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Inconceivable: A Medical Mistake, the Baby We Couldn't Keep, and Our Choice to Deliver the Ultimate Gift Audiobook
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(3.05) - 856 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
A medical mistake during an IVF procedure. An unthinkable situation . . . you’re pregnant with the wrong baby. You can terminate, but you can’t keep him. What choice would you make?
Carolyn and Sean Savage had been trying to expand their family for years. When they underwent an IVF transfer in February 2009, they knew it would be their last chance. If they became pregnant, they would celebrate the baby as an answer to their prayers. If not, they would be grateful for the family they had and leave their fertility struggles behind forever.
They never imagined a third option. The pregnancy test was positive, but the clinic had transferred the wrong embryos. Carolyn was pregnant with someone else’s baby.
The Savages faced a series of heartbreaking decisions: terminate the pregnancy, sue for custody, or hand over the infant to his genetic parents upon delivery. Knowing that Carolyn was carrying another couple’s hope for a baby, the Savages wanted to do what they prayed the other family would do for them if the situation was reversed. Sean and Carolyn Savage decided to give the ultimate gift, the gift of life, to a family they didn’t know, no strings attached.
Inconceivable provides an inside look at how modern medicine, which creates miracles daily, could allow such a tragic mistake, and the many legal ramifications that ensued with both the genetic family and the clinic. Chronicling their tumultuous pregnancy and its aftermath, which tested the Savage’s faith, their relationship to their church, and their marriage, Inconceivable is ultimately a testament to love. Carolyn and Sean loved this baby, making it impossible for them to imagine how they could give him life and then give him away.
In the end, Inconceivable is a story of what it is to be a parent, someone who nurtures a life, protects a soul, only to release that child into the world long before you’re ready to let him go.
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"One of the best books I have read all year. It's one of the few books I've ever read that makes me shake my head at the law - Carolyn could either kill this baby or carry it to term and give it up. No custody battle would side with her. The real impact of the book, legally, is felt in the explanation of how the mistake was made, found in the very last pages of the book. I won't spoil it, but they were (blessed or unblessed, you decide) to have learned it was not their embryo at such an early date. I'm also very torn on this couple's decision to go forward with continuing to add to their family. Such an awful event must have really tolled on their existing 3 child family, and the couple even admits distraction (understandable) to their family during this. I really felt at the end that they should thank God for their 3 healthy children and hang up their child bearing hat. I'm not in their position to it's hard to judge. I applaud them for infusing the Catholic Church's teachings with common sense in a decision that worked for them, and I applaud them for giving Logan life."
— Brianna (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Everything I ever dream about in ultimate love, compassion, and selflessness is portrayed in this real life story of the Savage family. Their sincere goodness elevates us all.”
— Dr. Laura Schlessinger, New York Times bestselling author -
“A remarkable book. Inconceivable provides an intimate portrait of two special people who nurture and birth a child only to unselfishly place it in the arms of another. Surely there will be crowns in heaven for the Carolyn and Sean Savages of the world.”
— Ron Hall, coauthor of Same Kind of Different as Me -
“By the time you finish this remarkably honest, emotion-filled book, you’ll be picturing the young man who will one day hold it in his hands, reassured of the great love that carried him into this world. This is a very special story.”
— Jeffrey Zaslow, coauthor of The Last Lecture -
“This book is a blessing for all who feel life has handed them a challenge that seems unbearable and inconceivable.”
