It is supposed to be one of the happiest times in a person’s life and for most people their first experience of parenting is exactly that.

However, according to research carried out in Germany, after the initial excitement, most first-time parents will experience a decline in life satisfaction, which can even make them less likely to have a second child.

It has long been known that stresses like lack of sleep, having less time to work on a relationship with a partner, and financial worries can place a great strain on new parents.

Now researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research in Rostock say they have quantified the effect.

By analysing responses from mothers and fathers to a national survey, the German Socio-Economic Study, in which 20,000 people are asked to rate their general life satisfaction on a scale of one to 10 every year, they found that after an initial increase in happiness immediately before and after the birth of a first child, people experienced a decline in self-reported happiness equivalent to on average 1.4 units on the scale.

Professor Mikko Myrskylä, of the Max Planck Institute, said that the decline was greater than that observed in other studies in people who suffered unemployment, divorce or even a bereavement – although this was partly explained by the fact that, in early parenthood, people report high levels of happiness, so the decline is sharper.

“There are great expectations, happiness goes up and it may stay up immediately after birth. But for a large number of parents, there is a dramatic drop in happiness,” he said. “The majority experience some decline in happiness.”

Health news: in pictures Show all 104 1 /104 Health news: in pictures Health news: in pictures Chlamydia vaccine Researchers in the United States say they have developed a vaccine that can protect against chlamydia – the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. Chlamydia is extremely common. There were 208,755 new infections in England in 2013, and around the world an estimated 100 million are infected each year. In around half of men, and 70 to 80 per cent of women who get it, there will be no symptoms. However, in some it can cause pain and if left untreated can lead to infertility. Rex Health news: in pictures Sunshine boosts fertility by a third Exposure to sunlight can boost the likelihood of a woman having a baby much as a third, according to scientists. Couples hoping to conceive may find that heading to sunnier climes may improve their chances, according to experts. 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Chaloner Woods/Getty Images Health news: in pictures Processed 'fruit' snacks contain more sugar than Haribo The vast majority of processed “fruit” snacks contain higher concentrations of sugar than a bag of Haribo, health campaigners have claimed.Researchers from Action on Sugar said that 80 out of 94 products surveyed contain more than 47g sugar per 100g, with some containing up to four teaspoons of sugar. They said that highlighting the fact these products contained fruit, despite having high levels of added sugar, was misleading parents into believing that they were buying a healthy option. Health news: in pictures Spending half the day on your feet Office workers should abandon their chairs for half their working day to reduce their risk of heart attacks, cancer, or diabetes, according to new guidance recommending people spend at least two hours – and preferably four – a day on their feet. AFP/Getty Images Health news: in pictures Turns out chocolate doesn't make you lose weight A journalist seeking to lay bare how the research behind fad diets can be “meaningless” and based on “terrible science”, has revealed how he tricked international media into believing that chocolate can aid weightloss. Posing as Johannes Bohannon, Ph.D, the research director of the fabricated Institute of Diet and Health, biologist and science journalist John Bohannon ran what he called a “fairly typical study” used in the field of diet research. Amanda Edwards/Getty Images Health news: in pictures 'Personalised' cancer vaccine A cancer vaccine that is tailor-made to work on individual patients has come a step closer following a study showing that a prototype injection causes the complete control of aggressive tumours in laboratory mice. The therapeutic vaccine works by stimulating the body’s own immune system to identify and attack cancer cells while leaving healthy tissue unharmed. 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AFP/Getty Health news: in pictures Lariam: Hundreds of British soldiers suffering from mental illness after being given anti-malarial drug The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been accused of knowingly risking the mental health of its own soldiers after new figures showed that nearly 1,000 British servicemen and women have required psychiatric treatment after taking a discredited anti-malarial drug. Psychosis, suicidal thoughts, depression and hallucinations are among the mental-health problems associated with Lariam, also known as mefloquine. But the MoD has rejected all appeals to stop giving the drug to troops posted overseas – to the mounting fury of relatives, politicians and retired military figures who fear it could be responsible for an epidemic of psychiatric illness in Britain’s Armed Forces Health news: in pictures Knuckle-cracking mystery solved The mystery of what happens to make a knuckle crack has been solved thanks to a simple test of “pull my finger”. In a new study published by the University of Alberta, a team of researchers used MRI video to determine what happens inside a finger joint to make it “pop”. They observed that the sound is caused by a rapidly forming cavity inside the joint when pulled. “We call it the ‘pull my finger study’– and actually pulled on