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A medical mistake during an IVF procedure. An unthinkable situation . . . you’re pregnant with the wrong baby. You can terminate, but you can’t keep him. What choice would you make?
Carolyn and Sean Savage had been trying to expand their family for years. When they underwent an IVF transfer in February 2009, they knew it would be their last chance. If they became pregnant, they would celebrate the baby as an answer to their prayers. If not, they would be grateful for the family they had and leave their fertility struggles behind forever.
They never imagined a third option. The pregnancy test was positive, but the clinic had transferred the wrong embryos. Carolyn was pregnant with someone else’s baby.
The Savages faced a series of heartbreaking decisions: terminate the pregnancy, sue for custody, or hand over the infant to his genetic parents upon delivery. Knowing that Carolyn was carrying another couple’s hope for a baby, the Savages wanted to do what they prayed the other family would do for them if the situation was reversed. Sean and Carolyn Savage decided to give the ultimate gift, the gift of life, to a family they didn’t know, no strings attached.
Inconceivable provides an inside look at how modern medicine, which creates miracles daily, could allow such a tragic mistake, and the many legal ramifications that ensued with both the genetic family and the clinic. Chronicling their tumultuous pregnancy and its aftermath, which tested the Savage’s faith, their relationship to their church, and their marriage, Inconceivable is ultimately a testament to love. Carolyn and Sean loved this baby, making it impossible for them to imagine how they could give him life and then give him away.
In the end, Inconceivable is a story of what it is to be a parent, someone who nurtures a life, protects a soul, only to release that child into the world long before you’re ready to let him go.
The IVF mistake was simply stated: Carolyn Savage was pregnant with someone else's embryos. She and her husband Sean were forced to make a seemingly inconceivable choice: Either terminate the pregnancy, sue for custody, or deliver the baby—and relinquish it. The Savages decided to do what they would hope that another couple would do in a comparable situation. This is their story. Impossible to read without placing yourself in their situation.
Carolyn And Sean Savage's story was covered widely when they gave birth to the baby boy in September 2009, including in People magazine and on The Today Show. In this book they are telling the entire story for the very first time. Sean and Carolyn live in Ohio with their two teenage sons and two-year-old daughter.
Carolyn And Sean Savage's story was covered widely when they gave birth to the baby boy in September 2009, including in People magazine and on The Today Show. In this book they are telling the entire story for the very first time. Sean and Carolyn live in Ohio with their two teenage sons and two-year-old daughter.
OCmom
Posted March 3, 2011
The Savages did an incredible job expressing their feelings and emotions in this book. The reader feels as if you are present in the room as they experience the inconceivable journey that they are forced to walk through. This book is one that you will not be able to put down! It is thought provoking and deep. It is also relatable in many ways to everyone! We all struggle with decisions at some point in life that this book will inspire us to make! I loved it!
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 17, 2011
An amazing book about a beautiful family. It is written so honestly and really gives you a glimpse of this incredible journey. A heartbreaking story, but also a story of commitment, love, faith and the gift of life. I think it could help others who are facing choices that are difficult. Everyone will be able to take something away from this remarkable story.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 16, 2011
The Savages tell their story with such honesty - there's no sugar coating the pain they experience during their journey together. But it's clearly brought them closer as a couple. Carolyn's raw emotions are gut wrenching and Sean's struggle to help her deal with it all are touching. You will be brought to tears many times throughout the telling of their incredible story. You can't help being inspired by their faith and their love for a little boy they are forced to part with just minutes after his birth. What would I do in their place? I hope I never have to find out, but if I was I would want to handle it with as much grace and dignity as they have. A life lesson.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 16, 2011
What I learned through this book is that the Savage's are amazing people who love this little boy....he is their own. I love the approach they took to writing the book...dividing it into trimesters and then giving perspective from Carolyn and Sean separately! The story is very intense...I never put the book down once I started it. It was very clear and concise! In reading, I did note, with a bit of sadness, that it seems that the Savages have only seen the little boy twice since he was born (two times in 16 months); judging from the love they have for him in this book, I hope they get to see him more in the future.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 16, 2011
A well written, emotional story of love and giving. The heartwrenching decision by this couple to go through with a pregnancy that was not their own is inspiring at the very least. While reading this book, I found myself wondering if I could have done the same thing if I were in the same situation. I loved that fact that the Savages made a point to explain exactly how this mistake occured and to help ensure that it would never happen again. Such an honest and gripping tale of heartache and faith, by the end of the book, I was feeling gratitude for the sacrifices they had made. I can only hope that the other family appreciates their selflessness and apparent regard for life as much as I now do.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 4, 2011
