60 Mins Australia: The Baroness of Barrenness

Last year I filmed an interview for Misunderstandings of Miscarriage, an Australian documentary that explores the physical, emotional and psychological impacts of miscarriage, and aims to open up a conversation to normalise pregnancy loss.

In the run-up to the film’s premiere at the start of Baby Loss Awareness Month, 60 Mins Australia broadcast a feature about pregnancy loss entitled Angel Babies - which I was honoured to take part in.

The full episode is only available to view in Australia, but the network put my bit up on social media (which at least meant I could check if I’d said anything completely idiotic!)

I was relieved to find out that (apart from learning that you need to put WAY more powder on for telly makeup than I thought, hence the mega shiny face) I didn’t disgrace myself on national TV - and mega chuffed to discover that the network had titled the segment ‘The Baroness of Barreness’ (and written a really nice intro blurb!)

Katy Lindemann is a UK blogger and writer who is in high demand as a commentator on pregnancy loss. She had two miscarriages before doctors told her she’d never be able to carry a baby to term. Where others might disappear into shame and grief, Katy has taken on the taboos of miscarriage, laughing at some of its worst myths and tells 60 Minutes reporter Tara Brown she’s on a mission to reclaim the word ‘barren’.

60 Mins: The Baroness of Barrenness, 28 September 2020

You can watch my interview clip above - but for an interesting take on the whole episode, Isy Oderberg has written a great piece on her blog Hard to Bear that’s definitely worth checking out too.

And for more about Misunderstandings of Miscarriage do check out the trailer here - I’m so, so proud to be a part of an actual film, and can’t wait till it’s available outside Australia* so I can show my family.

*and if you ARE in Australia, the doco is available on Stan from 1st October 2020!

CBC Radio Canada: Out In The Open - Inside Infertility

In the CBC London studio

Thank you to CBC Radio Canada for having me on their Out In The Open show, for an episode about infertility - and how it can complicate your sense of self. CBC is the Canadian equivalent of the BBC so I was chuffed to bits when they got in touch!

I chatted with host Piya Chattopadhyay about my experience of infertility, the tension between my identity as a feminist and feeling like a "failure" as a woman, and how why I’m trying to reclaim the word "barren". The show also explores the experiences of male factor infertility and infertility as a woman of colour - they’re really powerful stories and well worth a listen (even if you skip my bit!)

Out In The Open #129 Inside Infertility:

Listen Online: Full episode | My interview segment

Download: CBC.ca | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts

Metro: Women are reclaiming the word ‘barren’ to talk about their fertility issues

“Barren has been used for centuries to stigmatise childless women as inferior and worthless members of society, often shunned as witches, their barrenness a sign of physical and moral deficiency.

But in various pockets of the internet, women on infertility forums can be found jokingly referring to ourselves as barren – instead of passively accepting its negative connotations, we’re re-appropriating it as an empowering identity label.”

So proud to have contributed to this brilliant article in Metro about my mission to reclaim the word 'barren' and why it represents resilience and strength of character, and belonging to a sisterhood of some of the bravest, funniest, most kick-ass women you could ever wish to know.

I might have blubbed a bit when I read that the author had spoken to some women in a PCOS support group about reclaiming 'barren', and that a newly diagnosed woman said that coming across this website had moved her to tears:

“I’m newly diagnosed, sort of getting past the sad bit and looking at language/strategies to help me deal with it.

I just read the Uber Barrens Club homepage and I’m in tears. This is EXACTLY what I’ve been looking for.”

Please do check out the full article here: Metro: Women are reclaiming the word ‘barren’ to talk about their fertility issues

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Share your story

I’m currently trying to write a book that challenges the fantasy infertility narrative of endless positivity and happy endings, by sharing real women’s stories about what it’s really like to struggle with infertility and pregnancy loss. It’s a club that no-one wants to join: but knowing that you’re not alone can provide solace and support in the darkest times.

My goal is to represent as many different perspectives as possible: if you’ve experienced infertility or pregnancy loss — whether your journey is current or past, whether successful or not — I’d be honoured if you’d consider sharing your story anonymously.