Endings are hard, but facing them helps us to heal
I understand the temptation to run away – I have felt it too. Try to stay in the room, and in the moment. You’ll be glad you did
Friday briefing: How the Free Birth Society’s philosophy contributed to a preventable death
In today’s newsletter: The Guardian’s new podcast, The Birth Keepers, explores how a global network promoting unassisted childbirth has shaped women’s decisions around childbirth. One mother’s story stands as a stark warning
The best UK Christmas gifts for dads (that aren’t whisky or novelty socks)
From fondue sets to hot sauce, board games to stadium prints, our edit has presents for every budget – even for dads who swear they’ve got everything
Death of Irish mother in ‘free birth’ reveals how poor maternity care is pushing women towards extreme influencers
Women in Ireland and the UK linked to Free Birth Society among scores around world to have suffered loss or serious harm after births
I want to become a single mum, but feel envious of peers with partners
It is good that you are getting expert counselling, but seeking support from other solo mums might be helpful too
‘I tried to capture her inner world – but couldn’t’: Tom de Freston on painting his wife pregnant and nude
The artist and his wife, novelist Kiran Millwood Hargrave, lost seven pregnancies before their daughter was born. They explain how his nude paintings of her helped them process their grief – and eventual joy
Five key findings from our investigation into the Free Birth Society
Year-long investigation into multimillion-dollar business exposed serious concerns, from dangerous medical claims to FBS-linked stillbirths
My schoolmates mocked me for being a UPF-free, ‘weird lunchbox’ kid. Turns out my mum was right all along
In the 90s my mum embarrassed me with her rejection of ultra-processed foods – but the growing body of evidence about them is vindicating her, says Guardian columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
Influencers made millions pushing ‘wild’ births – now the Free Birth Society is linked to baby deaths around the world
A year-long investigation reveals how mothers lost children after being radicalised by uplifting podcast tales of births without midwives or doctors
She was pregnant and addicted to fentanyl. Getting to keep her baby saved them both
A baby is born in withdrawal every 18 minutes in the US, and most end up in foster care. At centers like Maddie’s Place, mothers stay with their infants – and leave together, in recovery