Amid the heartbreak of infertility, pregnancy loss and countless treatments, Benita Bensch turned to her journal, recording every step of her journey.

In 2017, after seven long years, she finally reached the light at the end of the tunnel with the birth of her healthy twin boys.

Recognising how isolating the experience had been, Mrs Bensch chose to transform her private journals into a book, in the hope it could be a source of comfort for other women facing similar struggles.

In 2019, her first book, The Art of Trying Again, was published and since then, she has continued to help women through the highs and lows of infertility and motherhood.

Mrs Bensch said she received, and continued to receive, an outpouring of support from women who were touched by the book.

“When I wrote the book, it was really just with the intention of ‘if I can just help one person’ because I was filled with so much doubt ... all those sorts of imposter feelings,” she said.

“I’ve received countless messages and emails and notes from people who have read my book ... to share their own stories and how it helped them to feel seen and supported.

“It’s pretty special to hear from people who the book actually helps ... Some of those women have gone on to be clients, and they’ve gone on to be friends.”

In 2021, she launched a coaching program for mothers, called ‘Illuminate’, which centred around the different aspects of motherhood and how mothers could find themselves again amid the chaos.

It is through the interactions she had with participants of her coaching program that her new book began to take shape.

It’s working title is Seen Again, and it is set to be published in 2026. It will delve into motherhood and the importance of having an identity outside of just being a mum.

The book is a collation of expert insights, her own experiences and the stories of 18 other mothers.

Ms Bensch said the book centred on the feeling of invisibility that many mothers felt.

“We go through these feelings in motherhood, in matrescence, where we can feel invisible amongst the thinking and doing of motherhood, and we can also feel like we’ve lost our sense of self,” she said.

“In my infertility journey, I felt invisible and that I didn’t know who I was anymore because I was experiencing this journey where it all felt out of control.

“It’s a very similar thing when our children were little and I’ve seen it so many times in the women I’ve worked with, where they feel like their needs don’t matter. They’re just going about daily life taking care of everyone, but no-one’s taking care of them.”

Ms Bensch will be hosting a special author talk at the Echuca library from 11.30pm on Thursday, September 11.

At the event she will discuss both her books and provide guests more information on what matrescence is and what it means for mothers.

She will also offer women tips based on her own experiences and what she has seen in her line of work as a motherhood studies practitioner and coach.

To book a spot, call the Echuca library on 5481 2400 or visit tinyurl.com/89jnxvae

For those who cannot make the event this Thursday, Mrs Bensch offers coaching services on Thursdays and Fridays at the Restore Studio, Moama or via Zoom.

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