Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Frozen: What happens when IVF goes wrong?

I don't plug a lot of products, but this book might appeal to anyone grappling with decisions about having a family, parenting and infertility issue. Plus I used to work with the author, Mike Butcher, and he's a stand-up guy.
'Techniques in treating infertility have moved on a long way, even in the last four years,' he explains...'I can arrange a meeting for you with our most senior consultant. He can talk you through the new treatment protocols that significantly reduce the need for drugs and the risks of OHSS...'

Without even looking in Lesley's direction this time, I can tell her whole body is beginning to shake. I turn to her and my wife's face is a pale mask of horror. Then there are tears. Tears born of anger, frustration, but most of all, fear.


When Mike and Lesley Butcher embark on IVF treatment they are full of hope for a successful outcome – a child that they can call their own. But Lesley has a bad reaction to the treatment, developoing an extreme form of ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome (OHSS). Frightened and helpless, Mike can only watch as doctors battle to save his wife.

Frozen explores the lengths one couple endures to create their dream of a perfect family, and provides a shocking exposure of what can go horribly wrong. Mike and Lesley almost abandon hope of ever becoming – until they pick up a local adoption agency flyer and discover there's more than one way to achieve their dream.
All proceeds go to the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF), a charity that supports Adoption in the UK. Find out more about the book here. It's also available from Amazon.co.uk.

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