The lucky egg Understanding your fertility and how to get pregnant NOW

Anyone with fertility concerns should welcome this common-sense guide to getting pregnant. An ob-gyn specializing in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, Sekhon (aka Dr. Lucky) skillfully mixes medical information with patients' stories and her own. Like a reassuring friend with an M.D., Sekhon conversationally breezes through her eight chapters, beginning with what it takes to get pregnant and ending with what to expect when you're not expecting, followed by a helpful glossary of terms. The title nods to how it takes just one lucky egg to fertilize and make it to the finish line. Easier said than done. The odds of conception in any given cycle are just 15-20 percent for even the healthiest couples, and the single biggest factor affecting fertility is age. Girls are born with 1-2 million eggs, diminishing to only 25,000 by age 37 and 1,000 by the late 40s, when over 70 percent of embryos may be abnormal. Sekhon gives the okay to the birth-control pill and coffee but not to smoking, excessive drinking, or cannabis. She also covers costs; a single IVF cycle in the U.S. costs $22,000 to $25,000, and storage of frozen eggs or embryos costs $800 to $1,300 a year. Thanks to Sekhon's informative and friendly guide, prospective parents can feel well prepared.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Sekhon has an enormous following across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, and the publisher has planned a print run to match. It's safe to say patrons will be curious.

Reproductive endocrinologist Sekhon debuts with an accessible and reassuring manual for navigating fertility treatments. She begins by laying out the basics of the reproductive system--and the many ways it can go awry in women and men--and then dives into contemporary fertility treatments, explaining that intrauterine insemination is like hands-off matchmaking ("setting up Egg and Sperm to find their own spark"), while in vitro fertilization is akin to an arranged marriage ("structured, deliberate, and with every detail carefully orchestrated for success"). She also dispels popular myths, noting, for example, that many supplements marketed to promote reproductive health, like Vitex and Maca root, have little scientific backing. Throughout, Sekhon emphasizes the importance of managing one's mental health, as the process of getting pregnant can be frustrating, overwhelming, and anxiety-inducing; she advises attending support groups and therapy but also making sure to "keep living your life--travel, enjoy hobbies, and stay connected with the people who bring you joy." Sekhon expertly balances urging early planning so readers can keep their options open with a calming, empowering tone. Anyone considering the use of assistive reproductive technology would do well to have this in their arsenal. (Jan.)