A Donor Insemination Guide : Written by and for Lesbian Women

Proven Techniques For Lesbians Who Want To Encourage A Safe And Loving Conception; Conceiving a child together is an act of love. But when doctors, medical staff, sperm banks, donors and a deep-freeze get in on the act, it can become somewhat stressful. Now, written especially for lesbians, A Donor Insemination Guide smoothes the way by sharing the experiences of other lesbian women who have successfully conceived using donor insemination, Revealing what many doctors don't tell you about the practical details and emotional aspects of this intimate process, A Donor Insemination Guide offers readers the information they need to make wise choices, including: The pros and cons of known and unknown donors. Essential legal considerations. Choosing donor methods. The possible emotional effects on the relationship. Tips for dealing with the medical establishment. And more!

Mohler and Frazer are life partners and the coparents of children conceived through donor insemination. This book blends their recollections with practical advice for lesbians who wish to conceive in a similar manner. Any woman interested in the topic will be able to find useful information here, but, as the authors note in their preface, it was written "to validate the lesbian experience of donor insemination." Included here is in-depth coverage on such topics as sperm quality, the debate over fresh vs. frozen sperm, ovulation, the menstrual cycle, and other physiologic topics, and at the end of each chapter they recount their personal experiences. Because the healthcare providers whom the authors encountered during this process were not particularly sensitive or supportive, these accounts can have a bitter tone. There is a brief bibliography, but lacking is Rachel Pepper's excellent Ultimate Guide to Pregnancy for Lesbians (Cleis Pr., 1999), a wide-ranging, breezily written guide that covers many of the same topics though in less depth. Given the scant number of lesbian-specific titles on this subject, this volume should be considered for purchase by all public libraries, especially those in areas where gay and lesbian health clinics and support are difficult to find. Martha E. Stone, Treadwell Lib., Boston

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