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• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 3-4 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 24 >> She dreads scans because of her previous experiences.

Mother of 1 child, she had a miscarriage in 1997. She has a heart condition and takes warfarin (heparin during pregnancy). 3rd pregnancy: 7-week scan confirmed pregnancy viable. 12 week scan no problems found. Nuchal scan at 13 weeks found baby had shortened femur, no tibia or fibular on right leg. Specialist scans confirmed lower limb deficiencies. Pregnancy ended at 17 weeks by induction.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 36 >> Having ended two pregnancies because the babies had neural tube defects she is pregnant again but always dreads having scans.

Mother of 2 children (1st and 3rd pregnancies). 2nd pregnancy: 20-week scan detected anomalies. Sent for specialist scan, baby diagnosed with holoprosencephaly. Amniocentesis. Pregnancy ended by induction at 21 weeks. She experienced post-natal depression. Sent for genetic counselling. 4th pregnancy: 12-week scan anomalies detected - baby diagnosed with anencephaly. Pregnancy ended surgically at 13 weeks. She had gynaecological problems following termination. She was pregnant at time of interview.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 37 >> Feels he hadn't fully understood the baby's diagnosis at the time because he was in an emotional state.

Father of 2 children (1st and 3rd pregnancies, see also EAP36). 2nd pregnancy: 20-week scan detected anomalies. Sent for specialist scan, baby diagnosed with holoprosencephaly. Amniocentesis. Pregnancy ended by induction at 21 weeks. Genetic counselling. 4th pregnancy: 12-week scan anomalies detected - baby diagnosed with anencephaly. Pregnancy ended surgically at 13 weeks, his wife had gynaecological complications after the termination. Expecting another baby at time of interview.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 3-4 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 04 >> She felt guilty for making the decision and struggled with her conscience about it.

She had an early termination, 2 miscarriages and a normal pregnancy. Her 5th pregnancy was ended by induction at 21 weeks - baby had Down's syndrome detected by amniocentesis. Since then she has had another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 22 >> Her feelings about the baby changed radically and she felt very sad whenever she felt him kicking.

Her 1st pregnancy: some bleeding and sickness, scan at 7 weeks confirmed pregnancy. 12-week scan normal. Triple test at 19 weeks, found raised AFP levels. 20-week scan identified hole in baby's heart and shortened limbs. Specialist scan found 2 holes in heart and abnormalities in limbs, bowel and brain- sent for amniocentesis. Pregnancy ended by induction at 21 weeks. She has had another baby since termination.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 3-4 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 21 >> She was booked into a day surgery unit at the last minute because she wanted to avoid going through labour but has since had second thoughts about her

She has had 2 children (1st and 3rd pregnancies), 3 miscarriages and ended 1 pregnancy. 4th pregnancy: had some bleeding, arranged first scan privately at 8 weeks. Felt unsure of viability of pregnancy, had 12 week scan, no anomalies found. Arranged nuchal scan and blood tests privately and several anomalies were detected. CVS identified Edwards' syndrome. Pregnancy ended surgically at 15 weeks. She has had 2 miscarriages since the termination.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 36 >> She was treated in a gynaecology unit and missed being cared for by a midwife or having someone to talk to about her baby.

Mother of 2 children (1st and 3rd pregnancies). 2nd pregnancy: 20-week scan detected anomalies. Sent for specialist scan, baby diagnosed with holoprosencephaly. Amniocentesis. Pregnancy ended by induction at 21 weeks. She experienced post-natal depression. Sent for genetic counselling. 4th pregnancy: 12-week scan anomalies detected - baby diagnosed with anencephaly. Pregnancy ended surgically at 13 weeks. She had gynaecological problems following termination. She was pregnant at time of interview.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 02 >> She was willing to go through labour because she felt it would be better for her and more natural for the baby.

Her 1st pregnancy. Spina bifida detected by AFP test and scan at 16 weeks. She and partner decided to seek second opinion privately which confirmed diagnosis of spina bifida. Pregnancy ended by induction at 17 weeks, followed by post mortem. Mother has epilepsy and took extra folic acid during pregnancy. Since interview she has had another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 13 >> She worried that the pills would hurt her baby and wished health professionals had shown more concern about the baby's well being.

