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• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Antenatal sickle cell >> Interview 03 >> She wanted to avoid marrying a carrier, but did not realise that carriers are fit and healthy, so her husband was not tested until she was pregnant. (

Woman with haemoglobin SC disorder. Husband discovered he was a sickle cell carrier. Had CVS in all three pregnancies. The first and second babies had SC disorder, but the third had sickle cell anaemia. Video and audio clips read by an actor.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Antenatal sickle cell >> Interview 12 >> She discovered by chance she was a sickle cell carrier when she changed HIV consultant and had new tests done.

Female partner discovered she was HIV positive when she came to the UK. When she changed HIV consultant, a routine blood test showed she was a sickle cell carrier. Male partner has not yet had carrier screening.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Newborn >> Interview 04 >> Her husband had been tested in Nigeria and told he was not a sickle cell carrier. It was only when their baby was born with SC disorder that he discov

Mother knew she was a sickle cell carrier; husband was re-tested when their son was diagnosed with SC disorder, and found he was a haemoglobin C carrier. Child is doing well. Pregnant again at time of interview, no further testing.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Antenatal sickle cell >> Interview 11 >> Asking a partner if they are a carrier is difficult, but having a baby with sickle cell anaemia or terminating a pregnancy is also very upsetting.

Mother knew she was a sickle cell carrier; partner had screening late in pregnancy. She was shocked when the baby was born with sickle cell anaemia. Although the baby is well, she was so afraid of having another affected baby she ended her next pregnancy.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Antenatal sickle cell >> Interview 12 >> If she discovered her partner was carrier she might change partner rather than not have a child.

Female partner discovered she was HIV positive when she came to the UK. When she changed HIV consultant, a routine blood test showed she was a sickle cell carrier. Male partner has not yet had carrier screening.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Antenatal sickle cell >> Interview 09 >> Professional learning: It would be better if the NHS could screen people before they become pregnant. (Read by an actor.)

Mother discovered she was a sickle cell carrier in pregnancy; the baby's father was reluctant to have screening. After the birth, she was shocked to discover the baby had sickle cell anaemia. Video and audio clips read by an actor.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Newborn >> Interview 04 >> She had known from childhood she was a sickle cell carrier. Others in her family were carriers but no-one had the condition.

Mother knew she was a sickle cell carrier; husband was re-tested when their son was diagnosed with SC disorder, and found he was a haemoglobin C carrier. Child is doing well. Pregnant again at time of interview, no further testing.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Antenatal beta thalassaemia and other variants >> Interview 23 >> He knew from childhood he was a beta thalassaemia carrier. She was tested when she was unwell as a teenager. (Read by actors.)

Couple knew before marriage they were beta thalassaemia carriers. His sister and two brothers died of beta thalassaemia major. They have tried pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to conceive a baby unaffected by the condition, so far without success. Video and audio clips read by actors.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Antenatal beta thalassaemia and other variants >> Interview 29 >> She often felt unwell as a child, and was diagnosed with anaemia. At university she discovered she was a beta thalassaemia carrier. (Read by an actor.

Mother discovered as a student she was a beta thalassaemia carrier. When she became pregnant the first time her husband was tested and is not a carrier. Video and audio clips read by an actor.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Antenatal beta thalassaemia and other variants >> Interview 29 >> She felt the risk that her partner would also be a carrier was very small, so she did not ask him to get screened before marriage. (Read by an actor.)

Mother discovered as a student she was a beta thalassaemia carrier. When she became pregnant the first time her husband was tested and is not a carrier. Video and audio clips read by an actor.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Antenatal sickle cell >> Interview 09 >> She would have liked to know if she or her partner were carriers before they got together. Choosing your partner carefully is important for the baby.

Mother discovered she was a sickle cell carrier in pregnancy; the baby's father was reluctant to have screening. After the birth, she was shocked to discover the baby had sickle cell anaemia. Video and audio clips read by an actor.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Newborn >> Interview 04 >> Her husband said if he'd known they were both carriers, they probably wouldn't have got married. In a way she is glad they didn't know.

Mother knew she was a sickle cell carrier; husband was re-tested when their son was diagnosed with SC disorder, and found he was a haemoglobin C carrier. Child is doing well. Pregnant again at time of interview, no further testing.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Antenatal beta thalassaemia and other variants >> Interview 17 >> She told her fiancé when she discovered she was a beta thalassaemia carrier, but they found it difficult to get him tested in Pakistan. (Read by an ac

Mother who is a beta thalassaemia carrier, and her husband is not a carrier. They have been told in several pregnancies they need to repeat the test, which has caused anxiety. Video and audio clips played by an actor.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Newborn >> Interview 28 >> Professional learning: She would have liked to know before pregnancy that she was a carrier.

Newborn screening showed the baby was a sickle cell carrier. The mother had been tested years ago and told she wasn't affected, but a new test showed she was a carrier.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Antenatal beta thalassaemia and other variants >> Interview 17 >> She asked for screening when she got engaged. She knew there was beta thalassaemia on her father's side of the family. She was upset to discover later

Mother who is a beta thalassaemia carrier, and her husband is not a carrier. They have been told in several pregnancies they need to repeat the test, which has caused anxiety. Video and audio clips played by an actor.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Antenatal beta thalassaemia and other variants >> Interview 21 >> She found out she was a beta thalassaemia carrier when she came to the UK from Pakistan to join her husband. He already knew he was a carrier. (Read b

Both partners knew they were beta thalassaemia carriers. Second child born with beta thalassaemia major. Mother has had CVS in two pregnancies since, and would terminate the pregnancy if the baby was affected. Video and audio clips read by an actor and recorded in Mirpuri.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Newborn >> Interview 28 >> She asked to be tested for sickle cell some years ago. The result came back negative, but she discovered she was in fact a carrier after her son was s

Newborn screening showed the baby was a sickle cell carrier. The mother had been tested years ago and told she wasn't affected, but a new test showed she was a carrier.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Antenatal beta thalassaemia and other variants >> Interview 17 >> Beta thalassaemia major is a very serious condition, and she would advise parents to think about screening before they have children. (Read by an acto

Mother who is a beta thalassaemia carrier, and her husband is not a carrier. They have been told in several pregnancies they need to repeat the test, which has caused anxiety. Video and audio clips played by an actor.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Newborn >> Interview 28 >> She plans to explain to her children in their early teens what being a carrier means, so they know they have to be careful.

Newborn screening showed the baby was a sickle cell carrier. The mother had been tested years ago and told she wasn't affected, but a new test showed she was a carrier.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Antenatal sickle cell >> Interview 14 >> She has a friend with a son with sickle cell anaemia. It's better to separate if both parents are carriers [Elle a une copine dont le fils a la drépan

Mother discovered she was a sickle cell carrier in her first pregnancy. Father is not a carrier. He later changed his name and was recalled for screening when she was pregnant again. Audio clips in French.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Antenatal sickle cell >> Interview 05 >> Professional learning: When she was a child her family thought she had only a tiny amount of haemoglobin S which would disappear eventually.

The couple discovered in pregnancy they were both sickle cell carriers. She felt strongly as a Christian that she did not want any diagnostic tests, and has faith her baby will be healthy.