Infertility Books

Women can use diagnostic questionnaires, qi gong exercises, and guided meditations to help how elements of nature express themselves in mind and spirit in THE WAY OF THE FERTILE SOUL: TEN ANCIENT CHINESE SECRETS TO TAP INTO A WOMAN'S CREATIVE POTENTIAL, which provides tools for women on how to identify imbalances, reduce stress and uncover creativity. Chapters are packed with analysis of underlying energies and spirit sources and make for an excellent survey of women's psychic and physical health issues.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I bought this book after having read "the infertility cure" and I was expecting the same style: a practical, compassionate, infertility related book. "The way of the fertile soul", however, is a very "out there" kind of book, focused on the theory of ancient chinese medicine and no practical information. For example, it tells you that you have to stop having negative thoughts, but never bothers with practical advice on how to stop your brain from producing them.
I thought it was a good book to read if you want to expand your horizons and learn about something completely new (at least for us westerners), but it is by no means an instruction book on how to accomplish the things she is talking about. Most importantly it IS NOT A FERTILITY BOOK, at least not in the narrow sense of fertility as creating a baby.
For women like me, who want to buy it to expand the information they got from her other book (the infertility cure), I would say don't bother, it has nothing to offer you...

I love that she is both a medical doctor and has "crossed the pond" to embrace the ancient Chinese Secrets and Holistic lifestyle approach to living a healthy well rounded life!
She has a fresh and unique approach to getting the knowledge out there in a laypersons voice! Finally a doctor we can relate to!
Loving it!
Thank-you Randine Lewis
Your the kind of physican all American doctors should follow suit to!
Spread the Word...

I believe that every great teacher's job is to shine light, not give heat to a person seeking information. Dr. Randine Lewis does just that by sharing her vast wisdom and interpretation of ancient Chinese methodology. She helps us to remember what we've forgotten and connect with our great potential for living with passion, joy, strength and unlimited possibility.
Kristen Magnacca,
Author of Girlfriend To Girlfriend: A Fertility Companion (Authorhouse2000), Love and Infertility

I am a pharmacist and a fourth generation TCM herbalist. I have been involved with Chinese Medicine in business and academia. I unequivocally recommend this book for anyone who is considering a comprehensive approach to Fertility. Randine Lewis is a pioneer in our profession.

Thomas N. Leung

We received this book as a gift while dealing with our long infertility journey. It was such a blessing to have the compassion and reassurance this book provided during a time of our lives that was so hard and lonely (lonely because unless you have gone through it, you can't really understand it). After God blessed us with a child I passed this book on to another friend who was dealing with infertility as well. She was so pleased and relieved to get this book once she opened the pages and began to also receive it's reassurance and support.

I was expecting a little more from the book than what was offered. I felt as if I were being told how to feel rather than being comforted with words. Perhaps I mustn't be so senstive. Infertility is not an easy subjet to discuss and hurt feelings are bound to arise. I didn't seek medical help until my husband and I tried for three years. According to this book, that's a huge no-no and I was almost frightened that there might be absolutely no hope since we delayed our trip to the doctor.
Try to keep an open mind when reading this book.

I was so pleased to finally be able to read this book. It was great to hear about infertility from both the husband's and wife's points of view. I felt like my struggles with infertility were validated and discovered that there are others feeling the same things as I do. This book does take a Christian perspective to infertility, which I appreciated. While the authors do give some perspective on assisted reproductive technologies, I would also recommend speaking with your pastor or spiritual advisor to find out what your church group thinks, as I have discovered it varies some between denominations. I appreciated all the great web links and other resources the authors outlined in the book as well. A read well worth it.

Nice to have both spouses experiences with infertility expressed.
I did not agree with everything written in the book regarding assisted reproductive technology. I believe the Catholic understanding of always keeping the unitive and procreative aspects of the marital union intact. The end never justifies the means. Other than that, I was encouraged by the book.

I was sceptical about buying another book to "help" me through my struggles with infertility, but once I began to read this book I wished that I had purchased it much earlier. This book gives advice as well as reason why you may be asking hard questions about what you are doing wrong in your life to have to go through this. Because of reading this book I am strongly considering starting a support group in my area. I am very thankful that I was able to take the time to read this book.

