Book Review

Basic Details:

Book Title: The Fertility Doctor’s Guide to Overcoming Infertility

Subtitle: Discovering Your Reproductive Potential and Maximizing Your Odds of Having a Baby

Author: Mark P. Trolice

Genre: Non-fiction, Medicine

Part of a series? No

Order in series:

Best read after earlier books in series?

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/41717533-the-fertility-doctor-s-guide-to-overcoming-infertility

Overall score:

I scored this book 4/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

This is a very technical book giving an insight into the body’s workings and where things can go wrong or right in the productive system. It opens our eyes to the fact there is no guarantee we will ever become a parent naturally, but there are many ways to become a parent, including adoption.

What I liked about the book:

The book provided the details while still being an engaging read.

What I didn’t like about the book:

At times the book became too much like a textbook.

My favourite bits in the book:

The advice on how to increase the chances of becoming a family.

My least favourite bits in the book:

I enjoyed the entire book.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

I am not aware of other books by this author.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This is a book in a category of its own. It’s a textbook, self-help book and memoir all in one.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book for the following readers:

Children No

Young Adult Maybe

Adult Yes

If you like to find out more about how to increase your chances of parenthood and the journey to get there, this book may be the book for you.

I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.

Book Description by Author:

Give yourself the best-possible odds for getting pregnant and having a baby with this concise, expert, and encouraging companion as your guide!

In the only general guide to infertility written by a medical doctor who specializes in the subject, Mark Trolice, MD—who is board-certified in both OB/GYN and REI (Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility)—shares the practical knowledge he has gained from working in infertility medicine for years, with many hundreds of patients, alongwith the warmth and wisdom he has acquired from getting to know prospective parents from all kind of backgrounds.

The journey from infertility to fertility, from childlessness to a brand-new baby, can be long and arduous. It involves complicated medical diagnoses, a wide range of treatment options, a host of potential lifestyle changes, lots of emotional ups and downs, and—even with the best medical insurance—challenging financial decisions. Your doctors cannot decide everything for you, and that is why an authoritative and comprehensive book, written in clear and understandable language for the layperson, is essential. This is that book.

The book opens with an exploration of all the possible causes of infertility, covering both couples who have never been pregnant and ones who have had recurrent losses of pregnancies. Unique among infertility guides, this volume gives roughly equal weight to male and female causes, which is important because about 40% of infertility cases are due to men's issues—and some couples need to address issues in both the prospective mother and prospective father. It covers endometriosis, fibroids, POS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), tubal factor, male factor, and other possible causes.

Next it looks at your treatment options. Importantly, these are not just medical interventions, but they also include lifestyle changes you alone can make, involving sleep, diet, exercise, and other forms of self-care. Among medical options, IUI (Intrauterine Insemination), IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), and various surgical procedures are covered in detail.

Some couples are lucky to have a short journey to fertility. For others, the process takes years. With a gentle and sure hand, and non-judgmentally, Dr. Trolice guides you through the many decisions you need to make along the way, such as whether or not to continue treatments, whether to change practitioners or treatments, and whether it is a good idea to continue to spend money on procedures not covered by your insurance. He understands that these are emotionally weighty decisions that involve the future of your family, and he provides ample grounds for optimism and hope, empowering you as you take this journey.

About the Author:

Mark P. Trolice, M.D., FACOG, FACS, FACE, is Director of Fertility CARE: The IVF Center in Winter Park, Florida. He is past President of the Florida Society of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility (REI) and past Division Director of REI at Winnie Palmer Hospital, part of Orlando Health.

He is double Board-certified in REI and OB/GYN, maintains annual recertification, and has been awarded the American Medical Association’s “Physicians’ Recognition Award” annually. He holds the unique distinction of being a Fellow in all three American Colleges of OB/GYN, of Surgeons, and of Endocrinology. His colleagues select him as Top Doctor in America® annually, one among the top 5% of doctors in the U.S. In 2018, he was awarded the “Social Responsibility Award” by the National Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association. For ten years his foundation, Fertile Dreams, organized seminars to increase fertility awareness and granted national scholarships for those unable to afford in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.

Dr. Trolice serves on committees for the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology as well as the editorial advisory board of Ob.Gyn.News. He has conducted scientific studies with resultant numerous publications and been appointed a reviewer in many leading medical journals and textbooks. He has lectured at numerous physician and patient seminars around the country. In addition, he is interviewed regularly on TV news/talk shows, radio, podcasts, print/online magazines and newspapers on reproductive health topics. In early 2019, he launched a podcast entitled The Fertility Health Podcast featuring discussions with national experts on pertinent infertility and reproductive medicine topics. His current book is on the infertility journey to be published by Harvard Common Press in mid-2019.