Infertility Books

What a great book -- gave me the answers I needed before and during the IVF cycle.

I'm just sorry I didn't find this book sooner. It would have helped me through the past 2 years. I love the fact that the author inserted humor throughout the book. It made it an easy quick read.

Lots of great information for the first time IVF'er. I sat down with a highlighter and several bookmarks - great read!

Great read for both me and my hubby. Well written and broken into chapters so you can read and re-read each one as you enter that step.

This book was very helpful when I was going through IVF. I loved being able to look up questions I may have. I'm glad I bought it.

I was browsing through the bookstore and this book caught my eye. I thumbed through it, and could not put it down. I bought it, and read the entire thing in one night.

I cried all night. I relate to the women in that book so much. Everything that was said, I have felt. I especially appreciated the section on Secondary Infertility, since that is what I am facing. Most books and other infertility resources don't even acknowledge that Secondary Infertility is a real problem-it makes those with Secondary Infertility feel so alone.

If you're looking for a book that helps you cope, helps you know that you are not alone in your struggle with infertility, and really helps you feel validated in your feelings, then I highly recommend this book.

I did not learn anything from this book that I did not already know. Most of the information included comes under the definition of common sense. If you're looking for a book that will really give you practical strategies by which to deal with infertility issues, there are better ones out there. From a literary standpoint, this was not a well written piece.

From what I've been told, the authors don't have the best reputation for professionalism either.

It's about time a book on the topic of infertility explored the more emotional aspects of this situation. As men and women, when we are confronted with the possibility of infertility, we are thrown to the scientific wolves and sometimes end up feeling like "road kill." Doctors, labs, medicines and experimental procedures can make us feel like modern day Frankensteins. It was so theraputic for me to read this book. Not merely a scientific forum for informative medical information but more importantly, a bible that helped me move forward emotionally. A must read for anyone going through this experience. Well written and heartfelt. Bravo, Harriet and Debby--thank you so much for sharing your wealth of expertise.

As a professional working for more than 15 years w/ couples experiencing infertility, I have found that the insight offered within this book has greatly enhanced my clinical effectiveness. I have gained sensitivity to the emotional impact of infertitlity at a deeper and more meaningful level. Sadly I became aware that I had overlooked some of the day-to-day experiences of infertility. Experiences that I simply took for granted as a woman who biologically conceived without difficulty. These overlooked experiences were profoundly significant to couples working hard to resolve their infertility. Imagine my surprise when I read the review titled, "There are Better Choices Out There." It appeared that this reader was having a very personal & emotional response to this book, given his or her overly harsh reference to literary merit and the lack of professionalism of its authors. I feel this book was written in a "user-friendly" format seeking to reach all persons touched by infertility. I also happened to research the background of one of the authors, H. Rovner-Ferguson and found that she has a long and well-respected history as regards all aspects of infertility, including emotional and medical implications. I am bewildered by this persons harsh criticism and wonder if perhaps they are reviewing a different book.

This book is a must read for all infertility patients. It is well written and as far as I can tell, comes from the heart. I have been experiencing infertility for four long years. Everywhere I turned no one understood my jealousy and need to isolate myself from pregnant family, friends and coworkers.I felt alone and crazy. A woman in my doctors office suggested that I read this book and I am so glad I took her advice. It feels great to know that I am normal.I even gave the book to my husband and he actually read some of the questions and answers.That says it all. Thank you to the authors that truly "get" what I am going through.

I did not find this book to be helpful & my IVF nurse laughed and told me to get a refund when I showed it to her.

This is a perfectly good book, but I found Dr. Silber's "How to Get Pregnant" and Dr. Potter's "What to Do When You Can't Get Pregnant" to be much more informative. Dr. Silber's book is especially good if you are science-oriented and want to understand the chemical aspects of both natural and assisted conception (it has excellent graphs and diagrams). Dr. Marr's book may be better used as a "starter" book when you're first diagnosed with infertility, as it is more of an overview than the other two. Check them out at the library before you buy!!