This book was incredibly honest, heartfelt, and moving. The diversity of stories and voices kept me interested and the emotional power of these stories truly affected me. I found myself crying in the middle of class as I read this book (whilst pretending to take notes and pay attention in class). I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

I can't imagine how anyone could remain unengaged by the stories in this book. I was moved almost to tears (and often actually to tears) by all of these women's powerful, beautifully written stories. I was given this book by a friend who wanted to buy it for all of her friends, it was given to her by a friend who also bought it for all of her friends, and I plan to recommend this book to everyone I know as well.

I was eager to read this book after reading a favorable review in my local paper. As a woman who had experienced most of the topics covered in the book, I was looking for some insight from other women regarding these major events. However, I found the book rather flat and unengaging. A few of the essays really drew me in (Janet Mason Ellerby, Sarah Messer, and Kimi Faxon Hemingway all wrote powerful essays), but for the most part, I remained unmoved by their stories. I would recommend this book, but I would say, take it out of the library (sorry, Amazon!).

There is also a paperback edition of this book which ships immediately:

Choice: True Stories of Birth, Contraception, Infertility, Adoption, Single Parenthood, and Abortion

This is absolutely one of the most emotionally powerful, though-provoking, conviction-challenging books I have read in a number of years. I only wish I could give it six stars.

It is NOT, as some might think, all about the choice to have an abortion. It is about all the emotional, mental, and moral complexities of ANY pregnancy, and the desires, decisions, fears, and longings that go along with a pregnancy. There are stories of women who gave their children up for adoption, and have suffered the pain of wishing they could have kept their children for the rest of their lives. There are women who recount the histories of women in their family who did not have the choices that they themselves now have when faced with an abusive relationship, a pregnancy where the resulting child would be unlikely to survive, having absolutely no money to be able to take care of a child conceived despite carefully using birth control. There are women who had to choose between dying themselves and attempting to carry a much-wanted pregnancy to term. There are women who chose to become single mothers despite pressure to have an abortion or give up the baby for adoption. There are women who knew their fetus might be abnormal, but chose to have the baby, come what may. There are stories of women who had abortions, both legal and illegal, who had severe medical consequences as a result. There are women who had an abortion for an early pregnancy when they could not carry it to term, and are thankful for that choice because it gave them a chance at a better, happier life - and more children that they could care for and support - later in life. Women who miscarried, and have dealt with the pain of this loss. Women who adopted from another country, acutely aware of the terrible circumstances that must have led to the bio mother of their child having to give up her baby. Women who miscarried much-wanted children. Women who knew deep down that they were not meant to be mothers, and decided to not have children.

It is about choices - ALL the choices - associated with so many different pregnancy situations.

None of these situations are without feelings, without an awareness of other options or possibilities. Many of the women in these essays made decisions that they knew they had to make, but were gut-wrenching in the extreme. Many women in these essays support having ALL options available for pregnancies, even if they themselves strongly disagree with some of the options. In thinking forward to having my own family in the future and having never been pregnant (yet) myself, I have the utmost respect for most of the women in these essays in making these difficult choices (regardless of what choice they made) and strongly facing up to the consequences. Do not look for this book to be an unabashed endorsement of abortion - it is NOT that at all. That would be too simplistic to represent the reality of most women's situations when faced with pregnancy.

I believe that this book should not only be required reading for teen and young adult girls/women, but also for the boys/men too. I would also strongly suggest it for women's studies classes looking at reproduction.

I have already recommended it to several friends - one who appears to be infertile and is working on adopting from another country; another who is living with her boyfriend and will probably marry him, but may or may not be ready to be a mother now should she get accidentally pregnant; to a woman who got easily pregnant with her first two children, and conceived through a fairly foolproof form of birth control for her third.

Choices.

Even if you assume you will disagree with many of the decisions made here, pick up the book anyway. You may be surprised at the empathy you have for the women in these essays - and that you may even have something in common with them.

this product arrived promptly and was in excellent condition! i will order from this seller again and again. thanks

If you have read any other books on infertility, don't bother with this one. It truly is for dummies, in that there is really no helpful new approach or information. It is more of a reproductive dictionary.

The book covers fertility options in great depth and if it only suits dummies I am not sure what that says about the many experts out there who couldn't seem to solve my problem. It gave me questions and answers that the experts couldn't and after 8 years trying and many $ spent and with my biological clock about to expire - this gave me what I needed to ask the right questions, get the right tests and surgery done, and finally fall pregnant ! You've nothing to lose by reading it and checking if there is anything you might have missed elsewhere.

