silver bullet for everyone, but it sure makes you appreciate babies when you see what some people go through to get them," Miller said.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) in 1986, Miller enjoyed a six-year stint in Europe at TV-AM, BSkyB, European Business Channel and Swiss Radio and Television International.
She moved to Sydney in 1993, worked as a reporter for Channels 7 and 9, SBS and the ABC, and as a media adviser and trainer to various other corporations and personalities.
Married at 29, Miller and her partner wanted children immediately. But, after five years, she remained childless.
"I
went to a party and met a woman who just had twins through IVF. I
told her my story and she said, ‘For God’s sake woman, you’ve no
time to lose. Get down to the baby factory and get on the program.’
And I did," Miller said.
After one cycle of hormone injections, Miller became one of a small percentage of women who fall pregnant through IVF on their first round.
Three years after giving birth she fell pregnant again – this time without IVF.
"I thought ‘You’re getting a bit old now, just be grateful for one baby. You don’t want to try IVF again.’ Then I got pregnant without even trying," Miller said.
"After the ordeal I really wanted to write a book about people’s experiences with IVF. When I was considering it, the only books I could find were the technical manuals and one very depressing personal story," Miller said.
"I put an advertisement on a website and I was just inundated with emails saying ‘pick me, pick me, I have got a story to tell’. This made me realise that this was a book that needed to be written."
Now 42 with two children, Miller hopes Making Babies will be useful to those considering IVF.
"There are many different reasons why people try IVF. Hopefully this book represents a cross-section of those and will inspire and inform people considering it," she said.