Great expectations: art’s struggle to depict pregnancy

From the Virgin Mary to Demi Moore, art history swells with iconic mums-to-be. But can a single image ever do justice to such a head-scrambling state of flux – especially one made by a man?

‘She can’t say no’: the Ugandan men demanding to be breastfed

A study is looking into the coercive practice in Uganda, amid calls for government to address the issue

I’m happy for Chloë Sevigny, but the lesson is not that anyone can get pregnant at 45

Late pregnancies shouldn’t be framed as freakish feats or guaranteed back-up plans, but as stories of chance

‘She said she’d be babysitting our embryo’: what’s it like to carry a child for a friend?

Surrogacy between friends can be life-changing. The people who have done it talk emotions, legal hurdles – and WhatsApp birthing groups

Readers on the pain of miscarriage: ‘In my head I was already a mum and then suddenly I wasn’t’

According to a new study, a third of women experience PTSD after losing a baby in early pregnancy. Guardian readers describe their experiences

A letter to… my angry father

‘I don’t blame you, but I want you to understand how your actions affected me’: the letter you always wanted to write

Those of us with anorexia who are pregnant need greater support

National health guidelines ignore new mothers who have a history of eating disorders, says Ché Ramsden

‘My bears are my lifeline’: the adults who sleep with soft toys

A third of adults cuddle up to teddies every night for emotional comfort – and research shows there are real health benefits

‘When I became a mother I realised how hard it is’: how the parenting experts parent

What does a dietician feed their children? Does a dentist rule out sweets? And how does a psychologist cope with troublesome teens?