A Bump in the Road: A Story of Fertility, Hope and Trying Again

by Elle Wright

The second book from the Sunday Times bestselling author

'Honest, open, emotional and powerful... in this book, once more, her heart is laid bare' Giovanna Fletcher
'I didn't want to put it down' Jools Oliver
'Raw and honest... like a letter from a friend' Sarah Turner, The Unmumsy Mum
'Beautifully emotional and healing' Genelle Aldred
'Heartbreaking yet uplifting... I was truly holding my breath' Cat Strawbridge, The Finally Pregnant podcast


*****

'It turns out there are plenty of us: the unlucky ones. The women whose journey into motherhood, or whose yearning for more children, has yet to be fulfilled by the universe. I am certain that in so many parts of my story I really am not the only one to have gone through it, so it makes sense to write it all down. For all of us - and for any parents who might go through some of what we did in the future too. So here it is, our journey to a rainbow. A story of fertility, trying again and, above all, hope.'

After the death of her three-day-old son Teddy in 2016, Elle Wright never expected what came next - that the path to bringing home a living child could be so winding. Elle's loss was followed by three and a half years of endless waiting.

She and her husband waited for test results, hospital appointments and so many new procedures to help with their experience of secondary infertility. This wait included friends announcing their happy news whilst Elle was experiencing three rounds of IVF and the loss of three more babies.

Months and years slipped by, of immense physical and emotional toll, and still those two lines were just out of reach. Faced with constant questions, drugs, negative tests, tears, loss, frustration and so many more tears, throughout it all Elle managed to still believe that one day it would happen for her, somehow...

A Bump in the Road reflects the reality of becoming a parent for thousands of people like Elle who have difficulty conceiving in the UK today. It captures Elle's journey to a rainbow, comforting through her beautifully written words with a story of fertility that might just reflect yours, too.

368 pages, Hardcover

Published April 29, 2021

About the author

Elle Wright is a wife, mother, homemaker and blogger. After the death of her son, Teddy, at three days old, Elle started writing to navigate her new life and as a way to feel purpose again. Her Feathering The Empty Nest blog is a way of finding light in darkness, positivity in times of desperation and, hopefully, making a few people laugh along the way.

Elle was the 2018 recipient of the Mum's Voice Award from Tommy's, the baby charity, which celebrates one mum who has spoken out about her own pregnancy experience and given hope to others. Elle would love to hear from you, and you can find her at:

www.featheringtheemptynest.co.uk
www.instagram.com/feathering_the_empt...

Reviews

[Jodie Fawcett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elle never fails to articulate the way someone going through grief and infertility is feeling. So many times I was reading it thinking I could have written this myself. So many one liners that had me laughing out loud thinking we should be besties. So many times I cried knowing all too well the pain. There is one part of the book relating to her first round of treatment and how many eggs were collected/fertilised- the whole page I could have written myself this morning and sent to friends like can you believe how similar this is?
The book gives a voice to so many of us who want to scream to the world how it feels. She validates our feelings. But mostly she gives us hope.

I urge anyone embarking on treatment; anyone who has been through treatment; anyone with children; anyone who basically has a brain and a mouth that often unknowingly are ignorant to the pain so many couples go through- to read this book.

Thank you Elle for giving us a voice and hope.

[HattieB · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartbreaking read about love, loss and hope.

[georgia elderkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What another brilliant read. I felt all the emotions with her. I am so pleased that Elle has had a happy and healthy girl after four years of trying. Definitely worth a read.

[Denise Pereboom · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5⭐️

[Caroline Priddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Elle for writing this book and saying out loud the things that I am thinking

[Holly Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey Ellie!

Thank you for sharing your journey regarding baby loss and how you went through so much to get your rainbow baby.

You are an inspiration.
I have PTSD from child birth due to giving birth on my own due to an unsupportive ex husband who hated me,
I have always loved more children to erase the past however stayed single 13 years later and no more children and don’t think I’ll be having any
You have made me think about my relationship and thoughts to child birth!

I’m so happy you eventually had your rainbow baby and I really hope everything is going well. I follow you on instagram now.

Take Care x

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will always be so grateful to Elle for sharing her journey so honestly and openly. I read this book feeling like I could have written it myself. I hope lots of other mums and dads in the baby loss and or infertility community take comfort from this book. I also hope that lots of people outside of the baby loss and infertility community choose to engage with the subject to help break the taboo and be mindful and empathetic of those around them.

