- FRANCE 24

25/04/2012 - SPAIN

Spain's stolen babies

Over a period of decades, as many as 150,000 newborn babies in Spain were stolen from their mothers. The latter were told that their children had died during birth, although they were never shown the bodies. The stolen infants were put up for adoption by families deemed suitable by General Franco's regime. This complex web of deception involving doctors, nurses and nuns continued long after 1975, when Franco died. Our correspondents report from Spain.

20/03/2012 - PLANET HOPE

Childbirth in South Africa

Giving birth in South Africa is becoming a matter of life and death. In the past 20 years, the number of women dying in childbirth has increased fourfold. But people have had enough. In their own small way, lawyers, civil servants and simple workers are raising awareness and driving change.

21/01/2012 - 7 BILLION OTHERS

AIDS, transmission of the disease

When mothers who have tested HIV positive remain untreated, one child out of three is at risk of infection either in utero, during childbirth or through breastfeeding.

18/01/2012 - FRANCE

French women's fertility rate fuels population growth

Even as its economic growth appears stunted, France's demographic growth seems full of vitality - French women boast the European Union's second-highest fertility rate. Across Europe as a whole, where recent years have seen declining birth rates, the numbers of births are stabilising. This in turn is allaying fears of a diminishing future work force.

24/12/2011 - 7 BILLION OTHERS

Promoting the use of contraception

42% of women with a secondary education make use of contraception, compared with 10% among those with no education.

10/12/2011 - 7 BILLION OTHERS

Giving birth

In 2009 in developing countries, 65% of cases of giving birth took place with qualified staff in attendance, compared with 55% in 1991.

03/12/2011 - 7 BILLION OTHERS

Access to health care and monitoring pregnancy

Between 1990 and 2009 in developing regions, the maternal mortality rate dropped by 34%.

30/10/2011 - HEALTH

Why being disabled doesn't have to be a drawback

This week, we meet people who are a living testament that being disabled doesn't have to stop you leading a full and active life.

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02/10/2011 - HEALTH

Best chance at life

Every day, maternal health innovations are improving the chances that babies will survive to see the light of day. This week we take a look at some of the revolutionary research techniques being used to give the next generation the best chance at life.

08/05/2011 - HEALTH

Battle for life

Maternity matters are at the heart of this week’s Health show. First, we meet the twin sisters behind Europe’s first ovarian transplant - after 15 years without falling pregnant, one French woman accepted her sister’s ovary. Next, we explore how doctors in the United States are helping cancer patients avoid infertility later in life. And finally, have scientists discovered the cause of sudden infant death syndrome? We head to Strasbourg to find out.