Customer Reviews

Overcoming Infertility: A Compassionate Resource for Getting Pregnant ('scientific American' Library)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As of now (1998-1999) this is the best encyclopedia around of all the various medical causes of infertility and how they are addressed. It doesn't hesitate to spell out what's still uncertain, what's theory, and what's been debunked. I would say if you were going to buy only two books about infertility, you should make this your ``mechanic's guide'' and add Debby Peoples et al.'s ``What to Expect When You're Experiencing Infertility'' for discussion of the very real emotional costs of infertility. Depending on your circumstances, you can later add Ellen Glazer's ``The Long-Awaited Stork'' and Patricia Johnston's ``Adopting After Infertility'' and you will have read the four best books around for getting you through the flames. Frankly, most other books are either out of date, too general or not sufficiently sensitive to the emotional pain of infertility.

Prof. Robert Jansen's book is both educational and motivating. It arms the reader with an understanding of the complexities involved with infertility. Using every day language he gives infertile people the strength to take control of their own lives, seek help, ask questions and make informed decisions.

After 4 years of trying to get pregnant, it was this book that inspired my husband and I to investigate the reasons why it was not happening. The easy to comprehend biology lessons and explanations of tests and procedures enabled us to make the most of the 10 minute consultations with specialists and prevented that sense of "total brain overload" that one usually gets after visiting medical practitioners.

For the past year Prof. Jansen's book has been my companion. There isn't a flat surface in my house that it hasn't rested upon. It has taken us step by step through 1 cycle of IVF. In the dead of the night when IVF staff could not be contacted it has helped ease the sense of fear and helplessness that the lack of knowledge and uncertainty inflict on you when you are tired and at your most vulnerable.

How did infertile people retain their sanity prior to the release of this marvellous book. In an age where there is an abundance of information on every topic imaginable, it astounds and frustrates me that there is so little "quality" information on the subject of infertility. Thank you Dr Jansen, it is a book that should be read by all who have been touched by infertility in one way or another and in particular members of the medical profession who we as patients so openly look to for guidance and information.

This is a comprehensive guide to the medical or technical aspects of infertility. It contains lots of helpful information about the mechanics of getting pregnant and explains in some detail what can prevent pregnancy from happening. It also discusses various forms of treatment, including IVF, GIFT and ZIFT. What prevents this book from being a top-notch fertility resource: (1) some of the information is already out-of-date due to advances in the field (for example, there's no discussion of Antagon, commonly used with injectable fertility meds and IVF, because Antagon was still being developed at the time the book went to print); (2) the author runs an Australian infertility clinic, and his take on the fertility process is somewhat different from his American counterparts (although he does occasionally mention what is commonly done in the US and Britain); (3) a somewhat cumbersome style - e.g. valuable information is taken out of the main text and put into boxes; extremely technical information is mixed in with the practical stuff a patient needs to know. There is lots of valuable information in the book, but you'll need to supplement it with your own research and other reading.

I have been going through infertility treatment for two years. I have read a lot of information and talked to several doctors. This book, however, was the most informative literature that I have read yet. I learned things in this book about my infertility that I had not even heard mentioned from my doctors. Dr. Jansen did a wonderful job of explaining a wide range of infertility challenges and answered any question that I had. His book was easy to understand and filled with excellent information. I was able to use some of the information that I learned in this book to have intelligent conversations with my doctors and recommend treatments not suggested.

It is unfortunate that in this day of managed health care we, as consumers, often have to be researchers and take control of our own health care. However, it is to our advantage that we have wonderfully informative references such as this!

I have read and searched for answers from many sources. I found this book to be a wealth of information! The book is well set up. It goes into depth on specific problems as well going over the basics. The chapters and headings are labelled and organized well. And the index is very extensive and it is easy to find what you are looking for. The author is not only an expert in this field but also is able to get the information across so that readers without a medical degree can understand. I have been able to use this book in conjunction with receiving treatment from a fertility specialist. It confirms and helps me better understand what my doctor is doing. I highly recommend this book!

I sat and read this book from cover to cover in one afternoon. I was so pleased to finally find the answers to my questions all in one book.

The information I have gained has given me far more confidence to raise issues with my doctors as I now know what all the jargon means. One doctor commented that I seemed to know more than he did!

I believe that everyone needs to find out as much as they can about their health and the associated issues so that they can make informed decisions. Prof. Jansen's book gave me the facts I needed.

I would particularly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in undertaking IVF.

I bought this book in search of answer to my problems, and I found it. Along with my physician I have a beautiful three months old daughter after three years of wait. I think it ease my spirit.
The only problem is that it haslanguage that sometimes get too scientific to be understood.

Despite being physicians ourselves, my husband and I have been overwhelmed at our introduction to "being infertile". I have browed through everything from original articles in the medical literature to reproductive medicine textbooks to books and articles in the "lay" media. Overcoming Infertility is the best-balanced and one of the best-written overview I've come across so far. Jansen doesn't brush over the science (or lack thereof) behind the diagnoses and treatments patients are likely to be given; he also maintains an empathetic and supportive perspective throughout (which the textbooks lack). I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to become better informed about the "brave new world" (cliche this is) of reproductive medicine.

In "Overcoming Infertility", Robert Jansen presents a surefooted, thoughtful and, indeed, compassionate book on the myriad aspects of infertility and its treatment. Using a supportive but not overly personal tone, he has created a handbook that in its self-contained chapters and detailed boxes allows the reader to take exactly what he or she needs. And in giving his medical opinions, Jansen has avoided the posture of many infertility specialists who write as though they are your personal doctor -- or worse, your friend -- and can "solve" your infertility if only you follow their detailed advice on high-tech treatments...Jansen's clarity itself provides relief. He manages to be comprehensive without burying the reader in detail...It is hard to accept that the term "infertile" applies to oneself, and it takes courage to open a book that maps out the road ahead. Jansen proves an excellent, trustworthy guide.

Robin Herman, The Washington Post

I have been going through infertility treatment for two years. I have read a lot of information and talked to several doctors. This book, however, was the most informative literature that I have read yet. I learned things in this book about my infertility that I had not even heard mentioned from my doctors. Dr. Jansen did a wonderful job of explaining a wide range of infertility challenges and answered any question that I had. His book was easy to understand and filled with excellent information. I was able to use some of the information that I learned in this book to have intelligent conversations with my doctors and recommend treatments not suggested.

It is unfortunate that in this day of managed health care we, as consumers, often have to be researchers and take control of our own health care. However, it is to our advantage that we have wonderfully informative references such as this!