Forever Hope is a deeply personal memoir born from Strubenvale resident Dominique van der Watt’s experience with miscarriage, high-risk pregnancy, and NICU time.

She wrote this book as a form of healing and as a lifeline for others. It tells of her unflinching experiences, the impact of living with Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS), and the strength it took to endure. Most of all, it is a promise to parents that they are not alone and that there is always hope, even when things seem at their darkest.

Speaking to the Springs Advertiser, the author, known as Dominique V, said that the book had been on her mind for many years until last November, when she felt she was ready to share her story.

The birth of the book was born from a personal need to share her experience so other parents wouldn’t feel alone, and a meaningful conversation with a hospital psychologist who told her there was little support for families like hers. Dominique said reliving the memories was hard, as there were days she had to step away because it was raw.

“However, I also reminded myself why I was writing, that this story wasn’t only for me; it was for others who might one day need it.

“That thought gave me strength. I also tried to balance the heavy moments with gratitude, remembering the support I had and the little victories along the way,” she said.

Dominique said that while writing, she gave herself permission to cry when needed and return when she was ready. Writing became part of her healing.

Dominique suffers from APS, an autoimmune blood-clotting disorder that can cause the body to see a pregnancy as something foreign and try to reject it. The disorder played a huge role in her pregnancy journey, and her pregnancies required extra care, monitoring, and treatment.

The author said, “In the book, I go into more detail about how it shaped our journey, but what I really want people to know is that awareness of APS is important, because it can save lives and pregnancies if recognised early.”

As a self-published author, Dominique shared the challenges she faced, which included balancing her daily life with the financial demands of publishing the book.

This resulted in her applying for grants and becoming a member of the Academic and Non-Fiction Authors Association of South Africa (ANFASA).

She said that the process, from writing the first word to holding the first printed proof in her hands, took ten months.

“Along the way, I received the incredible gift of an unexpected investor who helped make Forever Hope a reality,” said Dominique.

The Strubenvale resident said her family has been her biggest supporters in her writing journey. She said that despite his grief, fear, and heartbreak, her husband stood firmly by her side. Her son has become her biggest inspiration, as he is the reason she wrote the book.

Dominique added, “From the beginning, he was such a little fighter, and his determination gave me the courage to keep writing and still keeps me going today.”

“I hope that one day, when he is older and reads this memoir, he will see that there is always hope, even on our darkest days when it feels like all faith is lost.”

Forever Hope was launched on September 21 at The Faraway Tree Party Venue in Benoni. At the launch, she said she wanted those who have experienced miscarriage, live with autoimmune conditions or pregnancy complications, have faced high-risk pregnancies, or have walked the NICU journey to leave feeling like there is hope and that they are not alone.

With this book, Dominique said, she wanted to help break the silence that so often surrounds miscarriage and NICU journeys.

She wants to raise awareness about the emotional, physical, and mental toll that these journeys take, not only on mothers but also on fathers, partners, and entire families.

She said the readers of the book must give themselves permission to feel it all, but also to trust themselves and in the people who want to walk beside them.

“I want readers to know, above all, that they are not alone. When you’re in the middle of your darkest days, it can feel like no one could understand, but others have walked this road too.”

ALSO CHECK: Why shocks and struts are critical for your car’s safety and control

ALSO CHECK: Springs SPCA to host annual Boo Bash Halloween fun run at Springs Country Club