Twice Blessed - A Diary Of Secondary Infertility: One Woman's Journey

Rating:
Summary: compassionately candid account of secondary infertility
Review: Many women (and their husbands) encounter secondary infertility--not being able to conceive again after having given birth to a child easily and without any difficulties the first time around. Yet, there is not until now in "Twice Blessed ..." a forthright account of how the frustrations of being unable to conceive, even when the couple is doing everything "right," can create havoc on one's life and their emotional psyche. Ninotchka's private journal becomes public for all to see how extremely disheartening the journey to conceive can truly be. Working in obstetrics for 13 years I know that the feelings and disappointments revealed in the book are similar to those I have heard many women express in regards to not being able to become pregnant and have the child they so much want (more than anything else in the whole world).
Additionally, Ninotchka describes the prescriptive journey she and her husband (who sounds like the best and most loving, caring husband in the world--doing all he can to make the pregnancy a reality) take along with the physician they worked so closely with during the entire ordeal, and discloses what the physician suggested at each stage of the infertility tribulation.
As you read of this infertility journey you will be able to feel the frustrations, tears, yearnings, patience, hope, and faith that breathe throughout this honest chronicle, so much so that they will come alive for you, especially if you or someone you love is traveling the same discouragingly mysterious road.
Near the end of the journey one will discover that after years of "trying" and "working" so diligently hard for what they truly want and for what is right for them, the consequences of finally having that beautiful child will feel like having been graced with an angel from heaven.
This is a book that took a lot of courage to publish for all to read and Ninotchka is brave for letting the world inside of what is kept so private for most people. This is a book you will not be able to put down once you begin reading--it is a page--turner! Plus, this "read" will introduce you to Ninotchka, a loving, honest mother and wife, her loyal and dedicated husband, her darling princess of a daughter, and finally to the answer of all their dreams come true after their long plight with secondary infertility.

Rating:
Summary: Honest and real
Review: After having read this book I know I'm normal. I too have experienced fertility problems whilst trying to conceive my second child and I know I'm not alone. This book allows you to feel normal and let go!!! Thank you for sharing what it's really like.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome book teaches about infertility and about LIFE!
Review: In a world where most people hide their true feelings, I found "Twice Blessed: A Diary of Secondary Infertility - One Woman's Journey" a breath of fresh air because of its honesty and rawness. From the anticipation of 5 years before she even starts trying to over a year of month after month of different procedures, attempts, and disappointment, you feel Ninotchka's every emotion on this journey. I cannot imagine being so ready - having my life together so young, being so happily married, with a great husband, an awesome first child, a beautiful home, having a great career, running marathons, surrounded by so many great friends with whom you share your life with, et cetera - in other words, having and living such a fully complete and fulfilled life - and then finding myself unable to add on to that life and family with another child. Isn't that what we all dream of? Wow! How frustrating indeed to not be able to conceive, especially for no apparent reason. Whether for a month, or 13 months (as Ninotchka's experience was), or 5 years, I think the disappointment is all the same. Any woman who has tried to get pregnant and couldn't, or has been blissfully pregnant and knows what it's like to plan and actually bring a child into the world, could totally feel for Ninotchka. I know I did. Infertility is described as being unable to conceive after one year of trying but gee, no one shares what one goes through during that horrible year. One often hears about infertility but not secondary infertility too and, honestly, I don't know which is worse. My husband and I are about to start trying for a second child and I can't even fathom not being able to give my little boy a brother or sister. I am hoping our journey is not as arduous as Ninotchka's and her husband's but at least now I know it is a possibility so we probably won't be as bewildered and shocked if it happened to us. But that's only possible because of this book. Thank God I read it and thank you, thank you, thank you for writing it! I am basically ahead of the game in 2 major ways because of this book. One is that after much research in preparation for our second baby, I feel as prepared as I can possibly be to deal with both the social and emotional issues and not just the physical ones should I be unable to readily conceive. And two, this book has made me so grateful for what I already have (my son) because of Ninotchka mentioning how grateful going through this made her for her own daughter. Children are indeed blessings and miracles and I'm glad that because of this book, I am present to it yet again. I can think of more ways I have been impacted by this book too -- it brought up compassion for me for a fellow human being, faith, hope, love, determination in the face of adversity and despair (to just keep going with one's life even when so disappointed and sad is just so admirable!), and triumph -- and as I write this I realize that's the HUMAN SPIRIT! No wonder this book landed as so good to me! I now see that Ninotchka having gone through this is actually a BENEFIT because due to her sharing her story, anyone who reads it can learn about this much-too-little-discussed issue AND life itself. This book has really helped me and I will for ever be grateful. Thank you again and may I also be Twice Blessed!

Rating:
Summary: Repetitive and insulting, just too much drama.
Review: Infertility is such a deep reaching issue that engulfs one's soul. I won't go into my own story here. However, what I will address is this horrible book I purchased in a moment of need to connect with other infertiles. What I found was a drama queen that cries wolf. As per RESOLVE, infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected well-timed intercourse. While true, Ms. Beavers did take 13 cycles to conceive, she started crying infertility when she didn't get her way after cycle #1. I was insulted and easily bored. This is a quick read. I skimmed through a lot of it because it was soooo repetitious a la "dear diary, I'm not pregnant. I'm so mad. Boo hoo why me! I just knew I'd get pregnant the 1st time I had unprotected sex!" She defines infertility as having wanted to have an "oops" baby for years because she always hoped her diaphragm would get a hole? Seriously, don't waste your time or money. There are better resources on the web!

Rating:
Summary: Complete Disclosure
Review: Twice Blessed will take you for a ride on an emotional rollercoaster. Ninotchka intimately discloses feelings, procedures, and thoughts that are generally regarded as private. She "outs" all of the raw emotions that build up inside when facing infertility. Her honesty will bring you to tears and laughter. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. It's not only a must read for those facing infertility, but for women everywhere considering childbirth. When I finished the book, I looked at my 8 year old son and thought - Life is truly a miraculous blessing!