My Husband & I were getting ready to be thrown into the IVF arena. I had been looking for a resource book to help us through this daunting process but just couldn't find the right one. I went to the book store every weekend and kept picking up the same old ones trying to convince myself that "it would do" but the information just didn't seem to go into depth on the massive (expensive) subject I needed them too. Then came cycle day 1 and I called my doctor only to find out the IVF lab was closing in the next 2 months due to construction at the hospital where it is housed - we got thrown into IVF much quicker than anticipated. We went into the doctors office and got the specs on our individualized plan and the injection lessons but still came out feeling completely overwhelmed. I went back to the bookstore to pick up one of the other books I had been looking at just to calm down a little bit when I found this one. I have found it to be a very good resource if you are getting ready to go through IVF. I felt a lot more informed about the process which helped my anxiety to subside and believe me, going into this more worked up than you have to be is not a good idea :) The authors did a great job explaining the IVF process. The only areas I wish they had gone into more detail is on injectibles and labwork. They do touch on these subjects, I just wish they had gone into even more detail. But overall a very good resouce for IVF. Thank you ladies from a grateful (hopefully successful) IVF patient.

This is my new fertility dictionary! I can look up all the technical stuff that I need to know while trying to conceive (ttc). It has given me a 'game plan' for what I need to do next. I have used this book to figure out the RIGHT questions before my doctor's visits and understand all that he said afterwards. I also really appreciate the personal stories. I have gotten down and out (even though I've only been trying to have a baby for six months) and worried about what it will take to get pregnant and hearing about other people the same as me has been kind of comforting. I have read some of the stories and suggestions about relationships to my husband as well. He and I have been at each other's throats during this process and at least it has given us some things to laugh about as well.

More so than any fertility book I have read so far, this book combines all the technical information with the emotional side as well.

I enjoyed the story of this open adoption and appreciated the honesty of Bobbi's struggles and losses. The way that she wrote was often too detailed and that was hard get through at times. If you are thinking of an open adoption...this is a great account of how it can be a positive experience for both the birthparents and adoptive parents.

This is an outstanding story! I love the way the author uses detail to describe her experiences and feelings. That really made me feel like I was a part of the story. I could relate to how deeply the author felt. I spent lots of time laughing as well as crying as I read through this amazing journey of God's power in this couples life. It was very uplifting to see things come together knowing that it was beyond anything this couple could imagine. God truly blessed them with a Masterpiece of Joy! I would recommend this book to ANYONE who is facing disappointments or struggles in their life. It encouraged me so much. The fact that this is a true story magnifies the greatness of a Lord who hears the cries of the hurting. I did not get bogged down while reading it in spite of the depth of Mrs. Grubb's descriptions as other reviewers have commented. I liked the detail as it made it possible to put myself in this couples place. If you are facing hardships, please consider reading this book. I believe it will bless you as much as it has me! Thank you so much for sharing this uplifting story! I know it must have been difficult to share such intimate things.

As a mother who has struggled with infertility issues, this book really encouraged me to remember that God is in control. Bobbi shares her very personal story in a way that anyone who has struggled with infertility can relate to. I would imagine everyone could be encouraged by this book to trust that God is involved in all the details and HE works all things together miraculously!

Masterpiece of Joy by Bobbi Grubb gives the account of one couple as they experienced the emotional pain of infertility, but then found the joy of adoption. Those that are walking through these issues would thoroughly benefit from reading the Grubb's personal story. Even those that are not dealing with issues of infertility will be blessed as they see God's plan unfold. I was able to relate their experience to other areas of my life, and realize that even though in the midst of the storm, we cannot see what lies ahead, God is in control, and His purposes will be fulfilled. When we can truly grasp hold of that concept, we can rest in Him regardless of the uncertainty, disappointment, and chaos that may be going on around us. A definite must read!!!!!

Masterpiece of Joy is a wonderful story. I was amazed at how God worked in the lives of this couple. Though they faced heartache, sorrow, and despair, they eventually found a way to cope and go on. Eventually, God blessed them in so many specific ways, it is amazing. The reader really feels what the author experienced, both sorrow and joy. It talks very openly about the physical and emotional difficulties of infertility, and the medical procedures involved in infertility testing. It also covers the decision making process in choosing open adoption. The reader will see the courage of birthparents who choose adoption and will be amazed how the adoption process resulted in peace and contentment for the birthmother as well. I think this book will provide valuable insight to infertile couples and their families, to couples considering adoption (and their families), and to birthparents considering adoption in an unplanned pregnancy. For others, it is just a great story you won't want to miss.

