Pregnant women in England at ‘growing risk’ of serious injury in childbirth

NHS figures show number of mothers sustaining third- or fourth-degree perineal tear has increased by 16% since 2020

The eight best showerhead filters in the US for every budget and bathroom

Shower filters claim to help with the chlorine and chemicals in the tap water we rinse with – here are the ones we recommend

Night owls versus early birds: who is superior according to science?

And is it actually possible for your body clock to change? Am I really turning into an early bird or have I just been forced into a child-dictated schedule?

Cumulative social advantage: is this the secret to a long, happy, healthy life?

High income levels are associated with slower ageing – but so is another factor that will cost you nothing at all. It just involves plenty of time spent hanging out with family, friends and neighbours ...

‘You are constantly told you are evil’: inside the lives of diagnosed narcissists

Few psychiatric conditions are as stigmatised or as misunderstood as narcissistic personality disorder. Here’s how it can damage careers and relationships – even before prejudice takes its toll

Running on empty: why are so many marathon runners so miserable?

One in four endurance runners displays ‘worryingly high’ levels of anxiety and depression, according to a study led by a man who has himself run more than 400 marathons. Isn’t exercise supposed to make you feel good?

What is the best pillow for your sleeping style?

The wrong pillow can disrupt sleep, so finding the right one can guard against decline in mental and physical health

Pregnancy skincare products target women at a vulnerable time. Do any work or do they just stretch the truth?

Oils, creams and lotions with names like ‘mummy’s tummy’, ‘bump love’ and ‘belly butter’ abound

My extreme sickness in pregnancy feels like a personal failure, even as society glorifies motherhood as divine suffering

Hyperemesis gravidarum – a condition routinely dismissed as ‘just morning sickness’ – doesn’t just affect your stomach, it hijacks your entire life

From exploding gin to dating app disasters: our Filter writers’ guide to life

Consumer advice and life lessons: here’s everything our Filter writers have learned in the past year. Plus gifts for Diwali; cordless vacuums on test; and the best hair masks, revealed