Fertility for Dummies

Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it. People do it too—have babies, that is—but sometimes they need a little help getting there. Often the problem is simple and can be handled without medical intervention. Unfortunately, in many cases it’s more complicated and can lead to a long, costly, and emotionally trying treatment process. Each year, more than 6 million people become fertility patients in the United States, alone. And they’re just the ones who can afford treatments which can cost as much as $20,000—with no guarantee of success.

Ready for a baby but having a hard time conceiving? In this friendly guide, fertility patient, Jackie Meyers-Thompson and fertility expert Sharon Perkins use humor, heartache, and the real-life experiences of actual patients to cover the complete fertility story. In jargon-free language, they clue you in on the essentials of human reproduction and what can impede it. And they tell you what you need to know to:

• Take control of your fertility
• Optimize you chances of conceiving
• Know why you’re not conceiving
• Understand your treatment options
• Find the right doctor and work with him or her
• Navigate the confusing world of fertility treatments

From basic life-style changes to in vitro fertilization, Fertility For Dummies covers all the basic and high-tech fertility choices available. You’ll discover what you need to know about:

• The female anatomy, the logistics of getting pregnant, and behaviors you should or shouldn’t change before trying to conceive
• Fine-tuning conception efforts using methods to predict ovulation, best sexual behaviors, diet, vitamins and supplements, and more
• Tests for diagnosing fertility problems and understanding the effects of various diseases on fertility
• Choosing a specialist and choosing a treatment, including intrauterine insemination and fertility injections
• In vitro fertilization, what to expect physically, emotionally, and financially
• Third-party reproduction—working with sperm donors, egg donors, embryo adoption, and surrogates

Relax, discover your fertility options, and let Fertility For Dummies be your guide to having a baby.