Birth and family health
Plain answers for pregnancy, birth and the months after
Barbara Katz Rothman writes about pregnancy, birth, midwifery and reproductive health in plain language — explanation you can read the night before an appointment, alongside honest guides to the things families actually buy.

On the blog
Latest guides and explainers
How Fertility Medications Affect Your Body and Schedule (2026)
Fertility medications change two things at once: what your body feels like, and how your days are laid out. Most people notice…
Surrogacy Costs and What Is Included (2026)
Surrogacy costs and what is included varies widely in the U.S. Learn typical fees, budgets, hidden expenses, and ways to plan financially.
How to Support a Friend Going Through IVF (2026)
Learn how to support a friend going through IVF in : what to say, what to avoid, how to help with appointments,…
15 Questions: What to Ask Before Starting Fertility Treatment 2026
What to ask before starting fertility treatment in ? These 15 questions cover diagnosis, protocol, clinic, costs, insurance, emotional support, and your…
What Embryo Grading Means: A Clear Guide to IVF Grades (2026)
What embryo grading means, how embryologists score day 3 and blastocyst stages in , and what a 5AA, 4BB or 3BC grade…
How Long Frozen Eggs Last and Success Odds (2026)
How long frozen eggs last and success odds in : storage duration barely matters, but age at freezing, egg count and thaw…
Your Rights to Refuse a Medical Procedure During Labor (2026)
Your rights to refuse a medical procedure during labor in : the four elements of informed refusal, what to say in the…
How to Choose a Fertility Clinic Using Success Rate Data 2026
How to choose a fertility clinic using success rate data: read the denominator, match your age band, and compare live birth rates…
What IVF Costs Without Insurance: US Price Guide (October 2026)
What IVF costs without insurance varies by clinic, treatment type and medication needs. See typical US price ranges, hidden fees and ways…
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About
Plain explanation, never a textbook
This site explains pregnancy, birth, midwifery and reproductive health for people who want to understand their options rather than memorise terminology.
The subjects widen into family health, parenting and the occasional buying guide, but the voice stays the same: careful with the evidence, gentle with the reader.
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