“Once upon a time”, the first customizable fable on assisted reproduction
“Once upon a time” is an illustrated book for children that tells the great adventure of assisted reproduction.
It is a customizable book, in fact one can characterize one’s story through the choice of parental figures (a single mother, two fathers, a mother and a father, two mothers…), and the type of assisted reproduction path followed. Suitable for children aged 2 to 6, but also useful for adults.
In fact, adults are the most reluctant to address the topic of PMA. Talking about assisted fertilization in Italy, but not only, is not easy. So many taboos, so many prejudices on a topic which, despite having entered our daily lives, still has a great need to be “humanised”. Also thanks to the hesitations due to the fear of parents worried about compromising the bond with their children, the culture of secrecy is hard to eradicate. “C’è una volta” was created to normalize this situation.
The first customizable story about assisted reproduction
The illustrated book, published by Matamua Books , allows everyone to build their own story through a few clicks on the web page of the publishing house, see a preview of the story and finally buy the book. Specifically, “Once upon a time” allows you to customize the book through the choice of parental figures and the various assisted reproduction treatments (egg, embryo or sperm donation, IVF, gestation for others), as well as the number and gender of the children.
Here on Conceivecorner we have often addressed the issue of difficulties, we have reported testimonials, not always positive, but also experiences that shed a light of positivity and sincerity on the PMA path. In this regard, I invite you to read the interview with Enrico and Verena of “Diary of a sincerological life” which addresses the issue of sincerity towards one’s children on the methods that led to their birth.
To bring down prejudices about the family, which is not only the traditional one, and about procreation, which is not only the natural one, there is a need for everyone’s will and awareness.
“Mata Mua” is a painting by Paul Gauguin whose title means “Once upon a time”, like the classic incipit of fairy tales. In fact, the new publishing house wants to publish stories. To be honest: different stories for a more welcoming and inclusive society.
We had the opportunity to interview Beatrice Mele who told us how “C’è una volta” was born.
When did the need to write this book arise?
My sister works in an assisted reproduction clinic in Spain. She takes care of welcoming and following people who arrive from abroad and who hope to return home with a new life.
Those he meets are often tried, disoriented and frightened people. Many times even incognito, in the sense that neither relatives nor friends know the reason for the trip.
Since she is a psychologist, it happens that she continues to follow some of them even afterward because perhaps they need support to face a second attempt or simply to process this experience and prepare for the birth in the best possible way.
It is then that they begin to wonder if and how to tell the child all this. A fairy tale seemed like a good way to address the issue.
Why do you think it is still so difficult today to discuss the subject of assisted reproduction with friends and relatives?
The Higher Institute of Health estimates that in Italy couples suffering from infertility are 15%, a figure destined to grow. However, the stigma is still very strong. You feel defective , like the title of a book by Eleonora Mazzoni from a few years ago that tells this condition well and which I recommend. The fears of those facing such a path are many and understandable. Furthermore, the restrictive laws on Pma certainly do not favor normalization. This is why the culture of secrecy is so hard to eradicate.
Words that emanate positivity, expectation, love immediately catch the eye on the book presentation site… We know that the process of assisted fertilization is often long and painful. In your opinion, how important is it to humanize the process of assisted reproduction?
I’ll answer you with an anecdote from behind the scenes. To make this fable known, advertising is one of the various channels we use. In short, we sponsor it on social networks. Well, we have to be very careful with the words we use because nothing is enough to make it a medical product. Which would be a mistake because it’s a children’s picture book. It would be a mistake because we are not talking about medical techniques but about emotions.
In this path there is an important share of avoidable pain . It’s what we try to cure with “Once upon a time”.
Kathryn Barlow is an OB/GYN doctor, which is the medical specialty that deals with the care of women's reproductive health, including pregnancy and childbirth.
Obstetricians provide care to women during pregnancy, labor, and delivery, while gynecologists focus on the health of the female reproductive system, including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, and breasts. OB/GYN doctors are trained to provide medical and surgical care for a wide range of conditions related to women's reproductive health.