someone’s finger and filmed what happens in the MRI,” explained lead author Greg Kawchuk. More than just settling a scientific curiosity, the findings bring researchers closer to determining whether or not the ability to crack ones’ joints is inherent or even healthy. But they are still unclear as to why only some people can crack their joints on demand Jaysin Trevino/Creative Commons Health news: in pictures Prescribing heroin to addicts could be more effective than methadone Prescribing heroin to addicts trying to beat their addiction could be cheaper and more effective than replacement therapy, an expert has claimed. Methadone, a synthetic opiate, is commonly used to wean people off the drug, while other patients are put through detoxification and abstinence programmes. But Professor Martin Schechter, from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, said there was “overwhelming” evidence that these standard treatments do not work for a section of addicts Getty Images Health news: in pictures Tanning beds can harbour herpes and faecal bacteria If the risk of cancer wasn’t enough to put you off UV tanning salons, an expert has now warned that the beds can host bacteria and viruses, including herpes. Sexually transmitted infections can be passed from person to person through unprotected sex and genital contact, and herpes can also spread to parts of the body where there is a cut or break in the skin, according to the Herpes Association. Dermatologist Dawn Marie Davis, MD, an associate professor of dermatology and pediatrics at the Mayo Clinic, told Yahoo Health that bacteria and viruses can be found alive on sun beds, despite the heat. She explained that bacterium which lives on the skin is transferred on to the bed, which is then heated – but not enough to sterilise the surface Donald Miralle/Getty Images Health news: in pictures DNA changes could explain why autism runs in families Scientists have come up with a possible explanation for why autism appears to run in families – suggesting it can be triggered by changes in the chemicals attached to DNA. A study of sperm from 44 fathers of babies who showed early signs of autistic symptoms shows that “epigenetic” changes to the men’s DNA could transmit the condition to the next generation. Epigenetic changes involve modifications in chemicals attached to the DNA molecule – rather than mutations to the DNA sequence itself. The changes detected in this study have been linked with abnormal development of nerve cells in the brain Corbis Health news: in pictures Alzheimer's breakthrough Scientists have broken new ground in the search for an Alzheimer’s cure, discovering a new potential cause of the disease, which it may be possible to target with drug treatments. Experts said the findings, from Duke University in North Carolina, USA, could “open new doors” in the increasingly frustrated global hunt for a dementia therapy. Researchers at Duke announced that their studies of Alzheimer’s in mice had thrown up a new process they believe contributes to the disease’s development. They observed that in Alzheimer’s, immune cells that normally protect the brain instead begin to consume a vital nutrient called arginine. By blocking this process with a drug, they were able to prevent the formation of ‘plaques’ in the brain that are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease, and also halted memory loss in the mice Getty Health news: in pictures 1 in 3 women will get bacterial vaginosis but are unlikely to know what it is One in three women will get bacterial vaginosis (BV), the most common cause of unusual vaginal discharge, at some time in their life. However, many women do not know what it is, and can confuse the symptoms for other conditions, such as thrush. Although the causes of BV are not very well understood, it develops when the normal environment of the vagina changes, when there are less of the normal bacteria (lactobacilli), an overgrowth of other types of bacteria, and the vagina becomes more alkaline. BV is not a sexually transmitted infection, but it can develop after sex, and any woman might get it including those in same sex relationships and those who have never had sex. Around half of women with BV will not have any signs and symptoms at all, or may not be aware of them. Where there are symptoms, these can include an increase in the usual vaginal discharge, and for it to become thin and watery, change to a white/grey colour and develop a strong, unpleasant, fishy smell, especially after sexual intercourse. Treatment is simple and involves taking antibiotic tablets, either as a single dose or for up to a week, or a cream or gel for use in the vagina for around one week Health news: in pictures Paracetamol can dull positive and negative emotions A chemical found in paracetamol could dull emotional sensitivity, a new study has suggested. Paracetamol is commonly used as an over the counter drug to combat physical pain. However, researchers at the Ohio State University found acetaminophen, the main ingredient found inside it, also reduces how much users feel positive and negative emotions. “This means that using Tylenol (paracetomol) or similar products might have broader consequences than previously thought,” lead author Geoffrey Durso said. “Rather than just being a pain reliever, acetaminophen can be seen as an all-purpose emotion reliever” Getty Health news: in pictures Drug made from cannabis could help fight severe epilepsy Hope has been raised for children with severe forms of epilepsy that are difficult to treat after trials of a new drug derived from cannabis showed promise in helping to reduce the number of debilitating seizures suffered as a result of the condition. The study, published by the American Academy of Neurology, tested 213 people, ranging from toddlers to adults, who had severe