Book Review: Elephant in the Womb – How to change direction when life doesn’t go to plan by Sandra Stoitis
Written by Perth Doula Amber Davies
Infertility unfortunately affects many couples and even though there are a myriad of reasons why a couple can’t conceive, hold to term or give birth to a healthy live baby, it doesn’t make the elephant in your womb any easier to deal with.
Why is it so good?
This book was written by a friend of mine, Sandra. Along with her incredible optimistic outlook on life and her trust in the universe, amongst all the adversity she has endured thus far, she remains incredibly grounded. Sandra seeks out the silver linings choosing to focus on growth and self-healing rather than focussing on the negative. This book is more than a story, it offers a rare, raw insight into infertility and how the stress amounts and how she has bravely overcome it all.
What did you get out of it the most?
This book is a beautiful memoir-inspired guide to self -healing. Real and at times heart wrenching, I couldn’t put the book down! I have read this book three times and use the meditation exercise for stress management from the book often. I love Sandra’s tenacity and courage; she refused to be driven by fear and overcame her darkest days with a mindset that is truly admirable. Throughout the book she discusses how she overcame the many obstacles and challenges and in the final chapters of the book she shares a number of practical mindfulness and well-being techniques which she used herself. These techniques are simple to learn and apply and can help to change your mindset and allow you to change direction when life doesn’t go to plan.
How will this book be of benefit to women?
During her book, Sandra bares all as she shares her memories of being diagnosed with a unique rare illness at the age of 24, and how this led her and her husband Daniel to India in an attempt to fulfill their dream of becoming parents. Sharing insights from their secret surrogacy journey, including many routine ultrasounds, blood tests, injections and meeting their surrogate. Unfortunately, the pregnancy was not successful, and Sandra talks openly about her darkest days following their failed surrogacy and how she chose to overcome it all.
This inspiring book was written not only to share the highs and lows of infertility but also to share with readers how to heal your womb, when things don’t go to plan and how to live life afterward. Sandra is an intuitive healer, teaches Reiki and shares self-healing techniques including positive affirmations, mindfulness practices and EFT tapping in the end chapters of the book.
Who would benefit from reading this book?
This book is a must read for any couple who have experienced or are currently in the thick of infertility challenges. Since first reading it, I knew this was a special book that could help others to heal and move through life after loss. I have shared it with a number of my clients over the last few years, all who have come back saying they feel comforted and validated by hearing someone else’s real journey and knowing they are not alone. Unfortunately for Sandra and Daniel, the elephant in her womb remains after their failed surrogacy attempt but her attitude to the whole situation and how she chose to over-come her disappointment with gratitude and grace, shines through each chapter. This book offers hope, healing and support to other couples going through similar challenges.
Why am I recommending this book to women?
I have read this book a number of times and I recommend it to my clients going through their own infertility struggles. For a long time, the subject of infertility and especially surrogacy has been considered taboo and not openly discussed. When something bad happens people usually do not talk about it. I feel this book helps to shine a light on the infertility pandemic and the real-life struggles couples find themselves in. The mindfulness techniques at the end of this book are valuable and deserve to be shared far and wide. They just work! Sandras honest words and her trust in the universe is inspiring and offers hope for many who face challenges with illness and/or infertility.
“How crazy- the next two weeks, and potentially the rest of our lives, would be determined by the events of the last 24 hours. Like I’ve said before, it was a fine balance between controlling our situation and learning to surrender, knowing that the best outcome, whatever that would be, would eventuate.”
“Daniel and I are both people who live in the moment and show gratitude for what we have. We’re not the type to think about what’s missing, rather we appreciate what’s present.” – Sandra
My name is Amber Davies, and I am a qualified doula who is completing training at the Doula Training Academy, and I service the Alexander Heights and surrounds area. If you would like more information about my doula services, please contact me:
Phone:
0421 014 743
Email:
[email protected]
Website:
https://www.amberhealing.com.au
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/amberhealingau/
Instagram:
https://instagram.com/amberhealing/