Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it. People do it too-have babies, that is-but sometimes they need a little help getting there. Often the problem is simple and can be handled without medical intervention. Unfortunately, in many cases it's more complicated and can lead to a long, costly, and emotionally trying treatment process. Each year, more than 6 million people become fertility patients in the United States, alone. And they're just the ones who can afford treatments which can cost as much as $20,000-with no guarantee of success. Ready for a baby but having a hard time conceiving? In this friendly guide, fertility patient, Jackie Meyers-Thompson and fertility expert Sharon Perkins use humor, heartache, and the real-life experiences of actual patients to cover the complete fertility story. In jargon-free language, they clue you in on the essentials of human reproduction and what can impede it. And they tell you what you need to know to: Take control of your fertility Optimize you chances of conceiving Know why you're not conceiving Understand your treatment options Find the right doctor and work with him or her Navigate the confusing world of fertility treatments From basic life-style changes to in vitro fertilization, Fertility For Dummies covers all the basic and high-tech fertility choices available. You'll discover what you need to know about: The female anatomy, the logistics of getting pregnant, and behaviors you should or shouldn't change before trying to conceive Fine-tuning conception efforts using methods to predict ovulation, best sexual behaviors, diet, vitamins and supplements, and more Tests for diagnosing fertility problems and understanding the effects of various diseases on fertility Choosing a specialist and choosing a treatment, including intrauterine insemination and fertility injections In vitro fertilization, what to expect physically, emotionally, and financially Third-party reproduction-working with sperm donors, egg donors, embryo adoption, and surrogates Relax, discover your fertility options, and let Fertility For Dummies be your guide to having a baby.