Search | New Scientist

Skip to content

An unrecognisable mature pregnant woman lies on a hospital delivery bed as she has fetal monitoring. Cardiotocography is usually called a 'CTG' by medical staff. It can be used to monitor a baby's heart rate and a mother's contractions during pregnancy

Vaginal swabs could be used to predict likelihood of preterm births

12 January 2023

We often don't know the causes of preterm birth – but analysing metabolic substances in the vaginal microbiome may be a way to predict the risk of premature labour

Harvest mice (Micromys minutus)

Female mice release banana-scented urine when pregnant to deter males

20 May 2022

Pregnant and lactating female mice release a banana-smelling chemical in their urine that is thought to stress out males so they don’t commit infanticide

A heart-shaped cake

Valentine’s Day seems to cause a mini baby-boom 9 months later

14 February 2018

National Health Service data reveals that around Valentine’s Day there is a 5 per cent rise in the number of babies conceived in England

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up