A medical mistake during an IVF procedure. An unthinkable situation . . . you’re pregnant with the wrong baby. You can terminate, but you can’t keep him. What choice would you make?
Carolyn and Sean Savage had been trying to expand their family for years. When they underwent an IVF transfer in February 2009, they knew it would be their last chance. If they became pregnant, they would celebrate the baby as an answer to their prayers. If not, they would be grateful for the family they had and leave their fertility struggles behind forever. They never imagined a third option. The pregnancy test was positive, but the clinic had transferred the wrong embryos. Carolyn was pregnant with someone else’s baby. The Savages faced a series of heartbreaking decisions: terminate the pregnancy, sue for custody, or hand over the infant to his genetic parents upon delivery. Knowing that Carolyn was carrying another couple’s hope for a baby, the Savages wanted to do what they prayed the other family would do for them if the situation was reversed. Sean and Carolyn Savage decided to give the ultimate gift, the gift of life, to a family they didn’t know, no strings attached. Inconceivable provides an inside look at how modern medicine, which creates miracles daily, could allow such a tragic mistake, and the many legal ramifications that ensued with both the genetic family and the clinic. Chronicling their tumultuous pregnancy and its aftermath, which tested the Savage’s faith, their relationship to their church, and their marriage, Inconceivable is ultimately a testament to love. Carolyn and Sean loved this baby, making it impossible for them to imagine how they could give him life and then give him away. In the end, Inconceivable is a story of what it is to be a parent, someone who nurtures a life, protects a soul, only to release that child into the world long before you’re ready to let him go.
Inconceivable
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
After a mistake at her infertility clinic, Carolyn Savage learned she was carrying another couple’s baby. In this memoir that belongs at the top of any truth-is-stranger-than-fiction list, she and her husband tell the tale of why they decided to go through with the pregnancy and deliver a healthy boy to the biological parents. (Basically, it’s because of their religious beliefs.) The book, which shifts between Carolyn’s and Sean’s perspectives, would have been better had biological parents Shannon and Paul Morell contributed, too. From the beginning, Carolyn seems to resent Shannon for not being sufficiently appreciative, and even after she says she is giving up baby Logan with no strings attached, she is peeved that Shannon sends her the same birth announcement “in the same way that she had announced him to her extended family and distant friends.” Ultimately, the Morells bring Logan to meet the Savages, but it’s unclear how often they will see each other. The story is compelling and well told, although the Savages come across as martyrs more than saints. --Karen Springen
Review
“By the time you finish this remarkably honest, emotion-filled book, you’ll be picturing the young man who will one day hold it in his hands, reassured of the great love that carried him into this world. This is a very special story.” (Jeffrey Zaslow, coauthor of The Last Lecture )
“A remarkable book. Inconceivable provides an intimate portrait of two special people who nurture and birth a child only to unselfishly place it in the arms of another. Surely there will be crowns in heaven for the Carolyn and Sean Savage’s of the world.” (Ron Hall, co-author, Same Kind of Different As Me )
“This book is a blessing for all who feel life has handed them a challenge that seems unbearable and inconceivable.” (Regina Brett, author of God Never Blinks )
“Everything I ever dream about in ultimate love, compassion and selflessness is portrayed in this real life story of the Savage family. Their sincere goodness elevates us all.” (Dr. Laura Schlessinger, SiriusXM talk host, author of 12 New York Times bestsellers including The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands. )
“A remarkable book. Inconceivable provides an intimate portrait of two special people who nurture and birth a child only to unselfishly place it in the arms of another. Surely there will be crowns in heaven for the Carolyn and Sean Savage’s of the world.” (Ron Hall, co-author, Same Kind of Different As Me )
“This book is a blessing for all who feel life has handed them a challenge that seems unbearable and inconceivable.” (Regina Brett, author of God Never Blinks )
“Everything I ever dream about in ultimate love, compassion and selflessness is portrayed in this real life story of the Savage family. Their sincere goodness elevates us all.” (Dr. Laura Schlessinger, SiriusXM talk host, author of 12 New York Times bestsellers including The Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands. )
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By EmilyP
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The themes of this book will resonate with a wide variety of readers (including this pro-choice Jewish one), not just those who are Christian and/or pro-life as the authors and several prior reviewers are. Among the many amazing things in this book, the Savages share their story without the need to denigrate the choices that others make in their lives, and they left me in awe of how they have lived theirs. Would I make the same choices? I don't know - and much of the power of this book is that it subtly makes readers examine themselves while admiring the Savages.
Inconceivable is a non-fiction book that reads like fiction. The events that happen couldn't take place (but they did); no couple could have this much grace in handling those events (but Carolyn and Sean did...and still do); and no couple would be willing to reveal so much of their private lives to the world (but they have). Having decided to share the story, they couldn't possibly be this eloquent (but they were).
