Review: The Inadequate Conception

The Inadequate Conception: From Barry White to Blastocytes: What your mom didn’t tell you about getting pregnant by Lori Green LeRoy

Summary (from Goodreads): “I am the no prego pro, infertility warrior, bunless oven, can’t-make-a-baby veteran. It has taken six years and tens of thousands of dollars to achieve this distinction, and more specifically, 1,611 prenatal vitamins, 78 fertility drug injections, 55 ovulation detection tests, 40 blood draws, 33 ultrasounds, 16 pregnancy tests, and 11 embryos to confirm it. Still, throughout this not-so-fun numbers game (I always thought that procreating was supposed to be much, much more enjoyable), I have tried very hard to look at the lighter side of our struggles to conceive: Betting to see whose sperm count is higher and performing a strip tease in a hospital room are not things that I ever thought I’d be part of, yet here I am, willing to disclose the details of some very intimate incidents.”

Whether a couple needs two tries to get pregnant or two hundred, most can relate to calculating menstrual cycles and trying to decipher ovulation test sticks. And there can be plenty of funny incidents and awkward and absurd moments along the way, whether trying to get sperm to meet egg involves candlelight and Barry White or Petri dishes and blastocytes. The Inadequate Conception tells the author’s and others’ real-life stories of trying to find two blue lines on a pregnancy test

My Thoughts: As someone who has been down the trying-to-conceive path (or maybe I should say rollercoaster), I couldn’t resist this book. I have been part of the trying-to-conceive community, and seen what some people will do in the effort to get pregnant – and I’ve done some of those same things myself. Fortunately, the closest I ever came to fertility treatments was discussing Clomid with my OB. But, I have had many friends go through varying degrees of infertility, and have been there to support them through it. While, no, I’m not an expert in infretility treatments – especially not compared to veterans like Ms. LeRoy – I do think I’m quite aware of what goes on when medical intervention is needed to help a couple have a baby. I know I’m likely more aware than the average person.

I’m not entirely sure what I was expecting from this book, but I was a bit disappointed. There were a couple of funny moments, but nothing that made my jaw drop or made me laugh so hard my stomach hurt. I really like Ms. LeRoy’s attitude that, while she’ll probably never stop hoping to have a baby bump, she’s working on accepting her lot in life. She’s refusing to allow the bitterness to take over. I commend her for that. I have seen many, many women lash out – even at others in the same boat. Trying to conceive is such an emotional journey …

You know, I think I was expecting more about the emotional journey, and more information out of this book. I think the author was trying too hard to make people laugh, and not focusing enough on “From Barry White to Blastocytes: What your mom didn’t tell you about getting pregnant.”

I dunno. I felt this book had potential, but just didn’t quite get there. Add to it some significant grammar errors, and I ended up wanting to call it quits about halfway through. I’m glad I didn’t, though, because the last couple of chapters are the best. Her attitude after so many years of trying, so many failed attempts, is inspirational. I commend her for that – and for having the guts to share her story!

My Rating: 2.5 stars

Source: Received through Crazy Book Tours for review.

Read It: Get your own copy HERE. (This is a Book Depository link, and purchase through this link will result in my receiving a small commission at no cost to you. Your support is appreciated!)

Challenges: Counts for 100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2011.

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FTC Disclosure: All items reviewed were either obtained by me for my own enjoyment or sent (from the author, publisher, publicist, via tour sites, etc.) in exchange for an honest review. I receive no monetary compensation for my posts. All opinions expressed are my own.

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