Special Me: For IVF Families by Tara Mitchell

Alright, let’s dive into this book called Special Me for IVF Family by Tara Mitchell and illustrated by Joy Holt. It’s written by a Queensland mom from Australia, who interestingly enough, lives not too far from my parents. Now, this book is all about IVF.

Personally, I didn’t have to go through IVF with my own kids, so I haven’t really explored these kinds of books. I haven’t even thought about reading them to my children because it’s not something that applies to our situation. However, I do have some books that touch on the idea that babies can be made in different ways. But I have to say, after taking a look at this book, I actually quite like it.

First off, the illustrations are absolutely beautiful. The story itself is a lovely little tale about how every baby is special. It talks about the fact that for some moms and dads, having a child is a dream. Sometimes, pregnancy happens naturally, while other times, it takes a while to conceive. And then there are cases where IVF becomes necessary, which can be emotionally and financially challenging. The book shows the couple thinking and pondering, with a rainbow and sand imagery, symbolizing hope.

It also touches on the topic of injections and medications. You may have seen those heartwarming photos on social media of babies surrounded by the number of needles it took to bring them into this world. IVF involves a lot of injections, medicines, and waiting in doctor’s offices. But the book emphasizes that even though it’s a medical procedure, it’s still a very special and meaningful journey.

The story continues by mentioning the need for a special egg, and it includes medical imagery. The artwork in this book truly is stunning. It shows how doctors handle the eggs with love and respect.

Moving forward, the book talks about more treatments, more eggs, and even involves Daddy adding his love to the process. Now, I used to work in a setting that dealt with sperm donation, and let me tell you, there may not have been much love involved in that particular aspect. There might have been a few porn magazines lying around, if you catch my drift. But let’s move on.

The book also addresses the emotional side of IVF, the waiting, the stress, and the loneliness that can come with it. It acknowledges that IVF is a mix of medicine and health, and that it doesn’t always guarantee happiness. However, it shows the couple holding hands, along with a medical professional, indicating the support they receive throughout the process.

But you know what? Sometimes, IVF does work. It’s about love, perseverance, and never giving up. The book illustrates this with two hands on a growing tummy. It also acknowledges that it may take multiple attempts, and that it can be a sad and costly journey. But that doesn’t stop them from trying and persisting. It’s like a little ant pulling something out of the water, against all odds. And then, it happens—an embryo is formed. It’s important to use this kind of terminology because kids are smart, and they can understand these things. IVF is quite common nowadays.

The story progresses with the baby growing and eventually being born on one of mom’s happiest days. It emphasizes that IVF babies are incredibly special and deeply wanted. And that’s how the story ends, with a beautiful family and some other kids.

So, if you have an IVF child, I think this book is a wonderful way to introduce the idea that their conception needed a little extra help. As kids grow older, they naturally start asking questions like, How was I made? or Where did I come from? This book can be a great tool to have those conversations. It’s important for kids to know and understand their own unique story. So, I hope this review helps. Cheers!