Today is Maternity Day

Jayne Howarth
The first ever National Maternity Day is being held today to recognise the work being done by midwives and the need for good services for new mothers.

It has been launched by the National Maternity Support Foundation, which campaigns to ensure that every NHS Trust with a maternity unit offers specialist bereavement care.

Tubes useful, say women

Laura Johnson
Is this a sign that women are taking control of their own lives and fertility? According to new figures, the number of women opting to get their tubes tied has slumped - even collapsed - in the last ten years.

There's no indication what lies behind it so we can only guess. Perhaps women are choosing not to have an irreversible procedure - keeping their options open. Or it

La Paloma Blanca?

Stacey Collins
Oh, look. It’s that time of the week again; The Apprentice time. Tonight’s episode, ‘Selling to Trade’ will see the remaining contestants select two, new innovative products to trade to the country’s largest retailers. However, task aside, most of the country will be watching to see what degree of bitchiness this week’s episode will entail.
Every week of The Apprentice seems to reveal

Hush, All You Adults

Stacey Collins
Trouble sleeping at night? Have you ever tried listening to music to help induce a bountiful night of sleep? If you are, then you’re part of the 84 per cent of adults that also listen to music before bedtime.

We’ve all heard of the different methods

Women bear the brunt?

Stacey Collins
So after much anticipation, the government’s Spending Review was finally presented to Parliament earlier this week. Whilst we’ve all heard the keywords private and public sector, budgets and economy milled around this week, the review this year

Jade effect fades

Laura Johnson
The “Jade Goody” effect on cervical cancer testing has faded in England, with fewer women having tests last year compared with the previous 12 months, according to new figures revealed yesterday.

The fall in numbers alarmed campaigners - as it is thought to be too early for the HPV vaccination programme to be having an impact on older women.

The Apprentice

Stacey Collins
The fight to resist Orange 241 films on a Wednesday has just become easier as The Apprentice has made its sweet return for the sixth series with Lord Sugar.

As we wait in anticipation for tonight’s episode, when we shall see who ‘dough’ and who ‘doughsn’t’ get through on the bakery challenge, last weeks ‘bitchfest’ episode is still fresh on people’s minds.

Attack on pregnancy 'scares'

Laura Johnson
Women are being scared out of normal birth because of reports highlighting the risks surrounding pregnancy, a midwives' leader says.

Recent guidance on obesity in pregnancy has alarmed many women, according to Cathy Warwick, general secretary of the Royal College of Midwives.

Most women who are obese or overweight can still experience a normal birth - but need high quality care, Professor Warwick said.

Don't Give Up Africa

Stacey Collins

The word Africa conjures up images of drought, disease and death to the majority of us. These negative connotations are frequently encouraged by the media who bombard us with pictures of skeletal bodies and stories of war crimes.

However, the latest campaign by Bono has attempted not to dwell on the saddening and sombre aspects of African poverty to guilt people into giving money.

THE AMAZING ANNA AWARD

Stacey Collins
As women, what are the worst challenges we face daily? Perhaps getting up in time for work every morning? Maybe it’s trying to find an outfit that actually matches or attempting to fit in that quality ‘me-time’ which demands a mug of hot chocolate, a Hobnob and an episode of Corrie? How about the struggle to stay alive everyday because your conscience prevailed over cowardliness?

AIN'T TOO POSH TO PUSH

Staff Writer
Varying standards of care, not lifestyle choice, lie behind soaring Caesarean birth rates in England, researchers say today.

A new study rejects the idea that women are choosing the operation - typified by claims that celebrities have become "too posh to push".

Some 25 per cent of births now take place through the surgeon's knife - compared with just nine per cent in 1980.

NEW MUMS 'LET DOWN'

Staff Writer
Care for mothers with new babies in Britain is inadequate, it was claimed yesterday.

Many women feel "confused, abandoned and let down", according to the National Childbirth Trust.