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1000 Needles: How to Increase Your Odds and Take Control of Your IVF Journey
Infertility affects about 15 percent of couples globally, yet somehow infertility and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) are taboo subjects, often hidden and un-talked about. 1000 How to Increase Your Odds and Take Control of Your IVF Journey removes the stigma with a touch of sass and an unapologetically honest voice, exploring one couple’s IVF challenges and discoveries in order to normalize the infertility conversation. This Most importantly, 1000 Needles offers that elusive kernel of hope, whether you are just beginning IVF or nearing its desperate end. The combination of meticulous research and personal experience that resulted in a successful pregnancy and birth for the author provides a solid cheat sheet of what to expect as you traverse your own IVF journey.
208 pages, Paperback
Published March 16, 2021
12 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 26, 2023
Not for me. I’ll be honest--I did skip through some parts, but that’s better than almost not finishing it like I anticipated doing after the first few pages. The information about IVF--the process, the medications, the options--was much better detailed and written at a more advanced level than other books I read, which I appreciated. I’m not sure what I expected out of this book, but I was not ready to give my time to reading about someone’s mistrust in western medicine or about such a strict approach to IVF. I almost felt shamed by not doing as the author thinks is best because she is so headstrong about her opinions and says multiple times that it’s the only reason her IVF was ever successful. I could go on, but I wanted to give a review to let readers know about the author’s stance on IVF, as that is not known from reading the back of the book.
April 29, 2023
Some good info on all the tests they run and the process. It was a little too scare tactic-y for me in terms of all the things you “have to do” in order for IVF to work as it did for the author. Also could have done without the details of her sex life. TMI.
I personally changed most my cosmetic and personal care items to EWG verified products prior to reading this book, and the author says to “do it now,” and she did it in 2 weeks. I just don’t think that her timelines for things make sense for the average person. I work full-time and it took me a YEAR of research.
Also, she says to eat organic and “it’s expensive, but so is IVF.” The author doesn’t account for a myriad of factors on how someone else’s position in life might be different. Someone might have great insurance that covers fertility treatments, but not a lot of disposable income.
Personally I felt more overwhelmed than informed reading this book. I about lost it when she wrote that we HAVE TO give up all caffeine and sugar now, in order for IVF to work. (But, according to the author, you can still drink a glass or two of wine a week when pregnant?!?!) I don’t see fertility or most of the world in black and white terms.
Overall- some good info on tests that could be found online or by talking with your doctor. Too many scare tactics and personal anecdotes that might make others feel nervous or like they’re not “doing” enough.
I personally changed most my cosmetic and personal care items to EWG verified products prior to reading this book, and the author says to “do it now,” and she did it in 2 weeks. I just don’t think that her timelines for things make sense for the average person. I work full-time and it took me a YEAR of research.
Also, she says to eat organic and “it’s expensive, but so is IVF.” The author doesn’t account for a myriad of factors on how someone else’s position in life might be different. Someone might have great insurance that covers fertility treatments, but not a lot of disposable income.
Personally I felt more overwhelmed than informed reading this book. I about lost it when she wrote that we HAVE TO give up all caffeine and sugar now, in order for IVF to work. (But, according to the author, you can still drink a glass or two of wine a week when pregnant?!?!) I don’t see fertility or most of the world in black and white terms.
Overall- some good info on tests that could be found online or by talking with your doctor. Too many scare tactics and personal anecdotes that might make others feel nervous or like they’re not “doing” enough.
February 24, 2023
Consider this your intro to IVF book. It’s a concise guide of everything you need to know to intelligently navigate your IVF journey. From supplements to medicine to “add-on” options, she gives a quick overview of everything and lists references for additional reading/information. The best part is that she gives realistic expectations for how much it will cost, how many cycles it can take, and the emotional toll of IVF. I wish I would’ve read this before two failed egg retrieval cycles.
December 3, 2021
I am always looking for a nice quick reference guide for my patients when they embark on their IVF journey and I must say this book is perfect.
It breaks down the meds, the procedures, everything!
Koodus to Karissa for making such a great book and sharing her ups and downs along her IVF journey.
It breaks down the meds, the procedures, everything!
Koodus to Karissa for making such a great book and sharing her ups and downs along her IVF journey.
July 20, 2022
As the parent/in-law to a couple going through IVF, this book was so helpful. There is so much to this difficult process. Stelma provides facts and stories that are helping me as a supportive parent to navigate this path a little better.
December 17, 2022
The most informative book on IVF I’ve read so far!
I could harp on the fact that the language isn’t inclusive at all but Karissa is relaying her own experience so it didn’t really bother me as much as I thought it would.
I could harp on the fact that the language isn’t inclusive at all but Karissa is relaying her own experience so it didn’t really bother me as much as I thought it would.
June 30, 2021
Epilogue "IVF is not for everyone. It takes an untold amount of willpower and strength to come out the other side...We are a culmination of our choices, and never in my life had I experienced such a lengthy and acute period of decision-making that involved such life-altering consequences."
1000 Needles was THE ONLY book about IVF in my local Barnes and Noble, so way to go Karissa for writing the book that made it on the shelf. This book is essentially split in two parts, the first part is educational with information about reproductive health, fertility testing, medications, interventions etc. Karissa assumes the reader has knowledge of many of these things already which is a great relief because the reader is not babied and the information is not equivalent of an IVF 101 course, it's more like an IVF 300-400 level course. The second part of the book is more personal where Karissa shares about her experiences going through IVF, and she gets really honest about many of the ugly parts that come along with it.
While I don't agree with everything mentioned in the book (such as a STRICT diet/off limit foods and Karissa's cultural belief that wine in small amounts is okay in pregnancy), I liked her message about doing all the research, advocating for yourself, and communicating your needs to everyone in your circle.
*Of note I did find one error on page 10 "On retrieval day, the good doctor will transfer one or more two-, three-, five-, or six-day embryo(s) back into the uterus..." She says retrieval day, but that is actually transfer day.
1000 Needles was THE ONLY book about IVF in my local Barnes and Noble, so way to go Karissa for writing the book that made it on the shelf. This book is essentially split in two parts, the first part is educational with information about reproductive health, fertility testing, medications, interventions etc. Karissa assumes the reader has knowledge of many of these things already which is a great relief because the reader is not babied and the information is not equivalent of an IVF 101 course, it's more like an IVF 300-400 level course. The second part of the book is more personal where Karissa shares about her experiences going through IVF, and she gets really honest about many of the ugly parts that come along with it.
While I don't agree with everything mentioned in the book (such as a STRICT diet/off limit foods and Karissa's cultural belief that wine in small amounts is okay in pregnancy), I liked her message about doing all the research, advocating for yourself, and communicating your needs to everyone in your circle.
*Of note I did find one error on page 10 "On retrieval day, the good doctor will transfer one or more two-, three-, five-, or six-day embryo(s) back into the uterus..." She says retrieval day, but that is actually transfer day.
December 19, 2024
Lots of great information. The author sites all of her research at the end, which is super important to know where your information is coming from!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews