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• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 24 >> She chose to employ an independent midwife. Continuity of care and trust were important to her.

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 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 31-33 >> Interview 56 >> She was impressed by the way her midwife discussed evidence with her about clamping the umbilical cord.

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 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 >> 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 31-33 >> Interview 15 >> The experience of labour improved once she was given continuous support by midwives and taken off gas and air, to which she reacted badly.

Confusion in early stages of pregnancy about whether or not it was viable. Unexplained abdominal pain. Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (pelvic pain) in latter stages.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 31-33 >> Interview 15 >> Other people told her breastfeeding would be hard, but she found it easier than expected. She had a few problems but was determined not to give up.

Confusion in early stages of pregnancy about whether or not it was viable. Unexplained abdominal pain. Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (pelvic pain) in latter stages.

• 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 37-39 >> Interview 60 >> She was worried the baby had stopped moving. She went for a scan, but the baby had died.

After four miscarriages, baby in fifth pregnancy diagnosed with heart condition. Mother (who is diabetic) had pre-eclampsia and emergency caesarean. Severe sickness in every pregnancy. Interviewed during sixth pregnancy, and again after a stillbirth at 36 weeks. More of this interview can be seen on the Healthtalkonline antenatal screening site as Interview 29.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 37-39 >> Interview 30 >> She asked the midwife for advice on diet, to help her assess traditional advice from her family. Her advice was different in some ways. (Read by an ac

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 17 >> She felt the midwife was judging her ability to be a good mother and never felt comfortable with her.

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 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.

• 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 >> 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 31-33 >> Interview 55 >> The midwife did not recognise how much pain she was in from symphysis pubis disorder (pelvic joint pain).

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 10 >> Her midwife spotted symptoms of pre-eclampsia and the baby was induced next day. She was very scared, but the care in hospital was excellent.

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

• 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 02 >> Shared care between her midwife and a specialist unit for complex pregnancies has been excellent. (Her spleen was removed in childhood.)

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 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 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 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 >> She did not rush to make an appointment with her GP. With hindsight more information would have been useful. (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 31-33 >> Interview 04 >> She expected more reaction from the midwife to the news she was pregnant. More informal contact during the early weeks would have been reassuring.

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 25-30 >> Interview 20 >> Her midwife was so busy it was difficult to book appointments in the last few weeks of pregnancy when she would have liked more reassurance. (Read by

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 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 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 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 31-33 >> Interview 15 >> The care and attention from the midwives was brilliant, especially from one who did her booking visit and was present at the birth.

Confusion in early stages of pregnancy about whether or not it was viable. Unexplained abdominal pain. Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (pelvic pain) in latter stages.

• 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 25-30 >> Interview 10 >> She valued regular appointments with her midwives and the reassurance and information they gave her.

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

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 10 >> Especially in a first pregnancy women need a lot of advice and reassurance, but she did not want to bother the midwives between appointments.

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

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 29 >> As a Muslim, she feels more comfortable being seen by a female member of staff. (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 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 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 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 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 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 >> Age 31-33 >> Interview 55 >> Continuity of care is fine if you feel comfortable with your midwife, but she did not find her midwife very supportive of her wishes.

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 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 31-33 >> Interview 44 >> She was given conflicting advice about whether it was safe to eat bio-yoghurt; her midwife gave her helpful information.

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 >> 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 >> Aged 24 & under >> Interview 45 >> She would have liked more opportunity to talk to staff in the early weeks and needed reassurance about the risk of miscarriage.

normal first pregnancy, private care throughout. Experienced a lot of sickness. Planning a hospital birth with as little intervention as possible. More of this interview can be seen on the Healthtalkonline antenatal screening site as Interview 08.

• 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 04 >> She believes there is unrealistic pressure from society and women themselves to conform to an ideal image of birth and feeding. The pressure does not

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.