Premature birth risk could be measured by blood test – study

Findings offer hope of accurate predictions on age of foetus and early birth through test that picks up free-floating RNA in the mother’s blood

Appetite is mysterious: let’s learn from pregnant women rather than calling them greedy

New research has hinted at the psychology behind weight gains during pregnancy. Yet public health messages can’t seem to get beyondbeing patronising or punitive

Why pregnant and breastfeeding models are the key to bumper sales

From Chanel to Victoria’s Secret, visible bumps and breastfeeding are increasingly being used to sell clothes. It says a lot about fashion’s changing relationship with women

From pregnancy to eating disorders: Gavin Francis picks five books on human transformation

The doctor and author recommends some of his favourite books that provide personal and profound insights into pregnancy, the menopause and gender

The pressure to have a second child

There are far easier ways to screw up your kid than by making them an only child, says Eva Wiseman

I don’t want my bosses to know I’m trying for a baby – but they are sending me to a Zika virus zone

Have you got a work-related problem? In this series we invite you to send in a short description of your predicament – so that other readers can offer solutions

Introduce mental health checks for new mothers, ministers told

Six-week checkup would help the 50% of UK mothers with mental health problems

You can smell a new mother’s loneliness. Unless you’re the state

As a new mum, I know loneliness cuts deep – and the lack of services for parent and child plays a large part in this, says the freelance writer Nell Frizzell

Rise of contraceptive apps sparks fears over unwanted pregnancies

Health experts say it’s unclear how effective menstrual trackers are for the average UK woman

Don’t save it for the duchess. All new mothers should be treated like royalty

Rather than treating royal births as mundane events, why don’t we celebrate all the ordinary women who give birth, says Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff