Hilariously Infertile: One Woman's Inappropriate Quest to Help Women Laugh Through Infertility.

by Karen Jeffries

This book, titled Hilariously Infertile, is on a mission to make others who have struggled with infertility, laugh (perhaps while their feet are still in the stirrups and their vaginas are enjoying the fresh air of the fertility clinic). It is a comedic, self-deprecating, look into the harsh, scary, and often sad world of infertility. Hilariously Infertile will make you laugh out loud while wishing you could have a glass of wine with the author and discuss how you relate to her story is. The author pokes fun at the infertility world, with jokes, such as, equating the constant gynecological exams to her sluttiest days in college, and wondering if her husband will be home in time to stick it (the IVF ass shot) into her butt. We follow the author's journey from trying to conceive on her own, discovering she is infertile, getting pregnant, and then doing it all again for her second child. The entire journey is marked with uproarious scenes that any woman who has ever been to the gynecologist can identify with. At times, the author's candor will surely lead the reader to conclude that the outlandish stories cannot be true. But they are, all of them. Included in the journey is a chapter on being a new mom. This chapter is funny and real. It does not boast about being a parent, to those who still may be on that path; rather, it speaks candidly about the adjustment to a new life that the author worked hard to achieve, via fertility treatments, and yet still was not ready for. There is no filter for the author of Hilariously Infertile. This book tells it like it is, from sex, to infertility, to being a mother and a wife. If you have thought it somewhere deep down inside, this book says it aloud.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Memoir

112 pages, Paperback

Published August 26, 2018

Reviews

[Kirsten Cerruti · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was just as much about pregnancy and motherhood as it is about infertility, which I found to be quite insensitive. Not ideal for those who’ve struggled with infertility for years / have had failed IVF cycles.

[Michele Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I follow the author on Instagram, which is strictly about the infertility journey: its comedic points, and its ups and downs. However, this book details her use of ART and has chapters on her eventual pregnancies. Don’t get me wrong, it was nice to see a happy ending, but for some in the IVF or IUI world, it may be something they want to avoid reading. Not everyone is lucky to get pregnant after one cycle of IVF and they may not want the recount by someone who was able to. With that said, I enjoyed it and it was nice to see someone else who “gets it,” because not everyone can “get it” (and thank God for that) - a reader on cycle 6 of IVF and still in the battle.

[Felicia Korpi]

This book is fairly short, but has some great insights into the world of infertility. It could be a good read for anyone dealing with infertility or if you have a family or friend going through it.

SPOILER ALERT: the author is able to get pregnant the first time on her second IUI, after which there is a chapter all about the hardships of pregnancy and motherhood. She does provide a warning and recommends skipping the chapter (which I did!) if you’re in the thick of treatments at the moment. She then gets a ridiculous amount of embryos and pregnant with her first fresh transfer for her second healthy pregnancy. If you’re far into your journey I’m not sure this book was very helpful.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know how I went from not reading any memoirs to suddenly reading so many. And I'm not sure why or how that happened? But here we are, another memoir. And for some reason, they seem to be getting lower and lower scores from me, so this will probably be the last memoir I read for awhile.

I think by starting a book title off with the word "hilariously", the author set the reader up for expectations that the book didn't quite meet. There were parts that were slightly humorous, but ultimately it read like an overly long self-indulgent blog.

This book is much better suited for people who are starting out or people who are mildly curious about it. But I can see how it could be obnoxious and extremely insensitive for people who are many years into their treatment or have suffered repeated losses. The author got pregnant with her first child after her 2nd IUI. There's a chapter about motherhood before it goes into how she has her 2nd child with IVF after her first transfer from her extremely successful first egg retrieval. I don't think that anyone would begrudge her success, but I don't think it's necessarily something that everyone would want to read about.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve followed the author for awhile on Instagram so I was already familiar with her irreverent sense of humor. It’s something I appreciate since so much of the infertility community is about affirmations, positive vibes, and “baby dust.” Yes, those things are all well and good but sometimes you just need some dark humor to get you through a tough time. This book is wonderful for those of us who deal with infertility and also like to use curse words and make inappropriate jokes. It’s also a great resource for those who aren’t affiliated with Christianity since SO MANY of the books and blogs discuss trusting God and end with a Bible verse. This is a nice read for anyone who isn’t interested in the spiritual side of infertility. My only complaint is that I wish it were longer- the book is only 99 pages!

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I follow the author on Instagram and honestly - she IS pretty hilarious and relatable. In that format, or a blog format, it totally works. I just didn't think it really worked as an actual book. It was SO short and ended super abruptly. Some reviews have said the book is insensitive to people like me, who've had failed IVF, or had "real struggles". Even in the thick of my failed IVF grief, I don't agree. While Jeffries obviously had a much more successful experience than some (and has 2 kids to show for it), anyone who has gone through infertility - especially, those who've gone through treatment and procedures like IUI and IVF - has had a legitimate struggle and has a valuable story to share. I just don't think this should be called a self-help book when it is really more of a memoir.

[Dunsmora · Rating 1 out of 5]

Perhaps beneficial for someone in the first few months of trying to conceive, but for anyone who's been trudging down the IVF route for some time - hard pass. The author clearly means well, but for women actually struggling with persistent and real fertility issues, the book is more of an insult to injury than it is helpful.

[Makayla Livermore · Rating 1 out of 5]

Starter fluid for my grill.

[Mariam Rampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karen Jeffries' raw, uncensored, and brutally honest humor about infertility is incredibly relatable and so refreshing. I highly recommend this book to any woman who has ever experienced infertility!!

[Steph Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lighter attitude to a subject dear to my heart. While I found the style a little too relaxed to begin with, I settled in to it. Some bits were genuinely laugh out loud funny. Enjoyable, sweary and relatable.

It’s more a memoir than a self-help book and does detail some successful pregnancies and postpartum life so best to avoid if that is triggering.

[Becca Garr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did love the book, but I did have a...I don’t really want to call it a problem, because I still enjoyed the whole thing. While it made me laugh and reminisce about my own infertility experience, I noticed it became more of a pregnancy and motherhood book. While I’m not sure if it was Karen’s intentions to create a book strictly about infertility, I’m guessing some of her social media followers were in for a rude awakening when half of the book became about pregnancies and babies. Her instagram and Facebook accounts are all full of strictly infertile hilarity and she won’t talk discuss her children on these sites in respect of those who haven’t had their happy ending. I personally wasn’t offended, but I can see how one would not be as overjoyed to unexpectedly read half a book about something they may never experience. On another, lighter perspective, maybe some will find hope and encouragement out of the book. Like I said, I hate calling it a problem because I did enjoy it, but it’s just a little something I picked up on. Regardless, much love to Karen. She is a funny lady and I hope I wasn’t too harsh 💜

[Shawna P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an infertile Myrtle, but in a way that I try and make light of it. I even joked I was going to be Moaning Infertile Myrtle for Halloween. So obviously I had to read this book. Come to realize, I was already following the author on Instagram and frequently bust out laughing at the stuff she posts.

Infertility is no joke. It can cause depression, financial woes, and basically your uterus is not being cuterus. However, I try to find the humor in the situation and this was the one for me because instead of hearing the crap that no infertile person wants to hear, " You need to just relax" "It will happen when God plans it for you." "Blah, blah, blah" Ok Fertile Felicia, with your 4.5 kids, I will just relax.

Anywho, Grammarly is telling me that my review sounds disapproving, but it's not. If the sight of any pregnant woman makes you want to scream, or every baby makes your ovaries explode, AND you have a sense of humor, read this!

[Farrah WJ]

`Hilariously Infertile’ written by Karen Jeffries was recommended to me by a friend who’s recently gone through the IVF process.

When she said this book was funny, she wasn’t kidding! This is especially true if you’re familiar with American pop culture from the 80’s onwards.

What you can expect:
- Info IUI, IVF and ICSI experiences
- Honesty about motherhood
- Written like an internal monologue

The Verdict: What I like about the book is the sheer honesty. It’s really helpful, especially as someone whose “only option is IVF”. I would definitely recommend this title. However, it’s important to note the author went through her experiences in NYC in the early 2010’s, so some things may be different depending on where you live.

