Mayo Clinic Guide to Fertility and Conception

by Zaraq Khan M.B.B.S., Samir Babayev M.D., Chandra C. Shenoy M.D.

Deciding to add a baby to your family is full of unknowns. How long will it take to get pregnant? How will age and other factors play into your chances of conceiving? If you need some help, what are your options? Many of these questions have different answers for every person and every pregnancy. With  Mayo Clinic Guide to Fertility and Conception, you can take on the adventure of trying for a baby with clear, empathetic guidance.

Based on their extensive expertise in helping people build their families, Mayo Clinic physicians break down what contributes to healthy eggs and sperm, steps you can take to get ready for pregnancy, how babies are made, and tips for ovulation tracking, timing sex, and improving your chances. This comprehensive guide also demystifies miscarriage and ectopic pregnancies, as well as many common fertility problems. In addition, the authors offer the latest on reproductive assistance, third-party reproduction, and fertility preservation, and the many options now available to help all families, including LGBTQ, transgender and single parents-to-be, achieve the dream of having a baby.

Color medical illustrations and graphics throughout help this user-friendly book provide answers and explanations on nearly every aspect of achieving a successful pregnancy. With sensitivity and an inclusive approach, it's an essential guide for anyone who wants to have a baby.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting

304 pages, Paperback

Published January 23, 2024

Reviews

[Lizzie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was SUCH a helpful guide to fertility treatment and conception. I don't know why more of this isn't taught in health class, but there is an embarrassing amount I didn't know. Did YOU know that the ovaries prepare multiple eggs and then pick the healthiest one to ovulate?? Or that the fallopian tubes are NOT CONNECTED to the ovaries?? Or that the embryo uses an enzyme to DISSOLVE YOUR UTERUS when it implants?

This is a wonderful, clearly explained resource for any potential parents. While designed mostly for heterosexual, monogamous parents undergoing fertility treatment for explained or unexplained infertility problems, this would also be useful for people exploring single parenthood, LGBTQ parents, and people without known fertility problems who want to understand the process of becoming pregnant more fully.

I loved this and learned so, so much!

Thanks a ton to Mayo Clinic Press, Zaraq Khan, Samir Babayev, and Chandra C. Shenoy for this e-ARC through NetGalley. Mayo Clinic Guide to Fertility and Conception is available now and contains the most recent information as of January 2024. Honestly recommended not just for would-be parents, but also for anyone with a uterus who wants to know what the heck is happening inside of them!

[Kay Oliver · Rating 5 out of 5]

So informative. It was the most modern, up-to-date, and inclusive fertility guide I've read. It touched on every aspect for all people wanting to start a family with comprehensive details and explanations all well researched and science backed. It was easy to read and understand.

[Tiffany {Beyond the Stars Books} · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. For someone in the proper head space in regard to infertility this would be a great read.

[krystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m annoyed that this started by recommending you calculate your BMI 🙄🙄🙄

[Bekah Lejarde · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you feel like you learned nothing about fertility and conception along your life's journey and are looking for a literal textbook that covers everything but is somehow still accessible, this is a great start. I wanted a big picture overview to help me consider all the factors and science behind fertility and conception. Each chapter ends with a real-life story that pertains to what was covered in that chapter. The pairing of science with lived-experience was helpful. This book is inclusive of all types of folks trying to start a family.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pretty thorough and informative. It reads very textbook like so probably isn't the most interesting book for people who don't especially love the subject. However, I found the details and brief history on IVF interesting. I think it would be a great read for anyone struggling with infertility or frequent loss who is trying to cover their bases and also be aware of the many options available.

[Kat Hulu · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s not bad, it’s just unnecessary. You can find much more information about specific fertility issues, interventions, and different methods of conception online than in this book. It also focuses a bit too much on getting to a healthy weight, which, however pertinent, is probably not the guidance most people are looking for from this kind of book.

But if you need a primer on the whole topic to get you started, you could certainly do worse than this guide.

[Jules · Rating 1 out of 5]

No references cited. Some statements contradict the total body of research. Tells women’s to prioritize nuts and beans over animal protein claiming animal protein might lead to fertility issues despite other research showing things such as Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) (found in organ meats and fish) greatly improves egg quality and can lead to a greater fertility likelihood.

[Carolyn Amate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very informative. It has information for any woman seeking to get pregnant from diet exercise..to When to seek help. What type first and what process step by step. The book even briefly talked about adoption. Great informative book.

[Sara Carmona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Useful information and easy to read.

[Lover of Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing resource! couldn't recommend enough.

[Amanda Judd · Rating 4 out of 5]

very helpful overview and an easy-to-understand read