The Infertility Survival Handbook

A must-read for Infertility

I'm in the beginning of my infertility (after tests, before treatment plan) and bought this book to help me educate myself and also aid me in making a decision when it comes to my treatment plan. This book included some humor and really brought you together with the author in the opening chapter. The information thereafter was well organized and covered any and all of the questions I would have asked; if not more! I enjoyed the book in the educational sense; it scared me in the reality sense (of what I will likely have to go through). I do wish I could make everyone around me read it so they'll be educated as well.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

The Only Book You Need!

I didn't find this book until I had already gone through multiple cycles, and a tubal pregnancy, and was ready to give up. Thank heaven for the author--her candid re-telling of her own struggle with infertility helped me with my own. The author has been through just about every procedure that is available, and so she speaks from experience. She also made me see that my own struggle is not so uncommon. I don't know how people can say this book is a disappointment. It gives reliable information, as well as advice, and has a fabulous resource section in the back for those people looking for even more information. I continually went back to this book to brush up on what to expect with a procedure, etc. and have loaned my copy to friends who are starting the infertility maze. They all have found it worthwhile as well.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE HOPEFUL!!!

This book, while very informative, completely took the wind out of my sails. DO NOT READ this if you are a 1st timer to IVF. Or if you have endometriosis. You will be down in the dumps for days.

2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

This is the best infertility book out now!!

I read Surviving Infertility and wished I read it a year ago. It would have saved me time and anguish. This book provides fabulous suggestions for everything you need to know while riding the infertility rollercoaster. The author provides a wealth of valuable information. She also suggests all the latest tests that can help the reader get closer to a diagnosis and having a baby of their own. I read this book several times and highlighted areas I needed further information on. Dr. Coulam is one of the doctor's Elizabeth Swire Falker recommended. She is my current doctor and a genious. I wish I read this book first because there were tests my other doctors failed to do. I am getting closer to my dream of becoming a parent. Thank you Elizabeth Swire Falker!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

One of the best books around for infertility. Read this first!

This is a book that includes tests, information, tips etc.. I wish I had read it a year ago. It would have saved me time, money and anguish. It offered suggestions that I took and I feel like I am getting closer to my dream of parenthood.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Infertility Survival Handbook

This is the best most helpful book I have ever read on infertility. I highly recommend it to anyone, male or female . . . I especially enjoyed the chapter on talking to friends and family, landmine city! the author isn't kidding!!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Infertility Survival Handbook

I don't think there is a subject pertinent to infertility that isn't covered in this book and it's all discussed by someone who went through it. The author explained what every test I had was for (and she described what it felt like!) in non-medical jargon and even went through what an IVF cycle feels like day-by-day (i've never seen that in a book before!!). It was like the author was inside my head when she wrote it! I sat and cried when I read it and then wanted to scream that I didn't have it sooner. I definitely recommend this book whether you've been trying to conceive for 2 months or 12 years!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Won't need anymore books

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was informative, easy to read and covered so many things that a couple needs to know when they are experiencing infertility. I don't enjoy reading and read this entire book in one evening. I also found the resource section very helpful. I don't feel like I need to buy anymore books, instead I can focus on what I need to to to try to get pregnant as a middle aged woman.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A must have for anyone going thru the infertility process.

This book is real. Blunt. To the point. It is all the information that you need and given to you in real world terms. The author doesn't hold anything back and that is what a person on the infertility rollercoaster needs. If you buy this book, you won't need to buy any others on this subject. My only disappointment is that this book wasn't available years ago when I started my infertility ride.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A no-nonsense book that provides specifics for infertility patients

As an 'seasoned' infertility patient who has undergone rounds and rounds of treatment (ranging from 'only' Chlomid to injections every night for IUIs all the way up to the big guns of IVF/ICSI), this book is an invaluable resource to patients that do not have all the money in the world to put towards treatment, especially those that do not have the luxury of time on their side. Falker has a very no-nonsense style. You can picture yourself sitting down at a coffee bar somewhere while she gives you the straight scoop on the infertility *BUSINESS* (which it is) and how she suggests you approach wading through the myriads of options and choices so you can best maximize your chances at not only getting pregnant but bringing a baby home 9 months later. Also, addressing the 'sarcastic and unmotivating' point that another reviewer made about this book: what is great about Falker's book is that she points out the reality about ART -- not everyone will 'take home a baby' at the end of their first -- or even second -- IVF attempt. There are lots of books/resources out there that talk about the 'looking through rose-colored glasses' world of IVF. But those that have been infertility patients and 'only' had to go through one or maybe two IVF attempts do not TRULY understand what it is like for The Rest of Us. Falker has 'been there done that' so her straight-shooting approach is so VERY welcomed (and much needed) for the majority of infertility patients that will not be successful in a cycle or two.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

The Best Infertility Book Out There

I have read several infertility books, and by far this one has been the best. I purchased the book a few months ago and absolutely love it. In fact, it was through her book, that I somewhat outed myself (after 8 years) to everyone that I was infertile. Putting the book on the homepage of my website somehow made it very clear to everyone what I was going through. After reading her story (which she openly shares in the first chapter of the book) I realized there WERE other options for me out there. My husband and I are currently going through the adoption process, and I honestly believe that we would not have taken the step toward it had it not been for this book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

FINALLY! A Book that gets to the Heart of Infertility!

