The Impatient Woman's Guide to Getting Pregnant

February 20, 2012
Psychology professor Twenge (Generation Me) cuts to the chase in this wonderful (and often humorous) guide to getting pregnant—and fast. The author explains that when she was trying to conceive, she read everything she could get her hands on—and found that much of the commonly accepted information was false. She decided to set matters straight and help women get pregnant as quickly and effortlessly as possible. Twenge takes a active and confident approach from the get-go, assuring women that if they use her methods of “fertility awareness,” there’s a good chance of getting pregnant on the first try. She offers three ways to determine the time of ovulation: charting, ovulation predictor kits, and fertility monitors, advising that the “Very Impatient Woman” use all three. Twenge details the vital importance of timing, citing research on the best days—and hours—to procreate as well as to synchronize ovulation with the chances for a boy or girl. This is a fine science, indeed, but Twenge explains her approach with clarity and precision. She debunks the myth that a relaxed attitude affects outcome and shoots down outdated statistics (e.g., oft- cited research about the fertility of women over 35 culled from birth records from France in the 1600s). Women hoping to conceive will swiftly find very helpful information in this manageable, informative, and entertaining guide.

May 1, 2012

Calling all the women who put off starting a family for career or other life experiences--Twenge (psychology, San Diego State Univ.) knows how they feel as they worry about diminishing fertility, work to keep their relationship healthy while "trying," and attempt to separate myths from facts when everyone has a story or opinion to share. "Impatient Women," as Twenge defines them, are organized and achievement-driven; they planned their wedding down to the last detail and have their career trajectory clearly in mind, so of course they want to take the same proactive approach to starting a family. Twenge indulges the desire to know all the details by providing in-depth information on charting women's cycles, using fertility monitors, and more. She writes frankly about sex--not just when to have it, but how to keep it sexy. VERDICT Twenge puts her research background to good use to provide solid medical information, but the book's real strength is her perspective as someone who has been there. The compassion she feels for her readers comes across loud and clear. Highly recommended for the Impatient Women who want all the facts and a friendly voice to go along with them.--Mindy Rhiger, Mackin Educational Resources, Minneapolis

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.