epilepsy that did not respond to other treatments, using a drug made from a medicinal form of Marijuana. Participants were given the drug containing canabidiol, also known as CBD, a component of cannabis that does not include the psychoactive part of the plant that creates a “high,” in the form of a liquid. Results released this week show that, of the 137 people who completed the 12-week study, there was a 54 per cent average decrease in the number of seizures the participants experienced. Twenty three people with Dravet syndrome completed the study and found the number of convulsive seizures they experienced had dropped by 53 per cent. Of the 11 participants who stayed the 12-week trial that had Lenox-Gastaut syndrome, they experienced a 55 per cent drop in the number of atonic seizures or “drop attacks”, which cause a sudden loss of muscle tone and usually happen many times a day Getty Images Health news: in pictures How dangerous is laughing gas The gas can cause dizziness and affect an individual’s judgement. It can also – in more extreme cases – cause unconsciousness and death from lack of oxygen. Regular use can lead to a deficiency in the vitamin B12, if severe can lead to serious nerve damage in some cases, and can also depress formation of white blood cells. Data from coroners’ reports, compiled by a research team from St George’s, University of London, funded by the Department of Health, claimed that laughing gas was responsible for 17 deaths between 2006 and 2012. There were five deaths, due to asphyxiation resulting from hypoxia (lack of oxygen), in 2010 and one the following year Rex Features Health news: in pictures New breath test could be used to detect stomach cancer Cancers of the stomach could soon be detected using a simple breath test, researchers have said, potentially saving lives by picking up the condition early. A new trial of the tests, which measure the level of compounds in the breath that can point to cancer risk, have proved them to be accurate and cost-effective. Stomach cancer is a relatively rare condition, affecting around 7,300 people in the UK every year. However, the outlook for patients is often poor, because the condition is so rarely diagnosed early enough for successful treatment. Early symptoms, such as indigestion and burping, are the same as for many other minor conditions, so the cancer is often missed until it is too late. The only existing test is an endoscopy, where a tube is inserted into the stomach down the throat Rex Health news: in pictures Eating cheese may help you lose weight A new scientific study has suggested that eating cheese may help individuals struggling to lose weight – and contribute to keeping the pounds off. The Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry published a study this month that discussed the importance of something researchers labelled “cheese metabolism”. Scientists from the University of Copenhagen and Aarhus University compared urine and faecal samples from 15 men, who consumed a diet featuring milk and cheese or butter but no other dairy products for two weeks. The small test, which was partially funded by the Danish Dairy Research Foundation, found that those who ate cheese (or milk) during the trial had a noticeable different composition of bacteria in their gut Getty Health news: in pictures Prostate cancer detected by dogs New research has supported the idea that dogs could one day be used to sniff out cancer, after a study found that trained German Shepherds were able to detect chemicals linked to prostate cancer from urine samples with incredibly high accuracy. A study carried out by the Department of Urology at the Humanitas Clinical and Research Centre in Milan had two German Shepherds sniff the urine of 900 men, 360 of whom had prostate cancer and 540 who didn't. One dog was successful at identifying prostate cancer in 98.7 per cent of cases, while the other dog achieved 97.6 per cent accuracy. It is the latest research in a series of studies stretching back decades, and boosts the hope that canines could help doctors identify various human cancers and diseases HECTOR RETAMAL/AFP/Getty Images Health news: in pictures Being pregnant like a youth serum for mothers-to-be Being pregnant has a “rejuvenating effect”, acting like a youth serum on mothers-to-be, new research suggests. As people get older it becomes more difficult for the body to repair damaged tissue. But the sharing of blood between mother and baby appears to help the mother to do this more effectively Getty Images Health news: in pictures Marijuana can kill cancer cells The US government may be starting to officially recognize medicinal benefits of marijuana, as a government-funded research group has released a report claiming that weed can kill cancer cells. The Daily Caller reported the National Institute on Drug Abuse has issued a report that recognizes potential medical benefits of marijuana, something the US government has rejected in its classification of pot as a Schedule I drug – along with heroin, LSD and ecstasy Getty Images Health news: in pictures 'Loneliness maps' Maps pinpointing where the country’s loneliest people might live must be used to help focus services to those who are most isolated, according to a new report. The Campaign to End Loneliness, which compiled the report with the University of Kent, warned as it released the document that loneliness and isolation are as harmful to our long-term health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It can also put people at risk of developing dementia, high blood pressure and depression. As many as ten per cent of the older population all or most of the time, according to the charity. And people experiencing severe loneliness may in turn put a strain on the NHS and loved ones, as they are more likely to visit their GP more often, and enter residential care earlier. To help tackle the issue, charities and local services should use existing data to compile so-called 'loneliness maps' which predict where their most lonely resident live, in order to syphon limited resources to the people most in need Getty Health news: in pictures Short people at greater risk of heart attack Short people are at a greater risk of heart attack – and there's little they can do about it because the link is genetic. For 60 years scientists had noted a correlation between height and coronary heart disease, which kills 73,000 people a year in the UK. It was thought that social factors that can stunt height, such as poor nutrition in childhood, might explain why petite people were more likely to develop heart problems. 