Couples in China are looking to get pregnant at an older age, but often this can mean difficulties in conceiving. Offering an alternative to IVF – which can be expensive and time consuming – fertility apps are helping women understand their bodies better, improving their chances of conception.

The number of first time mums over 40 has doubled since 1990, as more women than ever are putting baby-making on the back burner while they pursue a career. But age is a big risk factor in fertility issues, which is why US-based medical start-up Celmatix is offering DNA-based fertility tests.

Starting a family may once have been as simple as getting married, buying a home, and having kids, but as life stages blur and gender roles become less relevant, the traditional rules are being rewritten. Canvas8 spoke to sociologist Philip N. Cohen to understand how the family unit is changing.

Hashtag crazes like #A4Challenge and #BellyButtonChallenge reveal the huge social pressure Chinese women are under to conform to narrow beauty ideals. With a variety of eating disorders on the rise, some brands are now helping young people reject old conventions and pursue self-acceptance.