The Belated Baby: A Guide to Parenting After Infertility

by Jill S Browning and Kelly James-Enger

Book Overview

Approximately 7.3 million American women have struggled with infertility. Most of them, whether or not they use fertility treatments, do not realize that when they have their baby (or babies) whether through birth or via adoption the echoes of their infertility will be felt long after they are living out their dream of having their own baby. Jill S. Browning and Kelly James-Enger explain that every woman who experiences infertility is forever changed,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1581826109
• ISBN13: 9781581826104
• Release Date: May 2008
• Publisher: Cumberland House Publishing
• Length: 242 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

A profoundly validating account of the loss and hope surrounding infertility

I read The Belated Baby in one sitting often with tears in my eyes. Reading it felt like sitting with a good friend who has felt the pain and disappointment all women feel who have struggled with infertility. As a hopeful, waiting adoptive mother-to-be, I found it particularly helpful in foreshadowing what may come after our much longed for baby finally arrives. In one excerpt the author describes herself sitting in a coffee shop when an expectant mom comes in and sits beside her. When the author feels her body stiffen but her heart soften, I felt hopeful that someday I too will feel that brand of genuine joy for the happiness of other women. Knowing that it is normal for the disappointment of infertility to persist even after the baby arrives is a good lesson and reading the book before parenthood for the still childless couple is a great way to prepare for the emotions that are sure to remain even after children. Those of us who are infertile are going to walk again someday, and the arrival of a baby helps us to do that, but most of us will always walk with just a little limp---it's the battle wound of what it took for us to get there. The book was hopeful and sensible and validates every feeling I have as someone who cannot create children. A must read.

Loved it!

Anyone who has dealt with infertility or adoption should read this book, it is excellent! I just loved it

A sigh of relief

I had tears in my eyes while reading most of this book. What a comfort to read about the struggles, frustrations, and (belated) elation of other women. Infertility is a long, lonely struggle and one that emotionally numbed me to core. I feel blessed to have my children, but have lost myself in the process. The authors assuaged my guilt and gave me the stepping stones to find my way back. This book is a "must read" for anyone that has ever taken the long, winding path to parenthood.

honest, heartfelt accounts of journeys through infertility

Loved this book. It covers the many stages that couples may go through as they struggle with infertility. The first-person accounts of couples who experienced or are experiencing infertility are encouraging, funny, poignant, and honest. Many different experiences are documented including fertility drugs, IVF, surrogacy, and domestic and international adoption. The authors offer a frank and straightforward discussion of these issues...a discussion only made more insightful by their own experiences with what can be an alternately heartbreaking and joyful journey.

Supportive, Soothing, Honest and Wise

The Belated Baby: A Guide to Parenting After Infertility As a licensed psychotherapist, I have counseled couples struggling with infertility, miscarriages, fertility treatment, surrogacy and adoption decisions. It's a long, painful road. Couples who ache to have their own children struggle with the mystifying lack of success, the difficult processes of infertility treatment, the ups and downs of hormone treatment, and the grief and frustration of trying and failing, over and over again. When they finally do achieve their dream of parenthood, the longed-for experience is colored by their painful history. The Belated Baby is written by women who have been there, and it pulls no punches; but it manages to be encouraging and helpful at the same time. The quotes from couples and individuals who are going through the struggle, and those who have been successful, through many different means, are instructive, supportive and encouraging. This is a survivor's handbook, which will be of tremendous value to any parents on this journey.