Adopting After Infertility. Patricia Johnston. 1993. 320p. Perspectives Press. While there are many books that explain the adoption process, none of them explore with much depth the issues that aodptiove parents must deal with before making choices about what type of child and what type of adoption to pursue. Adopting after Inferitlity fills that gap remarkably well. It provides the kind of information that should be found in every ore-adoption class... Johnston, who is well known in the infertility and adoption communties for her work in those fields, is the natural choice for a book of this type. Her chatty style makes for easy reading, so there is no excuse for every parent considering adoption not to read this important book. — Adopted Child (July 1993)

And Hannah Wept: Infertility, Adoption & the Jewish Couple. Michael Gold. 1988. 251p. Jewish Publication Society. The definitive work on Judaism’s approach to infertility, pregnancy loss, and adoption, And Hannah Wept looks into various forms of increasing fertility and child bearing. An indispensable resource for couples facing infertility, the book provides technical information as well as emotional support. Rabbi Gold, the author, has himself adopted two children and encourages others to also adopt when the option is right.

Answers in Abundance: A Miraculous Adoption Journey as Told from a Father’s Heart. Elliott J Anderson. 2007. 248p. Morgan James Publishing. Answers in Abundance will target primarily Christian women between the ages of 25 and 50 who have either been through a similar experience, know somebody who has or is currently involved in the painful process; or who simply enjoy human-interest stories that can be referred to friends and family. Answers in Abundance transcends the spiritual ingredients, however, and could be read by a larger audience than just evangelical Christians. There are, conservatively estimating, over two million infertile couples in the United States. Infertile Christian married couples in America often keep their plight a secret for years. If and when they finally begin to talk openly with their close friends, it’s nearly always the woman who bears the responsibility for investigating various options. It is also usually the female who carries the guilt through this entire process.

Artificial Insemination. Wilfred Finegold. 1964. Charles Thomas.

Artificial Insemination & the Unmarried Woman: Legal Rights & Responsibilities. Julie A Waltz. 1987. 51p. Opportun Press.

Baby of Your Own, A: New Ways to Overcome Infertility. William Karrow. 1991. 256p. Taylor Pub.

Barren in the Promised Land: Childless Americans & the Pursuit of Happiness. Elaine Tyler May. 1995. Basic Books. Over 500 childless people responded to an author’s query to share first-person accounts of child-free lives. The majority of responses came from women, 60 percent of whom were childless by choice. Combining their stories of nonreproduction with that of America’s reproductive history, May’s discussion of our country’s reproductive trends is a cohesive picture of a place where children were, at first, an economic necessity. Later, Theodore Roosevelt favored eugenics when faced with “race suicide” in a country overrun by the “wrong” immigrants. The couple-centered childlessness of the 1920s eventually gave way to the patriotic baby boom of the postwar years. From the free love of the 1960s through the child-free 1970s, May brings us to the 1990s where childlessness is no longer considered pathological and her respondents freely admit nurturing their own “child within” in favor of the pain of bringing a new life into a ruined world. A fecund view of every aspect of childlessness, including sterility, infertility, and “designer genes” in a country that has moved from sex without children to children without sex. — Patricia Hassler; From Booklist.

Belated Baby, The: Healing Yourself after the Long Journey of Infertility. Jill S. Browning & Kelly James-Engler. Foreword by Brenda Strong. 2008. 288p. Cumberland House Publishing. Approximately 7.3 million American women have struggled with infertility. Most of them, whether or not they use fertility treatments, do not realize that when they have their baby (or babies)—whether through birth or via adoption—the echoes of their infertility will be felt long after they are living out their dream of having their own baby. Jill S. Browning and Kelly James-Enger explain that infertility is a mind-set and that every woman who experiences infertility is forever changed, even when she eventually has the child she yearned for. When many women who have gone through fertility treatments describe their experience, they say it “abused their soul.” The experience may have also hurt their relationship with their husband and sometimes permanently altered relationships with their extended families. Studies show that even after the desperation of infertility subsides, emotional wounds still fester and an asterisk accompanies her bundle of joy. Infertile women often find themselves mentally unprepared for motherhood. They feel they have no right to complain about the frustration and confusion that all new sleep-deprived parents experience. After all, they worked so hard to have a baby and, moreover, spent thousands of dollars for costly procedures. They also may be conflicted about working, even if their families need the income. She’s waited so long for this baby. How can she leave him or her to go back to work? The Belated Baby supports the message these women need to hear. It guides readers through the transition from being an infertile patient to parenthood, and it reveals how infertility shapes them as a parent. It will also be a hopeful source for couples currently in the throes of infertility, offering encouragement that there is happiness and life after infertility. About the Authors: Jill S. Browning is a freelance writer who specializes in subjects related to parenting. A contributing writer with Chicago Parent magazine, she has written articles for Parenting and the Christian Science Monitor. Kelly James-Enger has written five books, including Small Changes, Big Results: A 12-Week Action Plan to a Better Life, and more than 50 articles for national magazines, including Family Circle, Health, Redbook, and Women’s Day.

Beyond Second Opinions: Rethinking Questions about Fertility. Judith Steinberg Turiel. 1998. 419p. University of California Press. Beyond Second Opinions is both an expose of the risks, errors, and distortions surrounding fertility medicine and an authoritative guide for people seeking treatment. Accessible, comprehensive, and extremely well- informed, this book takes the reader beyond hype to the hard data on diagnoses and treatments. Judith Steinberg Turiel, a consumer health activist and herself a veteran of fertility treatments, uses the most up-to-date medical literature to shed new light on difficult decisions patients face today and on reproductive questions society must begin to address now. Those who are seeking a more balanced perspective to help them make better, more informed decisions will find a wealth of information about current reproductive interventionsfrom simple fertility pills to dazzling experimental optionsas well as a discussion of the non- medical forces (economic and political) that shape an individual’s treatment choices and reproductive outcomes. Despite quantities of information showered upon patients, they remain woefully misinformed; some fertility treatments may actually reduce chances for a successful pregnancy and threaten a patient’s health. Turiel looks beyond surface claims to the real information, often uncovering counterintuitive findings and sometimes scandalous revelations. She exposes a realm of unregulated expansion, unscientific experimentation, and recent scandal over stolen embryos. Weaving together first-hand accounts, compelling stories, a range of scientific information, and lively anecdotes, Turiel addresses the persistent gulfs that separate medical professionals and health care consumers. In the process she arms lay people with what they might not learn about infertility practices from doctors, patient education brochures, and the newspaper.

Brotherhood of Joseph, The: A Father’s Memoir of Infertility & Adoption in the 21st Century. Brooks Hansen. 2008. 288p. Modern Times. While miracles in reproductive technology have brought joy to millions, those very advances have plunged many couples into an unrelenting cycle of hope and heartbreak. One failed attempt may lead to another and another—but how do you give up when there is always another doctor, another procedure holding out the possibility of conception and the child you yearn for? Brooks Hansen vividly captures the emotional turmoil he and his wife, Elizabeth, endured as they tried to concieve, the years their lives were put on hold, and the excruciating sense of loss. He writes too of the couple’s journey through the bewildering world of adoption—a path to parenthood fraught with financial, legal, and emotional risks of its own. Offering men a chance to be heard and women a rare opportunity to view the struggle with infertility from a male perspective, The Brotherhood of Joseph brings to life the anger, frustration, humor, heartbreak, and sense of helplessness that come to dominate the husband’s role. As his remarkable account reaches its finale in Siberia, however, Hansen’s once again becomes the story of a husband and a wife who, even after years of medical frustration and fruitless paperwork, still must take one last risk together and trust in their most basic instincts before their new family can be born. About the Author: Brooks Hansen has written five novels and his work has appeared in the New York Times Book Review, Best Life, Open City, Grand Street, and Bookforum. He and Elizabeth live with their children, Theo and Ada, in California.

Building Your Family Through Egg Donation: What You Will Want to Know About the Emotional Aspects & What to Tell Your Children. Joyce Sutkamp Friedeman. 1996. 32p. Jolance Press. Are you considering building your family through egg donation? If so, there are many issues to think about: how do you select an egg donor, what are the emotional ramifications of this procedure, will you be able to bond with your child, and what is an appropriate level of privacy and secrecy. This book addresses all these issues and more. In addition, it includes a section on how to explain egg donation to your child.

Child of Promise: A True Story of Adoption: One Family’s Miraculous Journey. Debbi Migit. 2008. 236p. Tate Publishing. I stared at the letter and picture as the tears fell. I hadn’t heard from Vickie in almost twenty years. And then tonight, of all nights, I had received such a letter! I held my breath as I sensed God’s presence all around me. Adoption, was that what God had in mind for us? Ten years of infertility brought Debbi and Phil Migit to a crisis of faith. Child of Promise is the true account of one couple’s journey from barrenness to the blessing of transracial adoption. There is a message that goes beyond infertility and adoption; it will touch any believer and bring them to a better understanding of God’s ultimate faithfulness. Walk with Debbi and Phil as they remain faithful to God and finally receive their “child of promise.”

Choosing Assisted Reproduction: Social, Emotional & Ethical Considerations. Susan Lewis Cooper & Ellen Sarasohn Glazer. 1998. 400p. Perspectives Press. This thorough but sensitive guide for infertility patients provides information to help you in making the many complex decisions involved in pursuing assisted reproductive technology (ART—IVF, GIFT, ICSI, etc.) treatment. These decisions include such issues as whether or not to pursue such treatment, which particular options to choose, and how long to keep trying. Choosing Assisted Reproduction covers options such as Assisted Reproductive Technologies, Donor Insemination, Ovum Donation, and Surrogacy. An especially important and useful chapter of this book covers telling children about their origins.

