Researchers investigating the effect of past stressors and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on pregnant women have found that those with a dissociative type of PTSD that is often related to childhood abuse or trauma had cortisol levels up to ten times higher than their peers.

According to Julia Seng, professor of nursing at the University of Michigan, US, and lead author of the study, said that these toxic levels of cortisol may contribute to health problems in their children.

Significant improvements are needed to the diagnosis of gestational diabetes in the UK, a new report has warned.

Research carried out at the University of Cambridge has led to the discovery that the condition is often detected too late, by which time both the expectant mother's and baby's health are in a position of serious risk.

Breastfeeding can have multiple benefits for both newborn babies and their mothers, with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommending it as "the best way to give your child a great start in life".

Not all women are able to breastfeed their infants, but for those who can, this combined feeding and bonding process can provide newborns with the perfect foundation for the rest of their lives.

Breastfeeding 'the best start in life for infants'