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The researchers believe that using synthetic antibodies designed to become attached to the surface proteins on the outer membrane of HIV could provide an alternative form of treatment to anti-retroviral drugs, and may also help to design therapeutic vaccines Getty Health news: in pictures Psychedelic drugs could actually help solve addiction The use of psychedelic drugs is as safe as riding a bike or playing football, according to the heads of a drug research organisation. Scientists say bans on drugs such as magic mushrooms and MDMA are "inconsistent with human rights" and psychedelic drugs are much less harmful to individual users and society compared to alcohol and other controlled substances. They say that over 30 million US adults having tried psychedelics, but "there is just not much evidence of health problems" and that certain drugs could be useful in solving addiction to other, more damaging substances Getty Images Health news: in pictures Low levels of salt in your diet might actually be dangerous For years, the federal government has advised Americans that they are eating too much salt, and that this excess contributes yearly to the deaths of tens of thousands of people. But unknown to many shoppers urged to buy foods that are “low sodium” and “low salt,” this longstanding warning has come under assault by scientists who say that typical American salt consumption is without risk. 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Teens are using the drinks to enable them to stay up until the early hours of the morning and then drink two or three cans filled with sugar and caffeine on the way to school to make up for their lack of sleep, said Chris Keates, general secretary of teaching union NASUWT. “This is the first time we have seen a significant number of teachers beginning to raise this as a concern,” he added Rex Health news: in pictures Chair-bound workers 'should move around every hour' Workers who spend too much time sitting down are being urged to move around more as sedentary lifestyles are likely to increase risks of many health problems. Around 45% of women and 37% of men spend 30 minutes or less on their feet. Nearly two thirds fear that inactivity would have a negative effect on their well-being, a poll of 2,000 workers by the British Heart Foundation reveals today Rex Features Health news: in pictures High fat dairy products reduces diabetes risk Eating four eggs a week reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by a third, whilst consuming high fat dairy products can also lower your risk levels. A University of Eastern Finland led study has demonstrated that men who ate four eggs a week had a 37 per cent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who ate just one. 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The number of children being sent to mental health service rose by more than 6 per cent between 2013 and 2014 Getty Health news: in pictures 'Homeopathy is no more effective than placebo' Homeopathic remedies are “no more effective than placebo” in treating health problems, new research shows. The alternative medicine does not cure any conditions that are chronic, serious or could become serious – according to an assessment by the National Health and Medical Research Council in Australia. Sufferers of some physical and mental illnesses, that are believed to be treatable with homeopathic remedies, are urged to seek medical advice. The council claim that people could jeopardise their health by not taking prescribed and approved drugs Getty Health news: in pictures Sugar tax could save millions A tax on sugary drinks could dramatically cuts cases of diabetes, heart disease and bowel cancer, and save the NHS millions every year, children’s health campaigners have claimed. 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The researchers say there is an “urgent need” to inform young people about the risks of strong cannabis AFP/Getty Health news: in pictures Scientists attempt to artificially copy polio virus Scientists are attempting to create a cure for polio by creating a synthetic version of the dealy disease. Poliomyelitis, an infectious disease which can permanently paralyse or even kill its victims, affects approximately hundreds each year as efforts by international aid organisations show promise. Scientists from the US and UK hope to create a safe vaccine by mimicking the viral genome, rather than having a tiny portion of the disease present in the vaccine Getty Health news: in pictures Fastest rise in scarlet fever cases for half a century Britain is facing an outbreak of scarlet fever, with infection rates rising rapidly and the disease spreading faster than at any time in half a century. 