[Katie Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elle Wright writes from the heart about experiences that so often get left in the shadows. By sharing her story she is opening the door for discussion around such a delicate and sensitive subject and she does so beautifully. Raw and brave and heartbreaking and wonderful, I read it in a day because I just couldn’t stop.

[Ruth Finlay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just so powerful, insightful and beautiful to read. It really showed the true spirit of hope and Elles relentless positivity. I read this in my job as a nurse to gain an insight into the life of a mother who has lost a baby and struggled with IVF so I can be more empathetic and caring if I come across families going through a similar journey.
Highly recommend reading this book 💗🌈

[Hayley McCulloch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful, honest and articulate account of baby loss and fertility treatment. It simultaneously manages to be gentle whilst not shying away from the cruel realities of losing a child and going through IVF. I listened to this as an audiobook and it was particularly poignant hearing Elle tell this story herself.

[Rebecca Lobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest, endearing, emotional and even funny.
Some parts of Elle’s journey to meeting her second child reminded me of so many feelings I experienced with infertility. Elle has a wonderful knack for making you feel like she’s talking directly to you, and I am so glad she got to take Olivia home.

[Melissa Ashton · Rating 5 out of 5]

So honest. No bull****. Had me crying, frustrated, smiling, and cheering throughout. A story that resonates with me on such a deep level, providing hope that there's a rainbow after every storm. Thank you Elle x

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this coming off the back of my O&G rotation at uni... very emotional, teared up more than once. Fertility is something a lot of us take for granted - it was wonderful to go on the highs and lows (and eventual high!) with the author. A really important book for many out there.

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal, probably because it feels like my own story. When infant loss and infertility are being faced at the same time, everything hurts along the way. Elle did a phenomenal job telling her story.

[Nathalie Blades · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what an absolutely heartbreaking read. The amount of times I cried reading this. I wish I’d read this sooner, I don’t feel so alone during this journey and I feel understood and more than anything I feel hopeful again

[Sophie Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s always hope!

Tears streamed with joy for Elle and Nico! They deserve this so much after so much heartache, what strong people!

[Erza · Rating 5 out of 5]

A positive, powerful, motivating and hopeful book for all the women out there struggling for motherhood. Miracles happen even when you have given up believing.

[Emma Bowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honest account of fertility. Both of Elles books have taught me so much. This should be a must read by all, everyone should be educated on fertility.

[Jessica Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional roller coaster, raw honesty about fertility struggles with refreshing honesty about struggles often hidden

[Gemma Birkett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly heartbreaking yet brilliantly hopeful. How this is actually someone’s life is shocking, it’s almost unbelievable!!

[Hayley Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. I laughed and I cried. An honest depiction of struggling to conceive, heart warming.

[Allison Vallee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A honest and touching story of pregnancy after loss. She provides hope for future mothers after loss! 🩷

[Aimee Russell-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting book. Such a brave story truly wonderful that managed to write this book.

[Hannah Sheldrake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! This book made me feel like I wasn’t alone in the journey I am on now

[subeeshna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started reading this after I tested negative on my first IVF cycle when I was feeling hopeless & devastated. This book was such a blessing that I got to read and understand what someone had been through in this journey. This was an inspiring read and definitely lifted me up personally.

[Chloe Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elle Wright is a truly amazing lady. I have previously reviewed her first book - Ask Me His Name and was more prepared for what this book entailed. Elle has written this book to educate the world on these difficult journeys by sharing her most painful stories. This book is written with dignity, wit, sensitivity and with pure heart and emotion. This book gives a voice to so many of us who want to scream to the world how it feels. Elle validates our feelings but mostly she gives us hope.

As a neonatal nurse, I have been on the other side of the heartbreak that both Elle and her partner felt and went through. I listened to the audiobook of this on my way to work (which I do not recommend as I turned up many mornings with obvious signs of crying), I read it on my break, I laughed and cried at each stage and consumed every little detail.

Elle’s books will stay with me and I’m sure the impact of her words will affect others. If you have not had the chance, please look at her Instagram page and blog, she does the most amazing work with charities. I have never rooted and cheered so much for someone I have never met and will never know on a personal level but my heart could burst at how happy I am for this family.

[Liv Bebbington · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always with Elle’s books. ALL THE EMOTIONS. I honestly do not know how a person can go through all Elle & Nico did and not just be a pile of tears on the floor. Such a strong woman. And now she has O.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

BookBeat- Audio-Book