Comedian and television host Sara Pascoe, known for her appearances on The Great British Sewing Bee has opened up about her journey through IVF and her debut novel ‘Weirdo’.

After years of struggling with infertility, Pascoe has been candid about her own fertility journey

Struggling to conceive in her late thirties made her become defensive in her stand-up. Pascoe says:

‘When I see my stand-up from that time, my defensiveness about others having kids is cringey. I feared honesty would make people feel sorry for me – not ideal for a comedian.’

‘What bothered me in my thirties was not knowing if I was going to have kids.

‘My worry was: my life is really great now, but I don’t want to regret [not being a mum] when I’m 50.

‘It was like making a hypothetical decision based on a sadness I hadn’t felt yet. The way society ties women’s success to marriage and babies weighed heavily on me; I think women are complicit in reinforcing it.’

Sara explained she had a miscarriage before the birth of her son, and still seeks therapy after it and is determined to normalise IVF for other women through her comedy shows.

Initially, Pascoe had resigned herself to not becoming a parent, setting 40 as her cut-off age

However, it was her husband who pleaded with her to consider IVF and explore every possible avenue. Ultimately, Pascoe’s persistence paid off, and Sara and Steen are now proud parents to an 18-month-old son with another child on the way in October, also with the help of IVF.

Balancing her fertility journey and family life with a demanding career has been no easy feat for Pascoe

As an award-winning comedian and writer, host of The Great British Sewing Bee, presenter of Last Woman On Earth, and a regular on panel shows, she has a packed schedule. This year alone, she embarked on a stand-up tour, launched a podcast, presented Sewing Bee, and managed to find time to write her debut novel, Weirdo.

Her husband, comedian and actor Steen Raskopoulos, recently returned from a lengthy stint filming in Australia, leaving Pascoe as the primary caregiver for their son. Pascoe humorously remarks that her son is probably tired of her constant presence and occasionally wishes she would go out more. Nonetheless, she acknowledges the compromises that families make when it comes to balancing work and personal life.

Despite the challenges, Pascoe thoroughly enjoyed writing her debut novel, which tells the story of a woman named Sophie struggling with emotional and financial debts and a lacklustre relationship. Sophie’s life takes a turn when a long-time crush reappears, leading her to question fate and explore her own thoughts through an inner monologue that is both hilarious and heartbreaking.

Pascoe admits that she can relate to certain aspects of Sophie’s character. While she has had crushes, she never pursued them as intensely as Sophie does. However, she finds common ground with Sophie’s chaotic life and emotions, as Pascoe has also experienced a busy couple of years trying to balance work and motherhood.

Struggling with infertility and becoming a mother has had a profound impact on Pascoe’s comedy

Pascoe feels that she now shares a new area of experience with her audience, having experienced infertility and parenthood as an older mum, there’s a shared understanding between her and her audience which has added depth to her performances and enriched her comedy.

When it comes to mental health, Pascoe has reframed her perspective

Pascoe, who grew up in Essex and now resides in north London, says how fortunate she is to have a supportive group of comedy friends, including Aisling Bea, Roisin Conaty, and Katherine Ryan. They provide a sense of camaraderie and encouragement outside of work.

She also emphasizes the importance of taking a deep breath and counting one’s blessings during challenging times. Understanding that it is impossible to do everything has been crucial for her well-being.

Pascoe highlights the benefits yoga has given her, Sara said: ‘I started yoga six years ago and leave with relaxed shoulders and just feel very…oxygenated.

‘I do it for my mind as well as my body. For the self-employed, it can feel hard to step off the hamster wheel in case you miss an opportunity. Yoga is one thing that helps create some space.’

Looking ahead, Pascoe already has ideas for her second novel and is eager to continue writing alongside her stand-up career and family life. She finds that writing complements her other responsibilities and allows her to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

As Pascoe continues to navigate her roles as a mother, comedian, and writer, she reminds herself of the fortune she has in her life, despite the challenges she faces

Our sincere thanks to Sara Pascoe for being so open about her own journey. Her story undoubtedly strikes a chord with countless individuals who have encountered similar challenges.

Sara Pascoe’s debut novel, Weirdo, published by Faber & Faber is available to buy on Amazon UK.