Six Steps to Increased Fertility: An Integrated Medical and Mind/Body Program to Promote Conception

by Robert L. Barbieri, Alice D. Domar, Kevin R. Loughin

We wanted to write this book to answer many of the questions and concerns we hear daily from you in our offices. Most of all, though, we wanted to write this book to reassure you that most of you will be able to conceive.
from the introduction Yes, you probably "can" get pregnant -- and the really good news is that most of you can conceive naturally, without expensive high-tech intervention, using the information offered in this six-step fertility enhancement program from Harvard Medical School.

In the past decade, researchers on fertility and conception have made tremendous strides in their quest to help previously infertile couples conceive. While the headlines have been concerned with breakthroughs in high-tech interventions, other studies -- such as Harvard's ongoing Nurses' and Physicians' Studies and groundbreaking research at Harvard's Mind/Body Center for Women's Health -- have been quietly and steadily gathering information that is even more exciting. It shows how everyday lifestyle factors such as stress, exercise, and nutrition affect conception and how simple lifestyle changes can give nature a better chance for a successful pregnancy.

Here is the latest research gathered together and presented as a step-by-step program to empower you to make all the right moves and decisions to optimize your chances of getting pregnant...before considering high-tech intervention. You'll find out about the remarkable Mind/Body Program for Infertility that has more than a 30 percent success rate for conception, here described fully for home use. You'll learn surprising facts about the effect of weight and exercise -- both too much and too little -- on your chances ofconceiving; about foods and supplements that enhance fertility and common medications that can inhibit it; about better ways to regulate and target ovulation cycles. You will be led step by step through some simple diagnostic tests to find out what might be the problem and given low-tech treatment options to solve it. And if extra steps are needed, you will be guided toward finding the best specialists and shown how to make the most of the current technology.

Each of the authors of this book is an expert in a particular area affecting fertility. Dr. Barbieri specializes in physical problems women have getting pregnant, Dr. Loughlin in physical problems men have in conception, and Dr. Domar is an expert on how the mind and emotions affect conception. Together they present a team approach that brings together leading-edge research in medicine, biology, and psychology, offering new promise for increased fertility.

Genres: Health

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 5, 2000

Reviews

[Samantha Garner · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is broken down into sections (spoiler alert: not six of them). If you've read "Conquering Infertility: Dr. Alice Domar's Mind/Body Guide to Enhancing Fertility and Coping with Infertility" you'll find a lot of the same information here, which makes sense, as she's a co-writer.

You get lifestyle advice (don't smoke, don't drink, maintain a healthy bmi...the usual), "Maximize the Response of Your Reproductive Cycle," a sort of trouble shooting guide for reproductive problems, reducing stress (which only made me more stressed!), a breakdown of some of the most common issues and how to treat them, a focus on the female reproductive system, a focus on the male reproductive system, and then finally a bit about A.R.T. Like I said: more than six.

Nothing in here is groundbreaking, but the authors' interest in the mind/body connection is interesting. However, it is frustrating the amount of emphasis put on that connection, because nothing has been conclusively proved. A common phrase I've heard is "infertility causes stress, not the other way around." It feels a little like blaming. It feels a lot like a Victorian attitude, that the problem is the woman is just too hysterical. In that era it was thought if the mother-to-be did not really want a child then her mind would shut down reproduction.

I'll definitely give the book credit though for giving more attention to the male side of things. Often fertility books claim that it's not the woman's fault, yet focus entirely on female reproductive issues, with a few sentences about boxers vs briefs. It was refreshing that at least some male issues were considered.

Overall, it was a good book.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Late need skim through to see if anything we are undertaking could be changed.

Broadened understanding of IVF process, with egg, sperm and embryo creation. Along with the main challenges faced by couples trying to get pregnant: low ovulation and sperm issues (poor quality, low number or abnormal) being responsible for roughly half of all infertility cases.

Our concoction of drugs helped last time, and nothing in the book suggested would do harm, so will continue as such. Along with keeping healthy (hopefully), no more hot baths, not stressing and seeing what will be will be.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful and positive read. The information is pretty basic, but the writers emphasized things I hadn't heard much about before. Highly recommended.

[Jeanette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Same information as every other book out there... was hoping for something new.