Complete Adoption & Fertility Legal Guide, The. Brette McWhorter Sember. 2004. 284p. Sphinx Publishing Inc. This guide offers couples and singles all the information they need to navigate the complicated and emotional territory facing those who wish to become families using adoption or assisted reproduction. Written by an attorney, this title explains the legal processes, procedures and requirements for every kind of family building, while offering practical information in easy-to-understand language. Every type of fertility treatment currently available is discussed in a straightforward and practical manner, with an emphasis on legal rights, contracts and tips to manage the process and make sound decisions. Insemination, egg donation, embryo donation, IVF, GIFT, ZIFT and surrogacy (as well as some not yet available such as cloning and nuclear transfer) is addressed. Specifically, the title includes: — Questions to ask donors—What to look for in a contract—Cryopreservation contracts—Ownership of frozen embryos. Adoption sections include information about how to find an adoption attorney, how to work with an agency, ways to find a birth mother on your own, home studies, applications, costs, court procedures, questions to ask, tips for handling contracts and more. Specific topics include:—Domestic adoption—International adoption—Agency adoption—Parent-initiated adoptions. About the Author: Brette McWhorter Sember is a former attorney who focused her practice on family law. She attended law school at the State University of New York at Buffalo and practiced in New York state before leaving her practice to become a writer. She is the author of 15 books, including The Visitation Handbook: Your Complete Guide to Parenting Apart. She is a member of ASJA (American Society of Journalist and Authors) and AHCJ (Association of Health Care Journalists). She is the recipient of the 2000 Media Award from Family and Home Network (formerly Mothers At Home). Sember has extensive training in cases involving children and was on the Law Guardian panel in three counties. Her practice included adoptions, which she found to be the happiest cases to take place in Family Court. She is also a trained family mediator and is experienced in a wide variety of family issues. Children have always been her main focus throughout her career. Sember writes and speaks often about children and families. Her work has appeared in magazines such as ePregnancy, Pregnancy, Child, and American Baby. She is the mother of two children and has personal experience with fertility issues.

Complete Fertility Organizer, The: A Guidebook & Record-Keeper for Women. Manya Deleon Miller & Ronald Clisham. 1999. 243p. John Wiley & Sons. If you are one of the millions of women facing the challenges of infertility, you know that gathering and keeping track of all of the information involved can be difficult. This book, the first of its kind, helps you establish a solid organizational framework for working through the entire infertility evaluation and treatment process. It provides you with a comprehensive record-keeping resource while you are seeking safe and effective pregnancy. With its easy-to-customize “personal conception plan,” The Complete Fertility Organizer lets you organize and maintain control of all of the information involved. You will be able to easily track essential vital data such as fertility charts, procedures, medication records, test results, insurance, and physician information. If you become pregnant, you will be able to record information related to the prevention of miscarriage and premature labor, and use the tracking tools to help promote a healthy pregnancy. Whether you are just suspecting that you may have an obstacle to becoming pregnant or you’re already undergoing extensive infertility treatments, The Complete Fertility Organizer delivers indispensable support and guidance.

Complete Guide to Infertility, The: Diagnosis, Treatment, Options. Olga Van Den Akker. 2001. 250p. Free Association Books. Infertility has a major impact on the lives of a significant number of people. Within the United Kingdom it is estimated that 1 in 6 couples are unable to have children. Globally that figure is put at 1 in 10 with up to 25% of couples unable to have a second child. For many couples a diagnosis of infertility can lead to despair. The arduous nature of the diagnostic and treatment procedures, the social stigma and psychological scarring that may follow the discovery of infertility means that the utmost care and assistance is needed in helping people with this problem. The Complete Guide to Infertility is written for the many couples who, following a diagnosis of infertility, desperately want a clear, well informed and comprehensive account of the problems of infertility and the help and services available. It is also aimed at the many professionals who, though involved with infertility and specialists in their own area, lack the overall picture. About the Author: Olga van den Akker is Senior Research Fellow with the Department of Public Health and Epidemiology at the University of Birmingham. She is Associate Editor for the Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology.

Conceiving Luc: A Family Story. Liza Freilicher, Jennifer Scheu, & Suzanne Wetanson. 1999. 320p. William Morrow & Co. The road through infertility and assisted reproduction is long and lonely, and couples going through its grueling medical procedures desperately need to hear the stories of successful parents. Conceiving Luc: A Family Story is one of these needed books, and it’s both informational and deeply emotional. Liza Freilicher and her husband David went through years of operations, injections, and IVF (in vitro fertilization) procedures in a quest for a baby, until Liza’s cousin Jennifer offered to serve as their gestational carrier. Jennifer was implanted with the couple’s fertilized embryo and carried their baby to term. Conceiving Luc is told through Liza’s narration and Jennifer’s journal entries, as each woman goes through her own physical and emotional ordeal to bring Luc into the world. The women were always close as children, but their relationship becomes increasingly tense as the pregnancy progresses, though the experience ultimately brings them, and their husbands, closer together than ever. While too much of the book revolves around Liza’s ambivalence about parenthood and flashbacks to the cousins in earlier years, Conceiving Luc becomes a truly unique tale once Jennifer’s generous offer is accepted. The Freilichers’ heart-rending experience of infertility and fertility treatment is fascinating, as are Jennifer’s story and motivations. As a story of an extended family’s quest for continued closeness and as an inspiration for couples struggling with fertility problems, this story (cowritten by Liza’s mother, Suzanne Wetanson) is a positive addition to the new field of literature created by the increasing use of assisted reproduction. — Ericka Lutz (Amazon.com)

Conquering Infertility: Medical Challenges & Moral Dilemmas. Elizabeth L Marshall. 1997. 160p. Franklin Watts. Discusses the causes of infertility, making the decision to seek treatment, various treatment methods, and controversies surrounding them.

Crossing the Moon: A Journey Through Infertility. Paulette Bates Alden. 1996. 295p. Hungry Mind Press. This low-key exploration of belatedly (age 40) wanting and not being able to conceive a baby is uncommonly sensitive and revealing. A casual observation of two mothers and their rambunctious offspring on an ice cream break at Dairy Queen launches Alden’s (Feeding the Eagles, 1988) memoir of the years she spent waffling between wanting a child to nurture and wondering how a woman could surrender her life to the peremptory needs of a child. Alden longed, she came to realize, both to be her mother and not be her mother, to be a writer (inspired by mentors Wallace Stegner and Tillie Olsen) and to bear a child and be “swallowed up by caretaking.” Always ambivalent, she and her husband nevertheless moved ahead, at first leaving conception to the fates by simply abandoning birth control. As time went on, they more pointedly “tried,” scheduling intercourse for the fertile times dictated by thermometer and monthly cycles. Then they tried harder, enlisting the help of infertility experts for hormone treatments, artificial insemination, and the counting of follicles. Ultimately, they stopped trying, decided against adoption, and continued building their life as a “family of two.” But not without tears and a long, painful period of mourning for Alden. “Our bodies were made to have babies,” a therapist tells her. “It takes a long time for the body to get over not having them.” Far more than a recitation of the frustrations faced in specialists’ waiting rooms, this is also an exploration of growing up as a southern girl, the conflicts encountered as the ’60s and feminism overtook the wearing of white gloves and chicken salad luncheons, and the bending and mending of a mother and daughter’s relationship. An eloquent self-examination without self-pity that helps resolve the now-common struggles of 30-plus women who face not only infertility but the conflict between society’s expectations and personal fulfillment. — From Kirkus Reviews. Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Diapers on the Clothes Line: My Journey Through Infertility. Hannah Stefanov. 2007. 64p. Xlibris Corp. Diapers on the Clothes Line takes a unique look into the joys and challenges that occur through the journey of infertility. Written from a Christian point of view, Hannah unashamedly takes aim and smashes current views of how to deal with infertility. Laying claim that no woman by God’s design has to go through depression to heal and get through infertility, Hannah asserts her solid faith in a gentle, but honest way. Although Hannah and Kaloyan do not have children but rather, they are currently pursuing adoption. The goal in their lives was not how they had their children yet how they pursued God through the process of obtaining parenthood. God has been so faithful to continue to encourage and lift up their family.

Dr Richard Marrs’ Fertility Book: America’s Leading Infertility Expert Tells You Everything You Need to Know About Getting Pregnant. Richard Marrs, MD, Lisa Friedman Bloch & Kathy Kirtland Silverman. 1998. 528p. Dell. A pioneer in the field of assisted reproduction, Dr. Richard Marrs has spent his life counseling couples who struggle with the pain of infertility, developing new treatments, and helping thousands to experience the wonder of birth. Now Dr. Marrs shares his knowledge and expertise in a groundbreaking book that answers all your questions, understands your concerns, and covers every aspect of fertility problems, including infertility’s emotional price as well as its financial one. Based on the latest research and technologies--and the real-life experiences of thousands of couples--Dr. Marrs tells you everything you need to know about getting pregnant, including: Which cutting-edge advances in reproductive technology--including in vitro, gift, zift, sperm manipulation, and immunological therapy--are right for you; Is it your nerves? How emotions can delay or stop ovulation; The biggest mistake doctors make when a man’s sperm count is borderline or subnormal; Which fertility drugs work best...and the side effects you should expect; Your chances of multiple births...twins, triplets, or more; When to change doctors or see a specialist; The good news about using a partner’s sperm and not a donor’s...even if your partner’s count is very low; Your insurance coverage--what you can and cannot do; And much more. About the Authors: Richard Marrs, M.D., was the second doctor in the United States to achieve the birth of a baby from in vitro fertilization; the birth of the first frozen-embryo baby in the country, as well as the world’s first pregnancy using a combination of ZIFT and surrogate gestational carriers. He founded and was the first president of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology. He was a member of the National Ethics Committee, which produced the first document in the United States on the morals and ethics of human reproduction. And more recently he headed Advocates for Fertility Treatment, which lobbied both the White House and Congress to increase health insurance coverage so that all infertile couples would have the chance to have a child. Kathy Kirtland Silverman and Lisa Friedman Bloch are a television writing and producing team with numerous television movies to their credit. Lisa Bloch, the mother of twins, is also a former patient of Dr. Marrs’.

Embryo Donation & Embryo Adoption: Loving Choices for Christians. John D & Sylvia Van Regenmorter. 2007. 52p. PublishAmerica. Can one couple’s dilemma be the answer to another couple’s hopes and dreams? Yes! If you are a couple with precious, frozen embryos, this book provides Christian-based guidance on the loving, life-affirming option of embryo donation. If you are a couple who is longing to have a baby, this book will help you consider the adventure of a lifetime—becoming parents through embryo adoption. Sensitively written in an easy-to-read style, this book is a must-read for those interested in learning more about new opportunities in embryo donation and embryo adoption.

