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• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 31-33 >> Interview 44 >> The first GP they saw explained the risk of early miscarriage very bluntly.

4 months pregnant. Some nausea and cramping in early pregnancy. Plans for a hospital birth. More of this interview can be seen on the Healthtalkonline antenatal screening site as Interview 05.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 31-33 >> Interview 12 >> A mix-up in arranging her booking visit meant they had little time to discuss screening choices.

Normal first pregnancy. Premature labour and birth at 33 weeks. Had to transfer to another hospital because no neonatal intensive care places were available locally.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 27 >> She did not like the way one doctor talked to her about her weight in pregnancy.

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 >> Aged 24 & under >> Interview 58 >> Her GP assumed she was happy to be pregnant, so it was difficult to discuss her anxieties.

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 >> Aged 24 & under >> Interview 17 >> She was upset that the midwife at the booking visit assumed she might want a termination because she was young and single.

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 29 >> The pregnancy book from her GP was useful but she would have liked it in Urdu. (Audio clip in Punjabi)

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

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 31-33 >> Interview 44 >> She felt one GP's advice about exercise in pregnancy was too cautious but another was supportive and positive about exercise.

4 months pregnant. Some nausea and cramping in early pregnancy. Plans for a hospital birth. More of this interview can be seen on the Healthtalkonline antenatal screening site as Interview 05.

• 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 31-33 >> Interview 56 >> She had an excellent midwife who supported her in making informed choices about her own care.

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 >> Aged 24 & under >> Interview 13 >> She preferred one midwife who took time to explain things in a way she could understand. (Played by an actor.)

Young, single mother. Pregnancy unplanned. Well supported by family. Had Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (pelvic pain) and cholestasis (liver problem) during pregnancy.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 37-39 >> Interview 06 >> Professionals do not always realise what an effect their words have on people. There was little continuity of care at the hospital antenatal clinic.

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 >> Aged 24 & under >> Interview 13 >> Professionals should use clearer language and not talk down to younger women. Pregnancy books should include sections on rarer complications. (Played

Young, single mother. Pregnancy unplanned. Well supported by family. Had Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (pelvic pain) and cholestasis (liver problem) during pregnancy.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 37-39 >> Interview 03 >> The internet helped her find out more information about her condition (vasa praevia) and decide what questions to ask her consultant.

Apparently normal pregnancy, after problems with endometriosis. Vasa praevia discovered during labour. Baby needed resuscitation and intensive care, but recovered well with no long-term problems as originally feared.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Aged 24 & under >> Interview 58 >> Her midwife posted her blood test results with no explanation. She was worried that some were abnormal and was not sure what the abbreviations and num

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 25-30 >> Interview 20 >> Having a written birth plan could be especially useful for people who do not speak English as a first language. (Read by an actor.)

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 31 >> She would have liked more information that related to her religion and culture. (Read by an actor.)

Her first, long awaited baby was stillborn at 25 weeks. Her second pregnancy was normal, but an accident at 20 weeks made it an anxious time. Birth was induced, with epidural.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Aged 24 & under >> Interview 25 >> She never felt professionals really understood how bad the vomiting was, even when she asked for help.

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 32 >> She felt she was an expert in her own condition, but when it came to pregnancy became passive and unquestioning, which was unlike her.

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 felt shocked and angry when she was told at the 20-week scan that her baby had a diaphragmatic hernia. (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 34-36 >> Interview 23 >> Some medical colleagues disapproved of her choice to continue the pregnancy. Doctors should think carefully how they talk about disability.

Antenatal screening test showed raised risk of Down's syndrome. Decided not to have further tests and had a baby with Down's syndrome, now a healthy and lively 2-year-old.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 37-39 >> Interview 11 >> When they discovered how badly their baby was affected by a genetic condition (chromosome translocation), terminating the pregnancy seemed the only po

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

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 37-39 >> Interview 11 >> When she discovered her next pregnancy was affected by the same genetic condition, she felt guilty. She knew she wanted to end the pregnancy.

