The Mess In Her Womb Book Review
Written by Dr. Chhavi Gandi Juneja - 8th May 2022
Pranay Ahuja and Drishti Kapoor are quintessential young, happily married couple in their thirties in the Garden city of Bangalore. Their seemingly smooth ride through life is jolted by a hurricane when Drishti learns about her issues of infertility. With constant failures, miscarriages, and continuous In-vitro fertilization procedures, Drishti spirals into depression. The chase for the baby leads to a strained relationship with her parents, finding solidarity in the people with the same circumstances, and resentment towards people with pregnancy announcements. Understanding her deteriorating mental health and initial denial of the treatment, she diverts her chase from the baby towards mental peace. This is the story of a woman who has everything everyone else wishes for, a loving husband, an extremely supportive set of parents, a blooming career, and financial security. In order to pursue what she can’t have, she risked everything she had. While drowning in the sea of sorrows, she finds solace in her best friend Naina, who like her, is trying to be pregnant through IVF, Mrs. Seema, a successful business owner and her next-door neighbour, and her boss and colleagues at her workplace.
In this contemporary fiction of pain, hurt, rage, disappointment, loss, love, and hope, follow Drishti and Pranay in their mission to find their purpose, rekindle the lost love in their relationship, and build the world they have longed for. " This life has a way to adapt to any situation if we give it a chance"
If I'm honest it's taken me a long time to bring my emotions together to actually write this review. You think you know what to say, when a person dies, or when you see someone struggle with infertility, whether that is someone close to you or a stranger, but the truth is- unless you go through these experiences yourself you will never know what to say, to support and to listen is the main focus of trying to be there for someone in these horrific times of depression, grief and desperation to build a family.
Dr. Chhavi Gandi Juneja takes us on an honest, emotional journey of her infertility struggles, and her want for children.
This book was an incredibly emotional read. Chhavi transfused an astonishing raw account of her perceptions and emotions during possibly the hardest, most vigorous time of her life. Most of the novel was quite distressing, but as it's a personal type of memoir it really tugs at your heartstrings. (I'm actually crying while writing this review). We are thrown into depths of her desperation and want for a child.
What I loved most about this book, was the fact the author managed to convey various themes, which some readers may struggle with yet was delivered with such grace and dignity. Themes such as; miscarriage, abortion sexism, racism, equality and justice. I'm always empathetic, but honestly- this book broke me.
This novel was mastered to such perfection, I adored the way it was packed full of traditions and beauty, and is able to question religious aspects without misdemeanour or offence.
I really felt her frustration into trying to cope with all of these emotions that was going on in the author's life, including her struggles with her immediate family and the immense pressure to make them proud. I also related heavily to the NICU aspects, as my daughter was also in neonatal for a short while.
If anything that I took away from reading this book was my gratitude. It was emphasised so much, what people may take for granted each and every day, could be something that someone WANTS so badly. Not all relationships are perfect, especially when times are hard, but the relationship between her and her husband was simply beautiful.
Thank you for writing your truth, your heartache, and your struggle.
Most of all I admire your strength, and the ability to find good in everything.
You are an amazing person.
" Maybe people were not that bad, they were just not educated enough about what I was going through"
To buy 'A Mess In Her Womb'
