Rating: 
Summary: Experiencing Infertility as COUPLES
Review: I had been trying for the past 6 years to get pregnant as a single woman, using fresh sperm, frozen sperm, sex with donor... and have recently given up. It is such a shock to my whole life to accept that I am infertile, and it seems there are so many resources for how to TREAT infertility, and none to address those for whom the treatments don't work. I was thrilled to discover this book, and finally felt validated in my high stress and crazy emotions. I am NORMAL! wow! what a relief! The sense of community reading this book was palpable, and the combination of expert advice and voices of the average woman was a wonderful balance. I would certainly recommend this book for anyone going through infertility... what a shoulder to lean on ! My only reserve which reduced 5 stars to 4 is the constant emphasis on COUPLES. I don't think anywhere there was ever even once an acknowledgement that many women are single and trying to get pregnant. Or that couples split up during infertility treatments. Or that there are lesbian couples. I find it so disheartening when people tell me "you'll get pregnant when you stop trying". Well, if one is not having sex with a man, one is not going to get pregnant no matter how much one "stops trying" or relaxes. If I do not order sperm, chart my cycle to know when to put in those two vials... I am not going to get pregnant unless I am the next Madonna. I really would have liked to have had this addressed somewhere. And all the wonderful childfree time the book emphasises I can use to focus on my couple are for me lonely times with no one to bake cookies for or take on vacation.However all in all a fantastic book that totally validates my grief and supplies a helping hand.
Rating: 
Summary: Blessing and truth
Review: I had just experienced a huge emotional low regarding my infertility when I purchased this book. I thought for sure I was totally nuts, and then I began reading. What a blessing this book is for me. It describes emotions and feelings that BOTH men and women experience, and it is invaluable for both to read. We have been trying for 2+ years, and are learning lessons of coping and acceptance, thanks to this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Good questions, but not very good answers
Review: I read this book and I felt like none of my questions had been answered. The questions were all very common with infertility, but I was looking for guidance in how to deal with them. I didn't get any help. It was kind of like the authors were trying to be kind and not take sides on the issues. I wanted the blunt answers to use when dealing with infertility. Example if you are invited to a baby shower and didn't want to go. It was all well you can go and avoid the opening of the presents and blah blah blah. I want to know if this feeling is normal and if I don't want to go I am not being a bad person!
Rating:
Summary: The women in this book are ME
Review: I was browsing through the bookstore and this book caught my eye. I thumbed through it, and could not put it down. I bought it, and read the entire thing in one night. I cried all night. I relate to the women in that book so much. Everything that was said, I have felt. I especially appreciated the section on Secondary Infertility, since that is what I am facing. Most books and other infertility resources don't even acknowledge that Secondary Infertility is a real problem-it makes those with Secondary Infertility feel so alone. If you're looking for a book that helps you cope, helps you know that you are not alone in your struggle with infertility, and really helps you feel validated in your feelings, then I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: The women in this book are ME
Review: I was browsing through the bookstore and this book caught my eye. I thumbed through it, and could not put it down. I bought it, and read the entire thing in one night. I cried all night. I relate to the women in that book so much. Everything that was said, I have felt. I especially appreciated the section on Secondary Infertility, since that is what I am facing. Most books and other infertility resources don't even acknowledge that Secondary Infertility is a real problem-it makes those with Secondary Infertility feel so alone. If you're looking for a book that helps you cope, helps you know that you are not alone in your struggle with infertility, and really helps you feel validated in your feelings, then I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent guide to the emotional challenges
Review: I was given a review copy of this book shortly before my own book, The Unofficial Guide to Having A Baby, was going to press. I thought so highly of this book that I asked my publisher to stop the presses and add it to the list of recommended readings in my book. While my book addresses a lot of the medical issues associated with infertility (e.g. causes of infertility, high tech fertility methods etc.), I was only able to touch upon the emotional issues briefly--a subject that Debby Peoples and Harriette Rovner Ferguson handle superbly in their book. They give you "inside advice" on balancing babymaking with your career, coping with the reactions of friends and family, and much more. I struggled with infertility 12 years ago, prior to the birth of my first child. I've never forgotten how painful that time in my life was. I wish I'd had this book then.
Rating:
Summary: Coping Bible
Review: I was very excited to learn Experiencing Infertility would be coming out in paperback. I have struggled nearly 19 years with infertility personally. As founder of HOPE Infertility Support and Cofounder/Director of Community of ChildofmyDreams.com I work closely with many who are experiencing infertility. This book has not only helped me with my own issues, but helped me support others who are having a rough time with their own. I have dubbed Experiencing Infertility as my "Coping Bible." It's been nearly two years since I first read Experiencing Infertility and I can honestly say my life has improved tremendously because of the coping strategies outlined in the book. Harriette Rovner Ferguson and Debby Peoples really "get it." They fully understand what it is like to ride this emotional infertility roller coaster. The book covers all aspects of infertility including keeping your identity and communicating with your spouse, friends and family. It aids you in balancing your job with what can be stressful baby making. It helps even those who are preganant after infertility as well, which can be a time of fear as well as happiness. It's also covers the hard-to-face aspects of knowing when to move on, adopt or remain childfree. It's helped me tremendously in making my own decision to live life without children after years of failed fertility treatments. I feel Experiencing Infertility is a "must have" for everyone trying to cope with the heartache of infertility. A big thank you to the co-authors for this wonderful book.
Rating:
Summary: I highly recommend this book. I call it my "coping bible".
Review: I'm very impressed with this book. It's brand new at the book stores and the best I've read on coping. Reading it, you can't help but feel that the authors actually "get it." They understand what it feels like to ride the infertility emotional roller coaster. The book covers keeping your identity, primary and secondary infertility, communicating with your spouse, friends and family, balancing a job and baby making, coping with grief and loss, decision making, when to know to move on, and even child free living. It also covers waiting for your baby whether it's through adoption or pregnancy. I really feel this is GREAT. It's a must have for everyone. I've only had this book a few weeks and it has already helped me to cope with my decision to move on to a life after infertility and remain childfree. Those who know me, know what a struggle this has been for me. I highly recommend this book. I call it my "coping bible".
Rating:
Summary: I highly recommend this book. I call it my "coping bible".
Review: I'm very impressed with this book. It's brand new at the book stores and the best I've read on coping. Reading it, you can't help but feel that the authors actually "get it." They understand what it feels like to ride the infertility emotional roller coaster. The book covers keeping your identity, primary and secondary infertility, communicating with your spouse, friends and family, balancing a job and baby making, coping with grief and loss, decision making, when to know to move on, and even child free living. It also covers waiting for your baby whether it's through adoption or pregnancy. I really feel this is GREAT. It's a must have for everyone. I've only had this book a few weeks and it has already helped me to cope with my decision to move on to a life after infertility and remain childfree. Those who know me, know what a struggle this has been for me. I highly recommend this book. I call it my "coping bible".
Rating:
Summary: It's About Time
Review: It's about time a book on the topic of infertility explored the more emotional aspects of this situation. As men and women, when we are confronted with the possibility of infertility, we are thrown to the scientific wolves and sometimes end up feeling like "road kill." Doctors, labs, medicines and experimental procedures can make us feel like modern day Frankensteins. It was so theraputic for me to read this book. Not merely a scientific forum for informative medical information but more importantly, a bible that helped me move forward emotionally. A must read for anyone going through this experience. Well written and heartfelt. Bravo, Harriet and Debby--thank you so much for sharing your wealth of expertise.
| 