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

• 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 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 >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 18 >> The midwife kept telling her to take gas and air but she knew it would make her sick. Then she had pethidine and diamorphine. (Read by an actor.)

Two normal pregnancies followed by two emergency sections. Second one occurred after a protracted labour. Communication with hospital staff was poor.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 34-36 >> Interview 65 >> A midwife upset her by saying she was not coping well with the pain. At one point it was discovered the pump on the epidural had stopped working.

Third pregnancy, after two miscarriages. Baby diagnosed antenatally with heart problems. Baby born by emergency caesarean after a long and painful labour. More of this interview can be seen on the Healthtalkonline antenatal screening site as Interview 07.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 31-33 >> Interview 04 >> She was disappointed to have an induction and forceps birth, but it helped that staff explained afterwards why it had been necessary.

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 34-36 >> Interview 14 >> Being on a drip and monitor made her less mobile in labour than she wanted, but a new midwife came on duty who helped her find a good position.

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 62 >> The midwives changed shift several times during her labour. She would have liked more continuous support.

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 31-33 >> Interview 55 >> Her husband was not allowed to stay with her overnight after labour was induced - she felt disempowered and unsupported.

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 >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 20 >> It was demoralising to be told she was only just in established labour when she had been having contractions for thirty hours. (Read by an actor.)

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 18 >> Her second labour was long and stressful and communication with staff was poor. She had an emergency caesarean and the baby needed special care. (Read

Two normal pregnancies followed by two emergency sections. Second one occurred after a protracted labour. Communication with hospital staff was poor.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 18 >> Her husband could not find out what was happening and was afraid she might die. They decided not to have more children. (Read by an actor.)

Two normal pregnancies followed by two emergency sections. Second one occurred after a protracted labour. Communication with hospital staff was poor.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 34-36 >> Interview 65 >> She would have liked a caesarean earlier but thought staff were reluctant because they were trying to keep the hospital's caesarean rate down.

Third pregnancy, after two miscarriages. Baby diagnosed antenatally with heart problems. Baby born by emergency caesarean after a long and painful labour. More of this interview can be seen on the Healthtalkonline antenatal screening site as Interview 07.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 19 >> During the caesarean the baby's position caused some problems, but it was generally a good experience.

Successful pregnancy after an early miscarriage and blighted ovum. Caesarean due to baby lying breech. Lack of support for breastfeeding in hospital due to pressures on staff.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 31-33 >> Interview 12 >> When she went into preterm labour, the local special care baby unit had no spaces. They were upset they had to transfer to another hospital.

Normal first pregnancy. Premature labour and birth at 33 weeks. Had to transfer to another hospital because no neonatal intensive care places were available locally.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 54 >> She planned to go home to France for the birth but went into labour early. The midwives and doctors made her feel relaxed and confident.

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 >> Age 31-33 >> Interview 12 >> She felt unsupported and lonely in labour, and did not know what to do. It helped when one doctor told her she was doing well.

Normal first pregnancy. Premature labour and birth at 33 weeks. Had to transfer to another hospital because no neonatal intensive care places were available locally.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 18 >> She chose to bottle feed both her babies, but now wished she had been given more information and encouragement about breastfeeding. (Read by an actor.

Two normal pregnancies followed by two emergency sections. Second one occurred after a protracted labour. Communication with hospital staff was poor.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 31-33 >> Interview 12 >> She wanted to breastfeed her baby in special care. In trying to support her, staff made her feel under pressure. She changed to bottle feeding.

Normal first pregnancy. Premature labour and birth at 33 weeks. Had to transfer to another hospital because no neonatal intensive care places were available locally.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 34-36 >> Interview 05 >> She panicked when the midwife took her second baby away to give her a rest. The midwife did not understand that this reminded her of being separated f

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.