I am a surrogate mother that worked with Dr. Marrs from July of '04 to July of '05. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with him, his staff and his practice. I wanted to take a look back at all of our procedures and get a better understanding of all we went through. I feel privileged to have a copy of his book!

After 6 years of trying to start a family we purchased this book. Two years later we managed to conceive, however we lost the baby at 8 weeks. Although we are lost at the moment we will try again.

This book helped us to conceive. It's also helping us with our miscarriage. I have shared this book with others and they have all found it helpful. We have purchased other titles, however non-compare.

It is easy to read and understand. Definitely recommend this to anyone trying to understand their infertility and options.

If you want one book to do it all, get this one.

At least it provides you with a vision of most of the issues surrounding infertility.

It provides excellent information on female infertility issues.

It provides cursory information about male infertility issues.

We have recommended and loaned out this book to several friends, and they all were happy with the details provided.

I have just started infertility treatments. Like many women diagnosed with infertility, I headed to the bookstore to read as many books as I could on the topic. I had the pleasure of reading Girlfriend to Girlfriend. Reading the book took a lot of fear out of the unknown of infertility treatments. Kristen shares all of her personal experiences and feelings. It is nice to know you are not alone, other people have gone through all of it, and you are not crazy thinking the things you do think while going through the treatments. I really found the book helpful in coping with my own situation. Anyone who reads it can relate to Kristen's personal accounts of her experience. My favorite part is the advice at the end of each chapter, Girlfriend to Girlfriend. The book will make you laugh at times and cry at times but what you get from it will make your journey through infertility much easier to handle.

I thought I was alone in how much difficulty infertility caused in my relationship with my husband. I now realize that I am not alone and some of Kristen's ideas have helped both my husband and me. I especially liked the part about the mind/body connection.

I finished this book in one day. After I was done, I had myself a good cathartic cry and was ready for whatever came next. Kristen explains things in a way that is easy to understand and made me feel validated. I just couldn't put the book down because I often felt like she knew what I feeling inside. I definitely recommend this book for anyone feeling a little down about their trip through infertility.

I read this book from cover to cover in one night. I just couldn't put it down. For the first time in months, I smiled, laughed, cried and laughed some more. I felt like I was able to breathe again ... truly breathe. I was not alone.

Infertility is a terrible thing to go through and I commend Kristen Magnacca for being brave enough to share her story. My favorite part of the book was when Kristen talked about always trying to be first in line at the doctors' office when she had to go for blood work time and time again. Me too, I've done that! This actually gave me back a sense of sanity. It was a small triumph, but never the less a triumph! I learned to recognize all victories big or small along this rollercoaster ride they call infertility.

Reading this book helped me get out of bed many mornings when I otherwise would not have. It reminded me to how good it felt to laugh and that I was not alone. Although I have many girlfriends to talk too ... no one understands as well as a girlfriend that has been through it, Girlfriend to Girlfriend.

I have purchased many copies of this book and send it to friends new and old that I learn are also going through infertility. Although I am still on the rollercoaster, I hope to someday touch someone's life as Kristen did mine by writing this book. As infertility takes away so many things, the gift of hope, encouragement and laughter is one we can take back. Thank you Kristen for this truly wonderful gift.

I read this book early in my own infertility journey. Unfortunately, all this book did for me was SCARE the living daylights out of me. The author encountered some of the "worst-case" scenarios that we all know exist: extreme adverse reaction to Clomid, ectopic pregnancy, etc. Rather than serve as a practical guide to the day-to-day drone of infertility, the book dealt in worst-case scenarios.

[...] the ultimate insult comes at the conclusion of the book when the author implies that you can "just relax" and get pregnant. All of us dealing with infertility have certainly been given that "advice" by all of our ignorant acquaintances and families already... which led us to look for books to help us cope. Shame on the author for compounding the insult.

