• Clip
• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 31-33 >> Interview 59 >> Her midwife had strong views on how women should give birth, which might make women feel guilty if their birth went differently.

Healthy pregnancy after early miscarriage. Generally happy with care during pregnancy and birth. Some concerns about pressure to conform to ideal of 'normal' birth. More of this interview can be seen on the DIPEX antenatal screening site as Interview 28.

• 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 54 >> She was very afraid of birth after seeing a TV documentary as a teenager, and did not want her husband to see her giving birth.

After initial contact with NHS, had most antenatal care in France. Baby born 2 months early in England. Good experiences of hospital birth and Special Care Baby Unit. More of this interview can be seen on the Healthtalkonline antenatal screening site as Interview 23.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Aged 24 & under >> Interview 22 >> She was scared of labour and did not like the thought of an epidural or gas and air.

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 34-36 >> Interview 14 >> During pregnancy she had a streptococcal infection, so she had to have intravenous antibiotics during labour.

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

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 10 >> She was in so much pain she could not keep still enough for an epidural, and also had a painful episiotomy.

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

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 31-33 >> Interview 33 >> When pre-eclampsia was diagnosed at 36 weeks, she was kept in hospital for a week and monitored closely.

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 >> Aged 40 + >> Interview 09 >> She had bleeding from a low-lying placenta. She stayed at home apart from two short stays in hospital, and was able to have a vaginal birth.

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 25-30 >> Interview 24 >> Her GP and independent midwife supported her choice of a home birth, but her family were doubtful.

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 37-39 >> Interview 02 >> Ideally she wants to be able to move around during labour, but her birth plan is only a guide. The baby's health is the most important thing.

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 31-33 >> Interview 04 >> Some pregnancy books set unrealistic expectations about the perfect natural birth. Women who need medical help should not feel they have failed.

Normal pregnancy. Breech presentation resolved through successful ECV. Induction at 42 weeks. Forceps delivery. Difficulty with breastfeeding. Importance of managing expectations of pregnancy and birth realistically.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 37-39 >> Interview 06 >> The birth did not go as expected, but having a written birth plan was still useful.

First pregnancy through ICSI IVF. Experienced hyper ovarian stimulation. Induced at 42 weeks with birth by emergency section. Second pregnancy occurred naturally 7 months after birth of first child.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 62 >> She went through a birth plan questionnaire with her midwife but could not make real choices.

First baby. Experienced sickness in pregnancy. Felt unsupported during labour (which was induced) and disappointed that some birth choices did not happen as she would have liked. More of this interview can be seen on the Healthtalkonline antenatal screening site as Interview 34.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 20 >> She was unsure whether to make a birth plan and would have liked more discussion with her community midwife. The hospital midwives listened to her wis

Single mother. First pregnancy miscarried. Second pregnancy was normal and straightforward. She planned to have a natural birth, but after a long labour chose to have a caesarean.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 29 >> She had read the pregnancy book the GP had given her but would like more information and discussion about pain relief and birth choices. (Audio clip i

Recently married woman from Pakistan in her first pregnancy. Would like more information and advice in her own language.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 27 >> She is worried about being rushed into decisions during labour without thinking it through, but knowing the technology is there is reassuring.

Had problems getting pregnant because of polycystic ovary syndrome. Conceived after taking Clomid; also used acupuncture. Now 16 weeks pregnant, and pregnancy is progressing well.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 24 >> Women in her family have long pregnancies. She was pleased there was no pressure to have an induction.

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 31-33 >> Interview 55 >> She felt under pressure to have an induction when she wanted to wait. If the baby was at risk, she would rather have had a caesarean.

Persuaded to have induction in first pregnancy; felt unsupported by staff. Labour was long and painful. Second birth, refused induction, insisted on additional checks instead. A better experience, with a doula (birthing attendant). More of this interview can be seen on the DIPEX antenatal screening site as Interview 02.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Aged 40 + >> Interview 09 >> After an emergency caesarean first time, she wants to try a vaginal birth next time.

