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The Government has sent out 1.5 million letters warning families of a key August 3 deadline to confirm their teenager is staying in education or training
Families risk losing payments of around £108.20 per month from September, HMRC officials have warned, as the government dispatches approximately 1.5 million letters alerting recipients to a crucial deadline.
Unless parents take action before August 31 to confirm their child aged between 16 and 19 is remaining in education, the payments will be withdrawn. For two children, the monthly Child Benefit payment stands at £194.83 (or approximately £44.95 per week), based on the 2026/27 rate of £27.05 per week for the eldest or only child, and £17.90 per week for each additional child.
Should the oldest child exceed the age threshold and no action is taken, payments of £108.20 every four weeks will cease. Parents of 16 to 19-year-olds are being urged to extend their Child Benefit claim by 31 August if their teenager is continuing in qualifying education or training following their GCSEs or National 5s.
Around 1.5 million reminder letters are being sent from late April, with the majority expected to arrive on doorsteps in early May. Parents need not wait for their letter to arrive — they can extend their claim immediately via the HMRC app or online through GOV.UK..
Child Benefit is worth £27.05 per week — or £1,406.60 annually — for the eldest or only child, and £17.90 per week for each additional child. Last year, 874,000 parents extended their claim, with more than half doing so online or through the HMRC app.
Child benefit is a payment made by HMRC to assist with the costs of raising a child. It can be claimed by anyone with parental responsibility for a child under 16, or under 20 if they remain in full-time education or approved training.
Parents also receive National Insurance credits towards their state pension, and their child will automatically be issued a National Insurance number when they turn 16.
Child Benefit will automatically cease on 31 August on or after a child’s 16th birthday unless parents confirm their teenager’s intentions. Approximately 1.5 million reminder letters will be dispatched from late April, with the majority arriving through letterboxes in early May.
Parents need not wait for their letter to arrive. HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) digital service for extending claims launched on 1 April, meaning those who already know their teenager’s plans can take action straight away.
Claim extensions can be submitted via the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK. The letters will also feature a QR code linking directly to the digital service. Child Benefit is worth £27.05 a week – or £1,406.60 a year – for the eldest or only child and £17.90 a week for each additional child.
Last year, 874,000 parents extended their claim, with more than half doing so online or through the HMRC app.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “Child Benefit is a real financial boost for families, so if your teenager already knows they’re staying in education or training after their GCSEs or National 5s, you don’t need to wait for your letter.
“You can extend your Child Benefit claim today in minutes via the HMRC app or online at GOV.UK.”
Child Benefit can continue for teenagers in full-time non-advanced education, or those undertaking unpaid approved training courses. A full list of eligible courses is available on GOV.UK..
Where a Child Benefit claimant or their partner has an individual income of between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner may be subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC). An estimate can be obtained using the Child Benefit tax calculator on GOV.UK. Parents can settle the charge either through their PAYE tax code via the HICBC digital service, or through Self Assessment.
More information on Child Benefit for 16-19-year-olds.
Chewing bubble gum after eating vegetables such as beetroot, spinach or kale could lower blood pressure and help protect your heart, a study suggests.
Leafy greens and root vegetables are high in nitrates, which are beneficial to the heart.
They trigger a process in the body that widens blood vessels, improves blood flow and helps muscles produce energy more efficiently.
Researchers at King’s College London say this process can significantly lower blood pressure – slashing the risk of a deadly heart attack or stroke.
However for this potentially life-saving effect to happen, the nitrate has to be converted into another chemical, called nitrite, by bacteria in the mouth.
Researchers at Kings College London and the University of Reading were investigating how to boost that reaction and found that sugary chewing gum has the desired effect.
Dr Andrew Webb, a cardiovascular expert at King’s College London, said: ‘We previously found that combining grapefruit juice with beetroot juice decreased the acidity of the saliva and inhibited the conversion of nitrate to nitrite in the saliva.
‘So, we wanted to formally test whether doing the opposite – increasing the acidity of the saliva – would enhance the conversion of nitrate to nitrite.’
Volunteers were given either Hubba Bubba, which has a high sugar content, or sugar-free Wrigley’s Extra to chew for several hours after drinking a shot of beetroot juice.