The journey through infertility ain't for Sissies, but how could anyone know that if they haven't been through it?! Elizabeth Swire Falker's INFERTILITY SURVIVAL HANDBOOK should be REQUIRED READING for every single person who doesn't conceive within a few months of trying to get pregnant. The book is extremely well written -- the author has poured a wealth of information into this Reference Manual; how to keep your marriage intact, how to find the best medical assistance, ammo to use for insurance purposes, other options to achieve the goal of becoming parents, and how to hang on to your sanity, and much more. A MUST READ!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Very one sided

While the author tries to present all options for fertility treatments, her experience clouds the entire book. While she is self addmitedly a brash lawyer type, her personality shines through, and not in a good way. Yes, IVF is difficult and some days will leave you feeling like hell, but from her perspective its life shatteringly awful. Reading this before the procedure is sure to make you run for the hills. While I think a straightforward approach is what women want in this type of book, this one is straightforward for the sake of slapping you across the face, which, if you are infertile, you've probably felt a million times before. There's a way to be straightforward and still encouraging, while allowing that, yes, some procedures are uncomfortable and you may not feel teriffic. I also took offense to her treatment of men. While her husband seemed to be supportive she talks about "getting it through their thick skulls" that this is difficult and even advises that you tell your spouse to "buy you presents" to feel better. I'd like to think there are a lot of men who are more enlightened and more supportive than she supposes. I'm also thinking that while that may have been nice for her, if my husband came home with the Hope Diamond it still wouldn't make me feel better after a failed pregnancy attempt. There's some helpful information in here, but I couldn't get past the tone.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

One to Read!

Great book, with lots of good information for the person that is just learning about infertility issues.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Only Book You Will Need

This is truly the only book you will need for infertility. Its the best book out three and covers all the bases and goes in-depth in the IVF but also IUI and other methods

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Infertility Survival Handbook

I have read so many books on infertility and this is the first one that I really connected to on an emotional level. I felt like I was sitting with my best friend talking about what it's like, only in this case my best friend had every answer to every question I've ever had and told me SO much I didn't know. There are a lot of great books on infertility, and this is one that you shouldn't miss out on reading! Did I mention that I read it cover to cover in one night?

Disappointing

I found this book to be informative, but to come across negatively. As someone who is currently going through infertility treatment, I found her comments throughout the book to be sarcastic and unmotivating. I can only assume this was the case because the author had so many unsuccessful attempts at conceiving. This book brought me down instead of giving me hope, which made me not want to continue reading it. Anyone going through infertility treatment needs all the hope they can get. For any couple going through infertility and leaning towards IVF, I would highly recommend reading 'The Couples Guide to In Vitro Fertilization' by Lisa Charlesworth. Also very informative with step by step explanations of the process and no personal opinions thrown in along the way.

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A MUST read for anyone going through infertility

Having struggled with infertility for quite some time, I have read an extensive amount on the subject. In my years of reading, never have I found a book that was so helpful as 'The Infertility Survival Handbook'. Not only did it provide me with information I haven't found elsewhere, it was easy to read, to the point, and comical!! I have shared the book w/several friends going through infertility and the consensus is that it is a MUST read. My mother even found it to be extremely helpful - as she has been on the 'outside' looking in on this journey. I would suggest that anyone who is struggling w/infertility or who is close to someone who is going through infertility read this book. It has helped me a tremendous amount and I know it is going to help many others in my same situation. Thank you, Liz, for all of your hard work in putting together such a great book!

Response to Disappointed Reviewer

I don't know how someone could find this book disappointing! I found it Inspirational to say the least. Having fought this infertility war for so long it was refreshing to have someone dish out the good and the bad that one faces. I needed good information given in a witty way and the book definitely kept me enthralled while providing excellent resources and ideas in how to face the challenges that I am facing. As an infertile woman I have learned that you must be your own advocate to receive good treatment -- Ms. Swire Falker gave me great advice on how to be a better advocate for myself and also informed me about the availability of options and ideas that I had not found in my own research!

Loved this book!!!!

In my entire life, infertility has been one of the hardest things to go through. Ms Swire Falker's book is outstanding, straight to the point, and fun to read. Yes, there is humor in infertility. You have to have humor to survive. I learned so much from this book. More than any other book I've read. I will recommend this book to everyone who has trouble conceiving. I don't think there is another book out there that touches on everything dealing with infertility. A+ to Ms Swire Falker!