(46) Breeding in Captivity

Title: Breeding in Captivity: One Woman's Unusual Path to Motherhood by Stacy Bolt
Publisher: Skirt
180 pages
Genre: Autobiography/memoir

Synopsis: Breeding in Captivity takes us on Stacy Bolt’s journey to have a child at "advanced maternal age," first with the help of a Really Expensive fertility specialist, and then ultimately through a local adoption agency.

Review: I feel I should start off by saying I am one of those annoying women who you just look at and I seem to get pregnant.  Although my GYN told me I may have trouble conceiving due to some complications I had as a teenager, they were wrong, very very wrong.  So although I can not first hand understand all the feelings, emotions and gut wrenching moments that Stacy went through during her journey to parenthood I can empathize with her since I spend my days helping women like her to adopt.

This book has to be one of the most funny yet honest looks at a woman's journey to parenthood.  I have had friends go through these different steps and I have witnessed it first hand in my work and its hard. Stacy has a way of telling her tale with a light touch and a wit that will keep you laughing and smiling but you can also feel the pain, the desperation and finally the relief when her journey finally ends with her adopting.

Her journey through the adoption process is spot on.  The hoops she jumps through the feelings of euphoria and then the disappointment of a failed adoption. The anger that she has to fill out 120 questions and have someone "judge" her when women on meth and crack are having babies all the time with no issues.  This book is honest and spot on while also being light hearted. This is a great book for those experiencing the pain of fertility struggles to know you are not alone and for those entering into adoption to read first hand some of the ups and downs that go along with that process as well.  All paths to parenthood are a roller coaster, but each is a little different.

Comments