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Their findings, based on a major review of virtually all existing evidence, suggest the dangers are slightly greater than previously thought, but experts said there was no reason for women to stop taking HRT Rex Features Health news: in pictures Tests begin on 'traffic light pacemaker' that could revolutionise heart treatment Scientists are to begin work on a revolutionary “traffic light pacemaker” that controls the beating of damaged hearts using blue and yellow fibre optic lights inside the body. Heart attacks and other major cardiac problems can damage the heart muscle, leaving patients vulnerable to dangerous disruptions in the heart’s rhythm – known as arrhythmia – often leading to heart failure. Researchers are exploring whether stem cell-generated heart cells could be implanted to regenerate the damaged areas. But progress has been held back because tests in the laboratory and in a small number of patients have shown that new tissue often fails to beat in time with the remaining healthy heart muscle Getty Images Health news: in pictures Smokers have thinner brain cortex and could have impaired thinking A key part of the brain that is needed for thinking skills is smaller in smokers, new research has found. The findings show that smoking has an impact on brain functioning — as well as the heart and lungs. The outer brain layer or brain cortex is thinner in smokers, researchers have found. And while some of the thickness might come back after they quit, that might not happen Getty Images Health news: in pictures Drinking red wine could help overweight people burn fat Drinking red wine could help overweight people burn fat better and improve liver function, scientists in the US have claimed. Authors of a new study cautioned that the effects found would not stretch to weight loss and that the same compounds could be consumed by eating certain red grapes or drinking their juice Reuters Health news: in pictures Common cold 'could be stopped in its tracks' thanks to science breakthrough The common cold could be a thing of the past, as scientists have found a way to "jam" the genetic code. The breakthrough means in the future, it could be possible to stop virus molecules replicating, by stopping them conveying the instructions needed to copy themselves. Researchers at the Universities of Leeds and York used computers to investigate the ribonucleic acid (RNA) structure of a virus molecule, and found a code hidden within its sequence Getty Health news: in pictures Green tea helps kill cancer cells Green tea may help kick-start cycles of cancerous cell death while leaving healthy ones alone, scientists have claimed. A compound found in the tea called epigallocatechin-3-gallate – or EGCG – could trigger a process of destroying malignant cells, researchers at Penn State’s Center for Plant and Mushroom Foods for Health have found Health news: in pictures Double chins could be 'cured' without surgery or dieting using new injection A treatment that promises to reduce double chins through a so-called "fatburner" injection could soon be on offer to the public. By injecting a specially formulated chemical known as ATX-101 into the skin, fat cells beneath the skin known as "submental fat" are removed. The procedure claims to contour the area without affecting any surrounding tissue. The drug is a version of deoxycholic acid, the molecule that occurs naturally in the body and helps to destroy fat Getty Images Health news: in pictures Cannabis eases chronic pain better than commonly prescribed opioids Researchers from the Australian National Drug and Alcohol centre found that patients with chronic pain who used the drug said it eased their symptoms better opioid medications, which are highly addictive and can cause accidental overdoses MARCEL VAN HOORN/AFP/Getty Images Health news: in pictures Female genital mutilation Almost 500 newly identified cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) were reported by hospitals across England in one month, according to the latest figures. Despite the apparently high number of FGM cases, no one has yet been convicted for the practice, which has been illegal in the UK since 1985 Getty Images Health news: in pictures Cervical cancer Campaigners are taking selfies of lipstick smudged across their faces after their smear tests to raise awareness over the importance of early cervical cancer detection Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust Health news: in pictures Plain packets to be sold The Government has finally decided that cigarettes are to be sold in standardised packages in England. Jane Ellison, the public health minister, told the Commons that regulations would be put to a free vote before Parliament breaks up for the general election in May. The regulations could come into force next year. Rex Health news: in pictures The most dangerous sex position One of the most common sexual positions has also been dubbed the most dangerous by scientists. The woman-on-top position during intercourse was deemed responsible for half of all penile fractures sustained during sex in cases recorded at three hospitals, according to researchers in Brazil Rex Features Health news: in pictures Women may experience more pain during childbirth if their partner is present For many, the role of the expectant father is to provide comfort, reassurance and assistance to their partner at childbirth. A new study however has suggested they may be better off considering to stay well away from the delivery room as their presence could make the process of giving birth more painful. Research by psychologists at University College London, Kings College London and the University of Hertfordshire found that while for some the presence of their partner made no difference in pain experienced, for women who avoid intimacy in their relationship, it made the experience more painful Christopher Furlong/Getty Images Health news: in pictures Lie-in could lead obesity and diabetes People who find it difficult to get out of bed at the weekends are more likely to suffer from chronic health problems such as