Conquering Infertility: Dr. Alice Domar's Mind/Body Guide to Enhancing Fertility and Coping with Infertility [Paperback]

Alice D. Domar (Author), Alice Lesch Kelly (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 24, 2004

Infertility is a heartbreaking condition that affects nine million American couples each year. It causes tremendous stress, can trigger debilitating sadness and depression, and can tear a marriage to shreds. In Conquering Infertility, Harvard psychologist Alice Domar—whom Vogue calls the “Fertility Goddess”—provides infertile couples with what they need most: stress relief, support, and hope. Using the innovative mind/body techniques she has perfected at her clinic, Domar helps infertile women not only regain control over their lives but also boost their chances of becoming pregnant.

With Conquering Infertility, women learn how to cope with infertility in a much more positive way and to carve a path toward a rich, full, happy life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Focusing on a topic the author covered more briefly in Healing Mind, Healthy Women, Domar, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard, with freelance writer Kelly, provides here a well-written and supportive self-help manual for women who have been unable to sustain a pregnancy. The stresses that accompany infertility can impact negatively on a woman's relationship with her husband, family members, friends and colleagues. Domar strongly recommends and fully describes such relaxation techniques as yoga, meditation, journal writing and guided imagery as useful ways to cope with infertility treatments, feelings of failure, and obsessive envy of women who are mothers. She also details how to overcome sexual and emotional tensions that spring up between married couples around this issue. Drawing on case studies and recent research indicating that the depression resulting from infertility can actually hinder attempts to become pregnant, the author advocates a positive approach based on self-nurturing that will improve an infertile woman's outlook on life. Domar also discusses when it may be time to abandon expensive and painful infertility treatments and, depending on the individuals involved, explore using donor eggs or sperm, pursue adoption or come to a decision to remain childless.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Domar (medicine, Harvard Medical Sch.), founder and director of the Mind/Body Program for Infertility, and health writer Kelly here present findings and case histories that have resulted from Domar's research and clinical work. The authors point out that infertility can lead to feelings of depression, isolation, anger, and hostility, as well as such stress-related symptoms as headaches and insomnia. Seeking to restore a sense of joy, hope, and well-being to couples suffering from this condition, they offer practical coping strategies, illustrated with case histories, for dealing with these negative feelings. They also explore options when treatment fails and outline financial and medical issues. Unlike many other infertility books that focus on medical treatments, this work emphasizes mind-body techniques and helping couples resolve such emotional and lifestyle issues as managing a career, dealing with friends and family members who become pregnant, and making peace with oneself when infertility treatments fail. For larger consumer health collections. Jodith Janes, Cleveland Clinic Fdn. Lib.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Books (February 24, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142002011
• ISBN-13: 978-0142002018
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #52,402 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Diseases & Physical Ailments > Infertility

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Positive Approach to a Life Crisis October 13, 2002

By Linda C. Huston

Format:Hardcover

This book picks up where others leave off. It deals with the emotional pain, stress and anxiety that accompany infertility.
It covers topics such as how to cope in a fertile world, what to do when you're "mad at God", and dealing with friends and family.
The best part is that it offers techniques that not only help patients lower their stress levels, but may actually enhance their chances of pregnancy success. I have been an infertility nurse specialist for 12 years, and I think that this book fills a void that will truly enhance patient care. I believe it should be "required reading" for all infertility patients and their healthcare providers.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Ali does it again! October 14, 2002

By "swleonard"

Format:Hardcover

This is a great book. For those who have read Healing Mind, Healthy Woman, some of the information in the first few chapters will be a review. These chapters in the new book, however, are specifically for women and couples with infertility concerns. Much of the rest of the information is new and/or "improved," with chapters on such topics as the couple relationship, dealing with family and friends, faith issues, what to do when treatment fails, and so on.
As a counselor who works with women and couples with infertility issues, I have found Domar's work to be incredibly helpful for me and for my clients. I have been recommending Healing Mind, Healthy Woman for some time; now I will also encourage my clients to get this new book as well. Domar's message of hope is such a positive one; she has many wise and encouraging words here. I would encourage anyone who is struggling with infertility, wherever you may be in your journey, to get this book!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, the emotional support I've been looking for! November 26, 2005

By ACD

Format:Paperback

My husband and I have been struggling with infertility for almost 3 years. I've read tons of books on the subject, but none of them addressed COPING with the emotional and marital stress like Conquering Infertility. For the first time I felt like someone out there understood what I was going through. Dr. Domar described all the emotions and feelings that I was struggling with - I cried with relief when I realized I wasn't crazy. When I read sections to my husband, he commented that the author must have been a fly on our wall. Her advice covers everything from coping with fertile friends and family, the effects infertility can have on your faith and religious beliefs, how to keep your marriage from crumbling under the pressure, how to physically handle the stress your body is under, and relaxation techniques to get you through the tough moments. It's all there. It even covers "what next?" What the options are out there beyond ART and IVF and how to know when you're ready to move on. If all the techno-medical books have left you cold, this is the must have resource for you. If you are lacking emotional support, you will find it in this thoughtfully written, compassionate book.