A Week in the News - 28th February 2014

This week it seemed that Spring may have sprung slightly early, although there are forecasts which predict snow this weekend - something that people in low lying areas have hardly seen at all this Winter. That being said it is the official first day of Spring tomorrow, and with blossom already appearing on trees Summer doesn't feel too far away. The growing problems in Ukraine have caught the attention of the world as the Winter Olympics closed in Sochi, Russia last weekend. We move our attention onto matters of pregnancy and babies though, and have a look at what caught our eye this week.

C-Sections, Alcohol, Older Dads

In a story reported across many media outlets, including the Independent, it has been suggested that babies born by c-section are more likely to be obese as adults. A study has shown that those born by c-section were 26% more likely to become obese in adulthood, and this has been used by midwives to further the cause for naturals births in a society where c-sections are becoming more desirable when they are not necessary. Apparently being born by c-section changes the kind of bacteria being developed in the gut, and also affects certain genes being switched on. It's interesting that this could be a cause of obesity later in life, but we all know that good diet and exercise also helps to combat it. 'I was born by c-section' shouldn't be an excuse!

Another story in the Indy that caught our eye was the case going through the Court of Appeal which could lead to drinking during pregnancy becoming illegal. The case is trying to show that a six year old girl was brain damaged during pregnancy because her mother drank alcohol during pregnancy, despite being aware of the dangers it may cause. Every other week we see reports that are either pro or against alcohol during pregnancy. Obviously to be 100% safe drinking during pregnancy should be avoided, but if you have a glass of wine once in a while the chances are no damage will be caused. Should it become illegal though?

A report on the BBC website has suggested that a wide range of childhood problems could be caused because fathers are getting older before they have children. Increased rates of autism, ADHD, bi-polar disorder and various others issues could be caused because a man delays becoming a father. The study itself compared the difference between children born to a 45 year old, and those to a 24 year old father. Becoming a father at 45 is still uncommon, although rates for couples having children at a later stage are increasing. Would a story like this change your mind?

Teen Pregnancy, Three Parents and an NYC Baby

Did you know that teen pregnancy rates are continuing to drop? Official statistics show that teen pregnancies are at their lowest since 1969 with only 27.9 conceptions per 1000 females aged 15-17. I remember when I was at school that there was big fuss about sex education, and the lack of it, and I have to admit we didn't seem to have many lessons aside from sticking a condom on a banana. It looks like things are changing though, and our young people today are far more informed. Statistics also showed that the conception rate for women 40 and over has more than doubled since 1990, so people are also waiting later too.

In the next couple of years it could be legal for a baby to have three parents via IVF. As parents may find that certain issues are preventing them from having children, but through a donor embryo they may be able to include their own genes through a cell nucleus that was come from an egg fertilised by spem from the parents. This is an extremely interesting case, and once which will be followed by many people across the country. It is bound to cause debate over the next few months and we'll definitely keep an eye on it. What are your thoughts on this situation?

Finally this week, a story which you may have come across, where a woman gave birth to a baby on a street in New York city. They had called a cab, but eventually it was obvious that they wouldn't get to the cab, let alone the hospital, in time. We wish both mum and baby well.

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.

share this page with friends and family

Tweet