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• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 31-33 >> Interview 44 >> The early symptoms of pregnancy felt like pre-menstrual symptoms. She was worried by abdominal cramps, but eventually found out this was normal in pre

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 01 >> At nine weeks, she experienced bleeding and severe pain, and an ectopic pregnancy was suspected. A scan showed the baby was fine and the pain went awa

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 >> Age 31-33 >> Interview 15 >> The hospital could not explain her severe abdominal pain. Her GP suggested it could be irritable bowel syndrome. Changing her diet helped.

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 40 + >> Interview 09 >> She had back pain, gastric reflux and sleep problems in later pregnancy. She had to go to the loo several times a night.

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 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 >> 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 34-36 >> Interview 52 >> She developed symphysis pubis disorder (pelvic joint pain). She went to physiotherapy and wore a support belt.

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 13 >> She had very painful symphysis pubis disorder (pelvic joint pain) and used a back brace and crutches. She has now fully recovered. (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 34-36 >> Interview 52 >> She was disappointed she had to stop exercising because of symphysis pubis disorder.

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 >> Age 31-33 >> Interview 15 >> The hospital could not explain her severe abdominal pain. Her GP suggested it could be irritable bowel syndrome. Changing her diet helped.

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 37-39 >> Interview 06 >> She developed bloating, sharp pain and sickness in early pregnancy. This was caused by ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome resulting from IVF.

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 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 25-30 >> Interview 24 >> Relaxing in a birthing pool helped her rest during labour, but she wanted to get out for the pushing stage.

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 >> 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 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 >> Aged 40 + >> Interview 09 >> She had back pain, gastric reflux and sleep problems in later pregnancy. She had to go to the loo several times a night.

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 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 >> Age 34-36 >> Interview 16 >> She was pleased to manage without an epidural because she wanted to be fully aware of the sensations of birth. Pethidine helped more than gas and air.

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 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 >> 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 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 04 >> She had not expected to find breastfeeding so difficult. A La Leche counsellor encouraged her to keep trying.

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.

• Topic
• >> Pregnancy >> Pain and discomfort >> Pain and discomfort

Pain and discomfort

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Pain and discomfort >> Pain and discomfort

Pain and discomfort

• >> Pregnancy >> Pain and pain relief >> Pain and pain relief

Pain and pain relief

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Pain and pain relief >> Pain and pain relief

Pain and pain relief

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 34-36 >> Interview 16 >> She was pleased to manage without an epidural because she wanted to be fully aware of the sensations of birth. Pethidine helped more than gas and air.

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 >> 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 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 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 25-30 >> Interview 24 >> Relaxing in a birthing pool helped her rest during labour, but she wanted to get out for the pushing stage.

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 >> 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 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 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 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 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 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 33 >> The pessaries for inducing labour made her very sick, but once she had an oxytocin drip and an epidural the labour went very smoothly.

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 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 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 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 >> 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 >> 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 >> Aged 24 & under >> Interview 13 >> She had very painful symphysis pubis disorder (pelvic joint pain) and used a back brace and crutches. She has now fully recovered. (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 34-36 >> Interview 52 >> She developed symphysis pubis disorder (pelvic joint pain). She went to physiotherapy and wore a support belt.

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.