Alcohol abuse in pregnancy could become a crime, legal papers claim

Advice groups bid to combat ruling they believe could undermine pregnant women's freedom to make decisions for themselves

Advising women with depression about having children isn’t babying them

Hannah Jane Parkinson: Doctors are being advised to speak to women with depression about pregnancy risks. This is not intrusive – it's necessary guidance

Women are second-class citizens when pregnancy makes us potential criminals

Jessica Valenti: A world in which all women of child-bearing age are considered 'pre-pregnant' is the stuff of nightmares

Does reading make your kids short-sighted?

Luisa Dillner: Reading and writing may play more of a part than we thought in the onset of short-sightedness. How can you manage the risk?

Our health system is failing new mothers

Maggie Gordon-Walker: Postnatal depression is serious. A mother's mental health following a birth is as important as physical health beforehand, but NHS services are inadequate

I have struggled with depression and anxiety – it doesn’t have to be the end

Ariane Sherine: A former boyfriend attacked me nine years ago, destroying my mental health – but I am no longer ashamed. I want people to know life can get better

Infant hospital visits down as fewer women smoke while pregnant

Australian medical study finds a 10.5% drop in the number of infants under a year old being re-admitted to hospital

Home-birthing pools recalled after baby falls ill with legionnaires’ disease

NHS and Public Health England ban certain types of heated pool and question suppliers over safety precautions

When should I start taking my child to the dentist?

Many parents just don't bother, according to a new survey. Are they in danger of ruining their kids' teeth?

Nutrition: in Sierra Leone breast is best

The government places breastfeeding at the centre of a campaign to move from treating malnutrition to preventing it. Anna Leach speaks to Aminata Shamit Koroma at the ministry of health