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 37-39 >> Interview 06 >> She considered trying a vaginal birth after her previous caesarean, but decided to have another caesarean.

First pregnancy through ICSI IVF. Experienced hyper ovarian stimulation. Induced at 42 weeks with birth by emergency section. Second pregnancy occurred naturally 7 months after birth of first child.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 34-36 >> Interview 05 >> Her original plan to have a home birth changed when she found her baby had a heart defect. She decided to have a caesarean and has no regrets.

First child had heart defect detected antenatally and long period of critical illness after birth. Mother had reactive depression in response to his illness. Second child healthy. Mother had postnatal depression related to extreme worry about her health.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Aged 24 & under >> Interview 07 >> Her birth plan was to be as natural as possible but to be open to everything. She got very tired and an epidural really helped. (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 33 >> She needed to avoid getting too exhausted in labour in case it triggered an epileptic seizure. She knew she wanted an epidural.

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 46 >> She had such bad back pain in labour the midwife persuaded her to have an epidural, but it did not relieve the pain well and made her sick.

Two normal pregnancies; some bleeding early in second pregnancy. First labour was very long and painful, and ended with a forceps delivery. Epidural for pain relief. More of this interview can be seen on the Healthtalkonline antenatal screening site as Interview 09.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Aged 40 + >> Interview 09 >> The epidural meant she couldn't feel the contractions and had to be told when to push, but she felt it was the best option for trying a vaginal birth

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 >> Aged 24 & under >> Interview 22 >> Before the birth she worried about pain and the possible side effects from an epidural, but needed no pain relief on the day.

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

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Aged 24 & under >> Interview 58 >> She felt she was not given enough support and information in choosing which hospital to go to.

First pregnancy, unplanned. Does not feel she has been well enough informed and supported in choosing a hospital to have her baby. More of this interview can be seen on the Healthtalkonline antenatal screening site as Interview 27.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 34-36 >> Interview 14 >> She had a painful induction which was not what she wanted, but she was pleased to have managed the pain with a TENS machine and gas and air.

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

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 24 >> Having a home birth in familiar surroundings with good support was a very positive and fulfilling experience.

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 31-33 >> Interview 56 >> She considered a home birth for her second baby but her water birth in hospital had been so good she decided to do the same again.

Two normal pregnancies. Felt well supported by midwives in making birthing choices. First birth was a water birth in hospital; hopes to have the same for second birth. More of this interview can be seen on the Healthtalkonline antenatal screening site as Interview 25.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 34-36 >> Interview 16 >> Giving birth was an awe-inspiring and emotional moment. She felt privileged to experience it.

Experienced recurrent miscarriage before entering an egg share IVF scheme. IVF was successful after one cycle and pregnancy was excellent. Vaginal birth.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Aged 40 + >> Interview 09 >> She was pleased to experience a vaginal birth with ventouse at the end. Recovery was much quicker than after the caesarean.

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 31-33 >> Interview 01 >> The baby was quite large compared to her pelvis size. She decided on a planned caesarean and was happy with her choice. (Read by an actor.)

Normal pregnancy apart from episode of severe pain (suspected ectopic) and high blood sugar. Caesarean birth. Was not able to breastfeed. Recovery from caesarean took longer than expected.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Aged 24 & under >> Interview 17 >> An elective caesarean for her second baby was a happier experience than the emergency caesarean first time.

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 25-30 >> Interview 20 >> She was so exhausted she wanted an emergency caesarean, but wondered if labour might have been easier if she had stayed at home longer. (Read by an ac

Single mother. First pregnancy miscarried. Second pregnancy was normal and straightforward. She planned to have a natural birth, but after a long labour chose to have a caesarean.

• 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 11 >> She discussed birth choices with her doctor for her IVF twins. Their safety was the most important thing.

Multiple miscarriages and a late termination due to reciprocal balanced chromosome translocation. Healthy twins born using pre-implantation genetic diagnosis.