A "Little" To Much to Handle
The engaging infertility memoir, A Little Pregnant, is a captivating story that almost no one will want to listen too. Though it is an interesting tale of the trials and tribulations that married couple Ed Decker and Linda Carbone experience in their journey to first conceive and then adopt a child, most people will either find the story too heart wrenching to finish or it will go completely over their heads. For couples facing infertility, which affects about 1 in 10 couples according to the American College of Physicians, it will probably hit too close to home, with its many disappointments and soul crushing moments. And for those who cannot relate to the struggles of infertility, it will completely miss the mark because it is full of convoluted and some times obscure medical procedures that most people either won't understand or just plain won't care to hear about. The book seems to have split personalities at every turn, from the enigmatic couple Carbone and Decker, to the feelings it evokes and the audience it is reaching out too, A Little Pregnant is constantly pulling its reader in two directions.
A Little Pregnant begins it tug of war right the start. It is told in from the perspective of both Decker and Carbone in alternating chapters that are rich in detail. This formats shows how profoundly and differently the couple was affected by their quest to become parents. There are countless medical procedures and so many heart breaking moments that at times the story becomes exhausting. It almost makes you wonder when they will stop and accept their fate of being childless. Their masochistic determination can be frustrating. But then there are other moments where you actually admire their strength and resilience in the face of such discouraging setbacks in their dream of conceiving.
The story starts with the couple happy, urban and in love but as they run into unexpected road blocks in the baby quest, they become resentful and impatient with each other. Carbone has always been ambivalent about having children. She grows to resent her husband for forcing her to the next level every time they lose a pregnancy or fail to conceive. She undergoes countless medical procedures, including a Dilation and Curettage for a uterine blockage, the fertility drug Clomid, treatment for endometriosis, IVF and procedure called GIFT. None of which produced a viable fetus. Disenchanted with her relationship with her husband, she develops a strong sexual attraction to the second most important man in her life, her fertility doctor, Dr. Gold. At one point as she realizes her growing crush for him she muses, "When I was at the office, Dr Gold and I would sometimes have long talks on the phone. I found myself doodling his name. I'd save messages he left on my voicemail and replay them again and again, the disembodied masculinity of his voice becoming both overly familiar and strange, like a word you say to many times in a row (97)." It's hard to tell if Carbone is beginning to lose her mind or is just trying to find a mental escape from such a draining process. She begins to wear make up and style her hair especially for her appointments with him. Then she starts to have vivid sexual fantasies about him, wondering if he has ever felt a "flicker of desire" for her during her exams. She graphically describes how she would like to "arouse him with her hands and mouth into a glorious erection" while sneaking off to secret meeting
places and not being bothered with birth control (p.98)." At times you wonder if Dr. Gold reciprocates these feelings. He gives her special treatment, such as calling her ahead of patients who have earlier appointments and having round the clock conversations with her. He tells her to "call him anytime", which is comforting to a patient, but also somewhat inappropriate. Her ambivalence fades as she seems to feel as if it is her duty to produce a child for her husband. She even appears rebellious at some points, determined have a child simply because she has been told that she may not be able to.
Decker on the other hand has always wanted children and sees himself as the perfect father. It is puzzling why he would marry a woman so vocal about her ambivalence to have children. Meanwhile Decker becomes obsessive with of having to perform on cue for the many samples he must leave. Also their lovemaking must be scheduled at specific times. In time they discover that not only Carbone, but Decker also has physical problem contributing to their infertility. Though Carbone never outwardly says it, you can sense her sighing with relief because she is no longer the sole reason they have not had child. Eventually all these factor cause him to have extreme anxiety attacks. He first tries a biofeedback device and when that doesn't work he goes to a therapist. Even though the therapist is dedicated to helping him and very accurate in what he thinks is causing his anxiety attacks, Decker leaves and never returns, too afraid to uncover whatever demons in his past have contributed to his current problems.
As the story drags on, it becomes an emotional roller coaster, with small victories contrasted with crushing defeats. They become pregnant three times only to have all of the pregnancies in end in early miscarriages. They try acupuncture as an alternative to
conventional medicine. Carbone visits a chiropractor and they both return to Decker's therapist to try to work through other problems they feel may be hindering them in becoming parents. None of these options prove successful, not due to lack of expertise or effort on the part of medical professionals, but because of Decker's and Carbone's fear of truly exploring themselves and each other in fear of what they may find. Their stubbornness is a recurring theme throughout the book, with them ignoring practicality at several different points. This tunnel vision could be interpreted as either single minded foolishness to fulfill the selfish desire to have a child or as the need to satisfy the basic human need to reproduce. Occasionally it seems like the former, but more often then not, it appears to be the latter.
It begins to seem as if the couple is being bullied by some higher power, and the reader begins to worry if they are doomed to never realize this dream, and if so where that will leave them as a couple. Their fights become more vicious and as they become older, they both become more desperate, because they know time is limited. Their communication also breaks down. Whenever Carbone tries to express to Decker that they should consider giving up, he silently presses her into going on. At one point he even tells her, if he must, he will do it without her (195). Many experts agree that infertility affects all three of the things couples fight about the most, money, sex and equal responsibility amongst partners (Holland). Decker and Carbone seem to almost reach their breaking point as all these things are not only a source of fights but great tension as well.
When they finally give up the notion of having a biological child and decide to adopt, a glimmer of hope is shown. They aren't able to go through an agency, because
they exceed their age limit, so they must pursue private adoption. They go through the process of retaining a lawyer and trying to find a birth mother to adopt from. They place ads in new papers across the country, basically advertising for women who wanted to give their child up for adoption. Finally a young girl named Nellie answers, 8 months pregnant and sure of her decision to give her child to a family that can give her child a better life. She is only in high school and it is implied that she has gotten pregnant by her step father. They go to Nebraska to pick up the child and instantly fall in love. Carbone, who was at first afraid of not being able to love someone else's child, now had an overwhelming fear of not being able to take home the baby she had instantly fell in love with. The birth mother's hesitation to sign the papers and sudden request to see the baby one last time worries Carbone. Her intuition proves true. At the last minute the young, teenage mother who had promised them her baby reneged. And there was nothing they could do but accept it. At this moment they decide no more and drive back to New York resigned to that fact that they will never have a child.
Surprisingly and unceremoniously Carbone becomes pregnant. On the ride home from their final test she realizes that she is experiencing all the early symptoms of pregnancy. Without drugs, schedules or doctors she gets pregnant, has an uneventful and easy pregnancy and gives birth to a healthy baby girl. With so much heart ache through out the book, one would hope that the happy ending would be detailed and fulfilling. Instead it is short and anticlimactic. Though there is a sense of relief, you cannot help but wonder was so much was worth it in the end. And would a child, the one thing that

