Customer Reviews

The Couple's Guide To In Vitro Fertilization: Everything You Need To Know To Maximize Your Chances Of Success

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1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am the kind of person who researches and reads EVERYTHING when they are faced with an issue or problem. Needless to say, I have purchased a multitude of IVF books, and this one is one of my favorites. It goes through the IVF process step-by-step, shares sample protocols, and explains ALL the medicines. In fact, I found myself going back and re-reading several parts of the book while in the midst of the IVF process. It's simply a must-have!

I found this book to be a bit boring and repetitve of all the info I have found on the web and through my doctors. It definitely appealed more to the emotional side, which is needed so much in this field, but I was looking for concrete suggestions on maximizing my chances with IVF and I didn't really find that in the book. It's a helpful read if you are just beginning the process and need some solid basic information, but not as helpful if you are already well informed.

The Couple's Guide to In Vitro Fertilization
Authors: Liza Charlesworth
Publisher: De Capo Press
ISBN: 0-7382-0897-3

IVF for most people is a private event that they will learn as they go through each cycle on their personal road to parenthood. This is that journey's guidebook. It is written very matter-of-factly with simple language even with technical terminology.

Written as a step by step "how to manual" of sorts, what it lacks in that personal touch it makes up for in sheer volume of information. It weighs in at 300 pages (at a bargain price of $16.95) and has 10 chapters with charts, graphs, sample calendars, resource guide, and a glossary of terminology.

For a "IVF for Dummies" type of book, I'd recommend this for its wealth of knowledge. I know I'm glad to have it in my arsenal of books when I understand this complex and nerve wracking procedure for myself. I believe most people will be able to use this guide and benefit from it. A great resource.

The book is filled with good definitions about the winding road that is IVF-fertility treatment is packed with acronyms, abbreviations, and science, and the author does do a good job of explaining what all of the acronyms and abbreviations are. The book flows well and has wit, but the constant underlying message is one of success! IVF succeeds! Just keep your legs in the air/take to bed rest/keep thinking smiley happy positive thoughts and it always works! As someone who's been through a few rounds of IVF and ongoing still, it's not that easy for most people. IVF is hard enough without infusing constant messages of false hope-I feel the author is irresponsible in suggesting that IVF can be otherwise.

Liza Charlesworth's book is a complete guide that fills you in on all the deatils of the cumbersome process that is IVF. And Charlesworth does it with style. This is a a fast read (hard to believe that s'thing so complex and technical as IVf can be a page turner, but this thing moves.) Unlike other cold and technical books on the topic, this one is reader-friendly, accessible and warm. As someone who went through IVF herself, Charlesworth has made sure that hers is a compassionate guide. She shares her stories and those of other women going through IVF. These are the very stories those of us IVFers seek out daily on the Web. If you're thinking about IVF or are starting a cycle, you'll want to buy this book. It will give you the low-down on the process, help you prepare for an IVF cycle (physically and emotionally) and most of all it will give you hope.

The author explains every step in an upbeat, positive and friendly way. I enjoyed reading it thru and referred back to it several times as our cycle progressed. Thank you, Liza, for writing such a relevant, timely and helpful book!

By far the most useful book I have read on this topic. Charlesworth is simultaneously optimistic, warm, AND logical in her plain-language explanations of this complicated, overwhelming process. Reading it is like having a best friend who also happens to be a reproductive endocrinologist drop by for a few hours for coffee and a long chat! Charlesworth is an expert communicator--distilling detailed scientific processes into plain English. (My favorite is when she talks about the process of conception, and compares the navigation of sperm in the cervical canal to an action-adventure flick--as opposed to a tender romance movie--it's actually quite a feat for sperm to perform.) The author also sprinkles the book with enough information about her personal experience to reassure you that she's been there herself. But, she's not heavy-handed about it, as you read, you feel like the focus is on YOU and your experience rather than her and hers. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Gave me really good information. I was pretty clueless when I picked up this book. Explained everything to me in simple terms. Loved that it has a glossary in the back to reference. Wouldn't read this if I was already familiar with the process though.

Liza Charlesworth has done a service to infertile couples everywhere. As a mental health professional who treats infertile couples, I am compelled to say that this book gives a careful, thoughtful account of the pros and cons of IVF, with many helpful suggestions for self-advocacy for those pursuing the procedure. IT IS A VERY EMPOWERING, ENCOURAGING, INFORMATIVE VOLUME! I recommend it most highly. Although Ms. Charlesworth and her husband are themselves an "IVF Success Story", Ms. Charlesworth nonetheless has no "ax to grind"; that is she does a wonderful job encouraging others to make an independent decision as to whether IVF is truly right for THEM. Thank you, Ms. Charlesworth, for your engagingly written and deeply helpful book!

This friendly, easy-to-read book takes a complicated and potentially difficult subject and makes it easy to understand. That is not to say it oversimplifies; I was amazed by the comprehensiveness of the author's approach -- no aspect of IVF, from the initial decision-making process, to the science behind it, to ways of financing this expensive procedure is left uncovered. I gave it to a friend considering IVF and she is now pregnant with her first child. This book is terrific!
Helen O'Reilly