These essays examine the global impact of infertility as a major reproductive health issue, one that has profoundly affected the lives of countless women and men. The contributors address a range of topics including how the deeply gendered nature of infertility sets the blame on women's shoulders.
In the tradition of Silent Spring and The Sixth Extinction, an urgent, meticulously researched, and groundbreaking book about the ways in which chemicals in the modern environment are changing—and endangering—human sexuality and fertility on the grandest scale, from renowned epidemiologist Shanna Swan. In 2017, author Shanna Swan and her team of researchers completed a major study. They found that over the past four decades, sperm levels among men in Western countries have dropped by more than 50 percent. They came to this conclusion after examining 185 studies involving close to 45,000 healthy men. The result sent shockwaves around the globe—but the story didn’t end there. It turns out our sexual development is changing in broader ways, for both men and women and even other species, and that the modern world is on pace to become an infertile one. How and why could this happen? What is hijacking our fertility and our health? Count Down unpacks these questions, revealing what Swan and other researchers have learned about how both lifestyle and chemical exposures are affecting our fertility, sexual development—potentially including the increase in gender fluidity—and general health as a species. Engagingly explaining the science and repercussions of these worldwide threats and providing simple and practical guidelines for effectively avoiding chemical goods (from water bottles to shaving cream) both as individuals and societies, Count Down is at once an urgent wake-up call, an illuminating read, and a vital tool for the protection of our future.
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.
The ebook edition of this title is Open Access, thanks to Knowledge Unlatched funding, and freely available to read online. This book explores the experiences of some of the pioneering users of social egg freezing technology in the UK and the USA.
Welcomed as liberation and dismissed as exploitation, egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) has rapidly become one of the most widely-discussed and influential new reproductive technologies of this century. In Freezing Fertility, Lucy van de Wiel takes us inside the world of fertility preservation—with its egg freezing parties, contested age limits, proactive anticipations and equity investments—and shows how the popularization of egg freezing has profound consequences for the way in which female fertility and reproductive aging are understood, commercialized and politicized. Beyond an individual reproductive choice for people who may want to have children later in life, Freezing Fertility explores how the rise of egg freezing also reveals broader cultural, political and economic negotiations about reproductive politics, gender inequities, age normativities and the financialization of healthcare. Van de Wiel investigates these issues by analyzing a wide range of sources—varying from sparkly online platforms to heart-breaking court cases and intimate autobiographical accounts—that are emblematic of each stage of the egg freezing procedure. By following the egg’s journey, Freezing Fertility examines how contemporary egg freezing practices both reflect broader social, regulatory and economic power asymmetries and repoliticize fertility and aging in ways that affect the public at large. In doing so, the book explores how the possibility of egg freezing shifts our relation to the beginning and end of life.
"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? 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How does one make decisions today about in vitro fertilization, abortion, egg freezing, surrogacy, and other matters of reproduction? This book provides the intellectual and emotional intelligence to help individuals make informed choices amid misinformation and competing claims. Scott Gilbert and Clara Pinto-Correia speak to the couple trying to become pregnant, the woman contemplating an abortion, and the student searching for sound information about human sex and reproduction. Their book is an enlightening read for men as well as for women, describing in clear terms how babies come into existence through both natural and assisted reproductive pathways. They update “the talk” for the twenty-first century: the birds, the bees, and the Petri dishes. Fear, Wonder, and Science in the New Age of Reproductive Biotechnology first covers the most recent and well-grounded scientific conclusions about fertilization and early human embryology. It then discusses the reasons why some of the major forms of assisted reproductive technologies were invented, how they are used, and what they can and cannot accomplish. Most important, the authors explore the emotional side of using these technologies, focusing on those who have emptied their emotions and bank accounts in a valiant effort to conceive a child. This work of science and human biology is informed by a moral concern for our common humanity.