IVF: An Emotional Companion

I would also recommend this book. It tells the story of many different women's IVF journey. It has many different reasons for infertility so they will be something in there you can identify with but it is also nice to realize just how many different reasons there are for needing IVF. It has good out comes as well as not so good and tells of the women's emotions as she went through it and how she feels now whatever the outcome. I felt it helped to prepare me for what I might be feeling as I went through the hormone treatments and it was good to know I was not alone in these feelings.

I read this book when it first came out, yet I still think about it often. It's a gold mine for women who want to feel they are not alone, during what is potentially one of life's loneliest periods. Whether you are just beginning to think about IVF, are in the midst of its turmoil, or have come out the other end (with or without baby), this book will serve you well. Now if I can only get my copy back, as I keep loaning it out to friends...!

Worth reading this to help you get through the horrible world of infertility. I felt so alone as everyone around me were popping out babies. It didn't seem fair that I was youngish, healthy etc so for me it helped to read positive stories to get me through ivf. I didn't read it after my failed second round of Ivf though as it seemed we were doomed never to have a family and these stories made me down hearted that it seemed to happen to everyone else but us. Long shot is that our fortunes changed and we got lucky with twins. This booked did provide an invisible hand along the way.

This really is an emotional companion, I had tears in my eyes just from reading the introduction! It is a brilliant book with stories from women that even if you aren't in their exact position, you can relate to. Would recommend this book to couples about to start and currently going through IVF. Many a word of wisdom amongst the real life stories and insightful writing by the author Brigid.

A really well written book which helped me on the journey through ivf. I was feeling alone and i found turning to this book and dipping in and out of it after i had read it the first time to be very helpful. Good honest account of the emotional journey of ivf.

Unfortunately I did not find this book very helpful. The chapters are all split into different fertility issues making it very each chapter very specific and not relevant for me. I was not keen on the layout, the question and answer section at the end of each chapter.

It was interesting reading about other women's journeys towards and through IVF, and there are a lot of experiences and emotions that women will recognize. However, several of the women who give accounts come across as quite smug and very self-centred, and towards the end of the book I found them rather irritating, and not at all helpful. There are rather too many accounts of "after all that gruelling IVF, suddenly I got pregnant naturally... and then again!" As the title states, it's a companion, not a guide, and while some of the advice is useful, most of it is pretty obvious.

I wish this book had been out when I was going through my journey to motherhood Fantastic and great information Lots of great story's and back up for what to do next Well done

This is a really lovely and compassionately written book, filling a neglected gap. Books on the technicalities of fertility treatments are a dime a dozen, but books offering emotional support are harder to find. I didn't read all of the stories, only the ones I related to personally (probably about 7 out of 20+). Each person's story is briefly introduced by the editor, and then wrapped up with some informative commentary on a particular topic the woman's story featured (PCOS, male-factor infertility, etc) and, if you are in the UK, resources. Of note: The book is open-minded enough to include a same-sex couple's story, and a single-mother-by-choice's story. There are 20+ stories, and there is probably at least one story every reader can relate to (I was surprised to find my own situation mirrored in the editor's experience, which she relates in the introduction). There are no miracle cures promised, no false hopes pressed on you, no religious preaching. Just sincere compassion and empathy from people who have gone through the IVF experience (with various degrees of success). Personally I found it a really helpful and positive read. Tip: Get comfortable and cozy in a private spot, with a box of tissues handy, before reading.

I HAVE TO SAY THIS BOOK WILL GIVE YOU SO MUCH INSIGHT ON FERTILITY TREATMENTS AND THE DIFFERENT THINGS YOU CAN GO THROUGH WHILE ON YOUR JOURNEY. ONCE I STARTED TO READ THIS BOOK I COULDN'T STOP. SOOOOOOOOO INTERESTING.

Very comforting read, great coping mechanism

Awesomeness

I bought this book to read while going through IVF thinking it would be a positive and uplifting read. However, it was the exact opposite! This book left me even more fearful and nervous than I was before. I would not recommend this book to anyone going through IVF or infertility. It made me start worrying about things I had never thought about. Definitely not the inspirational read I was hoping for and that was advertised.