Planning Parenthood: Strategies for Success in Fertility Assistance, Adoption, and Surrogacy

by Rebecca A. Clark, Michelle Murphy, Gloria Richard-Davis

Planning to become a parent is a profound experience, at times agonizing, hopeful, stressful, and joyous. Not everyone is able to become pregnant, however. When the journey to parenthood proves challenging, Planning Parenthood will guide prospective parents through the complicated mazes of assisted reproduction and adoption.

Specialist authors first describe fertility assistance, surrogacy, and adoption, clearly outlining the requirements of each strategy. They compare the medical, emotional, financial, and legal investments and risks involved with each of these options. Then they introduce the issues that people will need to consider when deciding which path to parenthood is best for them. Along the way these experts offer encouragement for changing course under any number of circumstances.

Supporting the detailed information in this book are personal stories of the often long, winding, and emotional road to parenthood—from in vitro fertilization to egg donation to surrogacy to adoption.

Armed with professional knowledge and inspired by the experiences of others who have gone before them, prospective parents will be informed and reassured by this unique resource.

Genres: Adoption, Parenting, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published April 28, 2009

Reviews

[Phobean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up from the Brookline Library on impulse and found it well worth the read. Quick, concise, friendly, positive and not at all dry, Planning Parenthood offers an overview of various methods of creating a family for everyone -not just upper middle class heterosexual couples. Reading this book made my goal of adopting seem more feasible, and reviewing the charts and graphs allowed me to consider, in a more realistic way, how my age will affect my chances of producing a birth child (contrary to popular culture's assertions that women over 35 should just throw in the towel)! Also useful are the suggested reading lists and websites.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very, very straightforward presentation of the facts surrounding assisted reproduction and adoption. This is a book for someone who's been trying on her own for over a year and doesn't know what her options are next. There's a little blurb at the end of each chapter written by a parent who chose one of the many methods in the book, from IVF to surrogacy to International adoption...this is the only touchy-feely stuff in the book, and the only thing that keeps it from being entirely dry. Good for people who want the facts without having to Google 8 million topics.

[Jessica Hollo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably actually finished this a long time ago, back when we weren't sure how our family would start. Highly recommended reading for anyone in the same position.
Offers a very objective view of most family options: fertility treatments, IVF, surrogacy, adoption (in and out of country). I really like how it covered enough with each to keep you information, but to keep you from being overwhelmed, it game more resources for later. Very much appreciated the honest pro and cons handled in separate chapter for easy reading and reference.

[Renee Yesso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how this book covers all of the options in one place and compares them. It doesn't go into great detail on any of the topics, but it is a great place to start if you are still unsure of the path you would like to take in expanding your family.