The complete guide to becoming pregnant by Dr Firuza R. Parikh

Book Summary:

Dr. Firuza R. Parikh’s The Complete Guide to Becoming Pregnant is a comprehensive, accessible handbook for individuals and couples navigating infertility in India. In clear, everyday language, it covers normal reproductive physiology; common causes of infertility; diagnostic processes; and a range of medical treatments—from lifestyle adjustments and nutrition to assisted reproductive technologies like IVF, ICSI, and artificial insemination. The book draws on Dr. Parikh’s extensive clinical experience—she leads the Assisted Reproduction and Genetics unit at Mumbai’s Jaslok Hospital and has helped in the birth of over 5,000 ART babies—and balances technical guidance with real-life stories, practical advice, and emotional support for readers dealing with fertility challenges.

Designed to break the stigma surrounding infertility in India—where 10–12 percent of couples face conception difficulties—the guide places strong emphasis on emotional wellbeing, stress reduction, and informed decision‑making alongside clinical options.It includes chapters on:

• Understanding infertility: Exploring causes in both partners and explaining how common diagnostic tests work

• Medical and technological approaches: Explaining hormone therapies, surgical interventions, ART methods such as IVF/ICSI and intrauterine insemination (IUI)

• Lifestyle, diet & stress: How balanced nutrition, exercise, sleep, and reducing stress can support natural conception

• Emotional resilience and support: Coping mechanisms, partner communication, and when to consider alternative options like adoption

• Personal stories: Real success and challenge narratives provide hope, normalize the process, and reduce isolationOverall, the book delivers 400 pages of expert guidance, combining authoritative medical detail with practical, empathetic counsel. It’s particularly helpful for first-time readers unfamiliar with medical terminology—offering clarity, encouragement, and a step-by-step roadmap to making informed reproductive choices.

About The Author:

Dr. Firuza R. Parikh is a pioneering fertility specialist and one of India’s foremost experts in assisted reproduction. She is the Director of the Department of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre in Mumbai, where she has led countless breakthroughs in fertility treatment. Trained at prestigious institutions such as Yale University in the U.S., Dr. Parikh has brought cutting-edge fertility technologies to India, including IVF and genetic diagnostics. With over three decades of experience, she has helped thousands of couples conceive, often in challenging and complex cases. In addition to her clinical achievements, she is a passionate advocate for destigmatizing infertility, especially in the Indian context, and has authored several medical papers and books aimed at empowering patients through knowledge and compassionate care. Her work blends medical precision with empathy, making her one of the most respected names in reproductive medicine.