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
What Informed Consent Really Means in Maternity Care 2026
Informed consent in maternity care means giving permission for a specific test, exam, medication, or procedure only after your clinician has explained…
What Shared Decision Making Looks Like in Obstetric Care 2026
What shared decision making looks like in obstetric care: real examples from pregnancy and labor, the three key elements, and the words…
Why Relative Risk Numbers Can Be Misleading (2026) Guide
Learn why relative risk numbers can be misleading, how to find the baseline rate, and how to turn relative risk into absolute…
How to Prepare Questions for a Prenatal Visit (October 2026)
How to prepare questions for a prenatal visit in : sort them by urgency, bring the right records, and leave knowing what…
How to Read a Medical Consent Form Before Signing 2026
Learn how to read a medical consent form before signing in , including what each section means, what questions to ask, and…
What a Soft Marker on Ultrasound Means (2026)
What a soft marker on ultrasound means in , which common findings need follow-up scans, and how clinicians weigh them with your…
Anatomy Scan at 20 Weeks What They Check During It (2026)
Anatomy scan at 20 weeks what they check: the head, brain, heart, spine, kidneys, limbs, placenta and amniotic fluid (), plus how…
How to Talk with Family About Declining Prenatal Tests 2026
Learn how to talk with family about declining prenatal tests: explain your reasons in plain sentences, answer hard questions, and hold a…
How to Find Support After an Unexpected Prenatal Diagnosis 2026
How to find support after an unexpected prenatal diagnosis in : a step-by-step plan for medical, emotional, financial and peer help in…
Where to start
Browse by topic
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.
More about this site