Baby conception (found 129 titles)

Making Babies: A Proven 3-Month Program for Maximum Fertility

MAKING BABIES offers a proven 3-month program designed to help any woman get pregnant. Fertility medicine today is all about aggressive surgical, chemical, and technological intervention, but Dr. David and Blakeway know a better way. Starting by identifying "fertility types," they cover everything from recognizing the causes of fertility problems to making lifestyle choices that enhance fertility to trying surprising strategies such as taking cough medicine, decreasing doses of fertility drugs, or getting acupuncture along with IVF. MAKING BABIES is a must-have for every woman trying to conceive, whether naturally or through medical intervention. Dr. David and Blakeway are revolutionizing the fertility field, one baby at a time.

Customes reviews 20

A MUST-READ if you are seeking to get pregnant (2010-03-02)

Jill Blakeway and Sami David strike the perfect balance in Making Babies. As one trying to get pregnant, I am eager to understand ALL of my options -- and to understand the issues that might explain our challenges in getting pregnant. I liked having access to strong, medically-based explanations alongside lists of concrete steps we can consider in our particular case. Making Babies has allowed us to choose a path that suits our particular needs -- combining conventional medicine, diet, exercises, Chinese herbs, acupuncture, and massage. (What's great, too, is that I do not even need to pay expensive fees for a lot of this!)

Perhaps most importantly, Making Babies helped us understand how the various pieces of the puzzle fit together -- something medical providers have been unable to do for me despite my tendency to pester them with questions. The book has given me renewed faith in my body and my ability to tap into its potential -- possibly without a lot of medical intervention. JUST what we needed at a challenging and confusing time!

Great for ANYONE wanting to get pregnant (2010-01-18)

This book is great whether you are currently trying to get pregnant and facing challenges or are considering the attempt in the near future with no sign yet of difficulties. Most books concentrate on all the interventions you might need to get pregnant. This one concentrates on the do-it-yourself approach to putting yourself at your fertile best. It also has a section on appropriate interventions and the reasons to do them, should you have difficulties, rather than just assuming you are already on your 3rd round of IVF if you are reading a fertility book at all.
And I had the same email experience other reviewers had: I emailed a question to the authors, and received a response within a week!

Fantastic book...easy to read and comprehend (2009-12-30)

I generally do not write any reviews for products I've bought in the past but this book was so helpful, I have to share my thoughts. This book was invaluable to me in learning about my body and how the whole pregnancy process works. I took a series of tests a month ago and found out that my FSH was on the high side for my age of 35. My doctor said that I should take more aggressive measures to get pregnant. I was on the path to starting on fertility drugs right away but then I found this book. It made me slow down and think a bit. I started seeing an acupuncturist who also provided herbs. I started doing meditation and just destressing. It's been a couple of weeks, and I just took a pregnancy test and it's positive! Even though I probably concieved a few days before having this book, I'm sure the last couple of weeks of practicing what the book recommended had a lot to do with a healthy implantation phase. I wrote to Jill(one of the authors) via their website asking for advise on acupuncture during pregnancy. Taking her advise, I'm continuing acupuncture during first tri-mester to prevent miscarriage. So far so good.

Just enough without confusion. (2009-11-13)

This book has been very helpful for me. I had been looking for alternative methods for "fixing" fertility issues rather than going to a specialist and taking synthetic hormones. This was it! Traditional Chinese Medicine. She talks just enough about it without coming off heady and too technical. It's something I understood. She gives very practical advice and step by step instructions. Most of all I liked that she didn't get into all the Chinese philosophy too much. Being a follower of Christ that was really important for me. I am now seeing a TCM doctor that does the same and couldn't be happier. It's only been 7 weeks and I've seen improvement. Warning: This is not a quick fix book but gets to the heart of what's going on in your body.

An invaluable resource (2009-11-08)

This is an enlightening, illuminating book. Thanks to Sami & Jill for sharing what our doctors don't have the time (or inclination) to explain.

The Mother of All Pregnancy Books: The Ultimate Guide to Conception, Birth, and Everything In Between (U.S. Edition)

The ultimate guide to conception, birth, and everything in between.