If I were still in a book club, this would clearly be my recommended book. There are so many avenues of discussion. Would you make the same choices the Savages did? Would you respond in the way the Morrells did? How does faith, your family of origin, your community influence your decision making and support (or condemn) your decisions?
Every time I think I couldn't be more in awe of Carolyn and Sean Savage...I am. I am a better person for having read this eloquent example of what it means to `walk the talk' and live the values in which one believes, even when it is so very difficult. I find it hard to believe that anyone could read this book and not be moved.
Inconceivable is a non-fiction book that reads like fiction. The events that happen couldn't take place (but they did); no couple could have this much grace in handling those events (but Carolyn and Sean did...and still do); and no couple would be willing to reveal so much of their private lives to the world (but they have). Having decided to share the story, they couldn't possibly be this eloquent (but they were).
If I were still in a book club, this would clearly be my recommended book. There are so many avenues of discussion. Would you make the same choices the Savages did? Would you respond in the way the Morrells did? How does faith, your family of origin, your community influence your decision making and support (or condemn) your decisions?
Every time I think I couldn't be more in awe of Carolyn and Sean Savage...I am. I am a better person for having read this eloquent example of what it means to `walk the talk' and live the values in which one believes, even when it is so very difficult. I find it hard to believe that anyone could read this book and not be moved.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By sixofseven
Format:Hardcover
While many are familiar with the story of the Savages from news reports, their book delves so deeply into the raw emotions and conflict that were present throughout Carolyn's pregnancy that I found I could not put the book down. Their back and forth style of writing gave such insight into what this must have been like for the two of them individually and as a couple. Their brutal honesty in sharing their less than graceful moments along with glimpses of humor along the way made this a most compelling read. A gut-wrenching, fabulous book! I would recommend to anyone who has a heart!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heartfelt no-holds barred journey of unconditional love, loss and Faith
February 18, 2011
By KellyLynn
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I truly think it is a book I will never forget. It is a gripping and emotional book. It gave me a lot to think about in love, forgiveness, Faith, selflessness, and perseverance. The cost of loving life and the willingness to do the right thing no matter what pain and devastation it may bring. It was beautifully written from both their points of view and their raw pain was felt. They are a couple every couple strives to be who stood together during a medical mistake that rocked their world. As a fellow IF/IVF survivor, I felt my heart break for them and the impossible position they were in, to desire to add a child to their family, to finally have that success, and then to have it all ripped away. Carolyn and Sean's sense of rightness, to do the right thing no matter the pain to themselves is something to be admired. They never questioned what was the right thing, they just did it. Logan is a special child to be loved by so many people, and who all worked together to do what was in his best interests, and not their own.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
This is a great book that will make you think about what you would do in this couple's shoes. I pray for them and baby Logan.
Published 24 days ago by Kayla Leedy
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not worth the time
I wanted to like this book. I really did. I read the beginning at a bookstore and hurried to find it a library when I got home so I could read the rest. It's a fascinating story! Read more
Published 1 month ago by BeeDub
5.0 out of 5 stars
Evocative -- I felt so many emotions while reading this
You know it's good when you already know the ending and can't put the book down anyway.
I've had the privilege of meeting Carolyn -- online and in person -- and then I... Read more
I've had the privilege of meeting Carolyn -- online and in person -- and then I... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Lori Holden
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow! A heartbreaking story tempered by grace and love
A sad and beautiful story of the gift of life, the pain of loss and the power of faith. After successfully becoming pregnant through IVF, Carolyn and Sean Savage learn the embryos... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Dutch
3.0 out of 5 stars
This book is a good read if your interested in IVF or adoption...
I read this book lately. The couple live nearby and I have a personal intrest in IVF.
The book was okay but at times in seemed written like they embellished and said the same... Read more
The book was okay but at times in seemed written like they embellished and said the same... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Cynthia Calmes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Item arrived quick and in excellent condition
The book arrived in very good condition. It is an intriguing story and exceeded my expectations. The contents of the story brought out aspects of the medical advances and the... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Lois A. Blanton
3.0 out of 5 stars
Decent
The story was pretty good, kind of predictable. My only complaint is I feel like the story ended 3/4 of the way thought the book, so reading the rest seemed liked a waste of time.
Published 3 months ago by Travis M. Burke
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very moving story
This book is an emotional rollercoaster. I cried reading this book. Being a mom I understood the love they felt for this child being a trauma survivor I felt their pain. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Bonnie
3.0 out of 5 stars
Inconceivable: A Medical Mistake, the Baby We Couldn't Keep
I have seen many TV interviews with this couple: they are much more appealing on (edited) TV than in this book. Read more
Published 3 months ago by beth peplinski
5.0 out of 5 stars
Could Not Put This Down
After seeing this story on Dateline I knew I needed to hear more. This family truly exemplifies the unselfish nature that we all need to show. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Christie Bowling
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