obesity and diabetes compared to individuals who are up with the lark even when they do not have to go to work, a study has found Getty Health news: in pictures Dentists breach NHS rules with unclear pricing and guidance Some NHS dentists are breaching rules by failing to offer clear pricing information and automatically offering private treatment – potentially resulting in patients being overcharged, an investigation has revealed Getty Health news: in pictures A drink a night 'is better for your heart In what may prove to be badly timed news for those struggling to observe “dry January”, scientists have discovered that having up to seven drinks a week may give you a better chance of avoiding heart failure than people who abstain from alcohol completely. A study published in the European Heart Journal suggests that in middle-aged men, drinking up to seven small glasses of wine or about three and a half pints of beer a week was associated with a 20 per cent lower risk of developing heart failure when compared with teetotallers Getty Health news: in pictures Cancer survival rate soars A record 2.5 million people are now living with cancer or the after-effects of it, threatening “a crisis of unmanageable proportions” for the NHS, a leading charity has warned. Getty Health news: in pictures A&E waits Waiting times in NHS accident and emergency (A&E) departments across England are at their worst in a decade. Figures released show emergency units are failing to see 95 per cent of patients within four-hour target. Getty Images Health news: in pictures You'll catch a cold In findings which they say “give credence” to countless maternal warnings about wearing a scarf, experts at Yale University found that viruses that cause the common cold replicate more effectively at the lower temperatures encountered in the extremities of the body – such as the nose. Rex Health news: in pictures Rethinking calories Bodies do less work when eating foods that have been softened by cooking - so we keep more of the calories. Stale foods like day-old cooked spaghetti, or pizza, will give you fewer calories than the same foods eaten piping hot. Getty Creative Health news: in pictures New IVF treatment A senior science adviser has warned that plans to allow the creation of so-called “three-parent” in vitro fertilisation (IVF) babies as early as next year are premature because of unresolved safety concerns about the future health of the children Health news: in pictures Intracellular sigma peptide (ISP) drug to help paralysed people A drug that could eventually help paralysed people regain muscle movement – and possibly even walk again – has been discovered by scientists in the USA Corbis Health news: in pictures Stroke protection gene Scientists have discovered a gene that protects people from the most common cause of stroke in young and middle-aged people. The gene, which was isolated by studying the DNA of nearly 16,000 patients across the USA and Europe, also reduces the risk of migraines and could lower heart attack risk Rex Health news: in pictures Mediterranean diet to combat obesity It’s long been known that a Mediterranean diet is linked to a longer life – but it could make for a slimmer one too. Despite featuring food often high in fat and calories, a Mediterranean diet could help to tackle obesity and lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes Rex Health news: in pictures Crying is good for you If you’ve ever thought it strange that you cry when you’re happy, then you’re not alone - but now scientists have discovered that tears are actually a logical response to joy. A Yale psychologist has carried out a series of studies which show that crying is the body’s way of “restoring emotional equilibrium” during a period of intense feeling Rex Health news: in pictures HIV could help cure cancer A man suffering with an aggressive form of leukaemia is now in remission after doctors used the HIV virus to target and kill cancer cells. The treatment is the result of two decades of research by Dr Carl June and his team at Penn Medicine, who produced a study on the “leukaemia-specific killers” Health news: in pictures Drinking while pregnant The official advice from the Department of Health and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) states in its guidelines that women should avoid alcohol altogether during pregnancy, or that if they do choose to drink, it should be no more than one or two units of alcohol once or twice a week Rex Features Health news: in pictures A new virus that could make you stupid A new virus has been discovered, but rather than giving you a sore throat, it affects a very different part of the body. According to scientists in the US, the algae virus affects the human brain, and can impair our cognitive functions. 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Read more: http://ind.pn/1rqGPzl Getty Images Health news: in pictures The many benefits of olive oil Olive oil could help reverse a patient’s heart failure "immediately", scientists have claimed. Oleate - the fat found in the golden liquid - could help a diseased heart pump blood more effectively and use body fat as fuel, researchers at the University of Illinois have found. Read more: http://ind.pn/1uz2Zk7 SAIF DAHLAH/AFP/Getty Images Health news: in pictures The Scough The makers of a new scarf claim it could protect its wearers from catching flu this winter. Scough, which uses military-grade technology, embeds masks within their scarves or bandanas so as to look less outlandish to commuters, who the product is marketed at. 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Among parents whose happiness declined by three units, 58 out of 100 went on to have a second child within 10 years. Among those who reported no decline in happiness, 66 out of 100 had a second child in that time.

