Mothers in early 30s have lowest premature birth risk, study finds

Women in their early thirties have a 1% chance of early birth, with the risk rising to 1.2% for those over 40, analysis shows

Folic acid: new research is a ‘gamechanger’ in push to fortify British foods

Study concludes there is no need for an upper limit on folate, removing a further barrier to mandatory fortification that would prevent birth defects

Yes, Jacinda Ardern can combine work with a baby – but it’s not for every woman

With enough support, the New Zealand PM will certainly be able to continue to work as a new parent. But women who choose to be full-time mothers should not be made to feel ashamed

Down’s syndrome test could see condition disappear, C of E warns

Church says new NHS test could lead to more terminations and fewer people born with condition

Was Serena Williams unrealistic to try to return so soon after giving birth?

The tennis champion has withdrawn from the Australian Open three months after having her first child. So, when is the right time to come back to sport?

How the hardest year of my life ended my catastrophic thinking

Worst-case scenario has always been my default setting – but complications during pregnancy and an ill mother and partner meant I had to get my anxiety under control

Mary had a baby. So did I. Neither of us needed wise men

The nativity tale always dominates the season – but for far too many women even today, there’s still no room at the inn, says freelance journalist Nell Frizzell

Miscarriage research: the bioengineers taking a fresh look at pregnancy

With the help of CGI models of placentas, universities are collaborating to investigate why one in five pregnancies end in miscarriage

Doctors develop ‘transformational’ new DNA test for Down’s syndrome

New test more accurate than current screening in detecting Down’s, Edwards and Patau syndromes and could simplify screening process, say researchers

Hope or hype? The chilling truth about freezing your eggs

Cryogenic egg-storage techniques have improved dramatically in recent years.But as one woman says, ‘If this is your Plan B, you’ll need a Plan C’