Independent midwives: why we can’t afford to lose them

New legislation could lead to many independent midwives being outlawed. Where does that leave the women who have them to thank for their transformative birth experiences?

Natural birth has its dangers, and Caesareans are not a crime

Learning difficulties associated with cerbellum damage in childbirth are a real concern. This is another reason to reject all that 'too posh to push' nonsense

How long after giving birth should I wait before having sex again?

Medical recommendations have changed over the years, but the best advice is still not to rush

Eat your own placenta, January Jones? – No thanks

Deborah Orr: Betty from Mad Men recommends it after giving birth, but I'll stick with tea and toast

Nearly half of births in England and Wales are to mothers over 30

49% of women are over 30 when their baby arrives, as average age of mothers continues 40-year climb, ONS figures show

NHS maternity units to share £25m fund to improve childbirth experience

More than 100 hospitals in England will share money to modernise maternity units in midst of ongoing baby boom

Experience: I gave birth outside Waitrose

Daphne Bolus: 'I wanted somewhere quiet to give birth – even with the screens I could see the feet of shoppers walking by'

Are we getting childbirth wrong?

The conversation: Kirstie Allsopp discusses caesareans, guilt and breastfeeding with birth guru Sheila Kitzinger

On the set of Call the Midwife with Suzanne Moore

Call the Midwife returns to our screens next week with its big Christmas special. Fans Suzanne Moore and daughter Angel go on set to discover the secrets of its success

The mothers fighting back against birth intervention

During labour, women feel under severe pressure when doctors and midwives bully them into medical interventions they do not want. Louise Carpenter reports on the mothers starting to fight back