Her 1st pregnancy: heavy bleeding in first trimester caused by ovarian haematoma. 20-week scan found insufficient amniotic fluid - possible premature rupture of membranes. Parents advised that baby could have lung damage/ breathing difficulties - uncertain prognosis. Pregnancy ended by induction at 23 weeks. Post mortem indicated that baby's development not affected by rupture of membranes. Twins born since termination.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 3-4 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 19 >> He recognises he is being illogical about the injection but he saw it as a 'dreadful intrusion'.

His wife's 2nd pregnancy: 20-week scan detected neural tube defect. Specialist scan confirmed encephalocoele. Pregnancy ended at 23 weeks by feticide and induction. Post mortem identified Walker-Warburg syndrome - a genetic abnormality. 3rd pregnancy: nuchal scan revealed baby had anomalies, and by 19 weeks scan showed hydrocephalus. Pregnancy ended at 20 weeks by induction. Walker-Warburg syndrome identified at post mortem. Both parents (see EAP05) carriers of recessive gene. 4th child born in 2004.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 3-4 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 04 >> Her baby was born in the maternity ward and she feels glad that she had a chance to have a normal birth.

She had an early termination, 2 miscarriages and a normal pregnancy. Her 5th pregnancy was ended by induction at 21 weeks - baby had Down's syndrome detected by amniocentesis. Since then she has had another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 10 >> She wanted the baby to be born in a normal delivery suite with a midwife present and she found the birth went well and that she stayed calm.

Her 2nd pregnancy: 20-week scan indicated serious abnormalities. Amniocentesis and scans identified Patau's syndrome. Pregnancy was ended by induction (no feticide at her request) at 24 weeks. Since then she has had another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 10 >> She wanted the baby to be born in a normal delivery suite with a midwife present and she found the birth went well and that she stayed calm.

Her 2nd pregnancy: 20-week scan indicated serious abnormalities. Amniocentesis and scans identified Patau's syndrome. Pregnancy was ended by induction (no feticide at her request) at 24 weeks. Since then she has had another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 3-4 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 16 >> She attributes her painful labour to her body and mind not being ready to lose the baby.

Her 4th pregnancy: experienced sickness during first trimester and felt unwell. Blood test at 16 weeks detected Down's syndrome. Amniocentesis confirmed Down's. Pregnancy ended by induction at 19 weeks. Following the termination she had a stillbirth. (In 2005 she had another baby.)

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 36 >> She felt no one was interested in the baby and felt guilty that she had accepted an epidural.

Mother of 2 children (1st and 3rd pregnancies). 2nd pregnancy: 20-week scan detected anomalies. Sent for specialist scan, baby diagnosed with holoprosencephaly. Amniocentesis. Pregnancy ended by induction at 21 weeks. She experienced post-natal depression. Sent for genetic counselling. 4th pregnancy: 12-week scan anomalies detected - baby diagnosed with anencephaly. Pregnancy ended surgically at 13 weeks. She had gynaecological problems following termination. She was pregnant at time of interview.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 13 >> She was promised support during labour and delivery but felt that she did not receive it.

Her 1st pregnancy: heavy bleeding in first trimester caused by ovarian haematoma. 20-week scan found insufficient amniotic fluid - possible premature rupture of membranes. Parents advised that baby could have lung damage/ breathing difficulties - uncertain prognosis. Pregnancy ended by induction at 23 weeks. Post mortem indicated that baby's development not affected by rupture of membranes. Twins born since termination.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 3-4 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 05 >> She chose to take morphine not realising that her baby was about to be born and she regretted it because the morphine made her sick and sleepy.

Her 2nd pregnancy: 20-week scan detected neural tube defect. Specialist scan confirmed encephalocoele. Pregnancy ended at 23 weeks by feticide and induction. Post mortem identified Walker-Warburg syndrome - a genetic abnormality. 3rd pregnancy: nuchal scan revealed baby had anomalies, and by 19 weeks scan showed hydrocephalus. Pregnancy ended at 20 weeks by induction. Walker-Warburg syndrome identified at post mortem. Both parents are carriers of recessive gene. 4th child born in 2004.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 3-4 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 32 >> He was very moved by the sight of his daughter and felt relieved that the doctors' diagnosis was right.

