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• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Continuing with an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN04 >> The rest of pregnancy was focused on the baby's survival. She felt she could not take part in normal pregnancy experiences, including antenatal classe

Hypoplastic left heart diagnosed after scan and amniocentesis at 25 weeks in second pregnancy. Decided to continue with the pregnancy. Son is now 2.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Continuing with an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN07 >> Joining local NCT antenatal classes was generally a positive experience, although occasionally the information did not apply to her.

Third pregnancy, after two miscarriages. Nuchal translucency scan suggested problems; CVS ruled out Down's syndrome but heart problems identified by further scan. Baby born March 2003, successful surgery completed.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Continuing with an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN15 >> The hospital recommended a natural delivery, but she felt a caesarean would be better for the baby.

Following two miscarriages, during next pregnancy had frequent scans. A scan at 8 months unexpectedly found hydrocephalus and brain problems. Termination offered but rejected.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Continuing with an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN07 >> After a difficult labour, during which the baby's heart stopped, staff eventually agreed to do a caesarean.

Third pregnancy, after two miscarriages. Nuchal translucency scan suggested problems; CVS ruled out Down's syndrome but heart problems identified by further scan. Baby born March 2003, successful surgery completed.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Continuing with an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN29 >> She was terrified for her son when she had a premature emergency caesarean and he had to be resuscitated.

After four miscarriages, scan in fifth pregnancy found heart defects. Couple decided to continue the pregnancy. Son, now 4, has had some additional problems. Pregnant at time of interview.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Continuing with an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN38 >> When the baby died shortly after birth, the family spent time together before taking him home. They kept many mementoes.

Problems detected at 20-week scan. Amniocentesis confirmed Patau's syndrome. Couple decided to proceed with pregnancy. Baby born at 35 weeks and died after 3 minutes.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Continuing with an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN38 >> Finding out their son had Patau's syndrome meant they could ensure he was treated with dignity when he was born.

Problems detected at 20-week scan. Amniocentesis confirmed Patau's syndrome. Couple decided to proceed with pregnancy. Baby born at 35 weeks and died after 3 minutes.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Continuing with an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN30 >> Knowing before birth that their son would have special needs enabled them to make practical arrangements in advance.

Down's syndrome suspected at nuchal scan. Couple declined amniocentesis and continued with the pregnancy. Further scans suggested heart problems (operated on successfully since baby's birth).

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Continuing with an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN15 >> If she had discovered her daughter's condition earlier in pregnancy, she would at least have had more time to prepare.

Following two miscarriages, during next pregnancy had frequent scans. A scan at 8 months unexpectedly found hydrocephalus and brain problems. Termination offered but rejected.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN12 >> Their daughter's Down's syndrome was not formally diagnosed for two weeks after birth, but the mother had already wondered about it.

Second child born with Down's syndrome after low risk nuchal scan results, and no problems detected at 20-week scan. Home birth. Daughter now aged two.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN12 >> The delay in diagnosis and having a home delivery meant they got to know their daughter as a person first and had time to adjust gradually.

Second child born with Down's syndrome after low risk nuchal scan results, and no problems detected at 20-week scan. Home birth. Daughter now aged two.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN10 >> Her baby's hydrocephalus was not detected in pregnancy, but at a scan at 38 weeks she thought the baby looked strange.

Baby born in April 2002 with hydrocephalus which had not been picked up during screening. Baby has had surgery and is making good progress.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN10 >> She knew something was wrong as soon as she saw the baby after birth. The baby went straight to special care.

Baby born in April 2002 with hydrocephalus which had not been picked up during screening. Baby has had surgery and is making good progress.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN03 >> The mother thought something was wrong with her baby after birth, but everyone reassured her till the baby developed pneumonia when she was several we

Daughter born November 2000 with congenital heart problems not detected by antenatal screening, diagnosed when the baby was 10 weeks old. Corrective surgery at 11 months and 2 years.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN03 >> It was terrifying to be referred to a specialist hospital as an emergency, but also a relief to have a clear diagnosis of their baby's heart problems.

Daughter born November 2000 with congenital heart problems not detected by antenatal screening, diagnosed when the baby was 10 weeks old. Corrective surgery at 11 months and 2 years.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN28 >> She felt well advised by healthcare staff about the purpose and consequences of screening.

