Books About Pregnancy for Lesbians
Sorting Through the Fertility Literature Can Be a Daunting Prospect
Oct 1, 2009
Finding books specifically related to lesbian fertility is not easy - most literature speaks of the husband as if there were no other option in the birthing process. But whether in a lesbian or opposite-sex relationship, the issues and concerns about fertility connect women from all walks of life. Lesbians, like all women, have concerns about weight or age when they conceive. Perhaps you have decided to get pregnant as a single woman, and need some answers and reassurance, then there are books for you. Unless you experience infertility, the visceral reaction to the topic is hard to understand. But whether you or your loved one are going through fertility treatments, experiencing infertility or you are in the decision making phase of becoming pregnant, gathering information and knowledge makes the process infinitely more manageable.
Lesbian Conception, Pregnancy, and Birth
Also known as The Essential Guide to Lesbian Conception, Pregnancy, and Birth, this book has everything you need to know about getting pregnant. The book does not just offer one suggestion; it discusses all possibilities and includes legal advice about donor agreements. Whether in a partnership or going it alone, Kim Toevs and Stephanie Brill cover all the bases, as the title suggests. No matter what your question or concern, on a physical or emotional level, this guide covers all the bases. No lesbian should contemplate going through pregnancy without picking up this book well in advance.
My Miserable, Lonely, Lesbian Pregnancy
For comic relief, this hysterical memoir by Andrea Askowitz is a must read. She addresses all those things nobody wants to talk about such as constipation and haemorrhoids. While many books speak of the joy of pregnancy, Askowitz dares to call being pregnant the worst experience of her life. Fortunately, she does so with humour and an exaggerated truth that will bring a healthy dose of humour on a bad day. This book gives you permission to moan and groan and generally offer yourself some self-pity. Other guides and books offer information and instruction like a how-to manual. Consider this a how-it-is manual and it definitely needs to be on any pregnant lesbian's reading list.
Conquering Infertility
Dr. Alice Domar clues into the emotional state of women encountering infertility. The personal stories from women who have been in the reader's shoes provide tremendous emotional support. Dr. Domar, called the 'Fertility Goddess' by Vogue magazine, gets to the heart of the issue, all the while providing hope and support to deal with the often numbing panic and anxiety that infertility problems can evoke. There is a chapter titled 'A Toolbox of Coping Skills' that affords the reader a multitude of options to help cope with the stress of infertility problems. The advice in this book may very well preserve the sanity of any woman trying to conquer infertility.
Healthy Pregnancy Over 35
This is a concern for many women today as the tendency to wait until life is settled both financially and personally means lesbians often fit this age group when attempting to become pregnant. The risks associated with pregnancy do increase over the age of 35 but this book gives women the tools and information they need for a healthy pregnancy. This book deals with pre-pregnancy issues such as nutrition, exercise and nurturing relationships. It then takes you on a journey from conception to birth and into motherhood. It doesn't address IUI and IVF in any depth whatsoever, but the wealth of information makes this book an important read for any lesbian over 35 contemplating becoming pregnant.
Big, Beautiful and PregnantBeing overweight can present its own challenges when trying to conceive. Many books on infertility address this issue causing increased stress for larger sized women by heightening the fear they won't conceive. Dr Cornelia Van Der Ziel and Jacqueline Tourville try to alleviate some of those fears and concerns with a combination of practical advice and emotional support. This book addresses medical concerns - Dr Van Der Ziel is an expert in plus-size pregnancies - while Ms. Tourville has lived the experience of a plus-size pregnancy and offers the wisdom gained from her situation.
Pregnancy Resources
You can't garner all the pregnancy information you need in a book. But the wealth of information about all facets of pregnancy will give you confidence to address questions and concerns with your doctor. And you will be doing so with a knowledge base to guide you.
With the tremendous number of books and resources available, it is imperative that your choice of reading material addresses your main concerns. There are so many books on so many topics that the likelihood of becoming overwhelmed is very real. Know what your concerns are and then hone in on resources. The literature will tell you to do yoga to enhance fertility, go under hypnosis, go to the chiropractor, get acupuncture and so on. The important thing is to educate yourself, decide what is important to you, then find a way to meet those needs.
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