His wife's 3rd pregnancy: 20-week scan detected anomalies - baby's kidneys and stomach couldn't be seen. Specialist scan revealed baby had multiple abnormalities; parents agreed to amniocentesis which confirmed baby's problems were not inherited. Pregnancy ended at 22 weeks by induction. Since termination he and his wife (EAP07) have had another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 29 >> She felt worried about her baby's possible disfigurement and wasn't sure at first whether or not to look at her.

Their 2nd pregnancy: mother had gestational diabetes so had regular blood tests and scans throughout pregnancy. Amniocentesis at 16 weeks was clear. Scan at 30 weeks indicated neural tube defect. Detailed scans indentified alobar holoprosencephaly. Pregnancy was ended by feticide and induction at 31 weeks. Parents declined post mortem. They have had another baby since the termination.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 17 >> Explains why she decided not to hold her baby after she was born.

After birth of first child she had 3 miscarriages. 4th pregnancy did not 'feel right'. Nuchal scan arranged privately, baby was small for dates. Had two more scans to investigate baby's size and due date. Specialist scan at 21 weeks, then heart scan and then amniocentesis. Doctors suspected diaphragmatic hernia but amnio identified chromosomal abnormality (Wolf Hirschhorn syndrome). Pregnancy was ended by feticide and induction at 24 weeks. (Since the interview she has had another baby.)

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 3-4 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 04 >> Describes how she held her baby all night and talked to her about what had happened and why.

She had an early termination, 2 miscarriages and a normal pregnancy. Her 5th pregnancy was ended by induction at 21 weeks - baby had Down's syndrome detected by amniocentesis. Since then she has had another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 3-4 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 07 >> She gave permission for a full post mortem in 2002 but was distressed that it took so long to get the baby's body back ready from the specialist hospi

Her 3rd pregnancy: 20-week scan detected anomalies - baby's kidneys and stomach couldn't be seen. Specialist scan revealed baby had multiple abnormalities; parents agreed to amniocentesis which confirmed baby's problems were not inherited. Pregnancy ended at 22 weeks by induction. She has since had another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 35 >> Describes how he and his wife felt extremely sad for some time after the termination and that his experiences have made him more emotional.

Father of 1 child. 2nd pregnancy: wife felt unwell throughout pregnancy. Nuchal scan at 12-weeks arranged privately, advised to have CVS - no problems detected. 20-week scan found baby had heart problems. Specialist cardiac scan confirmed baby had multiple problems in heart, stomach and spleen. Pregnancy ended by feticide and induction at 22 weeks. Post mortem confirmed multiple abnormalities. He is undecided about whether he wants another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 3-4 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 30 >> It helped her partner to be able to talk to a GP who had personal experience of ending a pregnancy.

Her 2nd pregnancy: felt unwell and sick throughout pregnancy, some bleeding at 6 weeks. 11-week scan confirmed viability. 20-week scan detected heart abnormalities. Specialist scan identified tricuspid atresia and ventricular septal defect. Pregnancy ended by induction at 22 weeks. She has had another child since termination.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 34 >> He didn't want to be given advice and was offered the chance to talk things through with someone at work.

His wife's 1st pregnancy: 12-week scan no problems detected. 20-week scan detected several anomalies. Specialist scan identified problems with brain development, later diagnosed as Dandy-Walker malfunction. Amniocentesis ruled out Edwards' syndrome. Specialist cardiac scan detected heart abnormalities. Pregnancy ended by feticide and induction at 22 weeks. Post mortem identified multiple abnormalities. He and his wife are hoping for another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 3-4 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 07 >> Describes how difficult it was to decide whether to have another baby because she felt so worried about the same things happening again.

Her 3rd pregnancy: 20-week scan detected anomalies - baby's kidneys and stomach couldn't be seen. Specialist scan revealed baby had multiple abnormalities; parents agreed to amniocentesis which confirmed baby's problems were not inherited. Pregnancy ended at 22 weeks by induction. She has since had another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 23 >> She got pregnant again quite quickly but felt emotional all the way through because she was still grieving for her other baby and was worried about th

She has 3 children (1st, 3rd and 4th pregnancies), and ended 1 pregnancy. 2nd pregnancy: everything seemed fine until 20-week scan which found heart defects. Specialist cardiac scan identified hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Pregnancy ended by induction at 21 weeks. Parents agreed to post mortem. Since then she has had two children.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 8+ years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 09 >> She felt she needed another baby to fill the void in her life left by the baby she had lost but her husband was unsure.

