In Search of Parenthood: Coping With Infertility and High-Tech Conception by Judith N. Lasker, Susan Borg Purchase at:  Amazon.com  Format: Paperback, 1st ed., 216pp.  ISBN: 1566392594 Publisher: Temple University Press  Pub. Date: November 1994  Edition Desc: Rev. and updated ed

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Synopsis

The first section of this book "examines the 'trauma' of infertility and the process of grief experienced by . . . infertile couples. The second section deals with the various new technologies and with couples' responses to them. Included here is a discussion of artificial insemination by male partnerand by donor, in vitro fertilization, surrogate motherhood, and ovum transfer. Section 3 examines the role of the 'others' involved in the search for parenthood: . . . donors, surrogate mothers, and . . . health professionals. The final section considers the effects of such processes on the couple, the implications for the children produced through such means, and the reactions of other people." (J Marriage Fam) Index.

From Ralph Matthews - Journal of Marriage and the Family

{This book} complements {the authors'} earlier book, When Pregnancy Fails{BRD 1981}, which dealt with the difficulties of parents coping with stillbirth and infant death. . . . There is no doubt that this book is an excellent source of information. Each of the chapters on the treatment techniques provides a clear and generally unbiased summary of the existing literature from sociology, psychology, social policy, medicine, and human biology. . . . An additional strength of the book is its presentation of existing information on the medical and social psychological risks to donors--including everyone from surrogate mothers to those who sell their sperm. The only chapter that may be somewhat unbalanced is one dealing with surrogate mothers, who are portrayed in a particularly flattering light. . . . {For} any infertile couple searching for information, this is an outstanding book. . . . However, as a piece of social research in its own right, it has obvious weaknesses and limitations.

From Library Journal

Lasker and Borg, each of whom suffered devastating experiences in becoming a mother, survey the social, ethical, political and legal aspects of birth technology. They do not address the technical or biological aspects. They discuss the various treatments and the stress of infertility and its effects on would-be parents, their families, sperm donors, surrogate mothers, the children, and personnel involved in the treatments. Of special interest is the debate over the legitimate needs of infertile individuals at risk of losing their chances of having children versus the possible abuses in commercializing conception. Recommended for public libraries and philosophy and women's studies collections. Karen Jackson, Susanna Wesley Sch., Tallahassee, Fla.

Table of Contents

Preface to New Edition

Acknowledgments

Introduction   1

Ch. 1 The Drive to Have Children   11

Ch. 2 Feelings of Grief   18

Ch. 3 Artificial Insemination   31

Ch. 4 In Vitro Fertilization   48

Ch. 5 Surrogacy   70

Ch. 6 The Rise and Fall of Ovum Transfer: A Cautionary Tale   93

Ch. 7 Donors and Surrogate Mothers   105

Ch. 8 The Professionals   121

Ch. 9 The Couple   135

Ch. 10 High-Tech Children   148

Ch. 11 Reactions of Others   165

Conclusion   177

Notes   189

Index   211