This handbook is currently in development, with individual articles publishing online in advance of print publication. At this time, we cannot add information about unpublished articles in this handbook, however the table of contents will continue to grow as additional articles pass through the review process and are added to the site. Please note that the online publication date for this handbook is the date that the first article in the title was published online. Perinatal psychology is a field devoted to understanding the biopsychosocial experiences of women and men during the transition to parenthood. These experiences include pregnancy, labor, delivery, adjustment and parenting during the postpartum period, lactation, family planning, adoption, infertility, and adjustment to perinatal loss.
Coping with Infertility is an essential source of emotional support for any couple struggling with involuntary childlessness. The book offers proven techniques and real-life examples from both men and women, in order to outline common emotional reactions and remind couples that they are not alone in their ups and downs. The coping skills discussed in the book have been assembled from years of working with individuals in clinical trials and have undergone rigorous scientific testing. These state-of-the-art techniques have been shown to be effective in helping couples deal with the stress, depression, relationship problems, and grief often associated with infertility. Coping with Infertility is an easily accessible and problem-focused guide for couples to use in overcoming the emotional roadblocks of infertility.
Infertility: Psychological Issues and Counseling Strategies is a valuable reference for mental health professionals who treat individuals and couples grappling with the psychological and emotional strains of infertility and its treatment. Drawing upon their professional experiences as well as the current literature in the field, leading practitioners consider the differences in how women and men react to a diagnosis of infertility and describe strategies for helping individuals deal with the anxieties, feelings of inadequacy, and low self-esteem that can follow such a diagnosis. These experts examine the effects of infertility on love, sex, and other facets of a relationship and detail methods for helping couples resolve conflicts about infertility. They explore the latest findings on pregnancy-related stress and its possible somatic effects, and they describe effective stress management techniques. They offer practical guidelines for helping patients to cope with failed fertility treatments and manage the grief of a miscarriage. And they examine a wide range of clinical issues surrounding alternative routes to parenting, including adoption.
The Emotional Toll of Infertility: How to Cope Are you struggling with the emotional toll of infertility? Do you feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and heartbroken? If so, this short read book is here to help you navigate through the challenging journey of infertility and provide you with the tools and strategies to cope with the emotional rollercoaster. In "The Emotional Toll of Infertility: How to Cope," you will find a comprehensive guide that covers various aspects of infertility and offers practical advice on how to manage the emotional challenges that come with it. From understanding infertility to exploring alternative paths to parenthood, this book covers it all. The first section of the book, "Understanding Infertility," delves into the medical and emotional aspects of infertility, helping you gain a deeper understanding of the condition. You will learn about the different causes of infertility and the various treatment options available. The next section, "Emotional Rollercoaster," explores the intense emotions that accompany infertility. From feelings of grief and loss to managing stress and relationship struggles, this section provides valuable insights and coping strategies to help you navigate through these difficult emotions. Dealing with social pressure is another significant aspect of infertility, and the book addresses this in the section titled "Dealing with Social Pressure." You will learn how to handle insensitive comments and questions from others and find ways to protect your emotional well-being. The book also explores alternative paths to parenthood, such as adoption and surrogacy, in the section titled "Alternative Paths to Parenthood." It provides guidance on how to navigate these options and make informed decisions that are right for you. Self-care and emotional well-being are crucial during the infertility journey, and the book dedicates a section to this topic. You will learn about the importance of self-compassion, seeking professional help, and exploring creative outlets as a means of self-care. Throughout the book, you will find stories of hope and resilience from individuals who have successfully navigated the challenges of infertility. These stories will inspire and motivate you to keep going, even when the journey feels overwhelming. Whether you are just starting your infertility journey or have been struggling for years, "The Emotional Toll of Infertility: How to Cope" is a valuable resource that will provide you with the support and guidance you need. Embrace the support systems available to