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

I found this book to be a bit negative at times... But I think that the author addressed the emotional/spiritual issues of infertility very well. Many times she really hit the nail on the head and it was comforting to read that others have felt the same things I'm feeling. In addition, I found some things about the book very helpful. All of her coping strategies were things I already knew. But I still liked the idea of the minis, which is simple to remember and can be used any time. I also loved reading another perspective like talking to your family and friends about infertility. I had been avoiding talking to my parents about it completely. But based on her comments I thought that I would share some of my struggle with my mom (no details) and it went very well and we both felt better. I also keep thinking about the author's statement, which she makes several times throughout the book, that some day this struggle will be over and life will go back to normal and if you really want to be a parent you will be. This keeps me sane when I feel trapped in the nightmare of infertility.

This is a really good book for those of us who feel alone in our fertility journey. It isn't a prescription to get pregnant--but it has some pretty darn useful coping skills inside that can be used for just about any unwanted circumstance. This is what the back cover says:Infertility is a heartbreaking condition that affects nine million American couples each year. It causes tremendous stress, it can trigger debilitating sadness and depression, and it can tear a marriage to shreds. In Conquering Infertility, Harvard psychologist Alice Domar--whom Vogue calls the "Fertility Goddess"--provides infertile couples with what they need most: stress relief, support, and hope. Using the innovative mind/body techniques she has perfected at her clinic, Domar helps infertile women not only regain control over their lives but also boost their chances of becoming pregnant. With Alice Domar's renowned program, women learn how to cope with infertility in a much more positive way and to carve a path toward a rich, full, happy life.Benefit from wise, comforting words on:*Sustaining a Career during Infertility*Coping when friends and family members become pregnant*Navigating the medical maze*Other options when treatment fails.My responses through out the entire book thus far has been:"Wow, I thought I was the only one who felt this way.""I'm not as crazy as I thought I was.""What I am feeling is perfectly normal."Dr. Domar sums it up best when she says: "You will be happy again. Life will become joyful again. And somehow, some way if you want to become a parent, you will."

yes, i bought this & read it.wel, it may make you feel less like it's "your fault!" if you're infertile, but it's important to know the facts.most women menstrate into their 50s, but become infertile between 38-42. your chances of conceiving w/ your own eggs, even with ivf, after 43 is like 0.02%, OR, in layman's terms, not good.NONE of these fertility books tell you that.and for every woman, like the author of "Inconceivable," which I also read, who conceive, literally hundreds more won't.the moviestars over 40, like Geena Davis, who you see in redbook, etc., are getting pregnant through IVF with DONOR eggs. but they don't tell anyone, keeping the pregnant over 40 myth going.... i guess there's a lot o shame w/ infertility, which leads to people like me casting about for answers since "it worked for them," thinking, "if only i could drink as much wheatgrass as HER!!!" & "ooo! what's HER secret, and how much will she charge me for it?" (bye the bye, i found the book "inconceivable" terribly upsetting and sad & not helpful. plus, she was trying for her 2nd baby, and hearing her whine feels like a slap when YOU think she's so lucky to even have 1!)one "bit" of "magic" i did find... acupuncture. it regulated my cycle, and going twice a week can improve a man's sperm by 60% research shows. plus it's relaxing and AFFORDABLE, which Dr. Domar's programs (I live near her LA branch) aren't.otherwise, save your money, or join RESOLVE ([...] maybe you can "book swap" with fellow members...my best advice, go to a reproductive endocrinologist asap, & find out what's really happening. it set our minds at ease, even though all the news wasn't good.most importantly... strive to keep your relationship happy and loving and sexy.hang in there; you have my entire sympathy & empathy.good luck & i wish all of us babies :)

This was a very easy to read book that I found comforting during my 17 month struggle of TTC. I enjoyed her take on relaxing the body and mind and felt that I benefited from the book. It was a fairly quick read for me. I am only giving it 4 stars because even though I had been TTC for almost 2 years, the last part of the book was a little scary to me, discussing the failure rates of procedures like IUI and IVF, and talking about how the odds are stacked against you. It also talked about making the decision to be childless, which although realistic, put me into a panic. Overall it is a wonderful book and after 17 months of trying, 1 week after I finished the book I found out I was pregnant. Of course we are very excited.... and I appreciated the irony of reading such a book and feeling very worried, and then finally being pregnant. It did help me to relax and try to put things into perspective.

Pros- gives some good examples of how to deal with difficult circumstances, e.g. A friend's announcement. Spells out loud and clearly what you're going through and stresses all these horrible feelings are normal. Interesting case studies.Cons- I didn't like this book. I gave it 3 stars and no less as some people, looking at the reviews, will definitely benefit from the information and 'coping tools'. Most of the chapters I enjoyed, however, I didn't feel confident after reading it. I also was no where near ready to read the adoption chapter. Each time I read this book I ended up in tears and my confidence and mood levels were reduced dramatically. I bought the relaxation cd from the Domar website. I didn't find that particularly good either.All the reviews seem very genuine and each person is on a different journey, with their own ups and downs. I am just starting ivf and after reading this book I feel it's quite pointless. I would recommend the books by Julia Indichova in its place, they can be a bit airy fairy, but, really give hope.

This book was recommended to me and iam really happy with it. It has breathing exercises to calm down which I have found very helpful. Its nice to pick up and read a chapter when I need too and its a good companion when the process of iui or ivf can be upsetting and lonely.

I am so glad I found this book. Its just what I needed after failed ivf to give me strength to carry on. Its great to know I am not alone and how I feel is normal.

Thanks

Really helps you rationalise infertility thoughts and was a great help when I was struggling with it all