The pregnancy prescription: ‘I was told a baby might cure my chronic pain. I was sold a lie’

A difficult pregnancy is a lot like living with chronic pain, something to be quietly endured, because no one likes to talk about it

I had babies in Germany 10 years apart. This is what I learned about healthcare, motherhood and race

My son was born soon after we moved to Berlin to open a bookshop. Last year I had twins – and things went far less smoothly

‘I felt I was being assessed on my skin colour’: Black women around the world share their birth stories

From Rio to Reykjavik, London to Shanghai, Black women face a maternal health crisis. Six mothers share their stories of pregnancy, birth – and racism

‘It doesn’t need to be a setback’: how elite athletes return from pregnancy

Serena Williams says she does not want to be pregnant again as an athlete – she got back to the top before but it can take its toll

Vegetarian women more likely to fracture hips in later life, study shows

Research suggests some vegetarians may not get sufficient nutrients for good bone and muscle health

So, women aren’t doing enough ‘vigorous’ exercise? One more telling-off we can do without

According to a new report, we need to go to the gym more. But that ignores the exertions of everyday life

Are there enough concrete commitments in the women’s health strategy to truly ‘reset the dial’?

Analysis: While elements of the strategy are thoughtful and will make a meaningful difference, others have either appeared out of the blue or slipped from view entirely

New women’s health strategy for England aims to end decades of inequality

Among proposals to ‘reset the dial’ on women’s health are training for doctors and hubs across the NHS

Breastfeeding improves cognitive ability for children of poorer mothers – study

Analysis of data on almost 6,000 children found breastfeeding boosted brain development in disadvantaged mothers’ babies

At 34, I’m fitter than I have ever been – no thanks to the fat shamers

Like many women, my body has always felt like public property. Last year, I decided the two of us needed to work on our relationship, writes actor and comedian Evelyn Mok