Unlike all those otherbossy, tell-you-what-to-do titles, this funny, entertaining guide presents expectant parents with all the facts on such perennial hot topics as pain relief during labor, episiotomy, and circumcision, and empowers them to make informed personal choices. It's packed with tools you won't find anywhere else, including:

• Charts highlighting the risks of using various over-the-counter drug productsduring pregnancy
• Lists of the ten best -- and worst --baby products
• A set of emergency childbirth procedures
• Forthright discussions of difficult topics like infertility, high-risk pregnancy, and pregnancy and infant loss that other books are loathe to tackle

Customes reviews 179

So Much Information (2010-02-15)

There's so much information you get overloaded. This book has everything. But its a bit overwhelming for me. I ended up using it more as a reference guide. My main pregnancy book I used was 'Your Pregnancy Week by Week'. I'm not a big reader so this suited me well, I could just read each week as my pregnancy progressed. It had all the same information as the other pregnancy books, but in a more organized fashion.

good stuff (2009-10-30)

product was good shape, definetely used but in good shape. came in the mail much sooner than i anticipated which was great. i reccommend this seller and would definetely go through them again.

good book (2009-09-12)

I couldn't put it down. I was reading this from the point of view of wanting to become pregnant. I think this book was very helpful and would recommend it. The only concern I had was the statistics were from 1999.

The one & only book you'll need (2009-09-08)

This is the one & only book that you will need before & during your pregnancy. It is crisp, concise and packed with easy to understand graphs, charts & references about every pregnancy topic. Three things that I referenced time & time again... 1.) The Due Date Calculator, 2.) The Pregnancy Side Effect Chart, organized month-by-month & the accompanying side effect explaination, 3.) A concise month-by-month summary of baby development.

This book gives you all the knowledge you need to know without a ton of fluff. It is a quick read, and the way the info is presented, it sticks with you. I found that most pregnancy books on the market are flowerly, sentimental stories and have very little practical knowledge. Althought this book has personal quotes and short stories, it delivers the good to with the knowledge you need to know to get pregnant, what to expect during your pregnancy and practical knowledge for delivery.

Highly recommended!

Very Impressed (2009-07-25)

I bought this book prior to my first pregnancy that unfortunately ended in miscarriage. This book was here with me the whole time. From before concieving to after miscarrying. It lightly goes over everything in pregnancy and doesn't dwell on anything in particular. For example, if you are looking for specifics and an in depth analysis on fertility problems than get a book that deals with that; this book goes over possible fertility problems but it's more of an overview. This book helps answer the basic questions one might have about the ins-and-outs of pregnancy. I still reference this book now trying for baby number 2.

The Fertile Female: How the Power of Longing for a Child Can Save Your Life and Change the World

Written by an author whose expertise grew from an extensive counseling practice as well as personal experience. The Fertile Female offers a hope-filled view of reproductive difficulties, with a deeper understanding of the often-confusing messages of mind-body and alternative medicine. With an engaging mix of passion and humor the book initiates a public debate on the politics of infertility and its effect on our health care system. Includes practice exercises and a section on dietary recommendations, complete with recipes.

Customes reviews 21

Hope ... in the midst of despair. (2009-10-19)

After the dismal picture our reproductive endocrinologist drew for us - even before any exam or diagnostic testing - my husband & I were shell-shocked. I ruminated over the words "premature ovarian failure," "old eggs," and the mountains of over 40 statistics quoted to us, for several days. Searching on Amazon.com, the title of Julia Indichova's book, Inconceivable, jumped out at me and I ordered it immediately. I couldn't put it down. Julia's honest, open account of her own struggles with fertility, eventual conception, and birth of her second child, is so inspirational and full of hope! It gave me the courage not to just accept a bunch of hope-squelching statistics as the only truth and to follow a different path. I quickly read her second book and began practicing the Fertile Heart tools. I also attended Julia's workshop in Woodstock, NY and am so grateful for the tools and Julia's amazing message of hope. I recommend her books and the Fertile Heart tools for anyone who is struggling with fertility issues. They offer something rarely heard in the world of "infertility" - hope.

A Life-affirming treasure (2009-09-08)

This book is a beautiful and wonderful life-affirming resource to any woman wanting to conceive and having difficulty. I am not infertile, but am an older wanna be mom. Just like many women who are either older or infertile, I've had to deal with the very harmful way our culture can treat moms and moms-to-be. The popular culture tends to value youth far more than wisdom and truth. What's more is that there is so much judgement out there regarding women and their reproductive choices - whether it's pro-choice or so-called "pro-life." But Julia does not get into the politics of this - that's just my observation.

