Empty Womb, Aching Heart: Hope and Help for Those Struggling With Infertility [Paperback]

Marlo Schalesky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2001

Contains frank and emotionally resonate stories from both men and women facing the struggle of infertility.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Mother's Day is not a joyful occasion for all women, particularly those who would like to have children but cannot. Marlo Schalesky's Empty Womb, Aching Heart: Hope and Help for Those Struggling with Infertility does for Christian women what Rabbi Nina Beth Cardin's Tears of Sorrow, Seeds of Hope: A Jewish Spiritual Companion for Infertility and Pregnancy Loss did for Jewish women: provide comfort and camaraderie in the face of infertility and pregnancy loss.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"...filled with personal wisdom and experience ...helpful to encourage a friend who is struggling with infertility." -- Discipleship Journal, Sep-Oct 2001

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 188 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764224107
• ISBN-13: 978-0764224102
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #179,729 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #50 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Disorders & Diseases > Infertility

More About the Author

Besides writing books that I hope you'll buy (!), I also run an engineering firm and have recently earned my Masters degree in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. Originally, I was a research chemist (I got my bachelor's degree in chemistry at Stanford University in 1988), but I always knew I wanted to write. So, I'm grateful to be weaving stories that whisper of grace, of mystery, and of surprise.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real People Share Their Infertility Stories, July 17, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Empty Womb, Aching Heart: Hope and Help for Those Struggling With Infertility (Paperback)

This book is incredible. I read it last night and cried through most of it! As a Christian battling infertility, its so nice to hear the message that it's okay to hurt, cry, and be angry. You won't find any Pollyanna cliches about just "trust God" or "have faith." Instead the message is that while, of course, we must trust and have faith, the fact is that infertility is a painful, horrible experience and its okay to grieve this. I feel like I've been given permission to drop my "Happy Christian" mask and just be myself-- grief and all-- with both God and other people.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hope and Help in the Struggle!!!, July 28, 2003

By 

Gregory Nyman (Winchendon, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Empty Womb, Aching Heart: Hope and Help for Those Struggling With Infertility (Paperback)

When the professional advice isn't enough, and you've had your fill of well-meaning comments from those who haven't experienced infertility, Marlo Schalesky wants you to know you are not alone. The true stories she tells of couples who share in the collective hopes, fears, frustrations, and the comfort only God can bring will encourage your heart.

Our family knows that infertility strikes at the core of what oit means to be a woman or man, it tests marriages, and shakes the faith. This honest, open, and emotionally resonant first-person collection of stories will touch your life, and if you're looking for a good dose of Christ-centered encouragement for the journey of infertility, this is it.

We looked for months for a book like this, and we hope you are encouraged like we were.

A very highly recommended book!!!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll Find You're Not Alone, June 21, 2001

By 

Janet H. McHenry "Author/Speaker" (Loyalton, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Empty Womb, Aching Heart: Hope and Help for Those Struggling With Infertility (Paperback)

Along with the pain of not having a child, there is often another--loneliness, the perception that others do not know what you're going through. Schalesky puts arms of understanding around the reader with her book Empty Womb, Aching Heart. The twenty-four stories of those who've wondered "Why NOT me?" lead the reader to comfort and trust in God. This book is a wonderful help for those facing infertility, a wonderful gift from friends who want to help.