[Fallon · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m not one to minimize peoples experiences with infertility, but this book was advertised to me as an amazing and hilarious memoir about someone who had struggled with infertility.

As someone who went through years and years of losses and only got 4 embryos through their IVF cycle it was rough to read this book when the author had such a comparatively easy journey. It was mostly about pregnancy and motherhood too. Only marginally funny and the science was flat out incorrect and cringeworthy (I’m an embryologist).

Waste of time, just made me angry. Don’t read it if you’ve had to do more than one cycle or have been on your journey for years. It won’t be funny to you.

[Miska Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I picked up this book I thought it was going to be about someone who had less easy success with ART.

She gets pregnant so easily in comparison to many women, first with iui then on her first ivf cycle that it felt a bit like a misnomer of a title. Still, I respect her fertility journey.

The comedy wasn't great, but it was good enough that I read the whole way through. I found myself rooting for her at various points, and I'm very happy that she was able to start a family, and could have two kids.

[Gen L · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a fan of the Hilariously Infertile Instagram account so I was very excited to read this. It's not a manual or guide or a self-help book, but it is funny and honest and absurd enough maybe it could help break the ridiculous taboo surrounding infertility. I'm not a huge fan of the "men are only reading this because their wives made them and then they'll go back to football" trope that keeps coming up. I think it minimizes the impact on the couple as a whole, but this is also one woman's experience.

[Aubree Carpenter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This seemed more like a long blog than a book. It was funny at times and I enjoyed some of it as I am on the parenthood side of IVF. If I didn’t have kids yet, this really could be more harmful than helpful since she was successful after so few fertility treatments. So it’s a light hearted read if you’ve done IvF and were successful. If you haven’t, I’d recommend a pass. (As much as I like the author and her IG.) It felt like coffee with a friend swapping funny stories more than a book. A great coffee with a friend. Not a fleshed out book.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this, however I understand why this book receives polarising reviews and may not be for everyone - more suited to those early on in the journey (egg freezing/TTC stage etc). It's a memoir, not a self help book and I was aware of her journey before reading (Spoiler alert: she falls pregnant...twice!). If you follow the author on instagram and are familiar with her sense of humour this is a wonderful extension of that. It tackles what can be a heavy topic with a nice dose of dark humour. Incredibly relatable, it took me right back to my own time with wanda! ;)

[Megan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish this book was longer! It felt so good to laugh while reading a book about INFERTILITY! I related to SO many moments in this book and felt like she was in my head almost the entire time! It was a bit shocking she got pregnant so quickly and that her IVF was successful the first try but I do think she wrote about it in such a way that non-preggers can still enjoy. And I did! I absolutely did!

[Empress Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author writes about her journey through infertility in a very frank and funny way that I believe can only help others who may be struggling to smile in the face of such a heartbreaking trial in life. Although I have not been through the struggle, I appreciated the book and it helped me to empathize with women who have. I love Karen's humor and honesty.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be an enjoyable read but you need to be in the right season. Spoilers/ triggers: she gets pregnant during her first IUI and her first fresh transfer. Depending on where you are in your journey these might send you into a jealous rage… that lucky bitch. Great read, wish it were longer. Glad she did shit out her embryo.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious perspective on infertility - a very not-funny topic. No matter where you are in your struggle, her perspective is invaluable!
(This is her story, like a journal almost, but her perspective is contagious!)

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was the perfect explanation of what infertility is in a funny way. I laughed and cried. It made me feel even less alone. I agree with Karen, that infertility needs to be talked about. Thank you for this book.

[Justin Baez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will help many women, AND men get through troubled times of infertility with some great laughs.

[Bernadette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never laughed out loud, so hard, at a book before.

[Bethany Malusa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious, so very true of infertility!

[Sabs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super quick read, and I enjoyed the chatty style. Man the shit people do to become parents.

[Susann Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

So funny! Couldn’t put it down!

[Christina Santorello · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super quick read. The author takes a heavy topic and makes it lighter. She has a funny way of describing everything she went through and provides hope to those going through a similar experience.

[Robyn Rosencutter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every woman battling infertility should be gifted this book. Hilarious. A total gem.