Healthy pregnancy after an early miscarriage. Interviewee has a brother with severe learning disabilities and describes having genetic screening and counselling in early pregnancy.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN03 >> The mother thought something was wrong with her baby after birth, but everyone reassured her till the baby developed pneumonia when she was several we

Daughter born November 2000 with congenital heart problems not detected by antenatal screening, diagnosed when the baby was 10 weeks old. Corrective surgery at 11 months and 2 years.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN10 >> They were told the baby had severe brain damage. It was hard to come to terms with the shock.

Baby born in April 2002 with hydrocephalus which had not been picked up during screening. Baby has had surgery and is making good progress.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN12 >> She felt screening was pointless as it could not give a definite diagnosis. She was concerned about pressure to have perfect babies.

Second child born with Down's syndrome after low risk nuchal scan results, and no problems detected at 20-week scan. Home birth. Daughter now aged two.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN10 >> If she had known how bad her daughter's brain damage was expected to be, she might have considered termination, in fact she has made good progress. Sh

Baby born in April 2002 with hydrocephalus which had not been picked up during screening. Baby has had surgery and is making good progress.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN10 >> She felt both guilty that she must have done something wrong to cause the hydrocephalus and angry that it was not detected sooner.

Baby born in April 2002 with hydrocephalus which had not been picked up during screening. Baby has had surgery and is making good progress.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN10 >> As not all problems can be detected at the 20-week scan, she felt more screening should be offered in later pregnancy.

Baby born in April 2002 with hydrocephalus which had not been picked up during screening. Baby has had surgery and is making good progress.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN03 >> One doctor at the specialist hospital told them their daughter's heart condition should have been detected at the 20-week scan.

Daughter born November 2000 with congenital heart problems not detected by antenatal screening, diagnosed when the baby was 10 weeks old. Corrective surgery at 11 months and 2 years.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN03 >> They would like to have their scan pictures reviewed by a specialist to know whether their daughter's heart condition could have been detected before

Daughter born November 2000 with congenital heart problems not detected by antenatal screening, diagnosed when the baby was 10 weeks old. Corrective surgery at 11 months and 2 years.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN03 >> They were glad they did not know the diagnosis before birth, as it would have made them worry throughout pregnancy and perhaps created pressure to hav

Daughter born November 2000 with congenital heart problems not detected by antenatal screening, diagnosed when the baby was 10 weeks old. Corrective surgery at 11 months and 2 years.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Continuing with an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN46 >> She was glad she did not know about her daughter's heart problem before birth, but in her second pregnancy she did want to know if there was a problem

Their daughter was diagnosed with pulmonary atresia, VSD & an overiding aorta. Treatment: closed heart surgery (shunt) at 11 days old, closed heart surgery (shunt) at 11 months old. Corrective open heart surgery at 2½ yrs old. Current medication: none. More of this interview can be seen on the DIPEX Congenital Heart Disease site as interview CHD30.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN10 >> She knew something was wrong as soon as she saw the baby after birth. The baby went straight to special care.

Baby born in April 2002 with hydrocephalus which had not been picked up during screening. Baby has had surgery and is making good progress.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN10 >> Her baby's hydrocephalus was not detected in pregnancy, but at a scan at 38 weeks she thought the baby looked strange.

Baby born in April 2002 with hydrocephalus which had not been picked up during screening. Baby has had surgery and is making good progress.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN12 >> Their daughter's Down's syndrome was not formally diagnosed for two weeks after birth, but the mother had already wondered about it.

Second child born with Down's syndrome after low risk nuchal scan results, and no problems detected at 20-week scan. Home birth. Daughter now aged two.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN12 >> The delay in diagnosis and having a home delivery meant they got to know their daughter as a person first and had time to adjust gradually.

Second child born with Down's syndrome after low risk nuchal scan results, and no problems detected at 20-week scan. Home birth. Daughter now aged two.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN10 >> Although it was a shock to find her baby had hydrocephalus, she now feels her daughter has been a very positive influence on her life and given her ne

Baby born in April 2002 with hydrocephalus which had not been picked up during screening. Baby has had surgery and is making good progress.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN03 >> They were readmitted to hospital two weeks later and felt helpless watching their baby struggle for life. (She has since been operated on successfully

Daughter born November 2000 with congenital heart problems not detected by antenatal screening, diagnosed when the baby was 10 weeks old. Corrective surgery at 11 months and 2 years.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN03 >> They were readmitted to hospital two weeks later and felt helpless watching their baby struggle for life. (She has since been operated on successfully

Daughter born November 2000 with congenital heart problems not detected by antenatal screening, diagnosed when the baby was 10 weeks old. Corrective surgery at 11 months and 2 years.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN10 >> It helped her to know she was not the only parent to have negative feelings. It was difficult to share these feelings with close family.

