A Week in the News - 16th May 2014

The week we've just experienced has gone on to show us some very interesting news stories. The girls which have been taken by Islamic group Boko Haram are continuing to receive the attention of the world, and whilst the world's media is focusing on this event there seems to be very slow progress in returning the girls home. We've also seen UKIP leader Nigel Farage claim that homosexuality makes most people over the age of 70 feel uncomfortable. With summer seemingly appearing this weekend, we'll move onto looking at the articles which caught our eyes this week.

Contraception, Home Births and Boris Buggies

According to the Daily Mail abortions are rising in those over 35 because they believe they cannot fall pregnant, and can only have a child through IVF. Obviously there has been a long debate over the quality of sex education for younger people in this country, but is it really the case that people over the age of 35 believe they can't fall pregnant? Abortion rates for those over 35 have risen by 6% in the last 13 years. Do you feel that this summary by the Mail is accurate, or is there other factors influencing this rather than simple ignorance?

Advice this week, covered by the Guardian, covers the suggestion that more women should give birth at home. It also suggests that more women should given birth with just midwives present, rather than having to enter wards where doctors are in charge. NICE suggests that 40% of women given birth, who are first time mothers, should always be given the choice to have a birth at home or on a maternity ward. This seems like a sensible decision, as long as there is the support network available if an emergency arises. What are your opinions on this, do you think that more mums should be given the option of having a home birth?

Would you hire a buggy to travel around London? One inventor is proposing just that, as 'Boris buggies' have come onto the agenda. If you have struggled to get your buggy around London, then perhaps being able to rent one once you have got to the location you are heading for would be a better idea? What do your experiences of travelling around London tell you? Would you ever consider this scheme?

Premature Labour and Twins

Concerns over premature labour may soon be solved with a simple blood test which will alert medical staff to any problems. As the article states around 5% of women who experience signs of early labour actually give birth within 10 days, and with a blood test this could be caught before the warning signs are shown. The blood test actually predicted an early labour in 70% of cases. It could be a interesting test to see whether this makes a difference, and as early labour is one of the leading causes of newborn deaths in the Western world, prediction could be key.

Finally this week, the story from the US where twins were born holding hands. What an amazing sight, and I'm sure their parents were amazed too!

See you next week!

About the author

James Brighton

Since 2011 James has been in charge of working with and organising all our writers to put together Pregnancy.co.uk and Babies.co.uk. Anna, his girlfriend, knows he will be an encyclopaedia of knowledge if she ever falls pregnant!

Click here to read my full biography.

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