Main description:

Often described as one of the most painful and challenging of human experiences, infertility has been a concern for many people across cultures and time. Exploring infertility through the lens of language, this book examines the ways this issue has been talked about and described throughout history, and the role these discourses have played in shaping attitudes and beliefs.

Considering how fertility has been discussed across time and space, Karen Stollznow draws upon numerous examples from ancient Egypt to the modern day to investigate how language has contributed to the formation of harmful cultural perceptions and expectations. Discussing the alienating nature of medical terminology and discourses in popular culture, the book explores how patients have formed their own rich vocabulary to help support and empower themselves and others. Arguing for a new 'language of infertility' which reflects actual lived experiences, this book provides an overview of the ever-evolving discourses surrounding this issue.

Contents:

Introduction: Why Don't You Have Kids Yet?
1. Be Fruitful and Multiply: Infertility Across History
2. The Most Natural Thing in the World: Infertility in Modern Society and Folklore
3. Test Tube Babies: Infertility in Modern Medicine
4. Maybe Baby: Infertility in Popular Culture
5. Angel Babies to Rainbow Babies: Infertility Culture Online
Conclusion: Conceiving of Infertility