Conquering Infertility: Dr. Alice Domar's Mind/Body Guide to Enhancing Fertility and Coping with Infertility

by Alice D. Domar and Alice Lesch Kelly

Book Overview

A groundbreaking guide to overcoming infertility that offers support, hope, and practical strategies for couples to improve their chances of becoming pregnant.

Infertility is a heartbreaking condition that affects millions of American couples each year. It causes tremendous stress, can trigger debilitating sadness and depression, and can tear a marriage to shreds.

Harvard psychologist Dr. Alice Domar--whom Vogue calls the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142002011
• ISBN13: 9780142002018
• Release Date: February 2004
• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.68 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.6" x 8.4"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Finally, the emotional support I've been looking for!

My husband and I have been struggling with infertility for almost 3 years. I've read tons of books on the subject, but none of them addressed COPING with the emotional and marital stress like Conquering Infertility. For the first time I felt like someone out there understood what I was going through. Dr. Domar described all the emotions and feelings that I was struggling with - I cried with relief when I realized I wasn't crazy. When I read sections to my husband, he commented that the author must have been a fly on our wall. Her advice covers everything from coping with fertile friends and family, the effects infertility can have on your faith and religious beliefs, how to keep your marriage from crumbling under the pressure, how to physically handle the stress your body is under, and relaxation techniques to get you through the tough moments. It's all there. It even covers "what next?" What the options are out there beyond ART and IVF and how to know when you're ready to move on. If all the techno-medical books have left you cold, this is the must have resource for you. If you are lacking emotional support, you will find it in this thoughtfully written, compassionate book.

An informative, helpful, supportive book

What an incredible book. It is filled with tips, information, and advice for the woman facing infertility. It covers all aspects of the emotional struggle that women must cope with when they can't get pregnant--everything from advice on how to cope when everyone else but you gets pregnant, to information about how husbands and wives handle infertility in very different ways. It taught me so much. I also liked the clear, thorough descriptions of how to do relaxation exercises. And I loved reading the stories from real people who have coped with infertility. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is having trouble getting pregnant.

Ali does it again!

This is a great book. For those who have read Healing Mind, Healthy Woman, some of the information in the first few chapters will be a review. These chapters in the new book, however, are specifically for women and couples with infertility concerns. Much of the rest of the information is new and/or "improved," with chapters on such topics as the couple relationship, dealing with family and friends, faith issues, what to do when treatment fails, and so on. As a counselor who works with women and couples with infertility issues, I have found Domar's work to be incredibly helpful for me and for my clients. I have been recommending Healing Mind, Healthy Woman for some time; now I will also encourage my clients to get this new book as well. Domar's message of hope is such a positive one; she has many wise and encouraging words here. I would encourage anyone who is struggling with infertility, wherever you may be in your journey, to get this book!

A Must-read for anyone going through infertility

This is a fantastic book, written by a doctor who has worked for over fifteen years with couples experiencing infertility. The tool box of things you can do to alleviate the stress that accompanies infertility not only helps women -- and couples -- during the struggle -- but are amazing life techniques as well. If you are going through this difficult problem -- READ THIS BOOK. You'll feel SO much better.And, if you have the opportunity to join one of her programs at Boston IVF or at seminars she conducts around the country: run, don't walk!

A Positive Approach to a Life Crisis

This book picks up where others leave off. It deals with the emotional pain, stress and anxiety that accompany infertility.It covers topics such as how to cope in a fertile world, what to do when you're "mad at God", and dealing with friends and family.The best part is that it offers techniques that not only help patients lower their stress levels, but may actually enhance their chances of pregnancy success. I have been an infertility nurse specialist for 12 years, and I think that this book fills a void that will truly enhance patient care. I believe it should be "required reading" for all infertility patients and their healthcare providers.