divided them so much in the past, now fix their marriage that was so clearly broken by their obsession with having one?
Though A Little Pregnant draws you in from page one, it also, at times, pushes you away. It's bare, uncut honesty and the strength of Carbone and Decker can be refreshing and necessary at times, yet unsettling and frustrating at others. The attention to detail and fine narration makes it nearly impossible to put the book down. Except for the somewhat confusing medical procedures that the couple goes through, it is almost like talking with a friend. If given the chance, the book could be enjoyed by almost anyone, but they should keep this disclaimer in mind; be prepared to have your heartstrings pulled and you common sense tested as you go on this miserable trek towards parenthood with these wonderfully interesting people.

As detail-oriented as the authors are (the wife even describes the dress she wore before having surgery over a decade before the book was written!) there's a suprising lack of details regarding her pregnancy, their daughter's birth or life.

Linda Carbone and Ed Decker have created a masterpiece. An honest account of one of the most intimate experiences of their lives (their struggle with infertility), it is written in alternating chapters (her account, his account)overlapping and independently moving the story forward. Their humanity, humor, heartbreak and ultimate triumph draw the reader in and never let go. I would recommend this book for anyone who believes in the human spirit and its ability to make lemonade out of lemons. You won't be disappointed!!

This is a FABULOUS book for anyone who has been struggling with infertility!! I loved how this book has the male and female perspectives of each step of the journey. I laughed a lot and cried too. I highly recommend this one:)

I'm Julia Decker, I'm the daughter in this story! I swear...I'M NOT KIDDING! I haven't read this yet (they won't let me), but I'm so happy everyone enjoyed it! I'm glad that this is so popular...Thanks!

