According to the Office for National Statistics more than one in five births were to women who were born overseas. Fertility rates among women over 40 went up by six per cent last year and have now doubled in the 15 years since 1992.More than 12 in every 1,000 women over 40 gave birth last year and they had 25,350 babies, nearly double the 12,914 babies born to over 40s in 1997.Overall the figures mean that each woman is now likely to have 1.91 babies in her life, the highest fertility rate since 1973. So it's not all bad!

In this issue we are pleased to say hello to Russel McGrath, a Business Link advisor, and Sue Atkins, an experienced teacher and parenting coach.

In our features the ‘First Lady of Mamas and Papas', Luisa Scacchetti talks about her joy at becoming a grandparent for the first time this month, and Liz Scambler gives you the hard facts you need about nappies. We've more nappies on our product pages, but check out Peter White's information on the BPA's page to find out what changes are in store for standards in Changing Units. Have a lovely summer,

Emma