Conquering Infertility: Dr. Alice Domar's Mind/Body Guide to Enhancing Fertility and Coping With Infertility (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: nongenetic parenthood, paired listening, most infertile women, United States, New York, Catholic Church (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Focusing on a topic the author covered more briefly in Healing Mind, Healthy Women, Domar, an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard, with freelance writer Kelly, provides here a well-written and supportive self-help manual for women who have been unable to sustain a pregnancy. The stresses that accompany infertility can impact negatively on a woman's relationship with her husband, family members, friends and colleagues. Domar strongly recommends and fully describes such relaxation techniques as yoga, meditation, journal writing and guided imagery as useful ways to cope with infertility treatments, feelings of failure, and obsessive envy of women who are mothers. She also details how to overcome sexual and emotional tensions that spring up between married couples around this issue. Drawing on case studies and recent research indicating that the depression resulting from infertility can actually hinder attempts to become pregnant, the author advocates a positive approach based on self-nurturing that will improve an infertile woman's outlook on life. Domar also discusses when it may be time to abandon expensive and painful infertility treatments and, depending on the individuals involved, explore using donor eggs or sperm, pursue adoption or come to a decision to remain childless.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Domar (medicine, Harvard Medical Sch.), founder and director of the Mind/Body Program for Infertility, and health writer Kelly here present findings and case histories that have resulted from Domar's research and clinical work. The authors point out that infertility can lead to feelings of depression, isolation, anger, and hostility, as well as such stress-related symptoms as headaches and insomnia. Seeking to restore a sense of joy, hope, and well-being to couples suffering from this condition, they offer practical coping strategies, illustrated with case histories, for dealing with these negative feelings. They also explore options when treatment fails and outline financial and medical issues. Unlike many other infertility books that focus on medical treatments, this work emphasizes mind-body techniques and helping couples resolve such emotional and lifestyle issues as managing a career, dealing with friends and family members who become pregnant, and making peace with oneself when infertility treatments fail. For larger consumer health collections. Jodith Janes, Cleveland Clinic Fdn. Lib.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Viking Adult (September 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670031550
• ISBN-13: 978-0670031559
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #542,912 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Positive Approach to a Life Crisis, October 13, 2002

By	Linda C. Huston (Dallas, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

This book picks up where others leave off. It deals with the emotional pain, stress and anxiety that accompany infertility.
It covers topics such as how to cope in a fertile world, what to do when you're "mad at God", and dealing with friends and family.
The best part is that it offers techniques that not only help patients lower their stress levels, but may actually enhance their chances of pregnancy success. I have been an infertility nurse specialist for 12 years, and I think that this book fills a void that will truly enhance patient care. I believe it should be "required reading" for all infertility patients and their healthcare providers.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ali does it again!, October 14, 2002

By	"swleonard" (Dallas, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This is a great book. For those who have read Healing Mind, Healthy Woman, some of the information in the first few chapters will be a review. These chapters in the new book, however, are specifically for women and couples with infertility concerns. Much of the rest of the information is new and/or "improved," with chapters on such topics as the couple relationship, dealing with family and friends, faith issues, what to do when treatment fails, and so on.
As a counselor who works with women and couples with infertility issues, I have found Domar's work to be incredibly helpful for me and for my clients. I have been recommending Healing Mind, Healthy Woman for some time; now I will also encourage my clients to get this new book as well. Domar's message of hope is such a positive one; she has many wise and encouraging words here. I would encourage anyone who is struggling with infertility, wherever you may be in your journey, to get this book!

35 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Informative but too much of a marketing tool for author, July 24, 2003

By A Customer

After having read several books on infertility, I must say that this one was the one I liked the least. Although there were sections that were very informative, the author ended every other paragraph with, "if you come to my mind-body classes, you will get pregnant." All of us who are going through this infertility rollercoaster, truly believe that going to our doctor, following his/her plan of treatment and doing only good things for ourselves, will bring a positive result. We don't need someone telling us that we should travel or look out for the next workshop in order to guarantee fertility. Too subjective and author had her own agenda which doesn't make for a positive experience. There are other books that can help you cope with infertility rather than tell you that what you're doing is wrong. Try Laugh-in Infertility. I could not stop laughing with this book and it made me feel better about my situation.