What this book does is show you how to get in touch with that beautiful, god-given (my words)desire to create life. It is not just a "feel good" book - there are concrete tips as well as many case stories of women who have come to her workshops and what they have discovered on their way to becoming parents. She also shares her own experiences as well. If you are serious about your journey, you will also confront whatever pain you've experienced that could be getting in the way. You will have more insight into what it is you want and why you want it. What I love about it is how beautifully she validates the absolutely profound desire to create life and how unique and magnificent this is. Our culture wants to tell women how to live their lives and use their bodies and too often we end up looking to others to give us the answer. Julia teaches you how to stop looking outside yourself to create what you want. Look within and to your God (or whatever your higher power is) to guide you in creating the life you want.

Also - there are recipes and nutritional guidance that I would not purport to be "expert" but are very common-sense good suggestions. I have changed the way I eat and relate to food and my body as a result and can't say enough about how healthy that is.

There is a reason why you want to create life and have a baby - don't minimize that and don't give your power away to doctors/husbands/medical books, or whatever. Listen to the voice of that baby that wants to come out and ignore all the others!

A Ray of Hope (2009-07-19)

I purchased the book a few weeks ago and could not put it down until I read the entire thing. The positive messages throughout the book are inspiring. Julia gives you hope when it seems like no one else is able to. To those of us who have gone through or are currently going through a difficult time trying to conceive a child, this book is a blessing.

My baby is due tomorrow! All of my gratitude to you, Julia! (2009-05-04)

Julia,
Add me to the list of women that conceived after listening to your wonderful CD, and reading your inspiring book. After a miscarriage two years ago and 10 years of trying, my healthy baby boy is due tomorrow!!! There is no question that your words helped me open my heart and mind to receive this baby. Thank you so much!

With love and gratitude,
-Taryn
(Longmont, Colorado)

fertile female (2009-04-06)

The book arrived in great condition, new condition I would say. Its contents has been really useful. It is easy to read and follow the exercises. I also purchased the CD's (Body Talk and Imagery) at fertileheart.com. The 3 compliment eachother.

The New Essential Guide to Lesbian Conception, Pregnancy, and Birth

Customes reviews 11

The New Essential Guide to Lesbian Conception Book (2009-09-04)

This book is incredibly informitive and up to day. We got plenty of great information. it came in new condition and is a great addition to our home.

The BEST! (2009-01-13)

Hands down the #1 book when ttc! I am a straight woman yet this book is truly written for all women trying to conceive. I have a whole library of books on the subject and this is the most in depth and detailed book I've found yet. Tells you basically exactly when to do things and what to watch for. Can't say enough about this book!!!

geared for "reproductively challenged" OR 40+ woman (2008-08-18)

Pros: very informative
Cons: too informative

My partner called this the "bad book" because it scared me. Did not enjoy the writer's tone-scare tactic like.
Was deciding between RACHEL PEPPER'S book and this...choose this one based upon the number of pages (like more pages would make me a better educated mother on this subject).

I was WRONG.

Since then I have ordered RACHEL PEPPER'S "Ultimate Guide"
LOVE IT!
She has a more relaxed feeling throughout
I found the snip-its of Real Stories from different lesbians & their experiences in every step of the conception process to be almost like a support group feel-encouraging you through this exciting journey.

AMAZING BOOK!! (2007-05-27)

This book is fantastic - gives you all the details from when babies are just a mear thought, to when the real little munchkin is in your arms... All the details you don't normal hear about when speaking with doctors etc. This is a womans real life account of her own experiences and what she went through - it's so easy to read you feel as if you are sitting there with a friend chatting for hours.
Well worth the purchase - it provides you with contacts/groups/places to go all listed at the back - it would be great if I could find a book like this for a lesbian mother to be in Australia. AMAZING BOOK!!! THANK YOU!!

Alternative Conception (2007-05-21)

Any woman, lesbian or straight, who wants to conceive will benefit from reading this book. You'll find out about alternative treatments to help you conceive.

In the Womb: Witness the Journey from Conception to Birth through Astonishing 3D Images

Imagine being able to observe with astonishing clarity a child's delicate features as they evolve over the course of a pregnancy, or witness the complex behavior of new human life in utero. Now we can, thanks to the advent of innovative 3D and 4D imaging technologies that provide a powerful diagnostic tool for doctors and cast vivid light on our earliest development—and a profound new way for parents to bond with their babies on a deeper emotional level.