I read this book at a very low point in my fertility journey. After finishing this book, I felt like the the author left no room for God's power to work through any fertility situation.

I understand that she never conceived, and decided to adopt, but not all of us are there. I still feel that God can bring me a baby, even if I get to be as old as Sarah! I guess I didn't feel the same from this author.

Back in November of 2007, I went in to our local Berean bookstore, looking for one of the few pretty standard Christian Infertility Books (Hannah's Hope, The Infertility Companion, and a couple others are pretty "big"). I was annoyed to discover that Berean had only one book in the entire store on infertility (and for a moment, the store associate thought it was in the Parenting section. I was glad to find it in the "Women's Health" section instead). Anyway, I bought the book, stuffed it in my purse, and went on to meet a friend. When I got home, I logged on to Amazon and ordered those more "common" books and shoved this one to the back of my ever-growing pile. After all, I'd never heard of the book or the author, and had never seen it mentioned in any of my IF circles. I knew that it was recommended by Greg Smalley, and H. Norm Wright so I figured it couldn't be bad, but I still wasn't enthusiastic about reading it.

All those other books were great and I appreciate what I learned from them. I read through all of them and was left with just a couple more obscure titles, including this one. When I had to leave on a business trip, I tossed this book in my bag figuring it would give me something to do on the plane.

I started reading it and it wasn't long before I was hooked!

Infertility: Finding God's Peace in the Journey by Lois Flowers is a practical, Biblical guide book of the journey of Infertility, written for the IF Patients. As the author tells her story, she challenges the reader at every step with Biblical truths and logical challenges to the traps we often willingly fall victim to in our IF journeys that would seek to steal our joy and attention from God. She maintains a delicate balance of bold truth, and compassionate earnestness.

I've tried for a while to figure out why I like this book so much more than other books because really, what she says is not so profound that it's vastly different from other Christian books on the subject. I think I prefer this book because I appreciate the author's tone and approach. While other Christian Infertility books are very warm and almost personal, they appeal to the heart. They give me a sense of sitting and chatting over coffee, hugging and crying along the way. Those are wonderful elements of those books but for that reason, I never completely identified with them. I've done my share of crying no doubt, but at the end of the day I need help logically processing through everything.

This book appeals to the head and mind of the Infertility patient, which is much easier for me to identify with. I dogeared many many pages that contain content I've read before framed differently, but in this context the concepts reached out and grabbed me like they hadn't before in other mediums. My mind was challenged at every step, which in turn trained my heart. The author never allows the reader to just sit and stew in her own melancholy thoughts. She confronts prejudices, false entitlements and pity parties with the truth of God expressed with all the compassion of someone who knows the pain of this journey.

My favorite part of the book is when she quotes the Horse and His Boy by CS Lewis. I already have a soft spot for Lewis but the Horse and His Boy is a book I hadn't cracked since adolescence so I've forgotten much. In the passage cited, in an exchange between Aslan and a main character, the boy is asking the "Whys" of Aslan's workings in both his own life and that of a friend. Aslan answers:

Child...I am telling you your own story, not hers. I tell no one any story but his own.

Wow! Over and over I turned that in my head. This past fall I remember lamenting to my best friend that while I was overjoyed for her pregnancy I couldn't help but think that there must be some cosmic checklist that they accomplished and we didn't for God to decide that natural childbearing was a part of their story and not ours. In my head, there had to be some discriminating factor. I still saw infertility as incompleteness. As a blessing withheld. Childbearing was something they somehow deserved and we didn't, for reasons unbeknownst to any of us. That passage by Lewis and Ms. Flowers' excellent correspondence of it to the infertility journey continues to challenge me even now.

My other favorite part of the book is when the author is addressing the grief Infertility women often feel in modern Christendom, when motherhood is so magnified, and sometimes too much so. The Infertile woman is left feeling like the world thinks her life is "less blessed" or "less purposeful" and sometimes, she thinks those things about herself. The author writes:


I agree that children are wonderful blessings. If they were not, infertility wouldn't be nearly as hard as it is. I also understand why people with children might count them among the greatest blessings in their lives. But to suggest that people without children (married or not) are somehow missing out on the ultimate blessing is both narrow-minded and unbliblcal. The Scriptures (especially Psalms and Proverbs) list dozens of other sources of God's blessing. And nearly all of these have to do with a person's heart and relationship with God and others, rather than her ability to reproduce her own genetic material.

