The hands-on guide that addresses the common barriers to achieving pregnancy and offers tips to maximize your potential for fertility For millions of people, starting a family is a lifelong dream. However, many face challenges in welcoming children into the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 12% of women in the US from ages 15 to 44 have difficulty getting pregnant or staying pregnant. A variety of factors exist that can contribute to infertility, such as ovulation disorders, uterine abnormalities, congenital defects, and a host of environmental and lifestyle considerations. But infertility is not just a female problem. For approximately 35% of couples with infertility, a male factor is identified along with a female factor, while in 8% of couples, a male factor is the only identifiable cause. Fortunately, there are many treatment options that offer hope. Getting Pregnant For Dummies discusses the difficulties related to infertility and offers up-to-date advice on the current methods and treatments to assist in conception. This easy-to-read guide will help you understand why infertility occurs, its contributing risk factors, and the steps to take to increase the chances of giving birth. From in vitro fertilization (IVF) to third party reproduction (donor sperm or eggs and gestational surrogacy) to lifestyle changes to understanding genetic information to insurance, legal and medication considerations, this bookcovers all the information you need to navigate your way to the best possible results. Packed with the latest information and new developments in medical technology, this book: Helps readers find real-life solutions to getting pregnant Covers the latest information on treatments for infertility for both women and men Offers advice on choosing the option best suited for an individual’s unique situation Explains the different types and possible causes of infertility issues Provides insight to genetic testing information Provides suggestions for lifestyle changes that help prepare for conception Getting Pregnant For Dummies is an indispensable guide for every woman trying to conceive and for men experiencing infertility issues.

Are you having problems becoming pregnant? You’re not alone; over 7.2 million Americans are facing the same challenges of infertility. Though some non-experts say that it’s all a matter of relaxation or taking medication, you need clear, straightforward, and trustworthy answers from healthcare professionals without feeling insulted, humiliated, or scared. Written with compassion as well as professional knowledge, Infertility for Dummies combines comfort and expertise to walk you through your journey to becoming pregnant. This plain-English guide explains how infertility affects both men and women, while covering the latest treatments. It covers all key areas, including: Determining if you are infertile Maintaining a healthy relationship with your partner Making healthy pre-conception lifestyle changes Understanding the male and female anatomy Techniques for timing your conception Different ways to diagnose infertility Dealing with early pregnancy loss Finding the right doctor Different types of alternative insemination New advances and concerns in infertility Improving your chances of conceiving Infertility for Dummies includes strategies for dealing with family and friends — what to expect from them, how to deal with inappropriate comments, and understanding that they are just trying to help. This book also provides the names and profiles of fertility medications and where you can find them.

This friendly guide combines professional and personal advice on every aspect of fertility and infertility. From deciding when to seek help and what help to seek, to the emotional, fi nancial, and medical considerations of fertility treatments, you′ll be reassured every step of the way with all the support and specialist advice you need to increase your chances of a healthy and happy pregnancy.

Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it. People do it too—have babies, that is—but sometimes they need a little help getting there. Often the problem is simple and can be handled without medical intervention. Unfortunately, in many cases it’s more complicated and can lead to a long, costly, and emotionally trying treatment process. Each year, more than 6 million people become fertility patients in the United States, alone. And they’re just the ones who can afford treatments which can cost as much as $20,000—with no guarantee of success. Ready for a baby but having a hard time conceiving? In this friendly guide, fertility patient, Jackie Meyers-Thompson and fertility expert Sharon Perkins use humor, heartache, and the real-life experiences of actual patients to cover the complete fertility story. In jargon-free language, they clue you in on the essentials of human reproduction and what can impede it. And they tell you what you need to know to: Take control of your fertility Optimize you chances of conceiving Know why you’re not conceiving Understand your treatment options Find the right doctor and work with him or her Navigate the confusing world of fertility treatments From basic life-style changes to in vitro fertilization, Fertility For Dummies covers all the basic and high-tech fertility choices available. You’ll discover what you need to know about: The female anatomy, the logistics of getting pregnant, and behaviors you should or shouldn’t change before trying to conceive Fine-tuning conception efforts using methods to predict ovulation, best sexual behaviors, diet, vitamins and supplements, and more Tests for diagnosing fertility problems and understanding the effects of various diseases on fertility Choosing a specialist and choosing a treatment, including intrauterine insemination and fertility injections In vitro fertilization, what to expect physically, emotionally, and financially Third-party reproduction—working with sperm donors, egg donors, embryo adoption, and surrogates Relax, discover your fertility options, and let Fertility For Dummies be your guide to having a baby.

This friendly guide combines professional and personal advice on every aspect of fertility and infertility. From deciding when to seek help and what help to seek, to the emotional, fi nancial, and medical considerations of fertility treatments, you'll be reassured every step of the way with all the support and specialist advice you need to increase your chances of a healthy and happy pregnancy.

An invaluable handbook to being the best father-to-be you can be during one of the most exciting times of your life Dad’s Guide to Pregnancy For Dummies walks you through the ins and outs of how to best support your partner through the logistical, physical, and emotional challenges of pregnancy. Yes, we know that you won’t be doing the lion’s share of the work over the next nine months, but you can do your part by getting a head start on learning critical information about the ins and outs of pregnancy, labor and delivery, and the first few months of baby care. You’ll get the lowdown on topics like setting up a nursery, how to be helpful during childbirth, and the best way to change a diaper. You’ll even find advice about when to let other people in on the fact that you’re expecting. The book also offers: Comprehensive info on ultrasounds, caesarean sections, infertility treatments, and other pre-birth and birth-related subjects Brand-new updates on using a surrogate, sperm donation, and what dads can do when they won’t be physically present during the pregnancy Strategies for handling prenatal depression Full of authoritative and easy-to-follow tips and techniques to get you ready for the big day (and all the days that follow it), Dad’s Guide to Pregnancy For Dummies is your survival guide to pregnancy, childbirth, and fatherhood.

The reassuring guide to a happy, healthy pregnancy This new edition offers soon-to-be moms and dads detailed, friendly information on preparing and planning for pregnancy. You'll find guidance on the basics, as well as special considerations like age, multiple births, complications, illness, labor and delivery, postpartum care, and everything in between. Now in a portable, handy trim size that makes it easy to keep with you on the go, Pregnancy For Dummies, 4th Edition is your go-to guide on everything you'll encounter during the first, second, and third trimesters—and beyond. Packed with new information and the latest developments in medical technology, it puts your mind at ease by offering straightforward answers to all the questions you may have about pregnancy, including health risks during pregnancy, fertility problems and solutions, "on demand" cesarean sections, weight gain during pregnancy, the correlation between mercury and autism, ways to stay emotionally and physically healthy during pregnancy, and much more. Includes a complete guide to pregnancy, through all three trimesters and beyond, including a week-by-week account of what to expect during pregnancy Covers the latest information related to healthcare and pregnancy, including the latest on vaccinations, fertility problems, and prenatal diagnoses Offers advice on picking a doctor, planning prenatal visits, and designing a birthing plan Explains the stages of labor and how to care for yourself and your newborn after childbirth If you're an expectant parent, Pregnancy For Dummies, 4th Edition covers everything mom and baby experience before, during, and after childbirth.