An Unconventional Quest
for Motherhood
On Inconceivable ...
"Bauman’s rigorous curiosity keeps the pages turning. It’s a wide-ranging portrait of contemporary motherhood that entertains and informs in equal measure."
-Publisher's WeeklyÂ
"Inconceivable has a touch of Carrie Bradshaw."
-The New Republic
“Nothing short of eye-opening ... Inconceivable: A Memoir was an enjoyable combo of autobiography and scandalous exposé, highlighting the difficult experience so many families encounter when attempting to become parents through donor conception."
- Stephanie Wicker, U.S. Donor Conceived Council
The Story ...
For some women, the path to motherhood isn't just unconventional—it's inconceivable.
Valerie Bauman always wanted to become a mother, but she never expected that dream would lead her to the unregulated sperm market. Combining memoir and investigative reporting, the award-winning journalist draws on interviews with super donors, aspiring parents, and health and legal experts to show why women take their fertility into their own hands. With poignant observation and telling detail, she reveals how the insurmountable costs imposed by the reproductive industry, the discriminatory nature of the healthcare system, and a lack of insurance coverage compel many women to do whatever is needed to make their baby dreams come true. Some connect with sperm donors online and self-inseminate, while others have unprotected sex with men they don't know. Inconceivable is the story of the grit, resourcefulness, and bravery it takes to make a modern family.