Infertility Survival Handbook (Paperback)

~ (Author) "As I write, Charlie and I have been trying to conceive for more than seven years and recently adopted our son, David..." (more)
Key Phrases: infertility roller coaster, cycle buddy, embryology lab, New York, Clean Slate Rule, Labor Day (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

After seven years of tests and more tests, treatments and more treatments, Elizabeth Swire-Falker understands what it means to struggle with infertility. In this frank, reassuring, and thoroughly researched handbook, she shares her own personal experience and offers insight into what challenges to expect along the way-from getting support to finding the right doctor xto dealing with insurance. She helps readers:

€ Navigate the maze of infertility tests and treatments
€ Handle the financial strain and marital stress that accompany the treatments € Formulate questions to ask doctors and nurses and learn to be their own advocate for good medical care € Understand the options:

-IUIs
-IVF
-traditional adoption
-embryo adoption
-donor eggs
-gestational surrogacy
-the virtues of living child-free

Swire-Falker will tell readers straight-as only a best girlfriend will. This is the only guide anyone will need for navigating such a difficult course.

From the Author

People often ask me why I decided to write this book and why I chose to be so honest and straight-forward about what it’s like to be infertile. The answer is simple: I was confused by the information I found on infertility treatment and I felt tremendously isolated and alone. I was walking to my car after an acupuncture session one day and I was angry (why me?), frustrated (for every step forward it seemed we were taking two steps backward), confused (was the acupuncture really a waste of time and money?). But most of all I was scared – was I ever going to have the baby I dreamed of and longed for?

I wandered into a bookstore hoping to find "the one book" that could help me deal with my pain and confusion. Book after book was written by physicians who seemed to know nothing about what infertility was like for the patient (clearly these men had all impregnated their wives on the first try). They may have explained what a Hysterosalpinogram involved, but none of the books told me how absolutely horrific it was to live through or why it’s so important to have it done.

And so it began: endless research and a decision to go so painfully public with my own story that my family is still trying to recover (sorry guys!). I chose to be honest because I knew that if I was open about my experience then someone reading the book might not feel so isolated. The research I did for the book made me empowered – no longer fearful or confused, I was able to take power back and gain some control over my life. There was so much I didn’t know, so much that was unsaid about being infertile; I chose to change that. No one should feel alone and confused as they wander down the street aching for a baby. (And by the way, acupuncture does work. Research now proves that undergoing acupuncture during an IVF cycle increases pregnancy rates!)

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Riverhead Trade; Riverhead ed edition (April 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1573223816
• ISBN-13: 978-1573223812
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #411,510 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WHERE was this book 3 years ago?!!!!!!, April 21, 2004

By	A Reader (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews

INFERTILITY SUCKS is right! My dh & I wasted so much time and money trying to have our first child. My gyno said she was an inferitlity specialist - HA! Misinformation at every turn. Run around from insurance company, which we had to argue with to even get meds covered. Marriage nearly went in the tank before we took a break, got some counseling and then did some research - we would've saved tons of $$ and 2+ years if we had this book! I found the section for men particularly well written. A friend told me to get this book since we are trying for #2. A big THANK YOU TO the Author! READ THIS BOOK FIRST IF NEED HELP TO GET PREGNANT!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank You Ms. Swire-Falker!, April 21, 2004

By	"ssjb1222" (Haddonfield, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

For writing a book that is easy to read yet so full of information. In the two years of dealing with infertility, I have never read a book that was written as if the author was a good friend and talking to me. But, yet, Swire-Falker accomplishes that with this book. There is so much information in this book and presented in a comfortable and easily digested manner. Swire-Falker covers so much in this book: Finding a good RE or Fertility Clinic, Testing, Diagnosis, Treatment Options, Affording Infertility, Understanding Your Cycle, Beginning IF Treatments and more. This book has it all! Ms. Swire-Falker, THANK YOU for writing this book!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for anyone going thru the infertility process., July 27, 2004

By	Donna Cushlanis "Proud Mom of IVF triplets" (Cape Cod, MA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is real. Blunt. To the point. It is all the information that you need and given to you in real world terms. The author doesn't hold anything back and that is what a person on the infertility rollercoaster needs. If you buy this book, you won't need to buy any others on this subject. My only disappointment is that this book wasn't available years ago when I started my infertility ride.