Combining more than 140 images of life-like models based on the latest science, computer-generated illustrations, and 3D ultrasound images with an uplifting, informative text, In the Womb is a week-by-week chronicle of the mysterious, magical progress from embryo to fetus to full-term infant.

Each spread features a central image and information about that particular stage as well as brief commentary explaining what we know and how we know it. For example, at 24 weeks we watch a fetus open and close her eyes, display facial expressions resembling a grimace and a frown, and stick out her tongue (no one has yet established exactly why). And during the last trimester, we learn, she experiences REM sleep and can hear loud noises through the fluids of her mother's body—a first hint of the world that awaits outside the womb.

Based on National Geographic's acclaimed television program, originally aired in 2005 and soon to be supplemented with two more 2-hour segments, In the Womb is the perfect gift for expectant parents and a fascinating perspective for anyone captivated by the miracle of life.

Customes reviews 12

perfect gift for the new parents (2009-12-05)

This book was the perfect gift for the new parents. They love looking every week to see how their new one is progressing. Your service was perfect as well!

What every mother-to-be should see (2009-10-23)

This book describes in detail what is happening to the mother's body and inside the womb with the baby. Focusing on all medical aspects that aren't visible to the naked eye. It was very thorough- tons of microscopic pics(yeah-real pics) and pics of the baby in all stages. Talks some about twins and some things that can go wrong, but it explains why. Has discriptions and pictures almost week by week. Easy to read, even though they have proper names from medical terminology. The national geographic in the womb movie is awesome too. I bought this book through Amazon, after falling in love with the information it provided when I checked it out from the library. I bought it new, something I don't particularly like to do(buying used is better for the environment, and a budget) but I figure I will pass this down the family line, and I wanted one in perfect shape- which all amazon books are in (at least the ones that are ordered directly through amazon.)

The best book for 'trying-to-conceive' couples! (2009-09-18)

This book is the best one for walking you through the fertilization process with real pictures and the latest information. It goes all the way through to the birth showing in real life what baby looks like in different stages of developement. It is not the best for walking you through pregnancy issues and concerns, to get the best one for that (in my opinion), do a search for the book 'Your Pregnancy Week by Week'. This book is the perfect companion for that one.

Excellent (2009-06-22)

The book was in great condition. It was exactly what I was looking for. It had pictures that I was able to share with my other children on the progress and growth of the baby at different stages.

WONDERFUL (2009-03-22)

Un gran libro lleno de preciosas ilustraciones (de muy buen tamaño, a todo color y magnifica calidad), con una forma muy metodica y entretenida de narrar paso a paso el desarrollo de un bebe desde la fertilizacion hasta el nacimiento; me impacta la serie de fotos donde se plasma la formacion del rostro humano, asi como las microfotografias de las celulas y tejidos tambien a todo color; muy buenas imagenes ultrasonicas del feto en 3 dimensiones...en resumen, un libro que nos muestra el milagro de la gestacion en todo su esplendor.

The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians: How to Stay Sane and Care for Yourself from Pre-conception through Birth, 2nd Edition

Written with humor and insight by a mom who herself rode the conception roller coaster, The Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians will guide you every step of the way—from your first ovulation kit right up through the first weeks after your baby’s birth.

Rachel Pepper’s lively, easy-to-read guide is the first place to go for up-to-date information and sage advice on everything you need to know:

* Charting your body’s own fertility signs * New! Preconception planning for both singles and couples * Selecting a sperm bank or donor * Inseminating to maximize your chances of pregnancy * New! Latest information on fertility drugs * New! Sex, desire, and self-esteem during pregnancy * New! Protecting your legal rights as a lesbian family * New! Negotiating family roles * Labor, birth, and welcoming your baby * Support for partners and coparents * New! Completely updated resource guide featuring lesbian-friendly sperm banks and clinics, midwives, doulas, birth centers, and online resources

Customes reviews 11

Nice place to start... (2009-01-31)

Some really good information. She doesn't go into extreme depths in most topics, but does suggest other places to get that information.

She has very strong and obvious opinions about things such as natural child birth, breast feeding, and circumcision. If your personal values vary from hers those parts of the book can be a little frustrating to read.

Other than that it was a quick, entertaining, informative read. Her laid back tone and quotes from people who have been their keep this book feeling very personal.

