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Finding information and support

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Finding information and support >> Finding information and support

Finding information and support

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• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 37-39 >> Interview 30 >> Even though her pregnancy was planned, she felt upset at first. Friends reassured her feelings were normal. Having children is an important part of he

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 31 >> When she became pregnant again, they decided not to tell many people till they knew the baby was all right. (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 >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 10 >> Books were a good source of information. Talking to other women with babies also helped.

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

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 27 >> They decided to tell friends and family she was pregnant early on, so they could support her if she had a miscarriage.

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 13 >> Discovering she was pregnant unexpectedly was a big shock - she was upset to have to cancel plans to join the army to train as a nurse. (Played by an

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 07 >> When she discovered she was pregnant unexpectedly it was hard to tell her family, but they were supportive. (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 13 >> For the first few weeks she felt she did not want the baby, but seeing the baby at the first scan was a real turning point. (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 07 >> Early on, her main worry was how she would manage financially. (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 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 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 >> Age 37-39 >> Interview 02 >> She read lots of books at first but it made her anxious about what could go wrong. Talking to other women was more reassuring.

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 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 >> Age 34-36 >> Interview 28 >> It is important for him to reassure his wife that she is definitely still attractive.

Supported partner through fertility treatment and pregnancy. Is looking forward to becoming a father.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Aged 24 & under >> Interview 13 >> She split up from her partner when she got pregnant, because she could not cope with him as well as the baby. (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 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 37-39 >> Interview 26 >> The stress of knowing the baby was so ill strained her relationship with her partner and she lost interest in everything. (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 08 >> Sometimes people don't realise how devastating it is to have a miscarriage. She wishes she had talked about it more openly. (Read by an actor.)

Initial miscarriage followed by second pregnancy, when a scan revealed baby was affected by tuberous sclerosis. Late termination. Subsequent pregnancy by donor insemination led to birth of a healthy child.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 37-39 >> Interview 72 >> From 30 weeks she had to stay in hospital because she had placenta praevia. She was allowed home at weekends, but it was a big disruption to family li

Placenta praevia diagnosed in most recent pregnancy. Spent several weeks in hospital before the birth (baby born 2002). More of this interview can be seen on the Healthtalkonline antenatal screening site as Interview 39.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 34-36 >> Interview 05 >> More needs to be done to support women's emotional and mental health in pregnancy, especially after a previous bad experience.

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 >> 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 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 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 31-33 >> Interview 01 >> She was surprised how long it took to recover from the caesarean, and thought women should be told more about what to expect. (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 >> 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 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 >> Aged 40 + >> Interview 35 >> It took a long time to feel attached to the baby when he was in special care. She found it hard visiting him on her own.

After recurrent miscarriages, first baby born at 23 weeks and spent 5 months in intensive care. Next pregnancy closely supervised including 10 weeks as an inpatient. Baby born healthy at 37 weeks.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 54 >> Staff in the special care baby unit were wonderfully supportive and there was a family atmosphere. It was hard to say goodbye to them.

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 stayed in hospital for five weeks while the baby was in special care. The nurses were very supportive, but she missed being at home.

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 60 >> Telling her older son that the baby had died was terrible. They had no advice about how best to explain it to him.

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 26 >> Several family members came to be with her when the baby was induced. Talking to other women from a support group for the condition helped prepare her

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 26 >> She spent the rest of pregnancy expecting that the baby would die, but she felt her partner could not understand her feelings. (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 05 >> She knew her baby had a heart defect, but not how serious it would be. The experience brought her and her partner closer together.

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 >> Age 34-36 >> Interview 23 >> It helped to meet other families with children with Down's syndrome leading happy and fulfilling lives.

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 31-33 >> Interview 33 >> She worried about the risks to the baby from taking epilepsy medication. It helped talking to another mother using the same drug.

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 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 >> Aged 24 & under >> Interview 13 >> The responsibility of caring for her daughter was overwhelming at first, but she was determined to do her best. It is different when it is your own ch

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 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 >> 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 25-30 >> Interview 19 >> She would like the NHS to provide more specialised support for breastfeeding, especially for women having their first baby.

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 >> 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 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.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 37-39 >> Interview 32 >> She and her husband love being parents and would like another baby. She wants family life to be as normal as possible for her son.

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 13 >> She enjoys being back at work part-time because it gets her out of the house and talking to other adults. (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 25-30 >> Interview 29 >> Her mother was too embarrassed to talk to her about breastfeeding, but she was convinced it was the best thing to do. (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 >> Aged 24 & under >> Interview 22 >> Her family and the baby's father sometimes look after the baby to give her a break, but she misses him straight away.

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 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.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Age 25-30 >> Interview 19 >> Postnatal support has been very good. Her local postnatal group has covered lots of useful childcare topics.

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 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 34-36 >> Interview 23 >> It helped to meet other families with children with Down's syndrome leading happy and fulfilling lives.

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 26 >> Several family members came to be with her when the baby was induced. Talking to other women from a support group for the condition helped prepare her

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 31-33 >> Interview 33 >> She worried about the risks to the baby from taking epilepsy medication. It helped talking to another mother using the same drug.

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 34-36 >> Interview 23 >> The Down's Syndrome Association was a really good source of information. The internet can give you too much information.

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.