Paths to Parenthood


Book Description

This interdisciplinary book explores the affective dimensions of becoming a parent, traversing the life-cycle journey of pregnancy, childbirth, and early parenting. Bringing together researchers from sociology, history, feminist studies, cultural studies, general medicine, and psychiatry, Paths to Parenthood analyses rich narratives that represent a diverse cross-section of parents, including migrants, same-sex couples, and single parents.




Paths to Parenthood


Book Description

"Paths to Parenthood: Embracing Natural Solutions for Fertility Challenges" by Lucia Gould is a transformative guide that shines a light on the often overlooked natural pathways to achieving fertility. Through Lucia Gould's expert insights, this book explores the holistic essence of fertility, unveiling the potent combination of nutrition, herbal remedies, acupuncture, and mindfulness techniques. Aimed at individuals and couples facing the hurdle of involuntary childlessness, "Paths to Parenthood" offers a compassionate and comprehensive exploration of how to harness nature's bounty in pursuit of parenthood. Delving deep into the complexities of the human reproductive system, Gould provides an enlightening overview of how dietary choices, lifestyle changes, and stress management can significantly impact fertility. With a focus on balance and well-being, the book advocates for a return to natural rhythms and remedies, encouraging readers to explore non-invasive options for fertility enhancement. "Paths to Parenthood" is more than just a fertility guide; it's a journey of hope, healing, and discovery. Lucia Gould empowers readers to take control of their reproductive health through evidence-based practices, personal anecdotes, and supportive advice. Whether you're just beginning your journey to parenthood or have faced challenges along the way, this book offers a nurturing path forward, inviting you to explore the natural solutions that could lead you to the fulfillment of your deepest desire for a child.




Planning Parenthood


Book Description

Aims to guide prospective parents through the complicated mazes of assisted reproduction and adoption. This work describes fertility assistance, surrogacy, and adoption, clearly outlining the requirements of each strategy. It compares the medical, emotional, financial, and legal investments and risks involved with each of these options.




Parent Plans


Book Description




Diverse Pathways to Parenthood


Book Description

Diverse Pathways to Parenthood: From Narratives to Practice is a timely contribution to the study of reproduction and parenthood. Drawing on a wide breadth of projects, this book covers topics such as first time parents, donor conception, pregnancy loss, surrogacy, lesbian, gay and/or transgender parenting, fostering and adoption, grandparenting, and human/animal kinship. By presenting individual narratives focused on reproduction and parenthood, this book successfully translates empirical research into practical, applied outcomes that will be of use for all those working in the fields of reproduction and parenthood. Including recommendations for fertility specialists, educators, child protection agencies, reproductive counselors, and policy makers, Diverse Pathways to Parenthood: From Narratives to Practice is a vital new resource that will help guide practice into the future. As a contribution to the field of critical kinship studies, this book heralds new directions for the study of kinship, by revisiting as well as reimagining how we think about, research, and respond to a diversity of kinship forms. - Includes over 70 narratives representative of hundreds of interviews collected as a part of 15 research projects undertaken over the past decade - Supported by a companion website that provides further materials and information: www.diversepathways.com - Translates critical kinship studies theory into applied tools for practice in the fields of reproduction and parenthood




Waiting on Pins and Needles


Book Description

Who knew that needles could make the difference between having children and remaining childless? Rachel Blunk, fertility acupuncturist, for one. In this moving anthology, Rachel weaves heartwarming and heartbreaking tales of clients' paths to motherhood. She's a fertility detective, solving unsolved fertility mysteries. Rachel is a womb whisperer, opening up blocked passageways. She's a magician, making the impossible possible. Rachel works her magic to help women who've miscarried, can't conceive, and lost babies in utero. Using Traditional Chinese Medicine, she wields her potent needles to heal distraught women and help them conceive, carry to term, and deliver healthy babies. You'll learn about snowflake babies, sperm hats, the power of the placenta, and unicornuate uteruses. Each story is a profile in courage. Each story reveals fascinating details about the female body you never knew. Each story gives you faith that, against all odds, dreams do come true.




