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  • Published: 16 September 2021
  • ISBN: 9781473555617
  • Imprint: Ebury Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 432

The Fertility Book

Your definitive guide to achieving a healthy pregnancy




This comprehensive book will fill a gap in the market for an up-to-date and entirely evidence-based fertility book by a leading UK expert.


'This book is an absolute game-changer' - Dr Xand Van Tulleken

'Everyone concerned about their fertility should read this book' - Dr Raj Mathur, Chair of the British Fertility Society

The book you can trust to help you achieve a healthy pregnancy.

Whether you are trying for a baby now or preparing for a family in future, The Fertility Book is the no-nonsense guide you need to help you to optimize your chances of a healthy pregnancy.

World-renowned fertility consultant Adam Balen and reproductive biologist Grace Dugdale dispel the myths in this comprehensive guide to reproductive health, explaining in easy-to-understand terms the genetic and lifestyle factors at play. They take an honest look at the evidence for both conventional and alternative approaches, equipping you with powerful tools to improve your chances of a natural conception and an understanding of how to create the best environment for a healthy pregnancy. If you do decide to seek help through assisted conception, this book will be with you every step of the way, explaining what treatments are available and how to approach them, so that you can come to an informed decision about what is right for you.

Professor Adam Balen and Grace Dugdale have decades of experience helping couples on their journey to conception and beyond. Now in this, their first book for a general readership, they explain everything you need to know to understand your own fertility.

  • Published: 16 September 2021
  • ISBN: 9781473555617
  • Imprint: Ebury Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 432

About the authors

Adam Balen

Professor Adam Balen leads one of the largest teaching hospital fertility units in the UK, is currently Chair of the British Fertility Society and is internationally renowned, with roles for the WHO and the European fertility society (ESHRE). He runs both NHS and private fertility clinics so he understands the issues that arise from both sides and he works closely with fertility patient support organisations across the UK. He has been featured on Radio 4 on Inside Health, Woman’s Hour and You and Yours. He was also the consultant director on BBC1’s Fertility and Me (October 2019).

Grace Dugdale

Dr Grace Dugdale is a reproductive biologist and professional writer who has spent many years researching biological function in sex and fertility. She sits on the All Party Parliamentary Group for Sexual and Reproductive Health and has worked with the British Fertility Society on a fertility education programme.

Praise for The Fertility Book

Knowledge is power and, in the disempowering situation of struggling to conceive, this book is an absolute game-changer. Whether you're brand new to the world of fertility or you've struggled for a while, this book is a beacon of clear, detailed information. It is an amazing resource and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is even considering having a go at conceiving!'

DR XAND VAN TULLEKEN, TV presenter, Honorary Associate Professor, University College London

This unique, patient-centred book provides high-quality clinical and scientific information, but with an emphasis on a holistic approach that seeks to empower readers. Comprehensive and authoritative, it is written in an easy, accessible style that makes it a pleasure to read and understand. Everyone concerned about their fertility should read it - and so should the clinicians looking after them!

DR RAJ MATHUR, Chair, British Fertility Society

An utterly brilliant book. Fully comprehensive and reader-friendly. I wish it had been around when I was on my own fertility journey.

JESSICA HEPBURN, founder of Fertility Fest

Inability to conceive is tremendously stressful for many couples. Whilst there is no shortage of information, it is difficult to separate what is credible and evidence-based from wishful theories and anecdotes. This is where The Fertility Book makes a unique contribution, by synthesising and presenting credible evidence to inform one's fertility journey. If you are struggling to have a baby, make time for this book. It will help you.

PROF ARRI COOMARASAMY, Director, Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research, University of Birmingham

This book has all that most need to optimise their fertility. It clearly explains the science in ways that should help couples feel empowered when it comes to making what could be some of the most important decisions of their lives.

DR EDWARD MORRIS, President, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

I absolutely love this book. I have learnt so much. It is an ideal read for non-medical professionals who wish to gain an understanding of the medical side of fertility treatments.

ANGELA PERICLEOUS-SMITH, Chair, British Infertility Counselling Association

A comprehensive and easily understandable text for couples who wish to take a proactive approach, optimising their chances of starting a healthy family. Highly recommended for women and men.

PROF BASKY THILAGANATHAN, Clinical Director, Tommy’s National Centre for Maternity Improvement

The Fertility Book is a comprehensive and reliable source of information for those with fertility problems and an essential read in a time when medical fictions spread faster than medical facts.

SARAH NORCROSS, Director, Progress Educational Trust

Balen and Dugdale have managed to distil a huge amount of complex information about fertility into an easily accessible read which includes a lot to help men, who are often overlooked. I highly recommended this book

PROF ALLAN PACEY, MBE, Professor of Andrology, Head of Oncology and Metabolism, Sheffield University

Having such high-quality and up-to-date information on reproductive health all available in one place is really important for women's health and well-being.

SHAISTA GOHIR, OBE, Chair, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Women’s Network

The Fertility Book is a thorough and comprehensive guide to the issues that can cause fertility problems. It helps readers navigate a pathway through the tests and treatments they may face.

KATE BRIAN, Fertility Network UK

Taking care of your own health is really powerful, but that needs evidence-based, reputable sources of information, and the help of medicine and science when necessary. The Fertility Book is all of that. It's a comprehensive, easy-to-understand guide to preparing for the road to conception, whether natural or assisted.

CATHERINE NESTOR, former Vice-Chair, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Women’s Network

This book is an invaluable resource for those on their fertility journey. An essential read!

CAROLINE ANDREWS AND RACHEL HAWKES, Secretary and Chair, Verity, the PCOS patient representative organisation