So good, straight girls can use it! (2009-01-25)

I lent this to a friend who was trying to conceive and didn't know what to expect from insemination. I found it useful & so did she! This book covers many issues of conception, pregnancy, and birth. Not a substitute for a more complete pregnancy manual, though. Some of the suggestions are outlandish (eat the placenta?!?!). Some great resources in this book.

Bravo!! (2008-08-18)

LOVED this book!
this made me SUPER excited about becoming a first-time mother

+great writing
+supportive tone
+perfect length

What R U waiting 4?
GET THIS BOOK!

Wonderful! (2008-05-25)

This is a wonderful book for any woman trying to conceive, and for those already pregnant. The author uses humor and real-life experiences to educate, making it easy to read and understand. Highly recommended for any lesbian who is considering getting preganant, as well as for her partner. (if there is one!)

Excellent! (2007-09-01)

Extremely happy with this book. It is ONE OF A KIND, and will truly help you on your journey. We are using it as we move along in the process of ttc, pregnancy, and birth! If you are a lesbian couple, this book will be invaluable to you. I give it 5 stars!

Getting Pregnant: What You Need To Know Right Now

Whether you are young and fertile, over 40 and having trouble conceiving, or anywhere in between, here is the best resource to help you get pregnant.

The only must-have fertility book, Getting Pregnant, completely revised and updated, not only addresses the needs of those who cannot conceive but serves as the ultimate guide for anyone planning to have a baby, now or in the future. Addressing the newest, state-of-the-art medical treatments for infertility, Getting Pregnant gives you all the latest news on:

how both sex and lifestyle factors affect fertility, including the "Nine to Five" guide for protecting your reproductive health on the job

Getting Pregnant also provides a wealth of practical information about the exercises, foods, and supplements that encourage a faster, healthier conception, as well as brand-new, all-natural techniques that influence the gender of your child. You'll also find a helpful six-month personal pregnancy planner that addresses all of your pre-conception health and medical needs.

Don't miss the new chapters that focus on protecting, increasing, and extending fertility, while new frontiers in both the treatment of male fertility and the science of motherhood are explored.

Customes reviews 45

More Info than most other books (2009-07-08)

I have read many books thus far in my TTC journey. I have read all of the most popular ones and came across this one while browsing in a book store. This book has a lot of information that my other books do not have. It gives many tips, and not just the tips that you can find on the internet. I didn't want to spend more money on another book, but this one is well worth it. I like how it gives you specific vitamin suggestions and tells you exactly how much of each one to take. In addition, it has you go through your medical history and see if you may have any issues in your way of getting pregnant. Truly, this is a great resource.

positive and informative (2009-02-01)

I wanted to know everything about becoming pregnant all the way
to giving birth. I actually had purchased this book about 7 years
ago, second hand, and gave it to my best friend who was having
her first baby. She thanked me so much and said it was the most
informative and easy to understand book she has read. She would
recommend it to anyone giving birth.....

This book is a life-saver (2009-02-01)

If it weren't for this book, I would not have had my now 10-year-old girl. I was trying to get pregnant for the longest time without any success. Reading this book brought me to seek out Dr. Lauersen and along with his great medical care, his compassion and beliefs, I was finally able to experience what most women take for granted. I became pregnant and was able to deliver the most beautiful, healthy baby girl.

great information (2008-12-10)

I read this book years ago while having trouble conceiving. It was full of usefull information. 20 years and three kids later I would still recommend this book.

Great and Informative (2008-12-03)

This book is very informative and easy to understand. I have passed this book onto friends who had problems getting pregnant. After following the advice given in this book they became pregnant. I recently gave this book to my daughter who had been trying to become pregnant for quite a long time, and four months ago she too became pregnant.
I highly recommend this book to any couple trying to become pregnant.

Navigating the Land of If: Understanding Infertility and Exploring Your Options

Authors: Melissa Ford
Publisher: Seal Press
Publication date: 2009-05-05
ISBN: 1580052622
Pages: 336
Rating:
Price: $16.95

Author of the extremely successful blog Stirrup Queens and Sperm Palace Jesters, Melissa Ford presents readers with a guide for navigating the complex world of infertility. The Land of If got its name not only because “IF” is the abbreviation for “infertility” in the online world, but also because there are so many “ifs” inherent in being here. No stranger to the Land of If herself, Ford shares her hard-earned knowledge and insights, helping couples struggling with infertility understand the lingo, learn the details doctors tend to leave out, and keep their emotional sanity despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Navigating the Land of If gives the nitty-gritty on injections, rejections, biting your tongue during happy parent-to-be conversations, and trying not to cry over baby shower invitations. With chapters that include how-to’s for same-sex couples, and present adoption or remaining child-free as plausible alternatives, Ford tells you exactly what you need to know, from one infertile to another.

