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• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Antenatal beta thalassaemia and other variants >> Interview 15 >> They opened the letter telling her she was a carrier late one evening. They searched the internet for information, and were very frightened by what th

Father knew he was a beta thalassaemia carrier. Mother discovered in pregnancy she was also a carrier. Couple had CVS and were told the baby had beta thalassaemia major. Since birth the baby has been well and has not needed transfusions as expected.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Antenatal beta thalassaemia and other variants >> Interview 15 >> They worried about how they'd manage transfusions and chelation [iron removal] therapy but she felt sure they'd cope somehow.

Father knew he was a beta thalassaemia carrier. Mother discovered in pregnancy she was also a carrier. Couple had CVS and were told the baby had beta thalassaemia major. Since birth the baby has been well and has not needed transfusions as expected.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Antenatal sickle cell >> Interview 11 >> The sickle cell counsellors gave her good information about the condition and what to expect. She finds the internet useful, and a parent support grou

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 11 >> The mother and baby group at the sickle cell centre helped her learn how to manage the condition. Her daughter remembers to ask for her own medicine e

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 beta thalassaemia and other variants >> Interview 13 >> Professional learning: He wanted information about other people's personal experiences as well as factual scientific information.

Routine pregnancy screening showed she is a carrier of beta thalassaemia, and that he carries haemoglobin E. They had amniocentesis, and the baby was unaffected. They would have had a termination if the baby was affected. Interview mainly in English with some brief discussion in Vietnamese.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Antenatal beta thalassaemia and other variants >> Interview 15 >> Professional learning: They had lots of detailed questions about how beta thalassaemia major could affect their son's life, but they felt overwhelmed

Father knew he was a beta thalassaemia carrier. Mother discovered in pregnancy she was also a carrier. Couple had CVS and were told the baby had beta thalassaemia major. Since birth the baby has been well and has not needed transfusions as expected.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Antenatal beta thalassaemia and other variants >> Interview 15 >> Professional learning: When they opened the letter telling her she was a carrier it was too late in the evening to call anyone. People need reliable,

Father knew he was a beta thalassaemia carrier. Mother discovered in pregnancy she was also a carrier. Couple had CVS and were told the baby had beta thalassaemia major. Since birth the baby has been well and has not needed transfusions as expected.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Newborn >> Interview 18 >> Professional learning: The support from local counsellors and support groups has been outstanding. [L'appui des conseillers et des groupes d'entraide

First baby diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia after birth. As a Christian, the mother chose not to have prenatal diagnosis in her next pregnancy. The second baby is a carrier. Her third baby is not a carrier. Video and audio clips in French.

• Pregnancy & children >> Screening for sickle cell and beta thalassaemia >> Antenatal sickle cell >> Interview 10 >> Professional learning: The support from her local sickle cell centre has kept her going. It helps to meet other mothers and know you're not alone.

Mother discovered from antenatal screening she was a carrier of haemoglobin C. The baby's father was no longer in the UK to be screened. A newborn test showed the baby had SC disorder.