Ended Beginnings: Healing Childbearing Losses. Claudia Panuthos & Catherine Romeo. Foreword by Peggy O’Mara McMahon. 1984. 219p. Bergin & Garvey Publishers. Because of its wide scope (infertility, miscarriage, sudden infant death, abortion, release to adoption; emotional disappointments including handicapped babies, cesareans, premature or traumatic birth; and help for grieving children), this book will help parents and care-givers understand the great burden of all loss experience. About the Authors: Claudia Panuthos is founder and director of Offspring, a childbirth counselling center. She is the author of many books, including Transformation Through Birth. Catherine Romeo, former co-director of Offspring, is a director of Birthchoice, a frequent lecturer, a La Leche League leader, certified childbirth educator, labor attendant, and therapist.

Enhancing Fertility Naturally: Holistic Therapies for a Successful Pregnancy. Nicky Wesson. 199. 191p. Inner Traditions International Ltd. Enhancing Fertility Naturally outlines ways in which you can improve your fertility through alternative therapies, diet, exercise, and relaxation techniques and avoid some of the hazards associated with conventional treatments. It discusses the most common causes of infertility and explains how to determine which therapy is most appropriate for you. In vitro fertilization, conventional medicine’s most prescribed remedy for infertility problems, is expensive, dangerous, and has a success rate of only 14 percent, yet few of the one in six couples that experience infertility are aware of the effectiveness and safety provided by the wide range of alternative treatments. Thoroughly researched and packed full of invaluable advice and tips, the book explores such therapies as acupuncture, reflexology, homeopathy, cranial osteopathy, aromatherapy, and herbalism. The author includes case histories for each of the therapies discussed, showing how the therapies helped couples overcome both primary and secondary infertility in order to have the baby they longed for. About the Author: Nicky Wesson is a member of the Association for the Improvement in Maternity Services, a National Childbirth Trust teacher, and the author of Natural Mothering. She lives in England.

Experiencing Infertility: Stories to Inform and Inspire. Ellen Sarasohn Glazer, editor. 1998 (revised edition). 268p. Jossey-Bass Publishers. This thoroughly revised version of the classic book Without Child includes essays, poems, and the very personal stories of courage and triumph from couples who themselves have experienced infertility. Ellen Sarasohn Glazer—a clinician who specializes in working with infertile couples—offers practical and sensitive advice for dealing with the many day-to-day challenges of infertility and shows the profound effect infertility has on emotions, relationships, and careers. This comprehensive resource includes new chapters on topics including cancer and infertility and gestational care.

Family Bound: One Couple’s Journey Through Infertility & Adoption. Carrie F Ostrea. 2003. 186p. iUniverse, Inc. Statistics show that over two million couples will experience some type of infertility issue when they try to become pregnant. However, when you are one of those two million, you feel completely alone and believe that no one can truly understand what you are going through. This honest and revealing book documents one couple’s long and arduous journey to become parents from the eyes of the author. The longer this process took, the more emotional and difficult things became, and the more the author relied on this journal to sort out all the emotions she was having. She never expected that this journal would last for years, hundreds of hormone shots and pills, blood draws, surgical procedures, terrorist attacks, international flights and the most emotional and financial roller coaster that she had ever been on. But she and her husband were desperate to become parents, to have their own child to love, to hug, to experience life with. By sharing their experience, this book offers insight into the emotional, physical and sociological effects infertility has on a couple’s relationship, their families, friends and themselves as individuals. It also provides in-depth detail of popular infertility treatments, domestic and international adoption processes.

Fertile in Our Faith: Infertility, Pregnancy Loss, Adoption, & Filling the Measure of Our Creation. Krista Ralston Oakes. Foreword by Briant G Herzog. 2006. 110p. Millennial Press. Infertility is a challenge faced by thousands, and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are not exempt. Strength can be found, and faith bolstered as you read this groundbreaking book from the founder of the oldest and largest infertility support network in the LDS community. This long-awaited guide offer peace and hope for infertile LDS couples and those who love them. Topics include: unique challenges and blessings of being LDS and infertile, Mother’s Day and other holiday challenges, tips for supporting loved ones with infertility, strengthening a “family of two,” adoption, success stories and much more.

Fertility & Conception: The Essential Guide to Boosting Your Fertility & Conceiving a Healthy Baby—From Learning Your Fertility Signals to Adopting a Healthier Lifestyle. Karen Trewinnard. 1999. 191p. Golden Books.
Ensuring that your baby has the best start in life requires careful planning, which needs to start well in advance of conception. In this remarkable guide for both mothers- and fathers-to-be, Karen Trewinnard, M.D., gives all the information needed to conceive and ensure a healthy pregnancy, including:
— The most recent advice on all the nutrition, fitness, lifestyle, and environmental factors that may affect reproductive health—and what to do about them;
— When and how to stop or change your contraception;
— Natural approaches to boosting fertility and overcoming any problems with conception;
— Practical tips and hints as well as a special action plan to follow in the three months prior to conception; and
— The sensitive issues to discuss with your partner, with real-life accounts from future parents and special features that look ahead to pregnancy.
With dozens of full-color photographs, charts, tables, and artwork, Fertility and Conception is the ideal pregnancy companion for any parent-to-be.
About the Author: Karen Trewinnard, M.D., has developed an expertise in prepregnancy counseling in her 14 years’ experience working in family planning clinics. The author of The Woman Alive Family Health Guide, she now runs a preconception planning clinic and lectures widely on preconception health. A regular contributor to many trade and consumer magazines, she lives in Southampton, England.

Fertility in Marriage: a Guide for Husbands & Wives. Louis Portnoy & Jules Saltman. 1951. Signet.

Finding Grace: A True Story About Losing Your Way in Life...& Finding It Again. Donna VanLiere. 2009. 224p. St Martin’s Press. Finding Grace is the powerful, often humorous, and deeply moving story of one woman’s journey of broken dreams. It is the story of how a painful legacy of the past is confronted and met with peace. This book is for anyone who has struggled to understand why our desires— even the simplest ones—are sometimes denied or who has questioned where God is when we need him most. This story is about one woman’s unlikely road to motherhood. Finally, it’s a book about the “undeserved gift which is life itself.” It’s the story of “Finding Grace.” Donna VanLiere has entertained millions with her inspirational stories. In her new book, she gives us a candid look into her own life, a life filled with suffering and pain, but one that ultimately finds peace with itself. About the Author DONNA VANLIERE is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Christmas Hope series and Angels of Morgan Hill. She lives in Franklin, Tennessee with her husband and three children.

For Want of a Child. Lily Starbright. 2009. 64p. Xlibris Corp. What is a family without a child? How does it feel to see happy couple laughing with their children? How does it feel being “infertile?” For Want of A Child is a touching story that would melt your heart. This is the heartrending story of a couple who suffers the unimaginable heartache after each fruitless cycle. Through this book, you can also feel their inevitable envy of seeing people with children. Find out how they worked hard in order to have a child to complete their family. See how they feel about the fact that they could not have a child of their own. How do they cope with this distressing reality? What makes them happy? This book takes you to the poignant journey of a couple who yearns for a child. Are there ways to fill the emptiness of having no child?

Give Us a Child. Lynda Stephenson. 1992. Zondervan. A look at infertility and how many couples bravely face it.

Hannah’s Hope: Seeking God’s Heart in the Midst of Infertility. Jennifer Saake. 2005. 224p. Navpress Publishing Group. Hannah’s heart beat with a mother’s love long before she was blessed with a child. Through the years of waiting and longing, her gentle heart was nearly crushed under the weight of grief. You can meet Hannah in the pages of 1 Samuel, chapters 1 and 2. The Bible says she was “barren,” and we know she suffered heartache, anguish, and grief because of her empty arms. Perhaps you do too. Hannah’s Hope is for all who long for a child yet to be conceived, grieve for a baby too soon passed from the womb, or have lived through the no-man’s-land of failed adoption. It is intended as a guide to assist you in making wise decisions as you struggle through your grief. And by the end of the journey, God may surprise you by the ways He uses to answer your heart’s cry. Compassionately written by a woman who knows well these painful struggles, Hannah’s Hope will direct you to the Source of strength, whose name is “the God of all comfort.”

Having a Baby... When the Old-Fashioned Way Isn’t Working: Hope & Help for Everyone Facing Infertility. Cindy Margolis, with Kathy Kanable. 2008. 240p. Perigee Books. Cindy Margolis may be known as the “most downloaded woman on the Internet,” but she was brought down to earth when she tried to conceive. Suddenly, she became another statistic: just one of the more than nine million women each year who are desperately trying to have a child. After more than a year of disappointment and with a growing sense of insecurity, Cindy began a determined quest to have a family that included an array of treatments—including five in-vitro fertilizations and surrogacy—a journey that resulted in three happy and healthy children. Now Cindy helps women navigate through the world of infertility treatments and procedures. Sincere, supportive, and funny, she provides the direction, advice, and information that could only come from a woman who’s been in the trenches— and who has emerged battle-scarred, but victorious.

Having Your Baby Through Egg Donation. Ellen Sarasohn Glazer & Evelina Weidman Sterling. 2005. 384p. Perspectives Press. Women who have lost ovarian function or whose eggs are not of good quality and those who are carriers of genetic disorders can experience pregnancy, birth and parenthood with the use of donated oocytes; but coming to this decision is not an easy process. Having Your Baby through Egg Donation answers questions about age and pregnancy and parenting, about talking to children about their donor conception, about ethical and religious questions, about honesty vs secrecy, about communicating with a parenting partner, and more in a compassionate, fully informed manner. Vignettes describing the decision making and experience of others who have traveled this road to parenthood expand and exemplify research and philosophical resources. Having Your Baby Through Egg Donation helps individuals and couples, including those with special circumstances (e.g. gay and lesbian, single women, multi-ethnic families) decide whether egg donation is right for them. It addresses such questions as: “should we choose adoption or egg donation?” and “should I ask a my sister to donate and if so, how do I raise the subject with her?” and “How do I evaluate a recruited-donor program?” Ethical and religious questions are explored as well as the logistics of finding a donor, attempting pregnancy, history and future directions and much, much more. Ellen Sarasohn Glazer and Evelina Weidman Sterling provide both compassionate support and essential information about how to pursue pregnancy and parenthood through egg donation in this comprehensive tool.