Trial results from 14 people found chewing sugary gum after beetroot juice led to significantly more nitrites — turbo-charging health effects of the vegetables.
Trial results from 14 people found chewing sugary gum after beetroot juice led to significantly more nitrites — turbo-charging health effects of the vegetables.
Sugar-free gum did not have the same effects.
The researchers also said that gum works better than sweets or pop because it stays in the mouth longer.
‘The effects were only short-term, lasting several hours — and long-term use of sugar- containing products would not be recommended for dental health,’ says Dr Webb.
‘Nonetheless, the tradition of following a main course with a dessert may temporarily increase blood pressure-lowering.’
The need for more high blood pressure treatments is clear.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects 14million adults in the UK and numbers are rising.
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. This pressure is created by the heart: each time it beats, it squeezes blood into the arteries so it can circulate around the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to organs and tissues.
A certain level of pressure is needed to move blood and oxygen around the body, and this naturally rises and falls throughout the day.
When blood pressure is consistently too high it puts strain on the arteries. Over time they can become damaged and narrower, making it easier for fatty deposits to build up. This raises the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Those in the study, published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, drank 70ml of beetroot juice then chewed gum for three to six hours — having a new piece every 30 minutes
Those in the study, published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, drank 70ml of beetroot juice then chewed gum for three to six hours — having a new piece every 30 minutes.
Blood pressure and nitrite levels were checked for six hours.
Gum-chewing increased nitrite by 25 per cent in the blood and 45 per cent in the mouth.
After just one session of gum-chewing, the participants’ blood pressure dropped by an average of about two per cent of a healthy reading.
‘We are certainly not suggesting that people should start chewing sugary gum regularly,’ says Dr Charlotte Mills, from the University of Reading.
‘Frequent sugar consumption is harmful for dental health and is also detrimental to cardiometabolic health when consumed in excess’.
However the research team do believe the findings could be used to improve patient care in the future.
‘Instead, our findings provide a proof of concept that we may be able to improve how the body processes dietary nitrate,’ says Dr Mills. ‘And future research should focus on developing tooth-friendly, metabolically sound approaches that achieve the same effect’.
‘The challenge now is to identify alternative strategies that are both effective and appropriate for long-term use.’
The amber warning will be in place from 1am on Monday (June 22) until 11.59pm on Tuesday (June 23).
It will cover parts of South Wales, including Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire, Cardiff, and the Vale of Glamorgan.
Temperatures are expected to reach 30°C in some parts, while it will remain above 20°C overnight.
These high temperatures are set to have a “widespread impact” on people and infrastructure.
Amber warning of extreme heat affecting Wales https://t.co/ZvYSZJ5JUv pic.twitter.com/OySxHuOq9g
— Met Office – Wales (@metofficeWales) June 19, 2026
What to expect from the amber weather warning in South Wales
The Met Office said the amber weather warning issued across South Wales is due to a “developing hot spell” which will lead to “widespread impacts on people and infrastructure”.
The extreme heat associated with the amber weather warning is also set to cause:
- An increased risk of water safety incidents as more people visit coastal areas, lakes, and rivers.
- Adverse health effects, including sunburn or heat exhaustion (dehydration, nausea, fatigue), and other heat-related illnesses.
- Delays to road, rail, and air travel, with potential for welfare issues for those who experience prolonged delays.
- Changes in working practices and daily routines.
- An increased chance that some heat-sensitive systems and equipment may fail, leading to power cuts and the loss of other services to some homes and businesses.
What different Met Office weather warnings mean
A Met Office spokesperson added: “Following very warm weather on Sunday, very high temperatures are expected on Monday and Tuesday and will likely bring widespread impacts to people and infrastructure.
“In addition to high daytime maxima, temperatures overnight will remain very warm, especially in larger urban areas, and it will also feel humid.
“Temperatures are likely to reach the mid-30s Celsius in places on Monday and Tuesday.
“Some places, particularly in urban areas, may see temperatures remain above 20 Celsius overnight.
“The very high temperatures may continue across a smaller area into the middle of the week, but there remains some uncertainty regarding the extent of this.”
