Support for mothers and babies needs overhaul, says UK health minister

New preventive approach from conception to second birthday would be aimed at avoiding mental and physical problems later

Why big is not always beautiful when it comes to babies

The largest baby born naturally in Spain is in perfect health, but some see increasingly large newborns as cause for concern

The 40-week pregnancy myth has popped

Viv Groskop: We now know pregnancy can vary by up to five weeks – so why aren't 'overdue' mothers given more information?

‘Half the mothers I know have been driven from their jobs’

Anne Richardson's experiences of her antenatal group backs up the findings of a survey into the problems faced by female employees

Pregnancy changes women’s bodies shock

Naomi McAuliffe: Instead of making ignorant remarks about the Duchess of Cambridge's post-baby weight, we should celebrate women's remarkable bodies

Don’t smoke spliffs during childbirth or have sex with a prince

Suzanne Moore: If the Duchess of Cambridge wants to live like common people, she should give birth like common people do

‘Sip and see’ parties: too much of a good thing

Alexandra Jones: Planning a soiree to reveal the gender of your baby or post-divorce drinks? Your partied-out guests may have festivity fatigue

Marriage between first cousins doubles risk of birth defects, say researchers

Study of 13,500 babies born in Bradford concludes cultural practice in Pakistani community outweighs effects of deprivation

Why must childbirth be such hard labour?

New evidence about why women give birth when they do has turned received opinion on its head, writes Alice Roberts

The pregnant Duchess of Cambridge and I are in (almost) the same boat

Naomi McAuliffe: Not even a private hospital wing serving champagne can shield women from the messy indignities of pregnancy and birth