A joy indeed, to be in need of a book like this! The best thing about it is that you don't feel alone. It truly is a companion, particularly since the author is so accessible via her recent blog postings. This book has the information needed but is not at all heavy like some of the others. I have given this book to pregnant friends who cannot stop thanking me for it and tell me it is also their favorite.

This book is good and complete if a c-section is not an option you will have to contend with. She gives through guidance in all aspects of pregnancy and delivery except as it relates to a c-section. She fails to recognize that some women need to have the procedure and are not going it as a matter of convenience or fetal distress. I was hoping for a description of the procedure so I know what to expect from my procedure (I have had prior abdominal surgery and my doctor has concerns of uterine rupture, if I go into labor). Instead I got her c-section horror story and judgment about women "choosing" the procedure to avoid the pain of labor. I was really disappointed in her treatment of the subject.

This book is such a terrific and refreshing guide to the realities and joys of pregnancy. While detailed and informative, Ms. Kropp emphasizes that this is not just a time of preparation, but a time for celebration and anticipation.

Tori Kropp, R.N.
Harvard Common Press
ISBN: 978-155832306-3
5 Stars
Long past due...
The Joy of Pregnancy is an excellent resource for parents-to-be. All aspects of the pregnancy are covered, from pre-conception to post-delivery. I wish I had this book 30 years ago. From morning sickness to constipation, Tori Kropp covers it all. Kropp's style is easy to read and understand. This is not a book of humor or cute little sayings. The Joy of Pregnancy is more of a reference book. Kropp does not focus on the negatives; instead, she concisely explains the changes that are taking place in the woman's body and the growth of the baby. The best part of this book is the tips for fathers. Number one, WE are not pregnant! The Joy of Pregnancy would make a great gift.

"The Joy of Pregnancy" could easily replace "What to Expect When You're Expecting" as the next comprehensive guide to pregnancy.

Ms. Kropp provides candid personal wisdom, as well as professional expertise on such subjects as how to choose childbirth classes to finding your due date. There are many myths about pregnancy, which Ms. Kropp addresses and refutes, such as the myth that morning sickness only occurs in the morning.

Dads are included in the book, as well. In fact, there is a "Dad's Corner" in every chapter. It is refreshing to have dad's included in a book about pregnancy, allowing them to feel more comfortable reading a pregnancy book.

Also included in the book are topics such as choosing a birthplace, a multiple pregnancy, and a month-by-month guide to pregnancy, as well as the first month after the birth. Everything is organized so it's easy to find with each chapter devoted to a month of pregnancy.

"The Joy of Pregnancy" is a must-have for every expectant mom.

This book is fabulous. If you are reading this book, then obviously you must have some questions in this area. You've come to the right place (or book rather!). Being a patient of Dr. Silber's I can say that reading this book is like having the doctor talk to you live. It is like having him talk to you face to face. Answers to all your questions are inside his book, and if you are reading it for reasons of infertility, you will relate to this book 100%. I highly recommend this book to anyone being faced with fertility issues.

My husband and I are going to this doctor and after reading his book I am more sure now than ever that he will be able to help us get pregnant!!! If you have any fertility issues and you aren't seeing this doctor, read the book anyway, you will learn things you never knew!!!!

This is a very interesting book which is suitable for the general reader, however, as a medical specialist I also enjoyed reading it.

I found this book to be very detailed and informative. It really answered a lot of questions, so I wasn't calling my doctor every 10 minutes.

Dr. Silber perfectly matches science and empathy in this book. For someone who tried unsuccessfully for years to get pregnant this book was a lifesaver. It answered questions and provided information in a format that was easy to read. It's great!

I purchased this book after experiencing 5 years of infertility. My husband and I were at a crossroads about whether or not to consider adoption or try IVF, after having tried everything else to get pregnant with no success. This book led me to do a lot of soul searching about what was really important in my life, and what my actual goals were. I attribute my reading this book to helping me to view my issues with infertility more clearly (and get past the constant sadness). Needless to say, I now have a beautiful 2-year old boy, and am loving motherhood.

