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Seeing Symbolism

The word “infertility” caught my eye as I was scrolling through Apple News. “How Kate Middleton Paid Hidden Tribute to Women With Infertility.” Do tell.

It turns out there was a pineapple design on her clothing when she “announced her patronage of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance, which aims to help new and expectant mothers.” And Newsweek reports that the pineapple is the symbol of infertility.

So.

This brings up many things. First and foremost, that infertility is lumped in with fertility. I get served ads for diapers because businesses believe that people focused on infertility must also be focused on all things baby. Because the only trajectory through infertility ends with a baby? So I’m not sure why Kate would be wearing infertility symbolism to announce how she is helping women who have had children and are experiencing post-partum depression.

I think maybe she just likes the pineapple design.

Though it made me think about Anti-Pineapple Kim from IVFC (where did she go?), and how, once upon a time, people would post how they were eating pineapple, drinking Robitussin, or consuming wheatgrass during IVF or IUI cycles. And I haven’t heard that in years. Until this Newsweek article.

3 comments

1 a { 05.29.22 at 4:03 pm }

I am rolling my eyes really hard at that “hidden tribute,” but it’s probably because the gossip sites I read are really not fans of the Duchess of Cambridge.

2 loribeth { 05.29.22 at 6:22 pm }

I suppose anything is possible… but I would put more stock in that theory if Kate herself had been through infertility — which does not seem to be the case (although I know she had a rough time with severe morning sickness during all three pregnancies). Or if it had been Sophie, the Countess of Wessex, who had an ectopic pregnancy and is rumoured to have used IVF. Or if the event had a clear(er)/strong(er) connection to infertility. “Maternal mental health” is a pretty broad spectrum.

Sometimes a pineapple is just a pineapple.

3 Jess { 05.30.22 at 5:05 pm }

Um, EWWWWW. I think wearing a (trendy, of the moment) print with pineapples on it to a maternal mental health alliance thingie does not an infertility advocate make. I forgot about the whole pineapple thing (eat the core! It will help with implantation!) which was total BS and just resulted in my mouth having acid sores from so. much. pineapple.

Also, fun fact, apparently pineapples are the Southern symbol for hospitality, but in swingers’ circles (um, the ultimate in hospitality, wink wink snort snort?) an upside down pineapple in your grocery cart means you are WELCOMING COMPANY. Hilarious.

But no, Kate Middleton. No. No credit for your pineapple dress, sorry.

(c) 2006 Melissa S. Ford
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