Everywhere in Wales set to be affected by the amber weather warning
Areas of Wales set to be impacted by the amber weather warning issued by the Met Office are:
- Blaenau Gwent
- Bridgend
- Caerphilly
- Cardiff
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Monmouthshire
- Newport
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Torfaen
- Vale of Glamorgan
How to stay safe during the amber weather warning in South Wales
The Met Office has issued advice on how to stay safe during the extreme heat associated with the amber weather warning.
A Met Office spokesperson said: “Keep yourself safe by following these simple steps to reduce the likelihood of the heat making you feel unwell; drink plenty of fluids, keep out of the sun and avoid any exercise between 11am-3pm when the sun is strongest and close curtains in rooms that face the sun.
“If you are going out take water with you, stay in the shade, wear sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat.
“Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary.
“If using public transport, there are many simple things you can do to keep yourself safe; carry water with you, take a small hand-held battery powered fan, if you feel unwell get off at next stop for some fresh air, dress in light fabrics in light colours to help stay cooler, keep an eye on fellow passengers for signs they may be struggling.
“Help to protect vulnerable people that you know including older people, those with underlying conditions and those who live alone; they may need support to keep cool and stay hydrated.
“If you are worried about your health, or that of somebody you know, ring NHS 111.
“Keep yourself safe whilst enjoying the water in this weather by following these simple steps: enter the water gradually, avoiding jumping or diving straight in, to reduce your risk of cold-water shock, go to a lifeguarded beach or a supervised swimming area, and, if you, or anyone else, get into difficulty in the water, float on your back.
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“People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance.
“It’s easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items.
“Stay up to date with the weather forecast for your area and follow any advice from emergency services and local authorities.”
The amber weather warning will be in place across South Wales from 1am on Monday (June 22) until 11.59pm on Tuesday (June 23).
How do you cope in the heat? Tell us your tips and tricks in the comments below.
Heatwave warning issued to anyone taking common antidepressants this summer (Image: Getty )
A doctor has issued an urgent heatwave warning to anyone taking commonly prescribed antidepressants this summer, as soaring temperatures can pose serious risks to patients. The UK is currently experiencing a stark divide between north and south, with the southeast baking in a sweltering 32C, while the north contends with rain and considerably cooler temperatures of around 14C.
An Amber Heat Health Alert has been issued across England as an intense summer heatwave is forecast to strengthen further over the coming days. According to the Met Office, conditions are expected to become more settled heading into the weekend as high pressure begins building from the south.
“Sunny spells and feeling increasingly hot with temperatures well above the June average”, the weather agency said.
Millions of Britons taking widely used antidepressants have been cautioned that they could face a heightened risk of dehydration and heat exhaustion as temperatures continue to climb across the country. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, also known as SSRIs, are primarily prescribed to treat mental health conditions and function by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.
Approximately 8.7 million people in the UK were prescribed SSRIs from 2023 to 2024. Dr Rupa Parmar, GP and Medical Director at Midland Health, is sharing everything you need to know about taking the medication in the summer, reports the Mirror.
Dr Rupa Parmar said: “Excess sweat is one of the most common side effects of antidepressants. It’s most likely due to how the medication affects the hypothalamus, a brain part that plays an important role in regulating body temperature.”
She added: “Excess sweating can also cause dehydration, and there is a higher risk of heat exhaustion as heat tolerance is much lower. Signs of heat exhaustion include headaches, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, and an increased body temperature.”
Why do people on SSRIs need to take extra care in hot weather?
Dr Rupa Parmar says: “For people on SSRIs, knowing the symptoms is crucial. If someone is experiencing heat exhaustion, get them out of the heat, keep them hydrated, and use cold compresses to help them cool down.
“Heatstroke occurs when the body is completely unable to regulate its temperature, which can lead to serious organ damage. It has the same symptoms as heat exhaustion, as well as confusion, seizures, and a rapid heart rate and breathing.
The doctor says that for people on SSRIs, knowing the symptoms is crucial (Image: Getty)
“The difference is that the symptoms of heat exhaustion usually subside within half an hour. If you are concerned someone has heatstroke, seek medical attention as quick treatment is necessary to prevent serious complications.”