For example, you are blessed when you refrain from walking in the "counsel of the wicked" or standing "in the way of sinners" or sitting "in the seat of mockers" (Psalm 1:1). You're blessed when you delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it around the clock (Psalm 1:2). You are blessed if your "transgressions are forgiven" and your "sins are covered" (Psalm 32:1). You're blessed when you take refuge in the Lord (Psalm 34:8), when you make the Lord your trust (Psalm 40:4), when you have regard for all the weak (Psalm 41:1), when you learn to acclaim the Lord and walk in His presence (Psalm 89:15), when you seek Him with all your heart (Psalm 119:2), when you maintain justice, and when you "constantly do what is right" (Psalm 106:3).

You're blessed when you are kind to the needy (Proverbs 14:21), when you are generous to the poor (Proverbs 22:9), when you are faithful (Proverbs 28:20), when you honor the Sabbath (Isaiah 56:3), when you are disciplined by God (Psalm 94:12), when you find wisdom (Proverbs 3:13), when you serve others (John 13:11-17), when you fear the Lord continually (Proverbs 28:14), when you read the book of Revelation and take its message to heart (Revelation 1:3-4) and when you actively watch for the return of Jesus Christ (Revelation 16:14-15).


The author goes on to share the beatitudes as well and finally concludes:

Notice that this passage says nothing about having children. Like most of the blessings delineated in the Old Testament, all the blessings here are a direct result of Christlike behavior, not of familial relationships.

God may not have blessed you with biological children yet. And He may never choose to do so. But regardless of whether you ever have a successful pregnancy, you have many other wonderful opportunities to receive His blessing, most of which can have eternal impact. In the meantime, you can either bemoan the fact that you're missing out on the blessing of children (either temporarily or permanently), or you can actively seek out ways to grow in purity and godliness, serve others and develop wisdom.



What a wonderful, exhaustive list of God's goodness and mercies! As a long term Christian, I knew all of these things, and I also know that I do not exist so that God may bless me, but that doesn't mean that I have always stopped my heart from wallowing in what I was bound to "miss out" on! This passage was such a challenge to me and I hope that it would be a challenge to our church culture too.

I really love this book. I want to find the author and hug her guts out. The book does have an appendix for family and friends of infertile people, as well as a resource for pastors, and those are well and good too, but this book was just so instrumental in shedding light on lies in my heart, in encouraging me in places where I felt a bit on shakey ground, and in challenging me to really appreciate this journey of Infertility.

I recommend it with my whole heart! Praise God for the "inconvenience" of Berean having only one book on the shelf. I am confident that it was so I would read this book that I otherwise would not have touched and I am so grateful for the gift it has been. I hope it will encourage you all likewise!

This book has been a great help. I am in the early stages of infertility. My husband and I have had so much pressure from family, friends and the church about when are you going to have a baby. I laughed and cried while reading it. Finally, I said to myself someone understands. Even if you just started on this "journey of infertility", I recommend it. The author does not leave you hopeless. She helped me to remember what is important while still validating my feelings. I cannot make having a baby my "idol". God is still good!

This book helped me immensely in bringing closure to our infertility journey and helped me find peace. It answered and helped explain many of the issues I had been dealing with while struggling with infertility. I definitely recommend it to anyone who asks God, "Why me?" However, I would like to add that you may want to wait to read it until you are near the end of infertility treatments and considering other options. It is very straightforward and may upset someone who is just starting off dealing with infertility.

This book is a must read for any couple coping with the trial of infertility. I was able to do just what the title said, find God's peace! Chapter by chapter I learned important information, grappled with the hurt and pain and found some of the answers I had been looking for. Now I know that I'm not alone and that others have gone through just what I am, and that there is hope and peace to be found. I am recommending this book to others I meet who are going through infertility.

The stories were sincere. I was looking for more transracial adoption stories on older child adoption but only found one inside this book. The black children that were adopted were adopted as infants, so it wasn't of much interest to my situation. I found that each parental story was very honest and will help those of you who have adopted internationally.

