I Need a Distraction. What are Some of the Best Fertility Books Out There?

Trying to get pregnant can feel like you’re testing your sanity one day at a time. There’s just so. much. waiting. We know this because we’ve been there too. But we’ve got something that’ll help you get through the wait — a list of some of the best fertility books out there, tested and approved by us.

Why read fertility books when you’re already totally consumed by infertility, you may ask? We’re so glad you asked.

It’s educational

You might be super early on in your journey. Or you may feel like you could actually write a book on infertility at this point. Either way, you can never know too much about your fertility, and odds are, you’ll probably learn something new by reading a book on the topic. 

It’s cathartic

Infertility sucks. So let’s let it all out. Reading a book about infertility can allow you to acknowledge the pain you’re feeling about what you’ve been going through (which is a hell of a lot) and help you let some of it go.

It just plain distracting, in a good way 

If you’re TTC,  you probably do enough crying. Reading certain fertility books, however, can help us do just the opposite. We’re already caught up on reality TV, so...we’ll take all the additional distractions we can get. When it comes to infertility, getting real can feel really good.

The 10 best fertility books (Co-approved!)

We’ve rounded up the 10 best fertility books — in our opinion — for you to check out. Take a look here.

1. Hilariously Infertile

You may already know Karen Jeffries from Instagram, but if you don’t, give her account, @hilariouslyinfertile, a follow. Jeffries tackles infertility head-on with honesty and humor as she chronicles her own infertility treatment.

As the title implies, this book will have you laughing out loud, with lots of “OMG — yes” moments sprinkled throughout. Read this as a palate cleanser before getting into the serious stuff. 

2. Not Pregnant: A Companion for the Emotional Journey of Infertility

Maybe you need the opposite of a good laugh and the only thing that’ll make you feel better is a good cry. Hey, we’ve been there. This book is the paperback equivalent of a sensitive, comforting, warm hug: there for you when you’re feeling alone and like nobody else gets it. Read it all the way through or pick it up on days when you need a pick-me-up of your own. 

3. It Starts with the Egg: How the Science of Egg Quality Can Help You Get Pregnant Naturally, Prevent Miscarriage, and Improve Your Odds in IVF

If you haven’t yet heard of this book, we’re honored to be the messenger. It Starts with the Egg is a well-known best-seller that dives deep into the topic of egg quality and how to improve it. 

In this book, Rebecca Fett provides tons of scientific research as backup for her comprehensive program to improve egg quality in three months. Although Fett is not a doctor, she tackles subjects like environmental toxins, vitamins and supplements, and nutritional impact upon IVF success rates. If you’re looking to read something actionable and are motivated to make some changes — this book is definitely for you. 

4. Two Dads and Three Girls: Searching for Sexual Identity, Falling in Love, and Building a Family through Surrogacy

This book covers a lot. In Two Dads and Three Girls, Nick (Yu) He shares an autobiographical account of growing up in China, immigrating to America, coming out and ultimately, marrying his husband and having three girls via surrogacy. Cultural pressures meets societal pressures — who can relate? *raises hand*

Whether you personally empathize with He’s journey or not, this story is incredibly moving and provides an inspiring look at the strength of the human spirit. If anything, we can all relate to having hurdles in the way of having the family we dream of. Hopefully, He’s powerful story provides some hope.  

If you are an LGBTQ+ intended parent who is hoping to match with your perfect egg donor, Family by Co can help. Our egg donor matching platform honors donors and families with a more thoughtful, human-centered experience and unique egg sharing model. Create an account today!

5. IVF WTF?!: An Adult Coloring and Stress Relief Book

Okay, so technically this is a coloring book vs. one you can actually read. But studies have shown the stress-relieving benefits of coloring are akin to those of meditation and other mindfulness exercises so...we can get on board with that. 

This coloring book pokes some PG13 fun at the world of infertility while providing a therapeutic release. Win-win. 

6. Journey to Same-Sex Parenthood: Firsthand Advice, Tips and Stories from Lesbian and Gay Couples

Trying to have a baby is hard. Unfortunately, for LGBTQ+ couples, it can be even harder. In this book, Eric Rosswood discusses the hurdles faced by LGBTQ+ couples during family-building, and goes into depth on adoption, foster care, ART, surrogacy, and co-parenting. 

We love this book because it is both informational and anecdotal. Journey to Same-Sex Parenthood will give you the cold, hard facts (like legal considerations) — but it’ll also give you personal stories from couples and individuals who have been there. 

7. Energy Medicine: The Science and Mystery of Healing

Whether you’re a believer in Traditional Chinese Medicine or an eye-rolling skeptic, Energy Medicine provides a deep dive into energy medicine and how it has been used for thousands of years to diagnose and treat illnesses. In this book, Dr. Jill Blakeway goes on a journey to better understand the power of energy medicine and bridge science and spirituality. If anything else, it can be a soothing read during, well, let’s say, less-than-soothing times. 

Dr. Blakeway, who was described by The New York Times as a “fertility goddess” is one of Manhattan’s top acupuncturists and founder of The YinOva Center. So, yeah...she’s legit, and so is her book.

8. Get a Life: His & Hers Survival Guide to IVF

We love this book because it keeps it real about the IVF process from both a woman’s and a man’s perspective. As a couple going through IVF after two and a half years, Richard Mackney and Rosie Bray provide a step-by-step survival guide to IVF. In this book, each chapter includes different perspectives, experiences, and advice for both partners.

Not only does Get a Life share educational tidbits about IVF based on personal experience; it also addresses the emotional side of infertility and can help you and your partner communicate better throughout the process. A note to the reader: Mackney and Bray’s experience was UK-based — so some of the information may not apply if you’re in the U.S. But it remains on our list, because other parts had us thinking, “who wrote this book about my life?”

9. WomanCode: Perfect Your Cycle, Amplify Your Fertility, Supercharge Your Sex Drive, and Become a Power Source

If your hormones are feeling out of whack (sometimes, our fertility medication can make us feel that way), you need to read this book. Written by Alisa Vitti, WomanCode is the bible of hormone education that just might help you get those hormonal symptoms under control. 

While Vitti is not a doctor, this book provides a plan of diet and lifestyle changes that claim to help aid infertility, cycle irregularity, mental health issues, and low sex drive. If you’re interested in exploring lifestyle factors that may impact your fertility, it could be worth giving this book a read. 

10. The Art of Waiting: On Fertility, Medicine, and Motherhood

When you’re dealing with infertility, waiting sucks. And yet, you seem to do a hell of a lot of it — waiting for test results, waiting for doctor phone calls, waiting to start a new cycle...the list goes on. In The Art of Waiting, Belle Boggs illustrates just how tough infertility can be. But this book makes our list because it goes on to provide commentary on reproductive culture in American society. It’s a “big picture” kind of book for sure, and one that makes you think. 

Get those pages turning

When it comes to fertility reads, those are some of our favorites. Consider this your virtual fertility book club. Happy reading!