A new study at Kings College, London, indicates that eating during labour has no adverse effects. Doctors have been advising women not to eat since the 1940s in case a caesarean section was needed, but most caesareans are now carried out using spinal anaesthetics. Read more at RCM magazines

Plastic feeding bottles containing Bisphenol A have been withdrawn in the USA, and there have been calls for UK manufacturers to do the same. Evidence suggests Bisphenol A interferes with healthy growth and body functions.

Children born by Caesarean have an 80% increased risk of developing asthma by the age of 8, compared to vaginal birth, Dutch researchers have found. One reason could be the priming of the immune system after birth, as well as not being exposed to microbes as soon as those born vaginally. Read more on BBC health news

A new study has reinforced the risks obese women face during pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia, premature birth, low birth weight babies, diabetes and a greater probability of interventions during labour & birth. Read more at BBC health news

A charity has found that 57% of trusts in England had no staff guidance on checks at birth and 6-8 weeks. Screening is used to identify hip dysplasia which can lead to deformity and disability. In response, trusts have said a lack of policy does not mean checks are not being made. For the full story, see BBC health news