Pregnant women should avoid additives called phthalates found in common household products, according to US researchers, who found evidence that the substances may reduce children’s IQ. Children whose mothers had the highest levels of phthalates had IQs on average seven points below those whose

“I don’t believe there’s anything wrong with you.” The psychiatrist’s words pierced like a bullet. Months of suppressed grief became fat, heaving sobs and one defeated plea, “why are you doing this to me?”, before I ran out and collapsed at my husband’s feet. We’d been cut loose, left alone to

The day before I discovered I was pregnant with my son, I’d shared nearly two bottles of red wine with a good friend. It was more than three glasses or six units; I’d thus been binge drinking. As the faint blue line of the white stick deepened in intensity, my mind raced back. Visions of midweek

Women who eat fried food every day are nearly twice as likely to develop diabetes during pregnancy, according to a major study. Those who regularly enjoy chips, an omelette or fried chicken are at much higher risk of gestational diabetes – a temporary condition that affects up to one in 20

Deciding whether to drink alcohol during pregnancy is a confusing business. Anecdotally, viewpoints on the matter range from testimonies of “I drank through the whole of my pregnancy and my child turned out fine” to reports of bartenders refusing to serve alcohol to pregnant women. Recommended