News that working past your eighth month of pregnancy has the same effect on your unborn child as smoking will be cold comfort to every woman trying to shore up as much maternity leave as possible.

Many mothers have long believed breastfeeding helps them get their figure back. Now scientists have found it can help them stay slim for decades.

A university friend of mine who I don't see very often came to see me this weekend and when I opened the door to her, I was blown away with how fantastic she looked.