The most recent studies show that 40,000 cycles of IVF are carried out in the UK each year - and approximately a million are carried out worldwide. It is estimated that at least 200,000 IVF babies are born annually - and this figure is constantly rising. With assisted conception increasing year on year, THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO IVF offers an invaluable and insightful approach to the process. Packed with first-hand accounts of patients who have been through it, and Kate Brian's own experience of IVF, this book will de-mystify the treatment and give a 'behind-the-scenes' account of what really happens. Addressing the entire experience, right from the initial clinic visit through to the assisted conception cycle, THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO IVF provides an accessible, down-to-earth and reassuring account of using IVF to conceive.
Fertility Awareness is key to understanding sexual and reproductive health at all life stages. It can be used to either plan or avoid pregnancy. Fertility Awareness Methods (FAMs) are highly effective when motivated couples are taught by trained practitioners. These methods are in demand for ecological, medical, cultural, religious and moral reasons. The ability to control fertility naturally is a lifestyle choice. The Complete Guide to Fertility Awareness provides the science and methodology suitable for health professionals and a general audience. It covers reproductive physiology and the fertility indicators: temperature, cervical secretions and cycle length calculations. It explores ways to optimise conception and to manage conception delays. Case studies and self-assessment exercises are included throughout. The book addresses the scientific credibility of new technologies including fertility apps, home test kits, monitors and devices. The Complete Guide to Fertility Awareness offers: evidence-based information for general practitioners, practice nurses, school nurses, midwives, sexual health doctors and nurses a unique perspective on subfertility for gynaecologists and fertility nurses an authoritative source of reference for medical, nursing and midwifery students a straightforward and practical reference for new and experienced FAM users the core text for the FertilityUK Advanced Skills Course in Fertility Awareness
Infertility Counseling: A Comprehensive Handbook for Clinicians, 2nd edition, is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary textbook for all health professionals providing care for individuals facing reproductive health issues. It is the most thorough and extensive book currently available for clinicians in the field of infertility counseling, providing an exhaustive and comprehensive review of topics. It addresses both the medical and psychological aspects of infertility, reviewing assessment approaches, treatment strategies, counseling for medical conditions impacting fertility, third-party reproduction, alternative family building and post infertility counseling issues. Each chapter follows the same format: introduction, historical overview, literature review, theoretical framework, identification of clinical issues, suggestions for therapeutic interventions, and future implication. This edition also includes extensive appendixes of clinical tools useful to the clinician, including an Internet database of resources and an extensive glossary of terminology.
More than 7.3 million women in the United States are unable to have children because of infertility challenges, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Women and men diagnosed with infertility often feel overwhelmed and panicked; they are eager for accessible information and medically sound guidance. In this breakthrough book, Dr. Schoolcraft, one of the most renowned fertility specialists, offers hope to prospective parents by explaining what they need to know, including: • choosing the right physician and clinic • finding proven treatments for each condition • dealing with the emotional challenges of infertility • understanding the financial aspects of treatment If at First You Don't Conceive offers the latest information in the key areas of fertility drugs, insemination, in vitro fertilization, male infertility treatments, fertility options for cancer patients, and much more. It saves millions of hopeful parents from suffering and confusion by allowing them to become their own best advocates in the fight for fertility.
