About the book
Over 150 000 Australian families are affected by miscarriage every year. It is the most common pregnancy complication yet is surrounded by silence. Isabelle Oderberg wants to change this.
Hard to Bear is a groundbreaking investigation into miscarriage care, reproductive health and the inequalities in healthcare. It is the key to developing a roadmap to improving care for those who experience pregnancy loss and those who love them.
Combining her unique personal perspective with interviews and extensive research, Isabelle has gone to the very heart of the matter. From the misrepresentation of miscarriage in popular culture to the lack of data around how many people experience miscarriage each year, from the faults in the healthcare system (public or private) to how the identity of the person experiencing the miscarriage can affect their care and even how the environment is impacting our fertility. Amidst this in-depth investigation, Isabelle never loses sight of the human impact of pregnancy loss, providing practical solutions for better care, and generous advice on ways to comfort those in the wake of a loss.
A call to action as well as a call to arms, Isabelle looks at the systems that are failing us and demands change. An essential, timely and important piece of publishing that draws a taboo subject into the light. Hard to Bear takes us on a journey of hope – one we should all be on together.
About the author
Isabelle Oderberg was born in Melbourne but moved to Hong Kong soon after, spending her formative years there with her family. She came back to Melbourne, finished high school and completed a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism).
After working in the tech trade press, she headed to London where she worked within the financial trade press, as well as at Reuters and Dow Jones Newswires. She returned to Australia in 2006 to work at Australian Associated Press as lead mining writer before becoming founding news editor at Business Spectator, where was later interviews editor and China commentator.
She then moved to the Herald Sun, becoming the country’s first social media editor, before being elevated to become national social media editor for News Corp in Australia. She then moved into the not-for-profit space as social media lead for Australian Red Cross, before working in a variety communications and media relations roles.
Most recently she was acting editor of Pro Bono News, in addition to her freelancing work and writing her first book, Hard to Bear: Investigating the science and silence of miscarriage.
She has written for Meanjin, The Guardian, ArtsHub, Beat Magazine, The Age & SMH and more. She was a board member at the Melbourne Press Club and Quills judge for five years and has lectured extensively journalism.