My husband and I are just starting on our own adoption journey. I just finished reading Carole's book last week and now my husband is now reading it. I cried tears of joy throughout the entire book! I cannot thank the author enough for writing this book; Reading everyone's story gives us the understanding that though we are in for our own roller coaster, there will be pure joy in the end. The stories also answered so many questions that other books fail to address and gave me greater insight into other issues such as the heartache birthmothers go through. We, too, believe that God will lead us to our child, but the couples' words in this book reinforced and strengthened our instinct.

Carole Turner's book is a wonderful, moving work. Her sensetive interviews with these 11 families bring the reader into their lives without intrusion. Each account of the preparation for and travel through the adoption process is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. These families' experiences are so varied; their reasons for deciding to adopt so diverse, yet the underlying desire to build a family is common among them. I was particularly moved by the courage of the parents. They worked so hard to achieve their goals. The single parents are so brave to take on such a challenge, and the couples had their own sets of hurdles to overcome, from infertility to taking older children who were traumatized by their pasts, to travel to a foreign country to meet their children. My hat goes off to Carole Turner for being able to enable the families to open up, to her own daugher, Emma, for being the inspiration for the book, and most of all, to the families featured, for sharing their lives selflessly and being such wonderful people. I highly recommend this book for anyone whose life has been touched by adoption, or for anyone interested in family.

Reading this book was like joining an adoption support group! The author deftly tells the stories of several adoptive parents in different circumstances, describing their joys, frustrations, hopes and fears with such sensitivity that I found I couldn't put the book down. I was also surprised to find that I am now open to other, less-traditional forms of adoption.

I recommend it highly.

This book lays out a fascinating analysis of the causal relationship between fatness and fertility, and it is undoubtedly a testament to the enduring power of the author's work that so many of the ideas in this book seem quite intuitive to me--I've grown up with these ideas generally accepted. The empirical analysis in the book is first-rate, and I found the population studies illuminating.

My complaint, though, is the the incessant name-dropping and asides about where she was when data was found or a conclusion reached are almost unendurably tedious. I appreciate that she has a great deal of respect for her collaborators, and I certainly appreciate how difficult it must have been for a woman to propose a totally new hypothesis to the male-dominated medical community of the early 1970s, but that really belongs in her autobiography, not in a piece of analysis. The inclusion of these personal asides detracts from the otherwise dispassionate, analytical tone and distracts from her very interesting and really revolutionary ideas.

I am, perhaps, too fussy as this is really my only complaint about the book. It is otherwise an elegant synopsis of 30 years of research and a helpful resource for those trying to conceive or generally interested in conception. But enough with the names and CVs.

This book is meant for people who are 1) thin or underweight and/or exercise too much 2) a medical student or one interested in the mechanics of fertility or 3) Overweight/Obese women looking to understand WHY being overweight/obese is impairing your fertility (BMI > than 27). For the average women who does not fall into these two categories and is looking for insight into her infertility, I would advise this book is not the right one for you. If you are still curious, check it out from your local library (as I did), and you won't be disappointed you spent any money.

This fascinating, intelligent book makes for quick reading and lots of thinking. I wish I'd discovered Rose Frisch a long time ago, as she explains some events of puberty that, had I understood them at the time, would have alarmed me far less. This was an encouraging, lively, and absorbing book. Hopefully it will help women struggling with infertilty and body image to get to the bottom of at least one area of potential misunderstanding. I've recommended this book to several friends and will continue to get the word out.

This is a wonderful informative book. It's an invaluable work for anyone who's looking to understand female fertility, and a great read too.

Wonderful book to read when you need to pick up some encouragement, hope and even humor on the subject! Devotional format is great when you are looking for encouragment and comfort. It is like picking up a hot cup of tea to soothe your soul. Wonderful for someone going through infertility, as well as anyone wanting to learn how to support/understand someone going through infertility.

Sometimes you read a book about a subject and you come away informed. Other times you live that subject as you read an author who KNOWS your story and you come away changed. Guide Me Through This Barren Land is just such a life-changing book and Ms. Caswell just such a personal author. If you have lived infertility, Vicki's words will resound in your heart.