Healing the Infertile Family: Strengthening Your Relationship in the Search for Parenthood. Gay Becker & Robert D Nachtigall. 1997. 335p. University of California Press. Unlike most infertility books that focus on medical treatment, Healing the Infertile Family examines the social and emotional problems experienced by couples confronting infertility and suggests how they can be alleviated. In this updated edition, Gay Becker discusses her most recent study of couples experiencing infertility and offers guidelines for resolution of this common problem that will enable couples to face the future with hope. About the Author: Gay Becker is Professor of Medical Anthropology, and Social and Behavioral Sciences, at the Institute for Health and Aging at the University of California, San Francisco. She is the author of Growing Old in Silence (1980) and Disrupted Lives: How People Create Meaning in a Chaotic World, (California, forthcoming).

Helping the Stork: The Choices & Challenges of Donor Insemination. Carol F Vercollone. 1997. 302p. Macmillan. Did you know that donor insemination is as widespread a means of family-building as adoption? Few people realize it because of the secrecy usually surrounding this choice, a choice hundreds of thousands of people consider each year. Childless couples and single women are in greater need than ever of an informative, complete, and supportive bible on the subject. This is the one book that people will want to get all the help they need when considering this option. Heidi Moss, a clinical social worker counseling infertile couples, and Robert Moss, a professor in the field of genetics and developmental biology, now the parents of two children conceived via donor insemination, wrote this book after searching in vain for information on the subject. Carol Frost Vercollone was the first clinical social worker at the national infertility organization.

High-Tech Conception: A Comprehensive Handbook for Consumers. Brian Kearney. 1998. 359p. Bantam Books. Five million Americans want children but cannot conceive. One million couples seek infertility treatment every year, almost always without prior knowledge of the physical, emotional, and financial costs of high-tech conception (as a rule it is not covered by insurance), and without any way to judge the hard-sell come-ons of what is now a $2-billion, for-profit, unregulated industry that preys on their desperate hopes by promising outcomes that are all too rarely successful. This authoritative, lucid, balanced, and forthright book describes the very latest information on high-tech conception, with information on techniques of fertilization, the latest research, and the nature and risks of the potent drugs used to assist in fertilization and implantation. Its goal is to help infertile individuals become informed consumers by describing the different procedures, and showing them how to interpret and compare clinics’ claimed success rates; examine the factors that affect success; critically assess the safety of the different techniques both for the mothers and the babies born through such procedures; and understand the importance of genetic screening in in vitro fertilization.

Hope For the Childless Couple. Maxine Davis. 1965. McGraw-Hill.

Hostage Seekers: A Study of Childless & Adopting Couples. Michael Humphrey. 1969. 162p. Humanities Press.

How to Be a Successful Fertility Patient. Peggy Robin. 1993. 447p. Morrow. This no-nonsense consumer’s guide to the new reproductive technologies goes beyond the jargon-laden, factoid-laden texts to explain how different treatment regimens might affect one’s general health and lifestyle, which ones are covered by insurance, when to switch doctors, and more.

How to Become Your Own Best Infertility Counselor: Helping You Understand Your Struggle; Deciding What’s Best for You & Educating Others to Accept. Joyce Sutkamp Friedeman. 1995. 106p. Jolance Press. The author is an infertility counselor as well as a psychiatric nurse and a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Social Psychology. Her goal in this paperback book is to treat the reader like one of her infertility patients by offering empathy and comfort. She wants to give readers methods to becoming their own best counselor. Information in her book is designed to inform the reader of common feelings and problems between individuals, couples, friends, and family associated with infertility. About the Author: Joyce Sutkamp Friedeman, an infertility counselor and psychiatric nurse, holds a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Social Psychology from the University of Cincinnati. She counsels infertile clients in her private practice in Cincinnati. In addition, she consults to fertility centers in the Greater Cincinnati area, with clients who choose assisted reproductive technologies, including the use of donor gametes. Joyce formed the first infertility support group with the Greater Cincinnati RESOLVE, Inc. Chapter (a local, state and national organization which provides support and information to the infertile population as well as to interested health care providers).

I Want to Have a Child, Whatever It Takes!. Carmen Martínez Jover. 2006. 111p. Self-Published (?). In a clear, sincere and clear way, Carmen presents in her autobiography the problem of infertility, representing it through images in her pictures. After telling the story of the constant struggle between doctors and syringes, the author decides to paint chairs as a way of relief, chairs that express each one of her longings, each moment of sadness, each situation of powerlessness, as well as that of sharing with her partner, the frustrations which this kind of situation brings, and concludes with a beautiful lesson demonstrating that there is always a future and a reason why even if in the beginning we can t find the answer. You feel how the author drops into emotional free fall until she hits the bottom, and then, like a new person, lifts herself up, greater and stronger spiritually, transforming a nightmare into her present day strength and motivation. We perceive two different persons, one before and one after separated by infertility. The book is simple, beautiful and enriching. About the Author: Carmen Martínez Jover born in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England, in 1959. Since 1969 she lives in Mexico City. Due to her years of infertility led her to paint the roller coaster of emotions she went through. She participates with infertility support groups throughout the world.

Inconceivable: Winning the Fertility Game. Julia Indichova.1998. 208p. Adell Press. One in six couples in America will experience reproductive problems. Julia Indichova and her husband were part of that statistic. According to several fertility specialists Julia’s high FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) level was an indication that her body was no longer producing fertilizable eggs. Her only chance of conceiving, they said, was in-vitro-fertilization with a donor egg. After a futile quest for a more hopeful prognosis, Julia searched through a variety of holistic alternatives and finally decided upon a personal healing regimen. She followed it as single-mindedly , as one would follow a doctor’s prescription of antibiotics. Her daughter Adira was conceived naturally, eight months later, and was born on April 29, 1994.

Infertility: Old Myths, New Meanings. Jan Rehner. 1989. 128p. Second Story Press. A diagnosis of infertility can be devastating. Learning that it may be impossible for you to conceive a child can be one of the most painful experiences anyone may have to confront. Infertility: Old Myths, New Meanings presents an examination of the condition of infertility and how to deal with it. Focusing on the experiences of women she has interviewed, the author looks critically at the medical and technological approaches encountered. She emphasizes the need for support networks, such as Resolve, for those confronting infertility. This book will help you explore just what infertility means to you.

Infertility: A Sympathetic Approach. Robert Winston. 1987. 197p. MacDonald Optima (London). Identifying the problem—Trouble with ovulation—Male infertility—Tubal disease & endometriosis—Miscarriage & ectopic pregnancy—Insemination—Test-tube conception—Adoption—Further help & advice for untreatable infertility. “Truthful & appropriate information” for the 1 in 8 couples who has difficulty with conceiving by the Director of the infertility Clinic at Hammersmith Hospital, London.

Infertility: The Tapestry Guide. Laurie S Wallmark. So you’re thinking about having a baby. Congratulations! But maybe it’s taking a little longer than you expected. Perhaps you’re starting to become a little bit concerned. A small voice in the back of your mind is starting to think about the possibility of infertility. But how do you start to collect information and make decisions? It all seems so confusing. Infertility: The Tapestry Guide is the book you need to begin your understanding of infertility. Section One covers the causes of infertility, whether it is due to female only, male only, or other factors. Section Two explains how infertility is diagnosed, explaining both the basic and the more in-depth tests. It includes a checklist to help you keep track of the innumerable tests that you may have to undergo. In Section Three, you’ll learn about the many treatments available: drugs and other non-invasive procedures; surgical and other invasive procedures, donor sperm and egg; surrogacy; and alternative treatments. Section Four includes organizations, print resources and online resources. It even has a glossary so that you can decode the alphabet soup of drugs and treatments that your doctor tells you about. A diagnosis of infertility can be scary ... but learning about infertility shouldn’t have to be. This is the book that you should read first. You’ll need extra copies for others in your support group.

Infertility: Your Questions Answered. SL Tan, Howard S Jacobs (Contributor) & MacHelle M Seibel. 1995. 222p. Birch Lane Press; 1997 (updated edition). 256p. Citadel Press. Addressing the most frequently asked questions about infertility, a reassuring, non-judgmental guide provides comprehensive facts on such topics as reproduction, new technologies, treatment plans, causes, and assisted fertility.

Infertility, Adoption &...Say, How’s The Weather?. Gracie Longshore. 2008. 352p. Xulon Press. Infertility, Adoption and...Say, How’s the Weather? is the true story of Gracie Longshore, who experienced the heartbreak of infertility. Then she and her husband Kevin experienced the joy of adopting their son Dmitry from Russia. Gracie’s joy turned to anguish when Dmitry (whom she loved very much) became too violent to continue being able to live with her and Kevin. For several months, Gracie searched for, and found, another family to take care of Dmitry. Unfortunately, what happened with the Longshores is typical of parents who have adopted a child diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder. As Gracie tells you the story of her family, she weaves in the Christ-centered spiritual lessons she learned, along with her infertility poems and communion meditations she wrote. Come and take Gracie’s hand as she leads you through her journey of motherhood and being a “Them.” About the Author: Gracie Longshore graduated from high school in 1977. Three years later, she received her Associate of Arts degree in writing. Gracie has worked in the healthcare industry for 16 years and thoroughly enjoys helping doctors and nurses get the medical reports they need for the care of their patients. Her hobbies include counted cross-stitch needlework, and feeding and watching birds. She also likes to learn about other cultures, and history on a wide range of topics.

Infertility Answer Book, The. Brette Sember. 2005. 328p. Sphinx Publishing. Designed for those who are beginning to explore their options when it comes to assisted family building, this title offers complete legal answers to all of the questions about fertility treatments and adoption. The title will help you choose whether fertility or adoption is for you and to help you understand and manage the laws and legal issues involved with all of the options. Sperm donors, egg donors, surrogates, embryo donations and emerging technologies are explored and contracts, waivers, consents, payment options, parental rights are discussed in depth. For those considering adoption, the title looks at domestic, agency, private, and international adoptions and discusses home studies, placement issues, waiting lists, applications, fees, facilitators, consents and immigration procedures. Both the fertility and adoption sections consider rights and options for couples, as well as singles and gays. Complete with forms, checklists and extensive resources, this title is a complete guide for any parent considering the various methods of family building available today. About the Author: Brette Sember is a former family law attorney who handled adoptions and author of over 20 books, including several about pregnancy and parenting. She is a contributing writer for ePregnancy Magazine whose work has appeared in over 140 publications. She is also the mother of two who has personally experienced infertility. This guide explores all of your choices and helps you choose the path to take—adoption or fertility treatments.