Wow! The title of this book is perfect for it. When I first heard about this story, it was hard for me to comprehend how this could actually happen to someone! However, the book was so well written that I felt like Sean and Carolyn were personally explaining the whole situation in detail to me. I found myself crying, panicking, yearning, loving, smiling and even laughing at times when Carolyn inserts some light humor into the book. This book makes you realize that medical mistakes do happen, and as the priest was quoted in the book, "Science is not the enemy." Scientific breakthroughs such as IVF have allowed loving parents to bring new lives into this world. It is carelessness and disregard for protocol by humans that becomes the "enemy". This book makes you think twice about important matters in your life. It also emphasizes the value of human life from the moment of conception! What the Savages did for the Morells is the most amazing gift in the world, the gift of human life! If I were the Morells, I would welcome the Savages into every aspect of Logan's life with open arms forever! Without Carolyn and Sean's selflessness and determination to bring Logan into this world, the Morells could have ended up with a very different outcome, they really owe baby Logan's life to the Savages! This book is a must read! I think I will read it twice!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 19, 2011
I have mixed feelings about this book. I have watched the Savage's on their several visits to the Today show, and was so impressed with their grace and kindness. However, the book gave me the impression that they are bitter and resentful of the Morell's, when there was no way the Morell's were to blame. It also seemed like the Savage's, especially Carolyn, was so obsessed with just the idea of having a large family that she neglected her own childrens' needs. I feel sorry for them that this tragic mix-up happened, but acting like the child should have been theirs to keep is what I find inconceivable.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 16, 2011
I have been trying to find the words to describe this story, but am faltering because I don't want to sell it short of how amazing it truly is. I admire the honest way in which they tell their story, which is shocking, sad, uplifting and outrageous. You won't regret reading their story, but beware. You will shed tears... of shock and sadness and of full blown sympathy and respect for this family who just wanted to love their baby...
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 15, 2011
This was a great book I have told others that they should read it. You really feel for the Savage family all they endured. What a great thing for one family to do for another family especially one they have never meet.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 21, 2011
Carolyn and Sean Savage tell their story of shock, heartbreak and ultimately acceptance when they learn that Carolyn mistakenly received another couple's embryos. The reader is carried through this painful journey with the Savage family from the moment of conception to the moment when they turn Logan over to his genetic parents shortly after birth. I found myself in tears several times throughout this book and didn't want to put it down. Carolyn tells her story with such raw honesty and emotion that I found myself imagining how I would feel in her position. This is an uplifting story of a good, honest, empathetic, loving set of parents who gave the greatest gift of all knowing in the end they would have to say goodbye to their beloved baby. A must read, especially for mothers.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 17, 2011
Carolyn and Sean Savage are truly amazing people. I cannot begin to fathom what it must have been like to have to give away a baby that you carried for nine months with the realization that this is your last pregnancy. I couldn't put the book down as tears slid down my cheeks. It is written so beautifully and you truly feel their raw pain. The Morrells should be so grateful to them for handing over that baby. Logan will be blessed to have the love of Carolyn and Sean and their family. Carolyn and Sean are the true gifts of god.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 20, 2013
Im 10 &u no wat?
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.KateinVa
Posted July 30, 2012
very compelling and hard to put down. I read it in about two days. Such a heartwrenching story. i liked how each chapter and sean and carolyn's point of view. They gave the other couple an amazing gift and the genetic couple didn't seem very thankful. (Read their book "Misconception" for their point of view.)
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted March 22, 2012
I recommend this book as a heartfelt, honest look at how a couple handled the most difficult situation. It may have been a bit repetitive at times, but isn't that how your mind works when you are trying to mentally sort out all the trials of an unexpectedly tragedy? I read this in tandem with Misconception, the "other" family's point of view.
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Posted January 16, 2012
excellent story!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted November 11, 2011
This book takes you on a emotionally charged journey into the personal struggle and growth a family experiences when a horrible medical error occurs. What an amazing family...where the true meaning of love and sacrifice is revealed.
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Posted October 6, 2011
So inspiring and heartbreaking at the same time! Very well written book, from the heart! Highly recommended!
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Posted August 16, 2011
No text was provided for this review.
AriFlo
Posted June 26, 2011
After I saw their interview on tv one night, I knew I had to read the book. Their story is amazing and truly is inconceivable. I myself, a mother of 3 read this book and found myself wondering how on earth I would have dealt with this. I laughed, I cried, I smiled and my heart ached. The book is honest and heartfelt from both Carolyn and her husbands point of views which is nice. I couldn't stop reading and I can honestly say that while it was hard to read at times, I enjoyed it and I would highly recommend it to anyone especially other moms.
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Posted June 10, 2011
This+story+was+captivating.++I+laughed+and+cried+and+was+just+plain+moved+by+the+story+of+how+Logan+came+to+be.+So+glad+I+read+it.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
A medical mistake during an IVF procedure. An unthinkable situation . . . you’re pregnant with the wrong baby. You can terminate, but you can’t keep him. What choice would you make?
Carolyn and Sean Savage had been trying to expand their family for years. When they underwent an IVF transfer in February 2009, they knew it would be their last chance. If they became pregnant, they would celebrate the baby as an answer to their prayers. If not, ...