Coping with Infertility

Coping with Infertility is an essential source of emotional support for any couple struggling with involuntary childlessness. The book offers proven techniques and real-life examples from both men and women, in order to outline common emotional reactions and remind couples that they are not alone in their ups and downs. The coping skills discussed in the book have been assembled from years of working with individuals in clinical trials and have undergone rigorous scientific testing. These state-of-the-art techniques have been shown to be effective in helping couples deal with the stress, depression, relationship problems, and grief often associated with infertility. Coping with Infertility is an easily accessible and problem-focused guide for couples to use in overcoming the emotional roadblocks of infertility.

Negar Nicole Jacobs, Ph.D., is Clinical Psychologist at the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System in Reno, Nevada, where she works as a clinician, researcher and educator. Aside from infertility, her main interests include behavioral medicine and the delivery of behavioral healthcare in medical settings, addictive disorders, and cross-cultural issues William T. O'Donohue, Ph.D., is Full Professor of Psychology at University, Nevada, Reno. His major areas of research include mental health service delivery, human sexuality, forensic psychology, management, administration, behavior therapy, and philosophy of psychology.

Introduction. Part I: Human Reproduction: When it Works, When it Doesn't, and Medical Treatment Options. Quiz: What's Your Reproductive IQ? The Birds and the Bees 101: Reproduction and Fertility. When Reproduction Doesn't Work: Causes of Infertility. Addressing the Problem: Medical Treatments for Infertility. Summary. Part II: Infertility: The Emotional Roller Coaster. Quiz: Are You Riding the Roller Coaster? The Emotional Journey: Common Reactions to Infertility. Beating the (Not-So-Baby) Blues. Change Your Thoughts: You Are What You Think. Summary. Part III: Why is it Not Enough to Just Relax. Quiz: Are You a Stress Case? Fight or Flight: Common Sources of Stress in Infertility. Change Your Thoughts to Change Your Life. Summary. Part IV: Couple Trouble: Infertility and Your Relationship. Quiz: Is Infertility Taking a Toll on Your Relationship? Recognizing Relationship Pitfalls. Building a Stronger Relationship. Summary. Part V: Infertility: The Mourning After. Quiz: Are You Mourning? Common Sources of Loss and Grief in Infertility. Survival Strategies for Coping with Grief. Summary. Appendix A: Suggested Readings. Appendix B: Resource Directory.