Infertility on the Internet: How to Get Online and in Charge of Your Fertility. Julie Watson. 1998. 176p. Conceiving Concepts, Inc. Knowledge about infertility diagnoses and treatments changes daily. How can you keep up? Infertility on the Internet allows you to understand and harness the power of the information superhighway in your quest for knowledge and support. This book not only explains how to use the internet, but gives information about and reviews of over 250 infertility related websites, mailing lists, newsgroups and chat rooms. If you’re trying maintain pace with the fast moving world of infertility in order to build a family, this is the guidebook you need to attain your goals.

Infertility Survival Handbook: Everything You Never Thought You’d Need to Know. Elizabeth Swire-Falker. 2004. 320p. Riverhead Trade. After seven years of tests and more tests, treatments and more treatments, Elizabeth Swire-Falker understands what it means to struggle with infertility. In this frank, reassuring, and thoroughly researched handbook, she shares her own personal experience and offers insight into what challenges to expect along the way-from getting support to finding the right doctor xto dealing with insurance. She helps readers navigate the maze of infertility tests and treatments; handle the financial strain and marital stress that accompany the treatments € Formulate questions to ask doctors and nurses and learn to be their own advocate for good medical care; and understand the options: • IUIs • IVF • traditional adoption • embryo adoption • donor eggs • gestational surrogacy • the virtues of living child-free. Swire-Falker will tell readers straight-as only a best girlfriend will. This is the only guide anyone will need for navigating such a difficult course. About the Author: Elizabeth Swire-Falker spent seven years trying to conceive. She gave up her career in the process when she found she couldn’t struggle with infertility and maintain a high-powered job at the same time. The years were filled with injections and blood tests and hormones and in vitro fertilizations, implantations, and miscarriages, and return trips to the assisted reproductive technology lab.

Infertility to Family: One Man’s Story. Rocky A. DeLorenzo. 2006. 129p. Shelby Press. A baby awaits those who persevere. That’s the theme of Rocky De Lorenzo’s candid, intimate memoir about infertility and adoption. Infertility to Family: One Man’s Story chronicles the frustrations and broken dreams of an infertile couple. Rocky’s story is of an “ordinary” man whose simple ambition is to be a father. It’s the first book written from a man’s perspective about dealing with the emotional, physical, and financial strain that infertility and adoption place on a marriage. Though it tells the personal story of his quest to become a father, the underlying message is that of perseverance, sacrifice, and hope. This book will give couples facing infertility and/or adoption a deeper insight into what to expect and how to prepare for their journey to parenthood.

Is Donor Egg For You?. Steve Litt, with Sylvia Reuben Litt. 1995. 45p. It is not unusual to hear of pregnancies achieved through the use of donor sperm. But what about its counterpoint—the use of donor egg? Your doctor says donor egg is the best chance you have, but you have questions. Will it work? Can we afford it? Is it the best option for us? Is Donor Egg For You? tells of one couple’s experiences using donor egg to have a family. It details the steps they went through and explains their decisions along the way.

Lethal Secrets: The Shocking Consequences & Unsolved Problems of Artificial Insemination. Annette Baran & Reuben Pannor. 1989. 277p. Warner Books. Fertility News highly recommends this book and states that it belongs in the libraries of all couples who are considering or have participated in donor insemination. Written in a warm, storytelling mode, this book not only instructs and illuminates, but offers sound advice for couples on why and how to tell their children about their origins. Lethal Secrets proposes greater openness and honesty in the DI process.

Little Pregnant, A: Our Memoir of Fertility, Infertility, & a Marriage. Linda Carbone & Ed Decker. 1999. 240p. Atlantic Monthly Press. Linda Carbone was scheduled for a fetal sonogram. A bit superstitious after having suffered two miscarriages, she wanted to skip the appointment, but the fertility clinic that helped her conceive this baby convinced her to go: “There aren’t that many highs in life.” Instead of seeing the baby’s heartbeat, though, she watched as the technician kept enlarging the image on the screen, looking for a heartbeat or any sign of movement. The pregnancy wasn’t viable, she was told, and the baby’s body was about to “crumple.” Carbone would soon miscarry for the third time. A Little Pregnant is filled with moments like this that make one wonder just how much cruelty a person can endure. Carbone, an editor, and her husband, Ed Decker, a writer, faced nearly a decade of Job-like trials in their quest for a child. She was injected with dangerous, personality-altering hormones and underwent in vitro fertilization; his testicles were operated on to relieve low sperm count; they burst into tears whenever another couple or family member had a baby. And they drove each other crazy, nearly divorcing, not the least because Decker was obsessed with parenthood and Carbone was indifferent about it—and eventually developed a crush on her fertility doctor. All these soul-sapping events are told in a compulsively readable she-said, he-said format, suspended in a sort of magical realism, as if the pair can’t now comprehend why they tortured themselves—or allowed themselves to be tortured by others—for so long. The book escapes what might have been an overly oppressive tone because the reader knows from the start that Decker and Carbone did have a healthy baby girl, after—almost implausibly—an anguishing adoption attempt failed and they had finally resigned themselves to being childless. This is a magnificent examination of self-delusion, the cruelties of imperfect technology, and the gripping allure of parenthood. — Erica Jorgensen (Amazon.com)

Long-Awaited Stork, The: A Guide to Parenting After Infertility. Ellen Glazer. 1990. 288p. Lexington Books; 1998 (2nd revised edition). 300p. Jossey-Bass Publishers. You’ve suffered through infertility, years of assisted reproductive technologies, adoption hassles and heartbreak, and now, finally, you’ve got your child. The infertility is “over” you are a parent! It seems like life should be a bowl full of cherries. But infertility struggles often leave an emotional scar—even when the outcome has been successful—and parents who have tackled this problem have a unique set of issues and dilemmas. What (and when) do you tell your child about their birth? Who else do you tell? What about those remaining feelings of loss or inadequacy? What kinds of problems do you face raising both biological and adopted children? In the revised edition of The Long Awaited Stork, infertility specialist Ellen Sarasohn Glazer gives information, advice, and reassurance for adoptive parents; sperm donor, egg donor, and in vitro fertilization parents; parents who have used surrogates; parents of special-needs kids; and parents raising more than one child, each born through different methods. An extensive appendix of resource organizations and recommended reads rounds out this helpful guide for parents with a distinct set of questions. — Ericka Lutz

Masterpiece of Joy: From the Despair of Infertility to the Joy of Adoption. Bobbi Grubb. 2007. 256p. Outskirts Press. Does God really hear and answer very specific prayers? Can He really bring us from the depths of despair and bless us beyond belief? The answer to these questions is a resounding “yes”! This story details the journey of one couple from the agonizing despair of infertility to the joy of open adoption.
     • Are you facing infertility?
     • Is someone you love walking through this devastating ordeal?
     • Have you considered open adoption, but still have uncertainties?
     • Are you facing an unplanned pregnancy and considering your options?
     • Are there trials in your life that just seem impossible to overcome?
As you read this book, you will walk with the author through the darkness of disbelief, sorrow, anger, bitterness and hopelessness. You will be amazed as the pieces of a puzzle emerge and God miraculously joins them together. You will rejoice as the darkness fades and joy arrives with the dawn. You will marvel at the masterpiece. And your faith will be strengthened.

Miracle Seekers, The: An Anthology of Infertility. Mary M Mason. 1987. Perspectives Press. The Miracle Seekers offers a uni ue approach to the subject of infertility, using the medium of the short story to convey the boundless variety of infertility experiences. Each account portrays a conflict unique to the characters who grapple with their medical and emotional demons as the stories follow a common oath taken by couples trying to conceive.

Miracles for Marlee. Shannon G Turner. 2002. 404p. Authorhouse. Three-year-old Eric Turner announced to his mother, “Mom, I hear her! I hear my sister. She’s talking to me. She says that she’s up in heaven and she wants to come be with our family very soon.” For the next 7 years, Tim and Shannon Turner tried diligently to make that inspiration a reality. But after recurring medical problems, Shannon was faced with a hysterectomy and the reality that a biological daughter would never come to be. Through faith and divine guidance, the Turners were led to the Great Wall China Adoption Agency and discovered their daughter was, in fact, waiting for them in China. Miracles for Marlee is the account of their adoption journey, the challenges and obstacles in their path, and the pure faith in God that guided them on their journey to bring Marlee home. This story will inspire those who may be struggling with infertility, searching for spiritual strength, or considering adoption. The Turner’s trials and tribulations will make you laugh and cry and you will be strengthened by the blessings the Lord bestowed upon them. About the Author: Shannon Turner lives in the Tri-Cities area of Washington State with her husband and children. Living only six blocks from her parents’ home where she grew up, she keeps her extended family close to her and enjoys frequent activities with them. Shannon is the Crime Specialist/Evidence Technician with the Pasco Police Department, having worked in the criminal justice system over twenty years. She has enjoyed writing since she was a child, having had many teachers comment that she had a gift for writing and a unique sense of humor. She has played the cello since age nine and has performed with many symphonies and local production companies. She enjoys arranging solos and duets to perform for church and civic events.

Moments for Couples Who Long For Children. Ginger Garrett. 2003. 226p. Navpress Publishing Group. Most couples don’t think about fertility--that is, until they decide to start a family but encounter unexpected difficulty with conceiving. Women in particular may feel that their bodies have let them down or conclude that God has somehow cheated them. Is this true? Does God still care? Infertility can be a scary, intimidating word. Author Ginger Garrett knows this from experience. By looking at what the Bible says about the issue, offering sample prayers and pointing out positive steps couples can take as they search for answers, she gently leads people to a new sense of hope in God’s compassion. Most important, they will come to know that through it all, God always cares. About the Author: Ginger Garrett is a speaker, workshop leader, and author who has been encouraging women since 1995. After a few months of marriage, she discovered she was pregnant, only to lose the pregnancy in a devastating car accident that also left her unable to conceive again. She endured countless surgeries and procedures until it was discovered that she would need a corrective surgery that only four doctors in the world had ever performed. Her work has been used by groups such as MOPS International and Christian Women Today. Ginger lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, Mitch, and their two children.