I was so encouraged to read this book! After dealing with infertility for several years, I was beginning to wonder if the feelings that I had been experiencing were normal or if I was just way out of it. I was so relieved to hear a medical and spiritual perspective that made me cry from relief at times, knowing that others have also walked through this very difficult valley - and that God is sufficient to bring me through as well. I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone struggling with any aspect of infertility. From living child-free to answering questions about medical treatments, to adoption how-to's, this book was worth its weight in gold!

Sandra Glahn and Dr. William Cutrer have written a "Christian guide" to the practical, moral, marital, and spiritual challenges of infertility, and as such, it has brought my family some well-deserved help in this area.

The books brings solid facts, detailed information, and a message of encouragement to infertile couples, and those who work with them, along with answers to questions they ask most often. Some of those questions we have asked, such as:
-Should we consider high-tech fertility treatments?
-What about donor insemination? Donor eggs?
-How do we respond to nosy friends and relatives?
-Where can we go for the best advice?
-How can God allow this to happen?

And there are other questions which you may find in your search for answers. There are 16 chapters of great information, and an appendix at the end for more information to seek out. This is a great resource!!!

not tons and tons of info, most is basic stuff you probably already know if you've been trying for more than a year. but I like the Christian perspective; I felt it was a very good book.

I so wish I had gotten this book when we found out we were facing infertility, instead of a year into the process. It has helped me to replace my panic with peace.

A must read book that deals with sexual problems in an easy and understandable way. A great read even for men that don't have sexual problems because it teaches them what to expect from life and not to give up. A far better book in my opinion is "Natural Penis Enlargement: New Methods of Avoiding and Curing Impotence, Premature Ejaculation, and Erectile Dysfunction Safely and Inexpensively. New ... No Pumps, No Pills and No Gadgets! Vol. 2" by Platinum Millennium, one of the best books on them market that i liked very much

Richard Milstein's simple yet effective title doesn't fail my expectations, i found out lots of things about sexual disorders and my own body that i did not know. Great title that I recommend for all that are searching for a minimal but crucial amount of information. For those who want more and better, i recommend" Volume II - Natural Penis Enlargement: New methods of avoiding and curing impotence, premature ejaculation, and erectile dysfunction safely and inexpensively. ... Book on CD-Rom for PC & Mac Computers" by Platinum Millennium, a book that i have read and that cleared out all the sexual myths and truths out there

having some questions regarding the changes that men go through, I found this book to be a candid and well written book. the examples cited were pretty realistic. in comparision to some other books, this one was not burdened down with charts and diagrams that are often a bore or too complex for a lay person to absorb. was worth the purchase proce to me

Unfortunately, most of these reviews sound very much like marketing sound bytes. Has anyone really read this?

The book covers the basics of impotence: physcial and psychological causes. The authors seem to emphasize the psychological more so. Yet their therapeutic suggestions in this area are just about nonexistent.

Their discussion of Viagra is just poor; it is not connected well to their previous chapters. What physical and emotional problems can Viagra overcome and to what degree? Or how long do the effects of Viagra last; all that is stated is how long it takes to become effective. Something is needed beyond the minimal.

The book just does not go past the first level in anything. All in all, I would certainly hope that there is a better book out there for the lay person.

Great, easy to read resource. A lot of info is packed into a very small space.

It was a really good decision to buy this book. You can find all you need as a ob/gyn resident.

This handbook is okay but does not have all the same charts as the older editions seemed to have.

As a PA student, this book has everything you need for referencing during your rotation. I love that the book is very compartmentalized. Management/treatment algorithms, pictures and text are clear and concise. Fits nicely in coat pocket although slightly heavy. This book also includes some primary care information in the beginning of the book, as well as some medical spanish words/phrases and ACLS algorithms in the back.

This is a great quick reference book for clinical practice. Easy to read (despite small print) and to the point information. Another reviewer said this new edition was too big to fit in their pockets; apparently they have really small pockets because I have no trouble putting it in a lab coat. On the other hand, it won't fit in my scrub pockets, so perhaps this is what the reviewer is referring to. Either way, I recommend this reference manual to residents, nurses, nurse practitioner and midwifery students.