Customes reviews 26

An excellent emotional support book (2010-02-15)

I have read enough books to have a decent grasp on what is involved in the various treatments offered for fertility. This is the only book that has directly addressed the emotional aspect associated with each procedure and with the entire process.

Thanks to the author for admitting that this "painless procedure" crap is just that... crap. Every single procedure has some level of pain associated, both physical and emotional. When you are tired of everyone minimizing your experience, this is the book that will help.

Witty, Informative and Well Written! (2010-01-27)

I've not experienced infertility issues myself, but I'm a reader of Melissa Ford's blog and really enjoy her honest and earthy writing style. This book gave me lots of insight into the infertility side of things, and was an enjoyable and informative read. Very well researched and super-duper helpful.

This is THE go to book for Iffers. (2010-01-07)

I just finished this book, and I LOVED it. Its real. Like, its not some fancy medical journal, written by someone who has never experienced infertility. It all comes from one of our own. And it just solidifies that we are not alone. I loved the letter from Melissa, in the back of the book. I may very well end up using it.

I also plan on buying another copy and giving it to a friend of mine who has just started out on her journey...

I highly recommend reading this book. Whether you yourself are experiencing infertility, or someone you know is..this book has something for you.

Good, not great for unexplained repeat miscarriage (2010-01-04)

I'm a long-time blog reader of a number of infertility blogs. I happily bought this book for my sister, who was undergoing treatment for repeat miscarriage (RM). Perhaps the hype from the blogosphere built it up too much.

The pluses- it is a handy overview if you're new to the world of infertility, better for those who have trouble getting pregnant than those who struggle to stay pregnant.

The minuses- Her advice about generally trying not to worry when you do get pregnant is at best insensitive for those with RM. And also inaccurate. If you've had 3 miscarriages, and you're over 30, - your chances of another miscarriage are pretty high. She also repeats some irritating misinformation commonly thrown around in the popular press. There is nothing magic about age 35 where fertility suddenly drops off and risk of downs syndrome spikes. Its a steady change over time.

While these issues may seem petty, i'd posit they are no more petty than a number of the issues she is very sensitive and thorough about.

Humorous but straight forward (2009-08-10)

Firstly I haven't read this book from front to back, only because some things don't relate to our IF journey, but I have read parts that have been relevant to me and our procedures and anything else that I found interesting along the way.

I have to say I love it ! I love the layout, the whole travel guide look is great. The tips work really well and are very helpful. I like that the writing was humorous but straight forward and to the point where it needed to be. And any explanations where very thorough and very honest, I think that is very important in a book like this.

I am going to lend it to a friend who is thinking of going down the egg donor path. I am hoping because she will be right in the thick of IF she will find very useful.

Parenting Begins before Conception: A Guide to Preparing Body, Mind, and Spirit For You and Your Future Child

Authors: Carista Luminare-Rosen Ph.D.
Publisher: Healing Arts Press
Publication date: 2000-05-01
ISBN: 0892818271
Pages: 352
Rating:
Price: $16.95

*Shows prospective parents how they can lay the foundations for a health y and happy family life even before their child is conceived and born.

* Shows parents how they can optimize their children's physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

* Guides parents through a unique program designed to prepare them for the myriad changes, adjustments, and joys that accompany the major transition to parenthood.

An inspiring and groundbreaking book, Parenting Begins Before Conception shows prospective parents how they can lay the foundations for a healthy and happy family life even before a child is conceived and born. New research contends that prenatal life and the birth experience are often profound determinants of human personality and aptitude. Hundreds of university and hospital studies conclude that unborn children see, hear, and feel in the womb.

Dr. Carista Luminare-Rosen explores the universal forces underlying conception and shows parents how they can optimize their child's physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health by considering a host of important issues well in advance. Weaving together modern preconception and prenatal health knowledge with ancient wisdom, the author guides parents through a unique holistic program designed to prepare them for the myriad changes, adjustments, and joys that accompany the major transition to parenthood. Dr. Luminare-Rosen helps readers consider their own readiness for parenthood--physically, psychologically, and spiritually--so that when the child of their dreams arrives, they are fully prepred to welcome this new being--body, mind, and soul.