— Regina Brett, author of God Never Blinks
Inconceivable Listener Reviews
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" The perfect title for this tragically sad story. The Savages were so strong during this long, hard trial. I was impressed by their kindness to the genetic mother despite her ridiculous comments and unsympathetic attitude. Seriously who says, "I'm supposed to go get my hair done but I guess I can make it to the hospital in time for the delivery"?? They were so smart to get lawyers and therapists right away and they told their family and friends so carefully. Will probably make you cry but was definately worth the read. "
— Megan, 2/20/2014 -
" A beautifully told story. I can't imagine what Carolyn and Sean went through for those long months. I kept thinking how could they give up the baby, but then realized how could they not give him to his biological parents. This is one story that will stay with me for a very long time! "
— Cheryl, 2/7/2014 -
" Awesome, Heartbreaking book. "
— Lorel, 1/23/2014 -
" it was such a heart breaking story. i think its horrible, what they had to go through. but you can see by their decision, that there are good people left in the world. "
— Darcy, 1/10/2014 -
" While this book was heartbreaking, it was extremely well-written and inspirational. To have the faith and grace that Carolyn Savage had in the face of her situation is amazing! "
— Meg, 1/10/2014 -
" Wow! This book really had a profound impact on me. A real life hero! I cried, I identified with Carolyn. What a super book! It made me re evaluate my "problems" and look at them in a different light. This book's a keeper. "
— Mayde, 1/3/2014 -
" What an amazing story! I cried throughout most of it. "
— Brandy, 12/21/2013 -
" Since I avoid the news, since I see it as sensationalism, I had never heard a word about this. What an incredible story, and it shows there are still folks who do the right thing, no matter how it hurts. "
— Rose, 12/21/2013 -
" This was a very good book sad tho. "
— Kristen, 12/11/2013 -
" Great book - heartbreaking story "
— Renae, 11/29/2013 -
" I can;'t imagine how heart breaking what they went through was and how hard the decisions they chose to make were. They chose life for the baby and then to release him to his biological parents. The story is told from both the Birth Mother and Birth Father's perspective. "
— Libby, 3/13/2013 -
" What a remarkable story! I really appreciated this couple's heartbreaking honesty. It will make you ask, "What would I do in that situation?" "
— Carol, 10/10/2012 -
" WOW! An honest, heart-wrenching book! "
— Emily, 9/8/2012 -
" Sad, but powerful story. "
— Becky, 7/2/2012 -
" This story is truly unfathomable. What a picture of grace and love under the most unbelievable circumstances. "
— Melissa, 4/10/2012 -
" Carolyn and Sean are two truly amazing people. Their story is so moving and they tell it so well. I felt so many different emotions while reading this book and also there was a ton of content that really gets you thinking about human life in general. I deeply admire and respect this couple. "
— Jenny, 4/8/2012 -
" I could NOT put this book down. It was well written and I could feel the emotion. I actually cried, and I don't remember the last time a book made me cry! Highly recommended. "
— Fabienne, 11/27/2011 -
" What an amazing story. I have the utmost respect for Carolyn Savage for carrying a baby that wasn't hers to term. "
— Sarah, 9/29/2011 -
" Very touching and real. I loved how down-to-earth both Carolyn and Sean seem to be. Their story is very heart-breaking and was written in such a way that I felt their pain. "
— Angela, 7/1/2011 -
" Absolutely heartbreaking, yet ultimately triumphant. I found myself questioning whether I'd be as strong as this couple proved themselves to be. "
— Nicole, 6/26/2011 -
" I could not put this book down. The emotional struggle this couple had to endure is just heart wrenching. I rarely cry at books but this one had me tearing up. A great book to read when you are having a tough day with your own kids for sure! "
— Marci, 6/20/2011 -
" A woman is implanted with the wrong couple's embryo... a heartbreaking true story. This story examines the stuggles to accept and carry a baby to term only to give him away. "
— Gwen, 6/14/2011 -
" What a remarkable story! I really appreciated this couple's heartbreaking honesty. It will make you ask, "What would I do in that situation?" "
— Carol, 6/8/2011 -
" Since I avoid the news, since I see it as sensationalism, I had never heard a word about this. What an incredible story, and it shows there are still folks who do the right thing, no matter how it hurts. "
— Rose, 6/8/2011 -
" Excellent book just a tough one to read (so to speak) "
— Sue, 6/2/2011 -
" As a mother, I found their story touched me on many different levels. I admire their courage and strength in dealing with an unimaginable situation. As a mother, it just broke my heart. Plain and simple... "
— Rebecca, 5/30/2011 -
" A quick, but thoughtful book about a terribe medical mistake and the brave folks that went through it. I do cry easily and this story proved no exception.I did like it for a quick read. "
— Pamela, 5/28/2011 -
" The gift this couple gave...All along I just wanted them to have a baby.. "
— Kerri, 5/20/2011 -
" Wow! This book really had a profound impact on me. A real life hero! I cried, I identified with Carolyn. What a super book! It made me re evaluate my "problems" and look at them in a different light. This book's a keeper. "
— Mayde, 5/18/2011
About the Authors
Carolyn Savage, a former elementary school principal, co-wrote Inconceivable with her husband, Sean Savage. Sean and Carolyn live in Ohio with their children.
Cassandra Campbell has won multiple Audie Awards, Earphones Awards, and the prestigious Odyssey Award for narration. She was been named a “Best Voice” by AudioFile magazine and in 2018 was inducted in Audible’s inaugural Narrator Hall of Fame.
About the Narrators
Cassandra Campbell has won multiple Audie Awards, Earphones Awards, and the prestigious Odyssey Award for narration. She was been named a “Best Voice” by AudioFile magazine and in 2018 was inducted in Audible’s inaugural Narrator Hall of Fame.
Danny Campbell is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and an actor who has appeared in CBS’ The Guardian, the films A Pool, a Fool, and a Duel and Greater Than Gravity, and in over twenty-five commercials. He is a company member of the Independent Shakespeare Company in Los Angeles and is an adjunct faculty member at Santa Monica College.