Mommies, Daddies, Donors, Surrogates: Answering Tough Questions & Building Strong Families. Diane Ehrensaft. 2005. 305. Guilford Publications, Inc. Ours is an extraordinary time for anyone straight, gay, single, or coupled who’s ever wanted a baby of his or her own. Many aspiring parents now depend on some form of assisted reproductive technology (ART) to fulfill their dreams of starting a family. But as Dr. Diane Ehrensaft points out, parents who conceive with the help of a donor or surrogate often struggle with unforeseen questions. How can you help the child understand where he or she fits into the family and into the world? Exactly who is the mommy, and who is the daddy? How will grandparents and other family members react? What will the donor or surrogate have to say about it? In Mommies, Daddies, Donors, Surrogates, Dr. Ehrensaft addresses these topics and guides readers through a host of other concerns that may arise before, during, and after assisted conception. Provocative, compassionate, and immediately practical, Dr. Ehrensaft’s far-ranging inquiry raises issues no one affected by ART should ignore.

Mother Less Child: The Love Story of a Family. Jacqueline Mitchard. 1985. 379p. WW Norton & Co. Jacquelyn and her husband Dan were a couple who seemed to have everything - a strong new marriage, health, promising new careers in journalism. But infertility would stun with its power to make an impact on every corner of their lives. This is the story of tens of millions of people, told through the eyes of two. About the Author: Jacquelyn Mitchard was born in 1954 in Chicago, IL. She became a newpaper reporter in 1978 and wrote this, her first non-fiction book, about infertility and adoption, in 1983. Her first novel, The Deep End of the Ocean, was the inagural selection of the Oprah Winfrey Book Club, and was made into a film produced by and starring Michelle Pfeiffer. Her most recent novel, The Breakdown Lane, has been optioned for a Hallmark Halll of Fame movie. She writes a syndicated newspaper column, “The Rest of Us,” and her blog and podcasts, “Dispatches From the Mothership,” can be accessed on her website Jacquelynmitchard.com. Mitchard lives in the Midwest with her husband Chris Brent and their seven children. She also worked as a speechwriter for former DHSS Secretary Donna Shalala, as a potato-chip packer and a blackjack dealer. Mitchard is a longtime contributor to Parenting Magazine and her work has been anthologized in such diverse publications as Karin Slaughter’s Like a Charm, a compilation of suspense stories, and Jill Smolowe’s A Love Like No Other (2005), a book of essays on adoption, as well as the upcoming The Literary Bride.  Mitchard is also the author of these other books reflected in this bibliography: a novel, A Theory of Relativity, and The Rest of Us: Dispatches From the Mothership. She also wrote the Foreword to A Ghost at Heart’s Edge: Stories and Poems of Adoption.

Motherhood Deferred: A Woman’s Journey. Anne Taylor Fleming. 1994. 256p. Putnam Pub Group. A successful columnist offers an account of her later-in-life attempts to have a child, including forays into a variety of fertility procedures, coupled with memories of her generation of women and the influence on their lives of the Women’s Movement.

My Little One. Nancy Machlis Rechtman. 2003. 184p. PublishAmerica. Infertility has robbed Emma Bronfman of her self-esteem, self-image and self-respect. She and her husband, Steve, have been trying desperately to have a baby for years with no luck. At almost 35 years old, Emma can’t seem to get it together. Her beloved mother died several years earlier of lung cancer and her father is about to marry a young, fertile bimbo. Her in-laws are flying in to see their darling Stevie-boy and Emma wonders how she will survive their visit. She is at the end of her rope at her dead-end job at a business school where she teaches typing. And she is sure that Steve’s late nights at a prominent Los Angeles talent agency mean he is having an affair and is planning to leave her. There are many surprises, both humorous and poignant, in store for Emma in her journey through this chapter of her life.

Navigating the Land of IF: Understanding Infertility & Exploring Your Options. Melissa Ford. 2009. 336p. Seal Press. Author of the extremely successful blog Stirrup Queens and Sperm Palace Jesters, Melissa Ford presents readers with a guide for navigating the complex world of infertility. The Land of IF got its name not only because “IF” is the abbreviation for “infertility” in the online world, but also because there are so many “ifs” inherent in being here. No stranger to the Land of IF herself, Ford shares her hard-earned knowledge and insights, helping couples struggling with infertility understand the lingo, learn the details doctors tend to leave out, and keep their emotional sanity despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Navigating the Land of IF gives the nitty-gritty on injections, rejections, biting your tongue during happy parent-to-be conversations, and trying not to cry over baby shower invitations. With chapters that include how-to’s for same-sex couples, and present adoption or remaining child-free as plausible alternatives, Ford tells you exactly what you need to know, from one infertile to another.

New Conceptions. Lori Andrews. 1983. 304p. St Martin.

Not Yet Pregnant: Infertile Couples in Contemporary America. Arthur L Griel. 1991. 243p. Rutgers University Press. For many people, being a parent is a crucial part of what it means to be a normal adult in American society. Finding out they are infertile poses a major threat to a couple’s expectations for their future and to their sense of identity. Not Yet Pregnant explores the effect of infertility on the couple’s marriage, their relationships with their relatives and friends, and on their struggle to make sense out of their experience.

Other Choice, The: A Story of Infertility & Adoption. Tamra Clum Barton. 2006. 120p. Xlibris Corp. This is a personal and touching story of one women’s journey to find a child. Tamra spent eight years pursuing a child through fertility clinics without success. Her body would not cooperate and give her the child she wanted. The need for a child was so overwhelming they turned to adoption. Their adoption journey from start to finish took three years, while reading the story you will learn of the many pitfalls they had to overcome. The story has a happy ending with the adoption of their daughter.

Overcoming Infertility: 12 Couples Share Their Success Stories. Herbert A Goldfarb, Zoe Graves (Contributor) & Judith Greif (Contributor). 1995. 252p. John Wiley & Sons. Twelve true stories illustrating different cases of infertility and alternative paths to birth—reveal innovative techniques such as laser surgery and IVF (in vitro fertilization) to give couples vital information on how technology can help them have a child.

Overcoming Infertility Naturally: The Relationship Between Nutrition, Emotions & Reproduction. Karen Bradstreet. 1994. 145p. Woodland Books. Are you looking for an alternative to the standard medical treatments for infertility? Overcoming Infertility Naturally offers a comprehensive look at how couples can take responsibility for their own health and experience the joy of conception. It proposes the use of vitamins, minerals and herbs as well as the resolution of emotional problems in order to increase the chances of conception.

Patient Letters: Personal Experiences of IVF. 1995. 160p. IVF Friends Inc. (Australia) This book provides a rare glimpse into the inner world of couples seeking assisted reproduction treatment. The collection of letters, written to the IVF Friends monthly newsletter over the last decade, gives an authentic voice to the complex experience of infertility. Patient Letters covers a wide range of emotions—anguish, hope, pain, and joy. To those considering treatment, this book will help you to realize that you are not alone. You’ll want to show it to your family and friends so that they will gain an understanding of the infertility experience.

Persevering Through Infertility: A Collection of Real Life Journeys Towards Resolving Infertility. Renee Bornfreund. 2005. 488p. AuthorHouse. Persevering Through Infertility is a collection of the real life stories of individuals and couples who have experienced IVF, IUI, Secondary Infertility, Donor Eggs, Donor Sperm, Advanced Maternal Age, Diet, Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, Endometriosis, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Uterine Lining issues, Blocked Tubes, Male Factor, Surrogacy, Domestic and International Adoption, Embryo Adoption, etc. These men and women are courageous, they are determined, and they are focused. They are the most deserving to be parents, and due to a physical problem or a stroke of bad luck, they struggle with something that comes naturally for most. You will find that not all the stories resulted in pregnancy. Some have resolved their infertility, in a variety of ways, while others continue on the journey. While the statistics are not encouraging, there are tools to help beat the odds and while this book doesn’t promise to be a silver bullet or medical miracle, it will help those experiencing Infertility cut a few corners, have less frustration, gain knowledge, insight, hope, inspiration, encouragement, comfort and power and all the ammunition to tip the scales in their favor for successfully resolving their infertility. Knowledge is the area where you have the most control. It gives you the power to make the right decisions for yourself, and provides you with the key to finding and choosing your resolution based on an educated decision, not a purely emotional one. It is the closest thing to the silver bullet we all seek. Unfortunately, for many, it sometimes takes years and the more time that goes by, the more the chances for success decline. That’s why shortening the learning curve is so critical. We are often so overwhelmed by the emotional attachments to our inability to conceive that we become paralyzed and take make decisions based on raw emotion, rather than educated choices. About the Author: Renee Bornfreund is a professional career woman who married later in life. She experiencing needles, blood tests, ultrasounds, diet, Acupuncture, Yoga, IUI, and IVF before giving birth to a daughter. Through her experiences, she has become passionate about educating those struggling with Infertility.Mrs. Bornfreund is a former RESOLVE* Board member and has been published in the local RESOLVE newsletter, the About.com Infertility website and has been written up in MORE Magazine, FIRST Magazine, and the Houston Chronicle. She has become an expert and advocate on Infertility by default, through her own research and personal experiences, and has been a frequent speaker on panels and seminars for Infertility, IVF, Diet, Alternative Treatments and Advanced Maternal Age.