Her 2nd pregnancy: 20-week scan found baby had anomalies. Preliminary diagnosis after specialist cardiac scan was that baby had serious heart defects. Pregnancy ended by induction at 24 weeks. Post mortem revealed baby had hypoplastic left heart syndrome and an unbalanced chromosomal translocation (Robertsonian translocation of 13 and 14). Genetic counselling found that mother and her mother are carriers of a chromosomal disorder or translocation of the chromosomes. Since termination she has had another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 06 >> Neither of them feel ready to have another baby because they haven't yet come to terms with the termination.

Their 2nd pregnancy: 20-week scan showed baby seemed small for his dates. Further specialist scans at 28 and 32 weeks showed baby's head was small. Mother also had amniocentesis and MRI scan. Baby diagnosed with microcephaly. Pregnancy ended at 34 weeks by feticide and induction.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 36 >> Having ended two pregnancies because of neural tube defects she is pregnant again and explains her motivation and anxieties.

Mother of 2 children (1st and 3rd pregnancies). 2nd pregnancy: 20-week scan detected anomalies. Sent for specialist scan, baby diagnosed with holoprosencephaly. Amniocentesis. Pregnancy ended by induction at 21 weeks. She experienced post-natal depression. Sent for genetic counselling. 4th pregnancy: 12-week scan anomalies detected - baby diagnosed with anencephaly. Pregnancy ended surgically at 13 weeks. She had gynaecological problems following termination. She was pregnant at time of interview.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 10 >> Describes how she was pessimistic throughout her subsequent pregnancy but that after her son was safely delivered she realised what strain she had bee

Her 2nd pregnancy: 20-week scan indicated serious abnormalities. Amniocentesis and scans identified Patau's syndrome. Pregnancy was ended by induction (no feticide at her request) at 24 weeks. Since then she has had another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 3-4 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 32 >> Describes how his physical relationship with his wife was affected by worrying about the risk of conceiving another baby with abnormalities.

His wife's 3rd pregnancy: 20-week scan detected anomalies - baby's kidneys and stomach couldn't be seen. Specialist scan revealed baby had multiple abnormalities; parents agreed to amniocentesis which confirmed baby's problems were not inherited. Pregnancy ended at 22 weeks by induction. Since termination he and his wife (EAP07) have had another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 35 >> He tried to support his wife in all kinds of ways and realised the most difficult thing was keeping up a brave face.

Father of 1 child. 2nd pregnancy: wife felt unwell throughout pregnancy. Nuchal scan at 12-weeks arranged privately, advised to have CVS - no problems detected. 20-week scan found baby had heart problems. Specialist cardiac scan confirmed baby had multiple problems in heart, stomach and spleen. Pregnancy ended by feticide and induction at 22 weeks. Post mortem confirmed multiple abnormalities. He is undecided about whether he wants another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 3-4 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 19 >> Describes feeling very anxious about the possibility of going through another pregnancy.

His wife's 2nd pregnancy: 20-week scan detected neural tube defect. Specialist scan confirmed encephalocoele. Pregnancy ended at 23 weeks by feticide and induction. Post mortem identified Walker-Warburg syndrome - a genetic abnormality. 3rd pregnancy: nuchal scan revealed baby had anomalies, and by 19 weeks scan showed hydrocephalus. Pregnancy ended at 20 weeks by induction. Walker-Warburg syndrome identified at post mortem. Both parents (see EAP05) carriers of recessive gene. 4th child born in 2004.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 36 >> [About her partner] 'With him I felt safe because... this was our loss together'.

Mother of 2 children (1st and 3rd pregnancies). 2nd pregnancy: 20-week scan detected anomalies. Sent for specialist scan, baby diagnosed with holoprosencephaly. Amniocentesis. Pregnancy ended by induction at 21 weeks. She experienced post-natal depression. Sent for genetic counselling. 4th pregnancy: 12-week scan anomalies detected - baby diagnosed with anencephaly. Pregnancy ended surgically at 13 weeks. She had gynaecological problems following termination. She was pregnant at time of interview.