Everything doesn''t (always) happen for a reason.

Whether or not there''s a reason for infertility and pregnancy loss, these personal essays show the way forward is by going through the grief, not around it.

Infertility and pregnancy loss can be devastating, yet the one in six people who cope with them often find they are private sorrows. In this collection of stories of loss, hope, and resilience, people offer their stories of what it''s like to experience the emotional and physical facets of infertility, miscarriage, and pregnancy loss: the pain, sadness, desperation, hope, humour, and frustration, and also the knowledge that while these issues are often out of our control, there is a way through them.

Through, Not Around offers reassurance to those in the midst of their own struggles that they are not alone and that it is possible to find acceptance and strength on the other side of grief. We are all touched by these issues, whether through our own experiences or those of people we care about.

The editors of the book – Allison McDonald Ace, Caroline Starr, and Ariel Ng Bourbonnais – are co-founders of The 16 Percent, a dedicated safe space for couples and individuals to share their stories, because no experience is exactly the same and we can all learn from each other''s struggles and triumphs. To learn more about The 16 Percent and to share your story, please visit www.the16percent.ca.