How can you avoid health issues caused by hot weather?
The doctor says: “Your body loses a lot of water from sweating, so to combat dehydration, drink at least three litres daily to regulate a normal body temperature. Caffeine and alcohol also increase urine production, so avoid these during the heat and stick to water.”
Limit your time in direct sunlight as much as possible, restricting outdoor activities to the cooler periods of early morning and late evening, she advised. When venturing outside, opt for loose-fitting garments made from breathable materials such as cotton and linen to help prevent overheating.
“Cold compresses on the forehead and neck are also good for cooling down,” she added. Night sweats and hot flushes are also common while taking antidepressants, which can make sleeping particularly uncomfortable.
To keep your bedroom cool, ensure windows, blinds, and curtains remain shut throughout the day to block out warm air, opening them once temperatures outside have fallen at night.
She suggests: “If your room is under 35C, you could use a fan, and for the rest of your home, try to limit how long appliances like ovens and washing machines are on, as they can generate a lot of heat. If sweat is a problem getting in the way of your day-to-day life, it could be that your antidepressant isn’t right for you.
“SSRIs are rarely one-size-fits-all, and it can take a while to find the one that works the best for your needs and with minimal side effects. Never come off your medication without consulting your doctor first, and always talk to your GP if you’re experiencing any worrying side effects.”
Baby twin girls who were conjoined at the skull are successfully separated thanks to British surgeon
A British surgeon has successfully performed a gruelling operation to separate 19-month-old conjoined twins who were attached at the skull.
The twin girls, Mercy and Goodness, from Nigeria, are said to have made full recoveries and have returned home following the complex procedure.
The 12-hour surgery took place at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City in Abu Dhabi and was led by Professor Noor ul Owase Jeelani, a paediatric neurosurgeon at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital.
He previously helped separate one-year-old twins Minal and Mirha from Pakistan in 2024.
The latest operation, carried out last year, involved an international team of medics from the UAE, the UK, Brazil and Nigeria.
It is believed to be the fastest recorded separation of twins vertically conjoined at the head.
The girls and their parents travelled to Abu Dhabi for the life-changing procedure, which was carried out under the supervision of doctors from the UK-based charity Gemini Untwined and UAE healthcare provider PureHealth.
Professor Jeelani, who led the surgery and founded Gemini Untwined, said: ‘The separation of Goodness and Mercy is a landmark case planned and executed with a level of precision not encountered before.
The twin girls, Mercy and Goodness, from Nigeria, travelled to Abu Dhabi for the life-changing procedure with their parents
Mercy and Goodness – pictured after recovering from the surgery – were born in June 2023 in Nigeria’s Ekiti State
‘Building on the experience of our previous eight cases, and using novel techniques and strategies, we are able to give these girls and their family a new future.
The full treatment spanned four months and four days, involving four separate operations, more than 40 hours in theatre, and over 60 healthcare staff from 20 different nationalities.
The procedure was particularly high risk because the twins shared vital blood vessels and brain tissue due to their fused skulls – a rare condition known as craniopagus.
Months of preparation went into the separation, including the use of 3D imaging, virtual reality simulations, augmented reality overlays and ultrasound-guided tissue expansion.
These technologies allowed surgeons across multiple countries to map the twins’ complex vascular and neural systems in a shared virtual environment.
The surgery has been described as one of the most complex of its kind, involving techniques developed over 18 years of similar cases.
One of the key innovations used was the ‘open book technique’, which relies on gravity rather than steel retractors to prevent brain collapse and reduce trauma.
Ahead of the final stage, doctors inserted silicone expanders beneath the twins’ scalps to stretch the skin, ensuring there was enough to cover their skulls after separation.
‘We are able to give these girls and their family a new future,’ said Professor Jeelani
With the help of AI modelling, these expanders were placed earlier than in previous cases, removing the need for skin grafts.
Mercy and Goodness, who were born in June 2023 in Nigeria’s Ekiti State, were referred to Gemini Untwined at six months old.
The organisation is the only charity in the world dedicated exclusively to treating craniopagus twins.
