Homebirth or hospital birth? Choose what’s right for you, but educate yourself first

Jessica Valenti: We don’t have to declare doctors monstrous in order to promote midwives. Both choices can and should be made as safe and acceptable as possible

Social impact: the top five stories of 2014

This year’s top social impact stories featured electric cars, breastfeeding versus baby formula and the lack of diversity in British Vogue

The IVF egg donor: ‘I knew I didn’t want children. I’ve just found out I have three’

Altruists such as Vanessa Traill are playing an increasingly important role in helping childless couples unable to conceive naturally. Joanna Moorhead meets one of them

These are the baby bottle wars of New York

Emma Brockes: Notebook: One hospital is militantly pro-breastfeeding – another couldn’t give a toss. It’s the land of choice

Nice: mothers-to-be at risk of mental health problems need more support

Vulnerable women planning a child should receive guidance on how pregnancy could affect their mental health, says report

The perils of having an older parent

When Charles Lambert was born, his father was 64. After a childhood overshadowed by ill-health and old age, he cautions against late-life parenthood

Phthalates risk damaging children’s IQs in the womb, US researchers suggest

Additives found in plastics and scented products could affect brain development and lower IQ

I had postpartum psychosis. More must be done to help mothers like me

Vonny Leclerc: Postnatal depression’s bigger, uglier brother hit me. When all eyes are on the beautiful baby, we can forget to look at the mum

Better care urged for pregnant women with mental health problems – study

Deaths from indirect causes such as suicide have remained constant despite overall fall in maternal mortality rate

Should I have a home birth?

Studies show that, for healthy women, they are safe and, largely, free of complications. But the choice between home and hospital is still up to you