A Week in the News - 8th November 2013

Today we woke up with the news of a devastating 200mph storm that hit the Philippines; over double the speeds we experienced last week. We've also seen debate on radio and parliament regarding the book To Train Up a Child, although this is a debate which has raged for many a year. There has also been the news that jobs will be lost in Portsmouth after the closure of navy shipbuilding. We move onto news in the world of pregnancy and babies though, here's what we read this week.

Lullabies, Sperm and Pre-Eclampsia

Do you know why lullabie send your child to sleep? A story in the Telegraph seems to have found the reason why. The reason why? Well it's pretty simple really, lullabies ease pain and anxiety. This may not seem like rocket science to you, but it was the finding of a research project by Great Ormond Street Hospital. We all love lullabies, so if you're a bit stressed perhaps you should sing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star to yourself before you go to bed, you never know it might help!

A story in the Daily Mail pointed to a new finding when it comes to healthy sperm. Men should be eating carrots apparently. They help to improve fertility by improving the ability of sperm to swim due to the carotenoids in the carrot. I'm sure that there are plenty of families across the country who want to take on different techniques such as this to improve the chances of conception - so get eating those carrots!

A simple blood test has been devised which can detect pre-eclampsia within 15 minutes. The report in the Independent reveals how important this test might be, with helping to predict the serious condition. Whilst the blood test is not avaliable yet on the NHS there is hope that it will soon be added.

Miscarriage, Overstretched Maternity Wards and Vacuum Babies

An interesting blog on the Telegraph from Julie Maxwell talks about her experience on the road to motherhood. She has been through a miscarriage, an ectopic pregnancy and an emergency c-section, so has quite a story to tell. It shows that becoming a mum isn't always quite so simple.

Stories across the media today revealed how maternity services are completely overstretched including this report in the Guardian. Many have had to shut or turn people away, something which could be absolutely devastating for a mother going in to give birth. There are reports that there is a shortfall of around 2300 midwives in the UK, and this is something that needs to change. Hopefully the government decided to resolve this sooner, rather than later.

Finally, some light relief, a video of babies riding around on vacuum cleaners - I don't think much else needs to be said does it?

We'll be back next week with another round up of the news, see you then!

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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