Give yourself the best-possible odds for getting pregnant and having a baby with this concise, expert, and encouraging companion as your guide! In the only general guide to infertility written by a medical doctor who specializes in the subject, Mark Trolice, MD—who is board-certified in both OB/GYN and REI (Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility)—shares the practical knowledge he has gained from working in infertility medicine for years, with many hundreds of patients, alongwith the warmth and wisdom he has acquired from getting to know prospective parents from all kind of backgrounds. The journey from infertility to fertility, from childlessness to a brand-new baby, can be long and arduous. It involves complicated medical diagnoses, a wide range of treatment options, a host of potential lifestyle changes, lots of emotional ups and downs, and—even with the best medical insurance—challenging financial decisions. Your doctors cannot decide everything for you, and that is why an authoritative and comprehensive book, written in clear and understandable language for the layperson, is essential. This is that book. The book opens with an exploration of all the possible causes of infertility, covering both couples who have never been pregnant and ones who have had recurrent losses of pregnancies. Unique among infertility guides, this volume gives roughly equal weight to male and female causes, which is important because about 40% of infertility cases are due to men's issues—and some couples need to address issues in both the prospective mother and prospective father. It covers endometriosis, fibroids, POS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), tubal factor, male factor, and other possible causes. Next it looks at your treatment options. Importantly, these are not just medical interventions, but they also include lifestyle changes you alone can make, involving sleep, diet, exercise, and other forms of self-care. Among medical options, IUI (Intrauterine Insemination), IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), and various surgical procedures are covered in detail. Some couples are lucky to have a short journey to fertility. For others, the process takes years. With a gentle and sure hand, and non-judgmentally, Dr. Trolice guides you through the many decisions you need to make along the way, such as whether or not to continue treatments, whether to change practitioners or treatments, and whether it is a good idea to continue to spend money on procedures not covered by your insurance. He understands that these are emotionally weighty decisions that involve the future of your family, and he provides ample grounds for optimism and hope, empowering you as you take this journey.
Richard and Rosie started trying to conceive after five years of being together but, two and a half years and countless prenatal vitamins and ovulation kits later, there hadn't been even a phantom pregnancy. So began their adventure into IVF, via blood tests, sperm tests, injections and probes, becoming involuntary experts on embryology through failure, despair, persistence and success. After 4 years, 3 different clinics, 2 positive pregnancy tests and 1 miscarriage, they finally had a successful pregnancy. GET A LIFE is the perfect down-to-earth guide for anyone thinking of embarking on fertility treatment. It's two books in one, a book of advice for women and a survival guide for men, each chapter mirrored but with very different experience and advice. IVF is terrifying, awful and extraordinary in equal measures for both partners. GET A LIFE shares Richard and Rosie's ride on the fertility roller coaster, bringing you the funny, emotional and physical sides of IVF. It is an invaluable guide from both perspectives on how to get through the process in one piece.
A helpful medical reference on conceiving and maintaining pregnancy from the Mayo Clinic, #1 on US News & World Report’s 2020-2021 Best Hospitals Honor Roll. Deciding to start or build a family is a life-changing decision. Once the decision is made, there’s a whole new set of unknowns—including whether the journey will be easy or difficult. How can you increase your chances of becoming pregnant? What health and lifestyle changes should you make to have a healthy pregnancy? And if you’re struggling to become pregnant, what medical treatments are available? Where can you get emotional support if you can’t get pregnant or if you’ve had a miscarriage? And when is enough? The fertility experts at Mayo Clinic offer answers to these questions and more. Through the pages of this book, they’ll guide you through the process of trying for—and achieving—a successful pregnancy. You’ll also hear throughout the book from couples and individuals who have struggled to have a family. For a variety of reasons—health conditions, unexplained infertility, or life circumstances—getting pregnant or deciding to have a family was difficult for them. These personal stories are to let you know that you’re not alone in your journey, and to give you hope that with time and patience, pregnancy is often possible. From lifestyle and dietary recommendations to understanding your ovulatory cycle to medications and procedures that can improve fertility, this book is a comprehensive source of answers from “one of the most reliable, respected health resources that Americans have” (Publishers Weekly).