Customes reviews 3

An Exceptional Guide to Prospective Parents (2009-12-29)

Biological and genetic science has discovered that genes are affected by `nurture' and not carved in stone by `nature' as was previously believed.
This book offers an exceptional guide to prospective parents with this new view of the genetic possibilities. It readies them for the amazing journey, now known to be possible, and the preparation they'll need to go through while engaging in this major prerequisite of parenting. The emphasis presented in the book is about creating a strong foundation even before the child is conceived. Based on knowledge taken from prior cultures and set into a holistic framework, the author takes into consideration that a child is a complex and multidimensional being, and therefore there is need to prepare body, mind and spirit for a healthy conception. This information points parents toward their new role as formative agents from before conception and how they need to take into account their physical, emotional and mental condition. While this is new and little known territory, Luminare-Rosen has given us an exciting opportunity with this book.

Jeffrey L. Fine, PhD, Psychologist: Author of: -
"The Art of Conscious Parenting"

A MUST READ FOR EVERY PARENT TO BE! (2008-02-09)

Everyone who is considering starting a family should read this book. It is incredicble how your childs spirit selects you! You can prepare years ahead for your the arrival of your child and integrate this new member into your family with a higher sense of ease. I would also recommend it to anyone that has a young child. It will help you understand the dynamic of what our job really is as a parent. My husband and I do not have a child but this book is helping us to prepare and be the best parents we can be when we are ready. . .

Fascinating, comprehensive, and beautifully written (2000-10-14)

My husband and I have read a number of books to help us fully understand what it means to be a future parent and what we can do to prepare for a successful and healthy conception. Dr. Rosen's book offered us an incredibly comprehensive view of the issues -- everything from practical tips on nutrition and lifestyle to explorations of the emotional links to your future child's soul. You'll find pearls of wisdom in this book that your own parents probably never even considered! It's well written, easy to follow, and the questions at the end of each chapter allow you to tailor the information to suit your unique needs.

The Baby Business: How Money, Science, and Politics Drive the Commerce of Conception

Authors: Debora L. Spar
Publisher: Harvard Business Press
Publication date: 2006-02-14
ISBN: 1591396204
Pages: 302
Rating:
Price: $26.95

A Bold Examination of the Hidden Commerce of Conception

Despite legislation that claims to prohibit it, there is a thriving market for babies spreading across the globe. Fueled by rapid advances in reproductive medicine and the desperate desires of millions of would-be parents, the acquisition of children—whether through donated eggs, rented wombs, or cross-border adoption—has become a multibillion dollar industry that has left science, law, ethics, and commerce deeply at odds.

In The Baby Business, Debora Spar argues that it is time to acknowledge the commercial truth about reproduction and to establish a standard that governs its transactions. In this fascinating behind-the-scenes account, she combines pioneering research and interviews with the industry’s top reproductive scientists and trailblazers to provide a first glimpse at how the industry works: who the baby-makers are, who makes money, how prices are set, and what defines the clientele. Fascinating stories illustrate the inner workings of market segments--including stem cell research, surrogacy, egg swapping, "designer babies," adoption, and human cloning--as Spar explores the moral and legal challenges that industry players must address.

The first purely commercial look at an industry that deals in humanity’s most intimate issues, this book challenges us to consider the financial promise and ethical perils we’ll face as the baby business moves inevitably forward.

Customes reviews 8

Very Interesting (2009-10-07)

The picture on the cover is creepy but this book is well written and easy to understand. It's amazing and disgusting how much it costs to get help when you can't get pregnant the old fashioned way. If you're looking for a self or planning guide this is not the book for you. If you or your husband is the finance/business type and likes to read, this helsp explain why the doctor assisted pregnancy process is so outrageously expensive.

Fabulously Informative and Unemotional (2008-04-12)

I love this book for what it is. Some other reviers commented on the Stoic nature of the work. They are accurate about that. However, that is why I like it. The book isn't meant to say what's right or wrong or make judgements. The author does raise some ethical and moral questions but makes no attempt to answer them. As someone who has spent some time on the infertility hamster wheel and also has a background in Economics, I found this book fabulous. It is very dense, containing a very informative mix of economics, history and science. It is all about the market for babies.

