Prematurity remains the leading cause of death in the first four weeks of life and the second most common in the first year despite continuing advances in neonatal intensive care.

For doctors, therefore, the dilemma lies in deciding whether to resuscitate a baby of 23 to 24 weeks of gestation, knowing that those born before the 23rd week have a poor chance of survival and risk disability even if treated in the world’s top centres.

In the October issue of Pink, distributed with The Times tomorrow, the debate is tackled in the light of survival stories, dating back to the days when premature baby care was in its infancy. They look into how some extremely pre-term babies are doing today and what impact being born before their time has had on their lives.

Some babies die before their time. Pink’s PrivateEye section tells the story of baby Ben, whose life lasted merely 10 days, and the devastation parents who outlive their children have to deal with. Ben’s mother chronicles her dear son’s life to pay tribute to him and to continue making his presence known and felt by as many people as possible.

“We want Ben’s short life to matter not only to us but also to our families and friends and to the world. For this reason, I find so much solace in talking about him,” she says.

Last month’s feature about accidental and planned home births raised considerable interest from the magazine’s readers, so the topics of pregnancy, birth and babies have been carried on in this issue, with a focus also on the complicated condition of anorexia in pregnancy and how these women struggle to eat for one – let alone for two.

It being the month of Breast Cancer Awareness, Pink also goes behind the scenes of screening for the disease, moving into the mental aspect of mammography and its psychological implications both on patients and on the radiologist, who may have to be the bearer of bad news. Reactions to breast checking, why women remain in denial and how to tackle the “c” word are highlighted in a candid and eye-opening interview.

Fashion, beauty, books, food, fitness, homes, cars and more are also featured extensively in the women’s magazine while the Search for the 2010 Nestlé Fitness Outstanding Woman continues with the announcement of the three finalists and coverage of their first master classes as they work towards winning grand prizes.

Published by Allied Newspapers Ltd and printed by Progress Press, Pink is produced by Mediamaker. Its executive editor is Fiona Galea Debono and it is designed by Helen Cassar Torreggiani and Joseph Schembri.