Planning Parenthood: Strategies for Success in Fertility Assistance, Adoption, & Surrogacy. Rebecca A Clark, Michelle Murphy, Gloria Richard-Davis, Jill Hayes & Katherine Pucheu Theall. 2009. 256p. Johns Hopkins University Press. Planning to become a parent is a profound experience, at times agonizing, hopeful, stressful, and joyous. Not everyone is able to become pregnant, however. When the journey to parenthood proves challenging, Planning Parenthood will guide prospective parents through the complicated mazes of assisted reproduction and adoption. Specialist authors first describe fertility assistance, surrogacy, and adoption, clearly outlining the requirements of each strategy. They compare the medical, emotional, financial, and legal investments and risks involved with each of these options. Then they introduce the issues that people will need to consider when deciding which path to parenthood is best for them. Along the way these experts offer encouragement for changing course under any number of circumstances. Supporting the detailed information in this book are personal stories of the often long, winding, and emotional road to parenthood — from in vitro fertilization to egg donation to surrogacy to adoption. Armed with professional knowledge and inspired by the experiences of others who have gone before them, prospective parents will be informed and reassured by this unique resource. About the Authors: Rebecca A. Clark, M.D., Ph.D., is a professor of medicine at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and coauthor, with Dr. Hayes, of A Woman’s Guide to Living with HIV Infection, also published by Johns Hopkins. Gloria Richard-Davis, M.D., FACOG, is chair and professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Meharry Medical College, associate director of the Center for Women’s Health Research, and a board certified reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist. Jill Hayes, Ph.D., is a clinical neuropsychologist in private practice and an adjunct associate professor of clinical psychiatry at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. Michelle Murphy, J.D., is an attorney in private practice. Katherine Pucheu Theall, Ph.D., is an assistant professor at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center’s School of Public Health.

Pregnancy Prescription, The: The Success-Oriented Approach to Overcoming Infertility. Hugh D. Melnick & Nancy Intrator. 1998. 184p. Pathway Book Service. Too often, infertile couples are treated as medical patients, subject to costly and invasive tests, procedures, and even surgery in an effort to diagnose and then treat whatever is keeping them from conceiving. But infertility is not a disease. It is the natural process of conception gone awry...and conception is far too complex to diagnose and treat with any reliability. The Pregnancy Prescription presents a step-by-step plan for overcoming infertility by augmenting the natural process of conception and using advanced reproductive techniques to bypass those stages of the reproductive system that appear most likely to be malfunctioning. The success-oriented approach described in The Pregnancy Prescription can help resolve your infertility as quickly, safely, and cost-effectively as possible, no matter where you are in your quest for a pregnancy. About the Authors: Hugh D. Melnick, M.D., is founder and director of one of the first independent, non-hospital-based infertility centers: Advanced Fertility Services in New York City. He is a leader in the field of infertility treatment and has helped thousands of couples conceive through the success-oriented approach. Dr. Melnick has specialized in infertility and reproductive endocrinology since 1974. Nancy Intrator is a writer from Chappaqua, NY, who specializes in health and family-related topics. Her work has appeared in national publications including American Health for Women, Cosmopolitan, Working Mother, Yachting, The Christian Science Monitor, and specialized publications for the health care industry. As a past patient of Dr. Melnick, she conceived using the success-oriented approach.

Pursuing Parenthood: Ethical Issues in Assisted Reproduction (Medical Ethics). Paul Lauritzen. 1993. Indiana University Press.

Recreating Motherhood: Ideology and Technology in a Patriarchal Society. Barbara Katz Rothman. 1989. Norton. Discusses infertility and in vitro fertilization, abortion and adoption, delayed childbearing, teenage mothers, sperm donors and surrogacy form a complex whole that demands a coherent vision—a woman-centered, class-sensitive way of understanding motherhood.

Religion & Artificial Reproduction: An Inquiry Into the Vatican Instruction, On Respect For Human Life. Thomas A Shanon & Lisa S Cahill. 1988. 144p. Crossroad NY.

Resolving Infertility: Understanding the Options and Choosing Solutions When You Want to Have a Baby. Diane Aronson (Contributor) & Resolve Staff (Arlington, MA). 1999. 370p. Harper Resource. What is infertility? How do I know if I have an infertility problem? How long should we try getting pregnant before seeing a doctor? No matter where you are on your infertility journey, Resolving Infertility is the definitive resource to help you sort out the options and navigate through this experience with confidence. Written by the staff of RESOLVE, the National Infertility Association, in consultation with an advisory board of the nation’s premier reproductive health specialists, this practical and empowering book tells you everything you need to know about infertility treatment and exploring other family-building options. Beginning with an overview of the biology of conception and the causes of infertility, Resolving Infertility takes you step-by-step through the medical process, from diagnosis to treatment. It offers advice on choosing your medical team and up-to-the-minute coverage of the latest reproductive technologies. Chapters discuss the myriad emotional issues connected with infertility; alternative options such as surrogacy, adoption, donor pregnancy, or living child-free; and advice on planning your finances and knowing your legal options and responsibilities.

Riding on Angels Wings: My Spiritual & Physical Pregnancies: The Tale of Our Two Sons. Cynthia M Burris, BS. 2005. 216p. Trafford Publishing Co. Riding on Angels Wings is based on a real-life experience on infertility, adoption and an unexpected miracle. It will show you a heart wrenching peak of the struggle that couples face while going through infertility. Victor and Cynthia Burris lived in absolute turmoil, unbearable heartache, and soul wrenching depression for many years. Infertility almost crushed their souls, wrecked their marriage, and killed their inspiration for living. There was a constant struggle to save their marriage, their future, and to gather their courage to finally start to look for their children and bring them home. They had images of their children that lived only in their dreams; they never thought the children would actually become their reality. As Cynthia experiences her “Spiritual and Physical pregnancies,” she will discuss her feelings on her separate voyages. She will take you into the complete process of their International Korean Adoption; she will share with you the emotions, she and her husband felt while going through the process, take you with her to Korea, and show you a glimpse of the wonderful life after she arrives home with Sammy. Riding on Angels Wings is intended for couples who are struggling and trying to cope with infertility and are considering adoption. This beautiful book is designed for couples who want to look at a couples perspective who have gone through the infertility “roller-coaster” and has successfully adopted through and International Korean Program. You will be able to witness two beautiful pregnancies, one beautiful family, for which both of the children rode on “Angels Wings” all the way home. Riding on Angels Wings will help give you the inspiration, the strength to help you make changes in your life, and the courage to start your own incredible journey, may you be blessed. About the Author: Cynthia Burris wrote Riding on Angels Wings, with absolute love, devotion and unceasing dedication. She found the willpower to overcome the worst heartache any mother or parent could have, the nightmare of not being able to conceive but could feel, hear, and see her children in only her dreams. She searched the stars, discovered and followed paths of wild geese for direction for faith, climbed piles documents, crossed the Pacific Ocean and reached the foreign shore of Seoul, South Korea to find her son, spiritual serenity, and physical healing. Once spiritually healed, she healed physically and was then finally able to conceive her second son. Cynthia now has one vision that will carry her through the rest of her life. She will spread the knowledge she has gained from her own two miracles so that others will gain the inspiration and dedication to start their own voyage. She speaks for the children who are still too little to speak and prays for infertile couples to open their hearts so that they can conceive spiritually. Cynthia had accomplished many things in her life. She served in the air force on active duty and later joined the army national guard for a total of 13 years of service. She received a B.S. degree in Business Management from Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon. Cynthia loves to write, sew and travel. She lives in Springfield, Oregon with her husband Victor and their two beautiful children Sammy and Andrew, the miracles of their lives.

Searching for the Stork: One Couple’s Struggle to Start a Family. Marion Wasserman. 1988. 190p. New American Library. Marrion Wasserman relates her first-hand experience with infertility and her four-year “search for the stork.” After a futile attempt at technologically assisted conception ending in a stillbirth—as well as the unexpected discovery of a genetic disorder—the Wassermans finally decide to look for fulfillment of their dream of parenthood through adoption.

Step Right Up & Take Your Chance: a Personal Journey Through Endometriosis, Infertility, & Adoption. Maureen Linse-Adras. 2000. 215p. Morris Publishing.

Surviving Pregnancy Loss: A Complete Sourcebook for Women and Their Families. Rochelle Friedman & Bonnie Gradstein (Contributor). 1996 (rev & updated ed). 270p. Citadel Press. One million women a year suffer a pregnancy loss—whether by a miscarriage, stillbirth, or ectopic pregnancy. This book includes first-person accounts of women who have experienced pregnancy loss, a discussion by health care professional on the physical and emotional consequence, an exploration of options for the future, and sensitive advice on dealing with the feelings and reactions of others. Anyone who has suffered a pregnancy loss is searching for answers, searching for a friend. Surviving Pregnancy Loss provides both.

Sweet Grapes: How to Stop Being Infertile & Start Living Again. Jean & Michael Carter. 1989. 139p. Perspectives Press. Dr. Jean Carter, an obstetrician-gynecologist, and her husband an English professor, coauthored this book. Together they have pesonally wrestled with the many issues of infertility and have resolved to live “childfree.” Their unique circumstances have enabled them to write a book that is both informative and entertaining. Few, if any books in this are deal with the issue of chidlessness and resolving fertility desires as well as this text. The authors’ approach is best summarized in this quotation from Linda P Salzer, author of Infertility: How Couples Can Cope... “When you are chasing the dream of a baby, it is easy to forget that life has the potential for many other dreams and fulfillments.” Dr. and Mr. Carter review the pros and cons of accepting infertility and choosing childlessness as well as describe the many reasons why couples may or may not have difficulty in accepting this option.... This book is recommended for all couples who are nearing th end of their infertility options , or for those who are unsure whether to pursue infertility therapy at all. — From the American Society of Reproductive Medicine’s Fertility News (December 1989)

Take Two: A Story About Confronting Infertility, Exploring Alternatives & Adopting Two Babies. Laurel Ashton. 2008. 160p. British Association for Adoption and Fostering (UK). Our decision to put off the baby stage was never a conscious one. Other things just happened. We spent too long being educated, did too much living and travelling and indulged our love of being together. No one ever told us that we might regret this foot-dragging, lackadaisical approach to parenthood. Unfortunately when Laurel and her husband David decide the time is right to expand their family, things don’t go according to plan. The dream of pregnancy, parenthood and family life soon turns into a nightmare. Coping with the discovery of her infertility this candid account reveals Laurel’s personal heartache at the realisation that she cannot have a child of her own and how her world suddenly seems to be occupied by pregnant women! It examines the emotional and physical demands of IVF; the couple’s experiments with alternative therapies; how and why the decision to adopt is made; and why it is the right choice for this family in waiting. This honest and heartfelt memoir focuses on the unusual adoption of not one, but two, baby girls. When Laurel and David finally become the adoptive parents of one baby girl they soon discover that a little sister is on the way and must decide if they want to “take two.” Take Two will help all those who are undertaking their own personal journey towards parenthood, and provides a nostalgic read for the many thousands who have successfully completed their family through adoption. This is the seventh title in the Our Story series which aims to provide an insight into the highs and lows of adoption through the real life experiences of a wide range of families.

