The Fertility Formula: Take Control of Your Reproductive Future

Fertility doctor Crawford debuts with an accessible guide to the science of fertility and how to improve one’s chances of getting pregnant. Noting that infertility rates are rising in the U.S., Crawford contends a major culprit is inflammation. The lack of whole foods in Western diets, regular exposure to chemicals through materials like plastic, and chronic daily stress kick on the body’s immune response for long periods of time, she explains, leading to fatigue, digestive problems, and brain fog, as well as alterations in egg quality, hormone production, and ovulation. To reduce inflammation, Crawford encourages such lifestyle adjustments as eating a nutrient-rich diet, limiting caffeine, and eliminating toxin exposure, including smoking, marijuana, and excessive alcohol. She also recommends taking prenatal vitamins with folic acid to get the body ready for pregnancy. Elsewhere, she discusses egg freezing for those seeking to have children later in life and addresses topics often talked about on social media, such as using Mucinex to thin cervical mucus and make it easier for sperm to swim through (she says studies are limited on this, but it could help some people). She also includes a 12-week plan for optimizing fertility that lays out tips for reducing stress, improving sleep, eating well (she includes a selection of vegetarian recipes), exercising, and tracking one’s menstrual cycle. Comprehensive and easy to follow, this will resonate with readers eager to jump-start their reproductive journey. (Apr.)