The surgical team included specialists from the UK, Brazil and the UAE, alongside a 12-person multidisciplinary team from Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Conjoined twins occur in around one in every 2.5 million births, with only five per cent involving fusion at the skull.
According to Great Ormond Street Hospital, around 40 per cent of craniopagus twins are stillborn or die during labour, while a further third die within 24 hours.
The BBC said it has “no future projects” with Cain planned as it pulls his BBC Three documentary series Into the Danger Zone
Penarth Town Council has defended its financial controls after a local website reported that an internal audit found there were no spending limits on its credit cards and that thousands of pounds of payments were never properly reported to councillors.
Penarth Daily News said an audit by JDH Business Services identified several weaknesses, including a lack of internal controls for credit‑card payments and “no transaction limits” or requirement to clear the balance each month.
The auditors also highlighted that credit‑card purchases were only reported to council if they exceeded £500 – and that at least one payment above that threshold could not be traced in reports to members.
The same audit criticised the absence of segregation of duties, noting that the town clerk both received and checked the credit‑card statements while also being a cardholder.
On wider spending, auditors pointed to payments totalling £27,443.66 to a specialist recruitment firm, and three further payments adding up to £13,881.24, where there was “no evidence” they had been referred to full council for approval as required.
In a statement to the Penarth Times, Penarth Town Council said the issues were formally reported to councillors at an internal audit update in April 2025 and that its Financial Regulations were updated to reflect the recommendations.
It said some payments over £500 did not initially appear on council reports because of “software limitations” but that those transactions were later presented to members in June 2025.
The council says payments above £500 now go to full council on a quarterly basis.
On the recruitment spending, the authority says errors were identified in how its finance system downloaded invoices. Because bills were itemised by daily amounts, the total invoice value was not flagged as a payment over £500.
Those transactions were later set out in an appendix to a finance report considered by councillors in February 2026.
Penarth Town Council says it has implemented the audit action plan and that its latest annual accounts have received an unqualified audit opinion, meaning external auditors were satisfied the figures give a true and fair view of its finances.
However Parliament Committee told the change, based on life expectancy, could be flawed as in some areas it’s actually falling
The Department for Work and Pensions has given a major update on the changes to the state pension age which will impact millions. The process has already got underway this year – with a phased change from 66-67 beginning.
The current state pension age is 66 but this will increase in stages over the next two years until it reaches 67. Those initially impacted will be people born between 6 April and 5 May, 1960, who will need to wait an extra month before collecting their pension payments.
At Work and Pensions questions this week it was confirmed that the next phase – looking at a rise to 68 and above was being looked at – with a date now set. MP Damien Egan asked: “ I have some questions on the state pension and state pension age. First, we have this date of March ’29 for a review of the state pension. Are we still on track for that, and when do you expect to conduct that review?”
Work and Pensions Secretary of State Pat McFadden confirmed this date: “There are periodic reviews of this built into the process. The state pension age has been rising in the last couple of decades. I do not want to pre-empt anything, but that review is built into the process. That is the timescale, and I have no changes to announce on that this morning.”
However committee chair Debbie Abrahams said that the change was being done on the basis of greater life expectancy – but new figures showed it was actually reversing in some areas. She said: “The Health Foundation has shown that healthy life expectancy has fallen by two years on average, and it will be worse in constituencies such as mine and yours, Secretary of State. The first Pensions Commission pegged the increase in state pension age to life expectancy.
“Life expectancy has now increased overall—again, not in areas such as ours—but healthy life expectancy has declined. Are you considering using healthy life expectancy as well as life expectancy as a marker for what you should do about increasing the state pension age?”
Mr McFadden said: “We should consider all these factors. I am conscious of and stand by what I just said to Mr Egan about how the same age can feel different and be experienced differently by people in different parts of the country. I am not trying to duck the question when I say this, but these are difficult decisions. You have to take into account affordability for the country, because even though it is a contributory system, it really works as a pay-as-you-go system. It has to be affordable and give people security in retirement, but it has to take into account the factors that you raise as well. We owe that to the public. It is a very delicate decision, which is why we do these careful reviews to take all these things into account.”