Taking Charge of Infertility. Patricia Johnston. 1994. 270p. Perspectives Press. Taking Charge of Infertility presents a can-do, get-real approach for couples coping with infertility. It helps you to make realistic decisions about budgeting your time, your energy, your physical capacities and your money in the quest to expand your family. If you’ve been drifting through infertility ... if you’ve been afraid to talk seriously with your partner about what step is next ... if you’ve been letting professionals lead your course of action ... then you need to take charge. This book can help you to do just that.adoption.

They Say You Can’t Have a Baby: The Dilemma of Infertility. Madeleine Blais. 1979. Norton.

True Love Story, A. Susan Dillon. 1999. 314p. Stone Post Publishing Co. This is the funny, sad, gripping story of Ms. Dillon’s long courtship with Roger; their eventual marriage; and their excruciating efforts to have a family, despite infertility, miscarriages, failed adoptions and one baby’s death. These events naturally raised serious questions about God’s goodness, and the story includes the spiritual journey occurring underneath the details. The drama, honesty, humility and humor make it hard to put down. Almost everyone will relate to this story, because it’s about True Love. About the Author: Susan Dillon was born in the Midwest during the baby boom, attended college in California, and worked in the public interest for a few years in Washington D.C. She went to law school hoping to find some direction in life, worked in large law firms and a nonprofit corporation. Her real life began when she married and began raising a family. She and her husband and two children live outside Washington, D.C.

Understanding Infertility: Insights For Family & Friends. Patricia Johnston. 1996. 32p. Perspectives Press. Are you, or is someone you love, infertile? Family and friends often don’t know how to react or what to say. This booklet is for them. It introduces the uninitiated to the stress and strain of infertility and it provides specific advice on how to be supportive to the infertile couple. Understanding Infertility is an overview of infertility for those who care.

Unofficial Guide to Overcoming Infertility, The. J Liebmann-Smith, PhD, J Egan & J Stangel, MD. You’ve heard the official line. Now it’s time to get the inside scoop. The Unofficial Guide to Overcoming Infertility provides savvy consumers like you a foolproof appraisal of what works and what doesn’t, the good treatments and the bad, and gives unbiased recommendations. It includes vital information, insider secrets, money-saving techniques, time-saving tips, the latest trends, and handy checklists and charts. This book provides the critical facts you need to know in order to successfully explore all your options.

Waiting For Daisy: A Tale of Two Continents, Three Religions, Five Infertility Doctors, an Oscar, an Atomic Bomb, a Romantic Night. Peggy Orenstein. 2007. 208p. Bloomsbury Publishing PLC. Waiting for Daisy is about loss, love, anger and redemption. It’s about doing all the things you swore you’d never do to get something you hadn’t even been sure you wanted. It’s about being a woman in a confusing, contradictory time. It’s about testing the limits of a loving marriage. And it’s about trying (and trying and trying) to have a baby. Orenstein’s story begins when she tells her new husband that she’s not sure she ever wants to be a mother; it ends six years later after she’s done almost everything humanly possible to achieve that goal, from “fertility sex” to escalating infertility treatments to New Age remedies to forays into international adoption. Her saga unfolds just as professional women are warned by the media to heed the ticking of their biological clocks, and just as fertility clinics have become a boom industry, with over two million women a year seeking them out. Buffeted by one jaw-dropping obstacle after another, Orenstein seeks answers both medical and spiritual in America and Asia, along the way visiting an old flame who’s now the father of fifteen, and discovering in Japan a ritual of surprising solace. All the while she tries to hold onto a marriage threatened by cycles, appointments, procedures and disappointments. Waiting for Daisy is an honest, wryly funny report from the front, an intimate page-turner that illuminates the ambivalence, obsession, and sacrifice that characterize so many modern women’s lives.

Wanting a Child. Jill Bialosky & Helen Schulma, editors. 1998. 300p. Farrar Straus & Giroux. For some people, wanting a child is not simply a matter of “first comes love, then comes, marriage, then comes baby in the baby carriage.” With couples marrying older, families breaking up and reforming, and many women not bothering to marry at all, traditional patterns of childbearing are out the window, and many couples are coming late to parenthood, with all the attendant difficulties. This stellar collection of essays and fiction from noted authors like Bob Shachocis, Amy Hempl, Tama Janowitz, and Ann Hood illuminate contemporary issues in childbearing: the anxiety of a pregant woman who has miscarried often, the joy of a single mother who adopts a Chinese girl, the determination of a lesbian couple to have their own baby, the awful pain of failing yet again to conceive after numerous infertility treatments. With so many guides available on getting pregnant and staying pregnant, collections need a book like this that adds a truly human dimension to the discussion. Highly recommended. — Barbara Hoffert, Library Journal.

Wanting Another Child: Coping With Secondary Infertility. Harriet Fishman Simons. 1995. 190p. Lexington Books. Secondary infertility is often a “hidden” issue, and couples suffering from the inability to have another wanted child often feel caught in the netherworld between the childless infertile and parents of larger families. Harriet Fishman Simons, a clinician specializing in fertility issues and a support group leader for RESOLVE, an advocacy group for infertile individuals, has been involved in infertility issues for over 20 years. In her book Wanting Another Child: Coping with Secondary Infertility, Simons discusses the plight of the secondarily infertile—the awkwardness of being among infertile couples without children, the pain of watching other families conceive again. The book takes a broad-based look at an issue that is becoming more common as more couples rely on fertility treatments to form their families. Simons weaves personal stories with theory and sociological data. She includes chapters on social and emotional issues (the effects of secondary infertility on the couple as well as friends, family, and coworkers), parenting during secondary infertility issues (helping children cope with their parent’s secondary infertility), and possible resolutions to and strategies for coping with secondary infertility. Simons’s style may be academic, but the information and message is not, and this book is a welcome addition to a new subfield of study. — Ericka Lutz

Wedded Unmother, The. Kaye Halverson with Karen M Hess. 1980. 128p. Augsburg Publishing House. Kaye and Craig Halverson assumed they would start their family soon after they were married, but several years passed and their nursery remained empty. Kaye began to cringe at the question, “Do you and Craig have any children?” She avoided friends’ baby showers and prayed desperately. As she began to resolve her crisis, Kaye felt compelled to share her story with other childless couples, describing her efforts to overcome infertility and offering support and understanding.

What to Expect When You’re Experiencing Infertility: How to Cope With the Emotional Crisis & Survive. Debby Peoples & Harriette Rovner Ferguson. 2000. 297p. WW Norton & Co. One of every six couples in America is experiencing infertility, a devastating crisis that affects men and women individually and as a couple. This comforting and informative book addresses the medical, financial, and emotional issues that couples must work through while resolving their infertility. Written in a question-and-answer format, this sympathetic book offers practical advice on how to contend with the emotional ups and downs of infertility—from learning how to communicate feelings more effectively to coping with the losses of failed treatments or miscarriages. Warm and practical, the book is divided into twelve chapters, grouped according to the four stages involved in resolving infertility: crisis, acceptance, resolution and epilogue. Addressing the crisis phase are chapters on communicating effectively in a crisis, viewing infertility through the eyes of a parent, coping with family and friends, dealing with stresses at work while going through medical treatment, dealing with the medical establishment, and working through loss. For the stages of acceptance and resolution the authors offer chapters on deepening one’s faith, knowing when to stop medical treatment, and practical advice for couples deciding to live child-free or considering adoption. An extensive section at the end addresses issues and concerns of professionals dealing with infertility patients. In addition, there are self-help exercises and a guide to resources. About the Authors: Harriet Rovner Ferguson is a psychotherapist who provides groups, couples, and individuals counseling for infertility and also conducts workshops for professionals working in the field. Debby Peoples is a past president of Long Island RESOLVE (the national support organization for infertile individuals) and a founder of A Woman’s Place, a center for counseling and support.

When You Can’t Have a Child: Personal Stories of Living Through Infertility and Childlessness. Susan Powell & Helen Stagoll. 1993. 160p. The choice for most of us is not whether to have children, but when. So how do you cope with the discovery that there is no choice? How do you make a life without children? How do you grieve for the child that was never born? When You Can’t Have a Child suggests many possibilities for living rewarding and fulfilling lives without children.

Wishing for a Baby: A Preconception Journal. Julie Watson & Corinne Greenberg. 1997. 156p. Conceiving Concepts, Inc. This journal is an invaluable tool to help you manage both the emotional and practical sides of your fertility journey. Each of the ten sections includes worksheets, a notebook partition explaining how to use the worksheets, and, where appropriate, suggested readings and websites for further information. The sections are: charting your fertility signs; daydreaming of your child; natural fertility treatments; fertility decision making; managing friends and family; medical fertility intervention; doctor’s appointments; grief/pregnancy loss; money, money, money; and success! Wishing for a Baby is a unique way keep track of your quest for a child.

Without Child: Challenging the Stigma of Childlessness. Laurie Lisle. 1996. 288p. Ballentine. In an extraordinary, unprecedented work, Lisle, herself childless by choice, looks to history, mythology, and religion to show that childless women are indeed part of a historical continuum. She explores the facts and fallacies behind childlessness and reminds us of how today’s women can and do embrace their choice.

Without Child: Experiencing & Resolving Infertility. Ellen Glazer & Sharon Cooper. 1988. 226p. Lexington Books. (See Experiencing Infertility: Stories to Inform and Inspire, above)

Woman Doctor’s Guide to Infertility, A: Essential Facts & Up-To-The-Minute Information on the Techniques & Treatments to Achieve Pregnancy. Susan Treiser & Robin K Levinson. 1994. 149p. Hyperion. For the 2.5 million couples in the U.S. affected by infertility comes the newest title in the successful Books for Women by Women series. Offering essential facts and up-to-the-minute information on the techniques and treatments to achieve pregnancy, this complete guide is written with a compassionate tone in plain language. Includes case histories, a glossary, and a resource list.