Contents
Foreword
Meet the authors

1. Introduction

Section 1: Where is God in all this pain?
2. Why me?
3. Will God give me a child?
4. Childless – and blessed?
5. This hurts
Reflecting on chapters 2 – 5

Section 2: Coping with the stress of childlessness
6. Who am I, without a family?
7. The expectations of others
8. Keeping marriage strong
9. Real men experience infertility
10. Grieving miscarriage, late-term pregnancy loss and secondary infertility
Reflecting on chapters 6 – 10

Section 3: How can the professionals help?
11. Lifestyle
12. Treatment
13. Adoption?
Reflecting on chapters 11 – 13

Section 4: The long unknown
14. Is acceptance possible?
15. Hope for the future
Reflecting on chapters 14 and 15

Conclusion: Better than sons and daughters

'It means so much to read Christian thinking on this topic. The authors tackle the complexities of infertility in a way that I found both supportive and challenging. I hope this helps fellow Christians talk more openly, and in a more informed and compassionate way. I wish this had been available to my husband and me earlier in our journey.'
- Becca O’Brien, adoptive mother

'Honest, thoughtful, practical, relevant, and biblical. Written out of painful first-hand experience and imbued with practical Christian wisdom. I highly recommend this sensitive and informative book on such an important but rarely discussed problem. It should be essential reading for couples facing the silent pain of infertility and for pastors, Christian counsellors and all those who seek to help and support.'

- John Wyatt, Professor of Ethics and Perinatology at University College London and author

'Everyone knows someone who is childless, but this book presents a rare opportunity to get a glimpse of how it really feels, what to say and what not to say. For those who suffer or struggle with infertility and its implications, it shows how to grieve but still be godly and how, in a way that is neither glib nor trite, to replace self-pity with well-founded trust in a good God.'

- Ann Benton, pastor’s wife, speaker and author