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• 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 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 07 >> In the first months of pregnancy she felt completely exhausted and needed lots of sleep. (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 40 + >> Interview 09 >> The first symptom of pregnancy was a strange taste in her mouth, before she knew she was pregnant.

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 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 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 12 >> She was upset that her GP advised her to avoid antihistamines in pregnancy but then prescribed them for a rash.

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 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 37-39 >> Interview 32 >> She was very sick every morning for about twenty minutes and then fine the rest of the day.

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 31-33 >> Interview 33 >> Being uncomfortable in bed made it difficult to sleep. She would just do something else till she felt sleepy again.

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 31-33 >> Interview 33 >> Because hunger triggers her epilepsy, it was important that she should not get too sick. Her epilepsy drugs actually helped reduce sickness.

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 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 >> 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 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 37-39 >> Interview 60 >> She had one early miscarriage and three missed abortions. Every time she still felt pregnant but there was no heartbeat at the scan.

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 60 >> She cannot believe that hyperemesis could be psychological. It is a recognised illness in pregnancy.

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 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 25-30 >> Interview 20 >> She noticed changes in her breasts in early pregnancy, and things began to taste strange. At first it felt like pre-menstrual symptoms which then disa

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 24 >> It was exciting to discover she was pregnant, but hard to imagine herself having a baby.

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 31 >> Feeling sick all day was horrible and she had to take time off work. Ginger ale helped a bit. (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.

• Condition
• >> Pregnancy >> Pregnancy

Publication date: October 2005         Last updated August 2012

Review date: August 2014

 

We interviewed 51 people (including some male partners) about their experiences of pregnancy. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.

• Pregnancy & children >> Pregnancy >> Pregnancy

Publication date: October 2005         Last updated August 2012

Review date: August 2014

 

We interviewed 51 people (including some male partners) about their experiences of pregnancy. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.