Legalizing LGBT Families


Book Description

In-depth interviews examine the role of the law in the lives of LGBT parents The decision to have a child is seldom a simple one, often fraught with complexities regarding emotional readiness, finances, marital status, and compatibility with life and career goals. Rarely, though, do individuals consider the role of the law in facilitating or inhibiting their ability to have a child or to parent. For LGBT individuals, however, parenting is saturated with legality - including the initial decision of whether to have a child, how to have a child, whether one's relationship with their child will be recognized, and everyday acts of parenting. Through interviews with 137 LGBT parents, Amanda K. Baumle and D'Lane R. Compton examine the role of the law in the lives of LGBT parents and how individuals use the law when making decisions about family formation or parenting. Baumle and Compton explore the ways in which LGBT parents participate in the process of constructing legality through accepting, modifying, or rejecting legal meanings about their families. They conclude that legality is constructed through a complex interplay of legal context, social networks, individual characteristics, and familial desires. Ultimately, the stories of LGBT parents in this book reflect a rich and varied relationship between the law, the state, and the private family goals of individuals.




The Journey to Parenthood


Book Description

Focusing on perceived expectations and cultural pressures imposed on new and expectant parents, this title draws on the experiences of many parents from various socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds.




Journey to Same-Sex Parenthood


Book Description

The LGBT Journey to Parenthood is unique in that it offers useful and practical information that will help in the very early stages of family planning. These inspirational first-hand accounts provide key insights and the critical information needed to make informed decisions for successfully traveling the complex road to parenthood. Author, activist and father, Eric Rosswood guides and helps prospective LGBT parents to weigh their options and learn which path would be best for their family. Rosswood also shares the experiences and wisdom of others who have already been through the journey. The LGBT Journey to Parenthood is divided into five sections: adoption, surrogacy, foster care, assisted reproduction and co-parenting. Each section includes an overview, a list of pros and challenges for readers to consider, personal stories from parents who have been through the process and closes with a list of questions for couples to ask themselves. Same-sex couples are faced with many different options when choosing to have children today. The LGBT Journey to Parenthood will serve as an informative and essential handbook for couples navigating their own amazing path to parenthood.




Parenting Matters


Book Description

Decades of research have demonstrated that the parent-child dyad and the environment of the familyâ€"which includes all primary caregiversâ€"are at the foundation of children's well- being and healthy development. From birth, children are learning and rely on parents and the other caregivers in their lives to protect and care for them. The impact of parents may never be greater than during the earliest years of life, when a child's brain is rapidly developing and when nearly all of her or his experiences are created and shaped by parents and the family environment. Parents help children build and refine their knowledge and skills, charting a trajectory for their health and well-being during childhood and beyond. The experience of parenting also impacts parents themselves. For instance, parenting can enrich and give focus to parents' lives; generate stress or calm; and create any number of emotions, including feelings of happiness, sadness, fulfillment, and anger. Parenting of young children today takes place in the context of significant ongoing developments. These include: a rapidly growing body of science on early childhood, increases in funding for programs and services for families, changing demographics of the U.S. population, and greater diversity of family structure. Additionally, parenting is increasingly being shaped by technology and increased access to information about parenting. Parenting Matters identifies parenting knowledge, attitudes, and practices associated with positive developmental outcomes in children ages 0-8; universal/preventive and targeted strategies used in a variety of settings that have been effective with parents of young children and that support the identified knowledge, attitudes, and practices; and barriers to and facilitators for parents' use of practices that lead to healthy child outcomes as well as their participation in effective programs and services. This report makes recommendations directed at an array of stakeholders, for promoting the wide-scale adoption of effective programs and services for parents and on areas that warrant further research to inform policy and practice. It is meant to serve as a roadmap for the future of parenting policy, research, and practice in the United States.