Chasing the Gender Dream [Paperback]

Jennifer Merrill Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 10, 2004

Did you know that a baby can be preselected for gender, that you can now virtually pick "pink" or "blue"? This book tells you how. Chasing the Gender Dream is a detailed guide to gender selection of a child-from the prospective of someone who researched all the methods for conceiving a daughter, who tried a few and who ultimately succeeded. It also relates others' experiences with sex selection and provides the latest news about available laboratory technologies for "family balancing." If you're interested in knowing what home methods increase your chances of conceiving a boy or girl, what is being done in high-tech gender determination and what it's like to undergo fertility treatments for sex selection-Chasing the Gender Dream has all the answers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

For those considering the possibilities and options available, "Chasing the Gender Dream" is an impressive, valuable, well-written and documented resource. -- Charlene Austin, Writers and Readers Network

About the Author

Jennifer Merrill Thompson is a freelance writer-editor, a former newspaper journalist and a mother of three. Living in Northern Virginia, the home of MicroSort, a center for sperm sorting technology, she turned to high-tech methods to conceive a daughter after two sons. Being the natural researcher that she is--after working at several daily newspapers--she learned everything she could about gender selection. After first trying at-home methods, she next focused on the MicroSort technology, and she finally welcomed her daughter in 2002. After her experiences, she decided to start writing about sex selection and to let others know that they, too, can chase their gender dream. Reaching her goal of a "balanced" family, she shares her story with others.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Aventine Press (March 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593301480
• ISBN-13: 978-1593301484
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.4 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #570,613 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, plain talk on choosing your baby's gender April 13, 2004

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

Just as many men fear approaching their doctors about impotence, influencing the gender of their next baby is a topic many women don't want to risk broaching with their OB/Gyns. The fear is understandable: the topic is still taboo in many circles, and many doctors aren't well-versed on the options available, or don't understand the urge. There is a lot of judgement out there, and very little good advice. Many couples would like to tip the odds one way or the other, but it's hard to find out HOW.

This book provides a good summary of the options for anyone new to the topic. Highly readable (I devoured it in one sitting), it covers both at-home methods, and those that require medical intervention. There are step-by-step instructions, a generous list of resources, and plenty of practical advice. For anyone who is willing to consider some of the more invasive, high-tech methods of changing the odds, it is invaluable. Elective IUI and IVF are not subjects you'd want to bring up in casual conversation. But this book will walk you through them from a patient's perspective.

Unlike other books out there on the topic of gender selection, this one isn't written by a physician with a pet theory to promote. The author has a clear bias towards MicroSort (which is ultimately how she conceived her daughter after two boys), but it's not a sell job, and she acknowledges MicroSort is not for everybody. Even if you'd never consider a laboratory method, you can use this book to tip the odds at home.

If you're looking to make a fully-informed decision on gender selection methods, this is the book to read. It's no substitute for doing your own research on the safety of sperm-spinning or sorting technologies, if you're thinking of going that route, but it will certainly help you weigh the personal costs. And equally importantly, if you really ARE "trying for a boy" or "trying for a girl", if you are not comfortable with 50-50 odds, you will be assured throughout that you are not alone.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT, COMPREHENSIVE BOOK! October 27, 2004

By Candice Tenerelli

Format:Paperback

I think that "Chasing the Gender Dream" is a well-written book chockfull of information about baby gender selection. Whether you want to try to conceive a boy or a girl by natural methods, or you'd like to attempt the more successful high-tech methods like Microsort or PGD, this book walks you through all the steps and details involved. I learned a lot about sex selection, and all the possibilities. If you're interested in this topic, I highly recommend the book. The author describes gender diets and at-home methods that couples have tried to conceive a baby, and she also tells about the new technology and what it's like to go through it. She shares her personal experiences, and the stories of other women around the world, in trying to reach a "gender dream." And those stories are really interesting. Most women don't share their gender selection attempts in "real life," but this book lets you know that these attempts are becoming more and more common! A real eye-opener about family planning.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book affirmed my feelings and gave me hope. June 4, 2005

By Becca

Format:Paperback

Chasing the Gender Dream was exactly what I needed to read as I started to think about having another baby. Ms. Thompson shares her feelings about her own dream of having a daughter and does so in a heartfelt and eloquent way. For me, it was reassuring to know I am not alone in my own desire for a daughter someday. She is able to summarize much of the information that is out there on gender selection...at home methods and high tech methods. This was helpful to have as resource that I can continue to go back to as I get closer to trying to conceive. She doesn't give anyone false hope, but she does give resources for support and she encourages those of us trying the at home methods to be prepared for the opposite gender blessing you may get. Her honesty about her own experience and the feelings she had throughout it was very helpful.

This is a well written and very interesting book and I am so glad that I bought it!