Where Do Babies Come From? A Brief Guide to Transitioning from the Childfree Camp to the Quiet Joys of Family Life

A new work by well-known science communicator Asa Kazantseva, author of such books as "The Brain Is Made of Matter," "In the Internet Someone Is Wrong" and "Who Would Have Thought! How the Brain Makes Us Do Stupid Things," offers a unique journey into the world of embryology, reproductive medicine, and behavioral science before birth.

Newborn kittens can crawl, orcas can swim, and baby elephants can walk. But human babies arrive in the world completely helpless, and in the first year of life they require an enormous amount of resources.

The task of raising a healthy and happy person without losing career, well-being, and inner peace is difficult—even despite modern medical achievements and an increase in the standard of living. In the end, many people choose not to have children: everything is too complicated, and the population of Earth is already approaching 8 billion.

Science journalist and mother Asya Kazantseva was surprised to discover that five years ago she would not have thought she would want a child so soon. This book—her fourth—is special: it offers a professional and captivating sharing of fresh research in the fields of embryology, neonatology, and methods of fertilization; it discusses both real and fictional risks to the mother and child; and it examines the possibilities and limitations of the current level of medicine. But that’s not all. The book also includes a personal story about making an important life decision and beginning a great love.