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?

How to be hopeful: Lisa Taddeo on the thumb injury that cheered her up

After losing eight people she loved deeply in a decade, the author of Three Women was feeling hopeless. But there came a surprising respite from her hypochondria

Record number of over-45s giving birth in England

More than 2,000 women aged 45 and older had babies last year, ONS figures show

Once-a-month contraceptive pill developed by scientists

Gelatine capsule could prevent unplanned pregnancies caused by errors in daily pill use

I’m 41. My boyfriend doesn’t want kids, so I’ll have them alone – without leaving him

I am in the relationship I’ve always wanted. And my new British citizenship makes single parenting easier

The Guardian view on prisons and mothers: an injustice

Editorial: The shameful treatment of pregnant inmates and of the children of jailed women must be addressed. No babies should be born behind bars

Pushed to the limit: six birth stories from around the world

From pop songs to warm pools, Candice Pires hears six very different accounts of women’s experience in labour