Clear-eyed Analysis of the Infertility World (2007-07-04)

Unlike so many books in this field, Ms. Spar does not fall into the trap of sensationalism. Of all of the books I've read on this technology and its impact on society, it is the best.

Mere markets? (2006-09-20)

The fact that this book is published by the Harvard Business School and the author is a professor there tells us much about how this topic is broached. The main focus of the book is on how the infertility industry (the baby business) and the market interact. Other vital elements, such as moral considerations, are barely mentioned. And this is where the book breaks down. Yes, the market side to the question is very important, and rightly needs to be explored, but taken out of a bigger social and ethical context, the approach comes across barren and empty (no pun intended).

Spar quickly dismisses ethical concerns, arguing that they are messy, controversial, and incapable of any resolution. Thus her focus is single: to see how the desire for babies fits in with the world of trade and commerce. And her premises are not easily gainsaid: people desire to have babies (and/or baby parts, or services, or technologies) and there are many who are happy to provide these things, especially for a price. It is as simple as that: supply and demand.

Economically speaking, as Spar keeps noting, it is a match made in heaven. This trade in babies is therefore inevitable and here to stay, she argues. The horse has bolted, and there is no going back to the stable now. We must live with the new reproductive technologies, and their inevitable commercialization. The only question is whether the baby market should be open slather, or whether some sort of regulatory scheme should be put in place.

The bulk of this book examines the various areas of the baby trade - be it IVF, surrogacy, sperm and egg selling, cloning and the like - and how money has been invariably linked to the fertility industry.

Of course this book describes the situation in the US, where there is very little government regulation at all over the fertility business. Other nations do have regulatory schemes in place, which the author refers to now and then. But it is the wild west of the American fertility trade that is in focus here.

Spar believes that the market will always be part of this industry, and that it is not a bad thing at all. But she recognizes that as the "product" in discussion is a human baby, many are reluctant to speak of it all in purely financial terms. She occasionally acknowledges the critics, like Leon Kass, who see much of the reproductive industry as involved in the commodification of children and the manufacture of life, but seems little impressed by their concerns.

Indeed, she says early on that the market will always triumph, while issues of morality will remain unresolved, and by implication, be of secondary importance. Thus she simply accepts the reproductive revolution and Big Biotech as necessary, inevitable forces that will not go away. Don't worry about the ethical concerns, she seems to suggest. Instead, given the inevitability of the market in this area, the only real issue is what kind of regulation, if any, do we want applied. The topic of regulation she only addresses briefly, and in her final chapter.

She in fact claims not to have any clear answers here. She does state her preference, a "light-handed regulatory regime" in which choice, information and costs are considered. She recognizes that there may be a dark side to an unchecked market, especially in some of the `yuk' areas like human cloning, but she seems to think the market as a whole, with a little help from the government, will largely get things right.

Thus she is optimistic about both the science and economics of the reproductive revolution. Many others, of course, are worried about the brave new world implications of where all this is headed. Spar here and there acknowledges these concerns, but generally sees them as irrelevant or of no great consequence. Of course such considerations are too controversial for many to even raise. Indeed, free marketers will be squeamish about such discussions. But they are nonetheless part of the equation.

Indeed, the traditional philosophical, spiritual and social implications are as much a part of this discussion as mere market concerns. So for a more inclusive and well-rounded discussion of these issues, the reader needs to go elsewhere.

But if the reader wants a simple overview and history of the new reproductive technologies, and their economic implications, this book is undoubtedly a good place to begin.

The Birth of the Scholarly Page Turner (2006-03-30)

This is good stuff-if not juicy, and Spar casts a wide net that doesn't miss a thing: conception techniques, fertility markets, surrogacy, designer babies, human cloning, and adoption. The writer also has the guts to have a lucid, constructive point of view-never backing away from the controversial subjects many would balk about discussing. This book is a must read for anyone who might, is, or has gone through any of the processes above, and for the rest of us like me, just a great eye-opening read. In fact, I kept thinking as the pages turned: "I had no idea..." As a piece of scholarly writing it is immaculate (check out the pages of footnotes!), but more impressive is the fact that Spar's writing style is trenchant, entertaining and unwavering in it's ability to present a point of view to the reader. I wasn't expecting it, but Spar continually challenges and provokes as she weaves her riveting tale of the dynamics of a topic-both moral and technical-that is dear to the hearts of us all: babies. Wow. A scholarly page-turner!? Shouldn't there be an award for that? It's great read, and I highly recommend it.

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