Jenni Quilter: experiments in motherhood and technology

From Saturday Morning, 11:05 am on 11 February 2023

The world’s first test-tube baby was born in 1978, and in vitro fertilisation has made having a baby possible for millions of people since. 

New York based writer Jenni Quilter explores reproductive technologies and the complexities of becoming a mother in her new book Hatching

Quilter examines the way such technologies change our understanding of the body and how fertility centres can reinforce conservative norms of motherhood and family. While marketing can treat pregnancy and parenthood like products, at the same time we celebrate the ‘natural’ while denigrating the artificial. 

A New Zealander, Jenni Quilter teaches at New York University.  

Hatching by Jenni Quilter

Photo: supplied