Mr Egan raised concerns about the capacity for older people to keep working and said in meetings with people in their 60s: “Half of 66-year-olds in the lowest income brackets are already frail, so there is perhaps a different conversation to be had there, but the bulk of the people we spoke to were anxious about being able to get back into the workplace once they had lost a job. It is quite right that to have the biggest impact, we focus on the young, but what would you say to people in the older groups?”
Mr McFadden replied: “I am an optimist about growing older; I hope people see a productive working life when well up in years. One part of the story is that the increase in the state pension age has been accompanied by increasing rates of employment in people close to state retirement age, but you are right that another part of the story is that being 67 or 68 years old can feel very different in different parts of the country. I represent a working-class, Black Country constituency where there is a tradition of physical work, and I know that it can feel quite different to be 67 or 68 years old in my constituency compared with leafier parts of the country. We have to bear that in mind and consider all these aspects when thinking about the state pension age in the future so that we have a system that is fair to everyone, is financially sustainable and does the best job it can to give people security in retirement.”
The UK Government has also altered the timing of the State Pension age increase, meaning that instead of reaching State Pension age on a fixed date, those born between 6 March 1961 and 5 April 1977 will become eligible to claim their State Pension upon turning 67. It is vital that the public familiarise themselves with these forthcoming changes, especially those who already have retirement arrangements in place.
From April 2026, the Government commenced a gradual increase in State Pension age from 66 to 67, to be fully implemented within two years.
When the pension age previously climbed from 65 to 66, it pushed an additional 100,000 65-year-olds into absolute income poverty compared to the period before the change.
Date of birth // Date State Pension age reached.
6 April 1960 – 5 May 1960 66 years and 1 month.
6 May 1960 – 5 June 1960 66 years and 2 months.
6 June 1960 – 5 July 1960 66 years and 3 months.
6 July 1960 – 5 August 1960 66 years and 4 months.
6 August 1960 – 5 September 1960 66 years and 5 months.
6 September 1960 – 5 October 1960 66 years and 6 months.
6 October 1960 – 5 November 1960 66 years and 7 months.
6 November 1960 – 5 December 1960 66 years and 8 months.
6 December 1960 – 5 January 1961 66 years and 9 months.
6 January 1961 – 5 February 1961 66 years and 10 months.
6 February 1961 – 5 March 1961 66 years and 11 months.
6 March 1961 – 5 April 1977 67.
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Bending forwards and prolonged walking at work during early pregnancy may raise the risk of miscarriage, a study suggests.
A large Danish study of more than 475,000 working women, covering over 800,000 pregnancies, examined whether physical activity at work in early pregnancy – defined as the first three months – is linked to miscarriage risk.
Miscarriage is relatively common but most cases are caused by chromosomal or developmental issues with the embryo rather than a mother’s everyday movements.
However, some lifestyle and environmental factors may play a role.
The research, published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine, found that each additional hour spent bending forward per day was associated with a 36 per cent higher risk of miscarriage.
The more often people bent forwards, the stronger the link appeared to be.
Researchers stress that this refers to an extra hour per eight-hour working day across early pregnancy, rather than a one-off instance.
They suggest physical strain could potentially affect blood flow to the placenta or hormonal regulation, although this remains uncertain.
Bending forwards and prolonged walking at work during early pregnancy may raise the risk of miscarriage, a study suggests
The study also identified a weaker link with walking at work, with each additional hour associated with an 18 per cent higher risk, though this pattern was less consistent.
Because the study is observational, it cannot establish cause and effect.
Researchers were also unable to fully account for other known risk factors, including smoking, alcohol consumption, caffeine intake, or underlying health conditions such as PCOS or thyroid disorders.
Experts emphasise that the findings do not mean normal movement during pregnancy is unsafe.
Instead, they likely reflect prolonged or repeated workplace postures, rather than everyday physical activity, and prolonged forward bending is relatively uncommon.
They also note that many miscarriages are due to genetic causes and are unlikely to be influenced by these behaviours, and that previous prospective studies have not consistently found similar links.
In the UK, an estimated 250,000 pregnancies end in miscarriage each year, with most occurring within the first 12 to 13 weeks.
The findings highlight a potential occupational risk in early pregnancy but researchers say further studies are needed before any changes to workplace guidance can be justified.