The Underachieving Ovary: A Hilarious and Heartbreaking Infertility Memoir about Love, Life, and Lazy Ovaries Kindle Edition

This is JT Lawrence’s candid memoir dealing with her infertility journey. Ovary is written as a journal and you take every detailed step with Lawrence. This is one that will not be for everyone as she is very direct with her feelings that involve foul language which are raw, gritty, and also at times funny. Through her writing, Lawrence made me feel like I personally know her as I went down this difficult and frustrating path she went through to try to become a Mommy. I had no idea there were so many letters in the alphabet and acronyms for infertility...This made me understand more of what some of my friends have gone through in their journeys to become parents. You definitely feel the wide range of emotions Lawrence goes through and you are pulling for her to get her wish of becoming a mommy despite all the hurdles that continually pop up.I had previously purchased the kindle edition, but I was also sent the audible version from the author to listen to. It is narrated by Jennifer Swanepoel who did a brilliant job. She put all the frankness and emotion that Lawrence wrote into her narration.Infertility is a difficult issue and if you are going to write about it, then this is a way to do it. Please note that this is not a faith based journey. For those who have not experienced infertility: READ THIS BOOK! You will actually learn about infertility and gain some insight as you read.Ovary should also make you think twice before you ask a couple if they are going to have children: it is no one else’s business other than the couple. You never know what they are going through whether it is infertility or other issues.Bravo JT Lawrence on a memoir that we all need to read.The Underachieving Ovary is highly recommended.

If scifi and magic are too woo-woo for you, there’s some non-fiction in Lawrence’s broad oeuvre as well: chronicling her struggles with fertility problems, her hilarious memoir The Under-Achieving Ovary takes her from medical experts to witch doctors and beyond, in her quest to become a mother. With a generous dose of humour, this book is a sucker punch to the uterus and as raw and honest a memoir as they come. "Instead he recommended I douche with bicarb. I was, like, do what with what-what? I have never douched in my life. I thought douching had gone the way of trepanning and toothbrush moustaches. I thought the last people to douche were promiscuous French women in the 1800s. I thought only people with a severe form of OCD would even consider douching nowadays. I may have been living a very sheltered life, now that I think of all the period-sex and douching I could have been doing these last 31 years. This infertility business is crap, but at least I am learning things." But, seriously, I thought he was kidding. It sounded like an old wives tale that I have absolutely no interest in trying. He said the alkalinity of the bicarb should neutralise the acidity of the CM, creating a less hazardous playground for the swimmers. Those poor guys. I know I can’t subject them to another genocide. I don’t want to be the fertility version of Idi Amin. It looks like I have no choice but to try it. – The Under Achieving OvaryThat honesty is something that sets Lawrence apart. Her obvious love of words and dedication to fitting the right ones together, coupled with her keen observation of human character, is a refreshing change from the over-workshopped and self-indulgent drivel being churned out by creative writing courses in New York that have saturated the market in the past five years. It’s yet another reason to read outside of the tired US/UK market, and pick up a local author. Especially now that South African authors are gaining more recognition in local stores.

Having lost two babies myself this book was especially interesting and illuminating. I wish it had been written 40 years ago. It proves that the best thing in the world can happen even when you think it could not. I ended up with two healthy babies and now have 5 grandchildren from them. My heart goes out to the families that are struggling. I hope they have success in their process.

WOW, while reading this one, I learned so much, and I have to say, every woman, especially Janita, who has gone through this has become my hero.This is an alarmingly frank and incredibly funny memoir of JT Lawrence as they go through the process of trying to get pregnant.It had me in stitches and gasping for air, laughing at how frank she was about some of the things that she was going through, while at other times I was grabbing for tissues and chocolates, to help heal my breaking heart.She has a way of pulling you in, making you as invested in her getting pregnant as she was. I was rooting for them to succeed.This is definitely going at the top of my list for favourite reads this year.

*possible spoiler alert*A rainy evening curled up on the couch, a hot cup of coffee (well actually 3 cups in total), and me sucked into the world of the underachieving ovary navigating the terminology and jargon which include, TTCers trying to establish texture of the CM!There's the "devil womb" and relationship anecdotes with the BFG and Crackers Counsellor... oh, and the fab Dr G!The "turkey baster" moments! The "stimming" procedure... and intermittent laughter ringing through the quiet house...rivalled only by the raindrops on the awning.Angry VJJs and the up-and-down emotions between BFN and BFP."Punani grotto" OMG! ROTFLThe endearment of "Breakfast Burrito" (there's also Stink Fruit/sproglet/ cantaloupe and sea monkey) as things fall into place...and finally the triumphant Tag Team!Thank you for sharing this journey with your readers.I'm looking forward to your next non-fiction book.

As someone who has gone through IVF, although not as a result of endometriosis, I was interested to read this book and see the whole experience from another persons point of view. This book gives a brilliantly honest description of the process and the affect it has on your whole life. It was interesting to see her experiencing the same issues as me, and having the same thoughts, all whilst having to deal with well meaning friends and relatives saying completely the wrong things! Infertility/IVF can be a lonely place and this book reminds you that you are not on your own. The book is a mixture of sadness, humour and joy, and I would recommend it to anyone who is experiencing fertility problems, or who has a friend or relative going through the process.

Faced with a disgnosis of infertility, author JT Lawrence honestly documents her journey in a raw, entertaining and oftentimes witty manner.In tribute, I present a list of all the reasons why I give this read a solid five stars:1. She doesn't hold back: this is not only a front seat ticket but also an all access pass to the trails, emotions and, um, often messy process of dealing with infertility2. Her wit and humour will have you laughing at even the most unfortunate of processes.3. You'll learn all there is to know about TTC (trying to concieve) from the acronyms (POAS anyone?) To the monstersperm and more.4. I don't suffer from infertility, please don't hate me for being a fertile Myrtle, even so, a lot of the frustrations explored are universal; grief, loss, struggle, mental health and isolation.5. You learn great lessons such as -Be wary of murky water in fertility caves and always carry cashThe underachieving ovary is a book for any and everyone: going through infertility, supporting someone who does, or just looking for a fantastic read.

Gosh, I really loved this one. To be honest I didn't know what to expect; the title helped the book stand out but there's no way I could have prepared myself for what was to come. This book took me on a wonderful emotional roller coaster. At first, I just giggled. I could relate to many of the hormonal ups and downs she described and her experiences of chronic pain. As the book progressed, I felt totally immersed in her story - not wanting to eat so that I didn't have to put the book down! This is also a rare find that has health issues and humour combined; having read a lot of biographies, there are few that master both humour, vulnerability and inspiration. An absolute must read for anyone experiencing problems with fertility.

Funny and relatable! Great read.

Janita does it again!A painful book to read, in many ways. You are literally drawn in to the world of a woman's experience of infertility and all that that entails. Eleven letters making a word that by itself, cannot even BEGIN to describe what it truly means. The levels of despair, the torturous inner journey, the impact on a relationship, the absolute emotional roller coaster that it is...With warmth, humour.... LOTS of humour... Janita immerses you in the world of IVF and the long, convoluted, often painful and never certain path towards motherhood. As a male reader, I have come away from reading this with a MASSIVE amount of renewed respect and in awe of the whole process of creating life. It's a book that every male should read. A truly inspiring and deeply emotional tour of the female physche... Thank you Janita ... and serious big admiration for all women and their partners, who are going through this experience!