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• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 34-36 >> Interview 14 >> She enjoyed both NHS and NCT antenatal classes. The NCT in particular gave her information to make her own choices about care.

Required treatment for thrombophilia and a streptococcal infection but pregnancy otherwise normal. Labour involved more intervention than she had wanted.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 31-33 >> Interview 33 >> Yoga classes were useful for meeting people. She felt embarrassed in NCT classes to be the only one planning an epidural. They missed some of the clas

Mother who has epilepsy, cared for during her first pregnancy by a Special Pregnancy Unit. Developed pre-eclampsia and had induction with epidural at 37 weeks.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 24 >> NHS classes were very practical and NCT more about emotions. She was the only person in her classes planning a home birth.

Became pregnant in a another country where care philosophy was very interventionist. Returned to UK at 7 months and had a successful home birth with an independent midwife.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 10 >> Antenatal classes were not very useful. She found some of the activities a bit strange.

Unplanned but otherwise straightforward pregnancy. Pre-eclampsia and induction. Difficult labour without pain relief. Episiotomy.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Aged 40 + >> Interview 09 >> Antenatal classes provided an opportunity to chat to other parents. She was more interested in practical information than talking about emotions.

First pregnancy normal, emergency caesarean after long labour. Next two pregnancies ended in early miscarriage. Now pregnant again and planning vaginal birth. (Interviewed again after vaginal birth).

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 34-36 >> Interview 52 >> Antenatal classes were focussed on birth itself. It would have been useful to learn more about parenthood.

Normal first pregnancy; some bleeding early in first trimester. Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (pelvic pain) has been a problem later in pregnancy. More of this interview can be seen on the Healthtalkonline antenatal screening site as Interview 21.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Aged 24 & under >> Interview 17 >> She found antenatal classes embarrassing, especially as she did not have a partner to go with.

Single mother of two. First child born by emergency caesarean, second by elective caesarean. Faced unhelpful assumptions because she was young and single.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 37-39 >> Interview 02 >> Evening antenatal classes would be tiring for her and difficult for her partner. They will go to a whole day course.

Normal first pregnancy. Additional scanning and care in specialist unit because of previous splenectomy. Mother has higher susceptibility to illness and infection.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 37-39 >> Interview 32 >> She could not attend NCT antenatal classes because her wheelchair did not fit in the teacher's house. She wanted to meet other parents.

Mother who uses a wheelchair. Antenatal care from a special pregnancy unit because of her condition. Emergency caesarean. Serious complications following a mistake in managing her medication.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Aged 24 & under >> Interview 22 >> She would have felt embarrassed at antenatal classes, and preferred the support organised by her SureStart programme.

Unplanned pregnancy at age 15. Pregnancy normal. Part of placenta retained after birth resulting in heavy bleeding. Coping well with motherhood.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 37-39 >> Interview 26 >> Even though she knew her baby Oscar might not live, she went to antenatal yoga classes for his sake. (Read by an actor.)

Baby diagnosed with diaphragmatic hernia at 20-week scan. Mother decided to continue the pregnancy, knowing the outcome was uncertain. Baby died 10 hours after birth.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Aged 24 & under >> Interview 25 >> She would have found it easier to attend women-only antenatal classes with other women from an Asian background.

First and most recent pregnancy ended in miscarriage. Two normal pregnancies in between, with severe sickness both times. Good support from Early Pregnancy Unit.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 37-39 >> Interview 30 >> She and her husband enjoyed NHS antenatal classes, although at times they felt uncomfortable. A choice of women-only classes would be good. (Read by a

Normal first pregnancy. Found antenatal classes useful, but felt a women-only class might be useful for South Asian women. Chose to have an epidural for the birth.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 37-39 >> Interview 30 >> Her mother gave her some useful advice, but she also relied on information from parenting classes. (Read by an actor.)

Normal first pregnancy. Found antenatal classes useful, but felt a women-only class might be useful for South Asian women. Chose to have an epidural for the birth.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Aged 24 & under >> Interview 07 >> She went to a physiotherapy exercise group. The physiotherapist gave her advice about painful tingling in her legs. (Read by an actor.)

Unplanned pregnancy after graduating from university. Supported by partner but felt a lack of institutional support for young, unmarried women. Looking forward to balancing motherhood with a career.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 31-33 >> Interview 42 >> She was tested for gestational diabetes, which made her very anxious for a while. The results were normal.

Normal first pregnancy. Gestational diabetes was suspected but ruled out. Had to spend time in hospital late in pregnancy for investigation of bleeding. More of this interview can be seen on the Healthtalkonline antenatal screening site as Interview 01.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 37-39 >> Interview 32 >> She had good practical advice from her local hospital and a support group for parents with disabilities.

Mother who uses a wheelchair. Antenatal care from a special pregnancy unit because of her condition. Emergency caesarean. Serious complications following a mistake in managing her medication.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 37-39 >> Interview 26 >> She wanted to be treated like any other pregnant woman but she knew her experience was very different. (Read by an actor.)

Baby diagnosed with diaphragmatic hernia at 20-week scan. Mother decided to continue the pregnancy, knowing the outcome was uncertain. Baby died 10 hours after birth.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 37-39 >> Interview 49 >> She was expecting a caesarean because both her twins were breech, but now one has turned and she could try a vaginal birth.

Seven and a half months pregnant with twins conceived by IVF. Would have liked antenatal classes designed for people having a multiple birth. Hospital birth planned. More of this interview can be seen on the Healthtalkonline antenatal screening site as Interview 14.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 37-39 >> Interview 49 >> There used to be special antenatal classes locally for women expecting twins, but the person running them had left.

Seven and a half months pregnant with twins conceived by IVF. Would have liked antenatal classes designed for people having a multiple birth. Hospital birth planned. More of this interview can be seen on the Healthtalkonline antenatal screening site as Interview 14.

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• >> Pregnancy >> Antenatal classes and preparation for birth >> Antenatal classes and preparation for birth

Antenatal classes and preparation for birth and parenthood

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Antenatal classes and preparation for birth >> Antenatal classes and preparation for birth

Antenatal classes and preparation for birth and parenthood