"Facing fertility challenges doesn't mean the end of your dreams, it simply means the start of a new journey." Step into the world of fertility treatments with 'IVF Unveiled: A Comprehensive Guide to Fertility Treatments.' This extensive guide walks you through every stage of the IVF process, from understanding the basic concept of IVF to the potential emotional journey of undergoing such a procedure. The book begins by offering a historical perspective on IVF, explaining how it works, and illustrating the step-by-step guide to an IVF journey. In preparation for IVF, the book provides valuable insights into lifestyle and health considerations, including optimal nutrition, exercise, stress management, and the crucial role of mental health and emotional support. The guide sheds light on fertility testing, evaluation, and common causes of infertility. It explains the process of ovulation induction and monitoring, alongside detailing the procedures of egg retrieval, sperm collection, fertilization, and embryo development. Experience an in-depth discussion on embryo transfer, implantation, and early pregnancy. Learn about cryopreservation and frozen embryo transfers, and explore the intricacies of genetic testing, including preimplantation genetic screening and diagnosis. Understanding IVF success rates and factors that affect outcomes is crucial. The book provides a comprehensive overview, considering aspects like age, fertility, and lifestyle factors. Issues such as multiple pregnancies, selective reduction, and their ethical considerations are also addressed. Financial aspects of IVF, including treatment costs, insurance coverage, and assistance programs, are detailed to help you navigate your journey with less stress. The guide also covers alternative and complementary therapies and third-party reproduction options, such as donor eggs, sperm, and surrogacy. IVF is a journey that caters to diverse families. The book includes chapters dedicated to same-sex couples, single parents, and people dealing with conditions like PCOS and endometriosis. You'll find supportive advice on managing stress, maintaining a positive mindset, and nurturing relationships during IVF. Featuring personal stories and experiences from individuals who've walked the IVF path, this book lends a real-life perspective on the journey, offering lessons learned and tips for success. Whether you're contemplating IVF, in the midst of the process, or embarking on a fertility journey, 'IVF Unveiled: A Comprehensive Guide to Fertility Treatments' is a vital resource. With its compassionate, expert guidance and wealth of practical information, it will empower you to navigate the path of fertility treatments with confidence.Table of Contents Understanding IVF: An Introduction THE HISTORY OF IVF HOW IVF WORKS: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE Preparing for IVF: Lifestyle and Health Considerations NUTRITION AND DIET FOR OPTIMAL FERTILITY THE ROLE OF EXERCISE AND STRESS MANAGEMENT MENTAL HEALTH AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DURING IVF Fertility Testing and Evaluation COMMON CAUSES OF INFERTILITY DIAGNOSTIC TESTS AND PROCEDURES INTERPRETING TEST RESULTS The IVF Process: Ovulation Induction and Monitoring MEDICATIONS AND HORMONAL TREATMENTS OVARIAN STIMULATION AND MONITORING MANAGING SIDE EFFECTS AND COMPLICATIONS Egg Retrieval and Sperm Collection PREPARING FOR EGG RETRIEVAL THE EGG RETRIEVAL PROCEDURE SPERM COLLECTION AND PREPARATION Fertilization and Embryo Development IN VITRO FERTILIZATION TECHNIQUES INTRACYTOPLASMIC SPERM INJECTION (ICSI) EMBRYO CULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT Embryo Transfer and Implantation SELECTING THE BEST EMBRYOS THE EMBRYO TRANSFER PROCEDURE IMPLANTATION AND EARLY PREGNANCY Cryopreservation and Frozen Embryo Transfers THE PROCESS OF CRYOPRESERVATION THAWING AND PREPARING FROZEN EMBRYOS THE FROZEN EMBRYO TRANSFER PROCEDURE Genetic Testing and Preimplantation Genetic Screening UNDERSTANDING GENETIC TESTING OPTIONS PREIMPLANTATION GENETIC SCREENING (PGS) PREIMPLANTATION GENETIC DIAGNOSIS (PGD) IVF Success Rates and Factors Affecting Outcomes UNDERSTANDING SUCCESS RATES AGE AND FERTILITY THE ROLE OF LIFESTYLE FACTORS Multiple Pregnancies and Selective Reduction THE RISKS OF MULTIPLE PREGNANCIES PREVENTING HIGH-ORDER MULTIPLES ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND SELECTIVE REDUCTION Financing IVF and Insurance Coverage THE COST OF IVF TREATMENTS NAVIGATING INSURANCE COVERAGE GRANTS AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS Alternative and Complementary Therapies ACUPUNCTURE AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS AND NUTRACEUTICALS MIND-BODY TECHNIQUES Third-Party Reproduction: Donor Eggs, Sperm, and Surrogacy USING DONOR EGGS OR SPERM GESTATIONAL SURROGACY LEGAL AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IVF for Same-Sex Couples and Single Parents FERTILITY TREATMENT OPTIONS CHOOSING DONORS AND SURROGATES NAVIGATING THE EMOTIONAL AND LEGAL CHALLENGES Coping with IVF Failure and Considering Other Options DEALING WITH GRIEF AND LOSS EVALUATING NEXT STEPS AND ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS WHEN TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OR CHILD-FREE LIVING Pregnancy after IVF: What to Expect PRENATAL CARE AND MONITORING MANAGING PREGNANCY RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS PREPARING FOR BIRTH AND PARENTHOOD Personal Stories and Experiences REAL-LIFE IVF JOURNEYS LESSONS LEARNED AND TIPS FOR SUCCESS FINDING SUPPORT AND BUILDING COMMUNITY The Emotional Journey of IVF MANAGING STRESS AND ANXIETY MAINTAINING A POSITIVE MINDSET COUPLES AND RELATIONSHIP DYNAMICS DURING IVF Advocating for Yourself and Your Fertility CHOOSING THE RIGHT FERTILITY CLINIC ASKING IMPORTANT QUESTIONS KNOWING YOUR RIGHTS AS A PATIENT Nutrition and Supplements for IVF ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS FOR FERTILITY DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IVF SUCCESS THE ROLE OF SUPPLEMENTS IN FERTILITY Male Fertility and IVF COMMON CAUSES OF MALE INFERTILITY IMPROVING MALE FERTILITY THE ROLE OF MEN IN THE IVF PROCESS IVF for Women with PCOS and Endometriosis UNDERSTANDING PCOS AND ENDOMETRIOSIS TREATMENT OPTIONS AND IVF SUCCESS RATES STRATEGIES FOR MANAGING SYMPTOMS IVF and the LGBTQ+ Community UNIQUE CHALLENGES AND CONSIDERATIONS FINDING INCLUSIVE AND SUPPORTIVE CARE PROVIDERS BUILDING A SUPPORT NETWORK The Ethics and Controversies of IVF ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN ASSISTED REPRODUCTION THE DEBATE OVER EMBRYO RIGHTS THE FUTURE OF IVF AND REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES The Role of Mindfulness and Meditation in IVF THE BENEFITS OF MINDFULNESS PRACTICES TECHNIQUES FOR REDUCING STRESS AND ANXIETY INTEGRATING MEDITATION INTO YOUR IVF JOURNEY Post-IVF: Fertility Preservation and Family Planning THE IMPORTANCE OF FERTILITY PRESERVATION OPTIONS FOR PRESERVING FERTILITY AFTER IVF PLANNING YOUR FAMILY'S FUTURE Resources and Support for Your IVF Journey ONLINE COMMUNITIES AND SUPPORT GROUPS PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND ADVOCACY GROUPS EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND FURTHER READING Have Questions / Comments? Get Another Book Free ISBN: 9781991093356
From the author of “Fertility Diary” for the New York Times Motherlode blog comes a reassuring, no-nonsense guide to both the emotional and practical process of trying to get pregnant, written with the smarts, warmth, and honesty of a woman who has been in the trenches. “A compassionate, often funny, well-researched, and ultimately empowering guide.”—Lori Gottlieb, New York Times bestselling author of Maybe You Should Talk to Someone There are so many ways to be Not Pregnant: You can be young, old, partnered, or unpartnered. Maybe you have endometriosis. Maybe you don’t have enough eggs or your partner doesn’t have enough sperm. Or maybe there’s nothing wrong except you’re Just. Not. Pregnant. Amy Klein has been there. Faced with fertility obstacles, she quickly became an expert. After nine rounds of IVF, four miscarriages, three acupuncturists, two rabbis, and one reproductive immunologist, she finally became a mother. And she wrote about it all for the New York Times Motherlode blog in her “Fertility Diary” column. Now, Amy has written the book she wishes she’d had when she was trying to get pregnant. With advice from medical experts as well as real women, she outlines your options every step of the way, from questions you should ask to advice on getting your mother-in-law to mind her own beeswax. In this comprehensive road map to infertility, you’ll find topics such as: • whether to freeze your eggs • finding (and affording) a clinic • what to expect during your first IVF cycle • baby envy—aka it’s okay to skip your friend’s shower • whether the alternative route—acupuncture, herbs, supplements—is for you • helpful tips, charts, and more! Empowering, compassionate, and down-to-earth, The Trying Game will show you what to expect when you’re not expecting with heart and humanity when you need it the most.
