1st Edition

Coping with Infertility Clinically Proven Ways of Managing the Emotional Roller Coaster

    272 Pages
    by Routledge

    272 Pages
    by Routledge

    Coping with Infertility is an essential source of emotional support for any couple struggling with involuntary childlessness. The book offers proven techniques and real-life examples from both men and women, in order to outline common emotional reactions and remind couples that they are not alone in their ups and downs. The coping skills discussed in the book have been assembled from years of working with individuals in clinical trials and have undergone rigorous scientific testing. These state-of-the-art techniques have been shown to be effective in helping couples deal with the stress, depression, relationship problems, and grief often associated with infertility. Coping with Infertility is an easily accessible and problem-focused guide for couples to use in overcoming the emotional roadblocks of infertility.

    Introduction. Part I: Human Reproduction: When it Works, When it Doesn't, and Medical Treatment Options. Quiz: What's Your Reproductive IQ? The Birds and the Bees 101: Reproduction and Fertility. When Reproduction Doesn't Work: Causes of Infertility. Addressing the Problem: Medical Treatments for Infertility. Summary. Part II: Infertility: The Emotional Roller Coaster. Quiz: Are You Riding the Roller Coaster? The Emotional Journey: Common Reactions to Infertility. Beating the (Not-So-Baby) Blues. Change Your Thoughts: You Are What You Think. Summary. Part III: Why is it Not Enough to Just Relax. Quiz: Are You a Stress Case? Fight or Flight: Common Sources of Stress in Infertility. Change Your Thoughts to Change Your Life. Summary. Part IV: Couple Trouble: Infertility and Your Relationship. Quiz: Is Infertility Taking a Toll on Your Relationship? Recognizing Relationship Pitfalls. Building a Stronger Relationship. Summary. Part V: Infertility: The Mourning After. Quiz: Are You Mourning? Common Sources of Loss and Grief in Infertility. Survival Strategies for Coping with Grief. Summary. Appendix A: Suggested Readings. Appendix B: Resource Directory.

    Biography

    Negar Nicole Jacobs, Ph.D., is Clinical Psychologist at the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System in Reno, Nevada, where she works as a clinician, researcher and educator. Aside from infertility, her main interests include behavioral medicine and the delivery of behavioral healthcare in medical settings, addictive disorders, and cross-cultural issues

    "Coping with Infertility is a breakthrough book - the best resource written directly for couples to understand and cope with issues involving infertility. I plan to recommend this exceptional book to all my couples facing infertility." - Barry McCarthy, Ph.D., Washington Psychological Center

    "Based on research evidence, yet clearly and comprehensively written, this important book is must reading for you or anyone you know who is in the midst of the emotional turmoil of fertility treatment." - Nicholas A. Cummings, Ph.D., Sc.D., Distinguished Professor, University of Nevada, Reno

    "Infertility can be one of the most emotionally painful challenges to overcome. Although the majority of couples are successful in having a baby, the emotional impact may leave deep scars and, for some, limit their success. Coping with Infertility helped our patients to avoid those scars and improve their success. We now strongly recommend it to all of our patients at their first visit." - Russell A. Foulk, M.D., Medical Director, Nevada & Idaho Centers for Reproductive Medicine

    "While there are numerous books available on the topic of infertility, many of the available publications address the biological and medical aspects, ignoring the emotional impact of infertility on couple relationship dynamics.  In their book, Jacobs and O'Donohue seek to provide a helpful resource for couples facing the emotions, grief, and stress of infertility."  - Kami L. Schwerdtfeter, M.S. and Bobbi J. Miller, M.S., Texas Tech University in Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy

     

    Here's what women, men, and couples are saying about Coping with Infertility...

    "The book really helped me to deal with my anger and depression. It also helped my husband and me to channel our energies toward solving this problem and seriously discussing all our options."

    "Reading this book was like talking to a professional with unlimited time on their hands. It had tons of useful information about infertility and gave me skills to deal with my stress."

    "The book made me realize that infertility is not my punishment, and that many people go through this. It isn’t just me out there."

    "Coping with Infertility was very reassuring and gave us hope. It was nice to have some support through this book."