Using humor, honesty and scripture, Vicki Caswell's words are like a salve to the aching heart of a childless woman. I laughed, I cried, I sighed and I rested, knowing that for the moments I was reading her book, I was in a safe place with someone who really understood my pain--my journey. I also appreciate that rather than sounding like a third person observer, Vicki chose instead to courageously open up windows into her own heart. That kind of raw vulnerbility is rare. Furthermore, her thought-provoking questions at the end of each day's readings are poignant yet gentle--they challenged me to address the effects of infertility on every aspect of my life, and ultimately to see purpose in the pain.

I don't think this book was written for women going through fertility treatment, but more for those who have reached the point of ending their pursuit to have a biological child. I didn't find it useful at all...it was actually depressing. It's like having a pity party with someone who has the same problem as you and misery loving company. I was hoping for uplifting devotions that bring hope. Instead it is an intimate glimpse into this woman's pain and struggles with infertility. If you are looking to "identify" with someone who is grieving this book may be helpful, but if you are looking to move beyond the grief I would not recommend this book. Two books I recommend are Hannah's Hope by Jennifer Saake Hannah's Hope: Seeking God's Heart In The Midst Of Infertilityand Inconceivable by Julia Indichova if you are seeking hope.Inconceivable: A Woman's Triumph over Despair and StatisticsIf you are looking to be empowered through your journey I highly recommend I Am More Than My Infertility by Marina Lombardo and Linda J. Parker.I Am More Than My Infertility

Vicki Caswell's book was both humorous and profound. The poetry was excellent, scripture references appropriate and daily journal entries encouraging. This book is one to be read and reread as it has tremendous healing power. Reading it was like having a good friend along the infertility journey. Thank you God for using Vicki Caswell so powerfully to help others.

I was skeptical that this type of method or that anything having to do with hypnosis would help me in any way throughout my pregnancy - but now I have used it TWICE! After a friends recommendation, I ordered O'Neill's bundle and my husband and I both read it and it provided a wonderful way of approaching childbirth that I had never thought of before, and I am so glad that I did. I felt truly in sync with my body and baby...and my husband. Every woman should know about this. My friend sent me this link to a recent article on O'Neill:
http://www.dailynews.com/search/ci_3893221

I used this method ,after trying without it and feeling sad and frustrated. I was renewed after reading book and listening to CD . I highly reccomend this method as it deals with issues no one else addresses and the hypnosis worked like a charm . I then went on to use The Hypnobirthing Bundle For Happy Hypnomoms and Blissful Hypnobabies and my dream was complete ,a healthy baby girl naturally.I think all fertility offices should suggest this so all fertility hopefuls can double their IVF success rate as the Israeli research states. Good Luck. This made the road alot easier,faster and sucessful.

After 5 years of infertility - most of which included all kinds of alternative medicine - I was looking for some new guided meditations. This book does have a cd, but only one guided meditation. I like the meditation, but there is irritating music at the beginning and end so it is hard to stay in the meditation if you want to extend it.

More frustrating, however, is the idea that anyone can overcome infertility if she thinks the right thoughts and that the people who go to IVF or other assisted procedures are taking the easy way out. I think there are couples who think, "I could quit smoking and see if that helps, but IVF is easier." but so many more of us try anything and everything we can with or without assisted reproductive technologies. I have changed my diet, exercised the "right" amount, examined my thought process . . . all the things the book suggests. We perhaps even wasted valuable time by pursuing these methods as I went from age 34 to age 38 before moving to IVF thereby decreasing our chances of success from about 50% chance / cycle to about 30% chance / cycle.

Furthermore, the examples in her book are of young couples with unexplained infertility. A quote from page 25 says it all, "In most cases of unexplained infertility, it can take as long as seven months to conceive." Wow! A whole seven months! The poor dears! So her book must be helpful to people who may not even progress to get a diagnosis of infertility since most standards put that at 1 year of unprotected sex without conceiving.

The only reason this book got 2 stars is that there is at least one idea for meditation that I liked (in the book, not on the cd) and I do believe that how we think and feel about ourselves as well as how well we treat our bodies can have an influence. It is just not the whole story.

For better guided imagery I suggest "Help for Infertility"

New study out of Israel Hypnosis makes embryo transfer stage of IVF More successful. It works I just wanted to share the news . I used the book and the Cd and played Cd all week before and morning of my transfer and after 2nd try I conceived. The day of transfer I immediately after played Dr Leclaire,s Creating Comfort Within Hypnosis Cd which is to be played throughout my pregnancy . I am more than thrilled and grateful . Cheers to an easier way !