Generate an appropriate single-sentence summary for the given text such that it includes the main topic of the text.

Expectant parents are bombarded with advice about what they should and shouldn't be doing. Pregnant women mustn't eat too much as it may raise the baby's risk of obesity or diabetes, but they mustn't diet as that could have a similar effect. Neither should they exercise for fear of triggering a miscarriage, or get too stressed out because that's bad for the baby too. And if they do get stressed, they can't drink alcohol or go for a spa treatment to relax. You might start to think that staying at home would be the sensible thing to do, only this too is ridden with potential dangers for your unborn child: from ice-cream, to pet shampoo, to hair dye. Even lying down or your back can allegedly cut off your baby's blood supply. When I fell pregnant three years ago, I felt paralysed and somewhat patronised by all the conflicting advice out there. I was also obsessed with the little life that was growing inside me, and desperate for more information about what it was doing in there. Could it taste the curry I was eating; hear the songs I was singing; or sense when I took a swim in the freezing outdoor swimming pool near my home? So I began a quest to investigate the truth behind the old wives' tales, alarming newspaper headlines and government guidelines, and to probe deeper into the inner world of the developing child. So Bumpology was born. Booze and breastfeeding Some of what I discovered while researching the book amused and amazed me: I learned that parents who already have a couple of boys are statistically more likely to go on having boys, though no-one really understands why; that the shape of a woman's bump provides no clues as to the gender of the baby within, but that women with severe morning sickness are slightly more likely to be carrying a girl; and that contrary to the received wisdom, babies actually can focus on objects further than 30cm away (even if they often under- or overshoot). I also learned that much of the research underpinning medical advice on things like alcohol consumption - and even the health benefits of breastfeeding - is far from clear-cut and often aimed at the general population, rather than taking the individual into consideration. In the case of alcohol, there's clear evidence that heavy drinking is harmful -- and even a daily glass of wine may increase the odds of a baby being born underweight, which carries additional risks to its health. However, below this level, there is a massive grey zone where scientists simply don't yet have an answer to whether or not alcohol causes harm. When it comes to breastfeeding, it's quite true that breast milk is best for babies, or at least better than formula milk in terms of protecting them against infections in the short term. But when it comes to the much-touted long-term benefits of breastfeeding, such as protection against obesity, diabetes or allergy, the research is less convincing. Certainly women who can't breastfeed for whatever reason, and who live in countries with a decent standard of health care, shouldn't waste too much time worrying that they are causing long-term damage to their baby's health. 'Overblown' However, what alarmed me the most was the realisation that much of what women are told about the risks of medical interventions during labour - things like induction, epidural anaesthesia and undergoing a c-section - are overblown. At the same time, statistics about the odds of needing medical assistance or on complications like tearing during a vaginal birth are frequently not talked about. I believe that access to this kind of information could have a big influence on women's expectations of labour and on some of the decisions they make when planning for the birth of their child. I also think it could help women to come to terms with things if labour doesn't go according to plan and they need additional help getting their baby out. Having a baby can be one of the greatest joys that life bestows. However, it is also hard work and new parents can do without the unnecessary guilt, anxiety and doubt that misleading pregnancy advice brings. It is also a time of great wonder and through my research I have learned things about my own children that will never cease to amaze me. I believe it's time to push aside the scaremongering and allow parents the freedom to enjoy this precious period of their lives.
Pregnancy is a huge, life-changing period in a woman's life and there is no shortage of advice about what is best for your unborn child. But in this week's Scrubbing Up, Linda Geddes, the author of Bumpology, argues this can sometimes be misleading and scaremongering.

North Tyneside Council said it received 156 complaints over the Easter weekend about gatherings and people breaching social distancing rules. Gatherings of more than two people not from the same household have been banned to stop the spread of Covid-19. Most received warnings but "further action" is being taken against a set of persistent revellers in North Shields. A BBQ being attended by 10 people from different households was found in a garden in Killingworth while in Camperdown, multiple complaints were received about an address hosting garden parties, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Phil Scott, head of environment, housing and leisure at North Tyneside Council, said he was "shocked" by the "huge increase" in complaints over the weekend. "For the most part, people showed great self-discipline and resolve by staying at home and social distancing," he said. "However, some people decided to ignore the lockdown restrictions by having loud parties and social gatherings. "We understand how badly everyone wants to get back to normality and spend time with family and friends, but some people apparently don't understand that by socialising and partying, they are causing a direct risk to the lives of their family and friends." Meanwhile, Northumbria Police has revealed it has issued 32 fines to people breaching the rules between 27 March and 13 April. Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.
More than 100 house parties have been stopped during the past week of the coronavirus lockdown, a council claims.

Statistics from the International Centre for Drugs Policy 102 illicit drugs-related deaths recorded in Wales in 2009, up from 61 in 2006. Researchers say the UK has a "major problem" with such deaths, with rises also in England and Northern Ireland. The Welsh Assembly Government said it was too early to say whether the rise reflected an emerging trend. Heroin and morphine were involved in more than half of the deaths across the UK, while there was a reduction in deaths from cocaine, amphetamines and ecstasy-type drugs. The figures were based on information provided by coroners to the International Centre for Drugs Policy. Drugs-related deaths in Scotland remained broadly the same, while deaths in Wales, England and Northern Ireland all rose. Professor Hamid Ghodse, director of the International Centre for Drug Policy (ICDP) at St George's Hospital, London, said the continuing rise was "very concerning". "The effectiveness of both drug abuse prevention and treatment is reflected in the mortality data, so we know we still have a major problem," he said. "An immediate impact in reducing drug-related deaths could be achieved by improving the availability of effective treatment and rehabilitation services." Detoxification beds Darren Millar, chair of the Welsh assembly health, wellbeing and local government committee, said: "It's too many: these figures are very alarming and shows an increasing trend that needs to be addressed. "For some time experts have been warning we need more residential detoxification beds. "People are waiting for up to 12 months to get access to these beds and they can very often continue to self harm and, in some cases, unfortunately overdose. "We have got to be able to offer a bed very quickly as any delay can allow them to lapse in their frame of mind. Mr Millar said that at the moment, drugs users from Wales were sent to rehabilitation centres in England, which is a "very expensive" option. "There are some excellent service providers in Wales which could be expanded if the cash was there," he said. "If you invest up front it saves lives." Ifor Glyn, director of the Swansea Drugs Project, said: "Just one death is too much. "Heroin is definitely the main drug that is presented to agencies across Wales. "What we should be seeing is a wide variety of treatment options. Sending people from their communities is not always the answer." An assembly government spokesman said: "Each of these deaths is a personal tragedy for the individuals and their family and friends. "It is too early to say whether the 2009 figures represent an emerging trend of a higher rate of increase in drug-related deaths in Wales. "We are investing in prevention and education to stop people becoming hooked on alcohol or drugs in the first place, and are also investing in treatment and rehabilitation for those who are dependent upon drugs. "An extra £5.9m has been added to the Substance Misuse Action Fund this year, bringing the total budget supporting the substance misuse strategy to £52.6m this year."

Drugs-related deaths in Wales have risen by 67% in three years, new figures have revealed.