Professor Myrskylä said that the decision not to have more than one child had been a big contributor to falling birth rates in the developed world. In the UK the average number of children in a household has fallen from two in 1971 to 1.7 in 2013.

“There is more or less a taboo regarding the wellbeing of new parents,” he said. “The medical profession is starting to acknowledge this and postpartum depression is getting more and more attention but it’s still something that compared to many other events in life, is thought of as something that can be and should be only experienced positively.”

Vivien Waterfield, from the charity Home-Start UK, which provides support to thousands of new parents each year through a network of volunteers, said: “The birth of a child, especially the first, is a huge change in people’s lives and can mean new pressures for parents. In the first few weeks and months it is really important that parents who need extra support get it. But, it’s also important that parents know there is help out there and that it’s OK to ask for it.”

Case Study

Kirsty Hudson, 29, and her husband Carl had their first child, Samuel in February this year. She runs a blog about her experiences.

Everyone tells you how having a baby turns your world upside down, but I don’t think anything could prepare us for how difficult it was to adapt to. Samuel’s brilliant - very inquisitive, but he’s very full on and rejects sleeps in all its forms. For the first eight or nine weeks we were waking up every single hour with him. It’s incredibly hard to adjust to and we were absolutely exhausted.

My husband had to go back to work after a couple of weeks and I found it hard to do even small tasks like get the housework done – everything had to be planned around Samuel’s short bursts of sleep. In the beginning I found it very strange being home alone all the time with a new-born and leant on my NCT group for support.

One of the most difficult things is dealing with all the conflicting advice people give you. Everyone has their own opinion about what you’re doing right or wrong, from aiding sleep to buying a pram. I’ve learnt to take advice with a pinch of salt and trust my instincts as a mother.