you, explore different paths to parenthood, and learn how to embrace life beyond infertility. This book is your companion in finding hope and resilience in the face of adversity This title is a short read. A Short Read is a type of book that is designed to be read in one quick sitting. These no fluff books are perfect for people who want an overview about a subject in a short period of time. Table of Contents The Emotional Toll of Infertility: How to Cope Understanding Infertility Emotional Rollercoaster Dealing with Grief Managing Stress Relationship Struggles Dealing with Social Pressure Alternative Paths to Parenthood Exploring Adoption Considering Surrogacy Exploring Fertility Treatments Self-Care and Emotional Well-Being Practicing Self-Compassion Seeking Professional Help Exploring Creative Outlets Hope and Resilience Embracing Support Systems Embracing Life Beyond Infertility Frequently Asked Questions
As a researcher whose work focuses largely on the causes and conse quences of unwanted pregnancy, I may appear to be an unlikely candidate to write a foreword to a book on infertility. Yet, many of the themes that emerge in the study of unwanted pregnancy are also apparent in the study of infertility. Moreover, this volume is an important contribution to the literature on fertility, women's health issues, and health psychology in general, all topics with which I have been closely involved over the past two decades. Neither pregnancy nor its absence is inherently desirable: The occurrence of a pregnancy can be met with joy or despair, and its absence can be a cause of relief or anguish. Whether or not these states are wanted, the conscious and unconscious meanings attached to pregnancy and in fertility, the responses of others, the perceived implications of these states, and one's expectations for the future all are critical factors in determining an individual's response. In addition, both unwanted pregnancy and failure to conceive can be socially stigmatized, evoking both overt and subtle social disapproval. Fur ther, they involve not only the woman, but her partner, and potentially the extended family. Finally, both of these reproductive issues have been poorly researched. Because both are emotionally charged and socially stigmatized events, they are difficult to study. Much of the early literature relied on anecdotal or case reports.
For people experiencing infertility, wanting a baby is a craving unlike any other. The intensity of their longing is matched only by the complexity of the emotional maze they must navigate. With insight and compassion, Drs. Janet Jaffe, Martha Diamond, and David Diamond-specialists in the field of Reproductive Psychology who have each experienced their own struggle with infertility-give couples the tools to: *Reduce their sense of helplessness and isolation *Identify their mates' coping styles to erase unfair expectations *Listen to their "unsung lullabies"--their conscious and unconscious dreams about having a family--to mourn the losses of infertility and move on. Ground-breaking, wise, and compassionate, Unsung Lullabies is a necessary companion for anyone coping with infertility.
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.
Marc Sedaka stood by while he and his wife endured endless rounds of drug therapies, sixteen artificial inseminations, ten in-vitro fertilizations, three miscarriages, and, finally, a gestational surrogate (“womb for rent”) who carried their twin girls to term. He was as supportive and loving as he could be, but he really wished he’d had a book like What He Can Expect When She’s Not Expecting during the process. Most books about dealing with infertility are geared toward women, leaving the man to his own devices when it comes to comfort and encouragement (never a good idea). With the help of his own infertility doctor, Sedaka provides straightforward guy-friendly advice on situations such as: What questions you should ask at the consultations. How to help rather than annoy. What kinds of tests you and your wife should expect. How to console a wife who appears inconsolable. How to enjoy procreation sex. Sedaka’s accessible, empathetic voice, combined with the fact that he experienced everything he writes about, makes this a must-have book for any infertile couple.
A comprehensive guide for the clinical practitioner. The authors draw from a wealth of empirical research as well as numerous case studies to provide a deep understanding of the experience of infertility and how to help guide patients through the process.ùMary P. Riddle, PhD, The Pennsylvania State University, World Campus --
Infertility is a heartbreaking condition that affects nine million American couples each year. It causes tremendous stress, can trigger debilitating sadness and depression, and can tear a marriage to shreds. In Conquering Infertility, Harvard psychologist Alice Domar—whom Vogue calls the “Fertility Goddess”—provides infertile couples with what they need most: stress relief, support, and hope. Using the innovative mind/body techniques she has perfected at her clinic, Domar helps infertile women not only regain control over their lives but also boost their chances of becoming pregnant. With Conquering Infertility, women learn how to cope with infertility in a much more positive way and to carve a path toward a rich, full, happy life.
