The frequent occurrence of childbirth during periods of marital disruption is discussed. Life table procedures based on 1970 information show, from a sample of 1,054 women, that slightly more than 25% of separated, divorced, or widowed women had given birth within 48 months of marital disruption. The variables affecting these statistics are described in terms of race, education, parity, and, most importantly, age at time of disruption. A multivariate analysis is used to explore the cumulative prevalance of having experienced intermarital fertility among women over age 30. Four possible explanations for childbirth phenomena are given: "last chance" pregnancies that are attempts to keep disintegrating marriages together, unplanned pregnancy, careless contraception, and births fathered by someone other than the previous or anticipated spouse. It is concluded that the prevalence of childbirth during marital disruption and the social policy issues connected with such births rank it in importance with illegitimacy. References are included in the paper. (Author/DB)