Planning Parenthood: Strategies for Success in Fertility Assistance, Adoption, and Surrogacy [Hardcover]

Rebecca A. Clark (Author), Gloria Richard-Davis (Author), Jill Hayes (Author), Michelle Murphy (Author), Katherine Pucheu Theall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 28, 2009

Planning to become a parent is a profound experience, at times agonizing, hopeful, stressful, and joyous. Not everyone is able to become pregnant, however. When the journey to parenthood proves challenging, Planning Parenthood will guide prospective parents through the complicated mazes of assisted reproduction and adoption.

Specialist authors first describe fertility assistance, surrogacy, and adoption, clearly outlining the requirements of each strategy. They compare the medical, emotional, financial, and legal investments and risks involved with each of these options. Then they introduce the issues that people will need to consider when deciding which path to parenthood is best for them. Along the way these experts offer encouragement for changing course under any number of circumstances.

Supporting the detailed information in this book are personal stories of the often long, winding, and emotional road to parenthood—from in vitro fertilization to egg donation to surrogacy to adoption.

Armed with professional knowledge and inspired by the experiences of others who have gone before them, prospective parents will be informed and reassured by this unique resource.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this informative guide, five authors—two physicians, a psychologist, an epidemiologist and a lawyer—combine their expertise to explore and explain the various pathways to parenthood. Noting that each year in America hundreds of thousands of couples seek fertility advice after being unable to conceive, the authors set out to help readers decide on a strategy. Part one describes the options available: early fertility assistance, including hormone stimulation and intrauterine insemination; assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as in vitro fertilization using a couple's own eggs or sperm or donor sperm, eggs or embryos; using a surrogate; and domestic or international adoption. The authors assure that in most cases couples are able to reach their goal of birthing or adopting a child within two years, and although challenges for single, gay, lesbian or other nontraditional families may be greater, they are not insurmountable. The key, the authors argue, is knowing when to call a halt to a particular pathway that isn't working and move on to another: remaining flexible and open to various options is crucial to success. In part two, emotional, financial and legal issues are covered. First-person accounts, often quite fascinating, conclude each chapter. This panoramic view of the many routes to parenthood is both practical and encouraging. (June)
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Review

An informative guide... this panoramic view of the many routes to parenthood is both practical and encouraging.

(Publishers Weekly 2009)

Personal stories of parents' experiences blend with insights to make for a powerful presentation of options.

(Midwest Book Review 2009)

A comprehensive book... a much-needed resource in the infertility literature.

(PsycCRITIQUES 2010)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press (April 28, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0801891116
• ISBN-13: 978-0801891113
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,782,821 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Personal stories of parents' experiences blend with insights, September 16, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Planning Parenthood: Strategies for Success in Fertility Assistance, Adoption, and Surrogacy (Paperback)

PLANNING PARENTHOOD; STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS IN FERTILITY ASSISTANCE, ADOPTION, AND SURROGACY offers all the latest insights on everything from adoption to fertility assistance, legal and medical risks, personal issues prospective parents need to consider, and more. Personal stories of parents' experiences blend with insights to make for a powerful presentation of options perfect for any general lending library.

5.0 out of 5 stars Struggling to achieve motherhood, October 5, 2010

By 

MOM "MOM" (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Planning Parenthood: Strategies for Success in Fertility Assistance, Adoption, and Surrogacy (Paperback)

As a women struggling with the decisions and pathways facing my husband and I going through infertility treatment, I appreciate the completeness of "Planning Parenthood: Strategies for Success in Fertility Assistance, Adoption and Surrogacy". It covers every possible option one might face in treatment options, though I hope we don't need them. It's written in a way that's easy to understand. The stories with each chapter helps because it reminds me other couples have the same struggle. It's often hard to talk to other people and ask questions. This book helps to answer some of the questions about what other people experience. The book also provides resources to further explore areas of uncertainty. It provides a platform to read through and prepare questions for us to discuss with my doctor. It really was a great tool to have to get through this very confusing maze of options.