Baby born in April 2002 with hydrocephalus which had not been picked up during screening. Baby has had surgery and is making good progress.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Continuing with an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN07 >> It was very traumatic to hand over their son for heart surgery, but now his heart problem is corrected he can have a normal life.

Third pregnancy, after two miscarriages. Nuchal translucency scan suggested problems; CVS ruled out Down's syndrome but heart problems identified by further scan. Baby born March 2003, successful surgery completed.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN03 >> It helped to meet other parents of children with heart problems in hospital. Their shared experience brought them together.

Daughter born November 2000 with congenital heart problems not detected by antenatal screening, diagnosed when the baby was 10 weeks old. Corrective surgery at 11 months and 2 years.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN03 >> They were telephoned about their daughter's heart operation when they were going out for the evening. Parents need time to relax and enjoy themselves.

Daughter born November 2000 with congenital heart problems not detected by antenatal screening, diagnosed when the baby was 10 weeks old. Corrective surgery at 11 months and 2 years.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Continuing with an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN04 >> Meeting the oldest surviving child with hypoplastic left heart helped her imagine a future for her son. She felt she had been unprepared for how tough

Hypoplastic left heart diagnosed after scan and amniocentesis at 25 weeks in second pregnancy. Decided to continue with the pregnancy. Son is now 2.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Continuing with an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN29 >> The results of a brain scan at 9 months suggested their son had severe brain damage, but they were determined not to give up hope. He was now at a mai

After four miscarriages, scan in fifth pregnancy found heart defects. Couple decided to continue the pregnancy. Son, now 4, has had some additional problems. Pregnant at time of interview.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN10 >> She felt determined to help her daughter make progress, and took pride in her achievements, even though she often felt guilty and tearful about pushin

Baby born in April 2002 with hydrocephalus which had not been picked up during screening. Baby has had surgery and is making good progress.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Continuing with an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN15 >> Having her daughter has made her less selfish, but looking after her is very tiring. Uncertainty about her future has greatly strained relationships w

Following two miscarriages, during next pregnancy had frequent scans. A scan at 8 months unexpectedly found hydrocephalus and brain problems. Termination offered but rejected.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Continuing with an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN30 >> Having a baby with Down's syndrome has been a positive influence on their lives. The anxieties they faced did not feel very different from any other p

Down's syndrome suspected at nuchal scan. Couple declined amniocentesis and continued with the pregnancy. Further scans suggested heart problems (operated on successfully since baby's birth).

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Continuing with an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN30 >> They are optimistic about their son's future because social attitudes towards Down's syndrome are continuing to improve.

Down's syndrome suspected at nuchal scan. Couple declined amniocentesis and continued with the pregnancy. Further scans suggested heart problems (operated on successfully since baby's birth).

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN12 >> Discovering her daughter had Down's syndrome meant she had to change career plans. Caring for her is hard work, but some of the problems are created b

Second child born with Down's syndrome after low risk nuchal scan results, and no problems detected at 20-week scan. Home birth. Daughter now aged two.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN12 >> Having a child with Down's syndrome has been an enriching experience and has changed their view of what is important in life.

Second child born with Down's syndrome after low risk nuchal scan results, and no problems detected at 20-week scan. Home birth. Daughter now aged two.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN10 >> Although it was a shock to find her baby had hydrocephalus, she now feels her daughter has been a very positive influence on her life and given her ne

Baby born in April 2002 with hydrocephalus which had not been picked up during screening. Baby has had surgery and is making good progress.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN10 >> They were told the baby had severe brain damage. It was hard to come to terms with the shock.

Baby born in April 2002 with hydrocephalus which had not been picked up during screening. Baby has had surgery and is making good progress.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN10 >> She knew something was wrong as soon as she saw the baby after birth. The baby went straight to special care.

Baby born in April 2002 with hydrocephalus which had not been picked up during screening. Baby has had surgery and is making good progress.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN03 >> It was terrifying to be referred to a specialist hospital as an emergency, but also a relief to have a clear diagnosis of their baby's heart problems.

Daughter born November 2000 with congenital heart problems not detected by antenatal screening, diagnosed when the baby was 10 weeks old. Corrective surgery at 11 months and 2 years.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN12 >> The delay in diagnosis and having a home delivery meant they got to know their daughter as a person first and had time to adjust gradually.

Second child born with Down's syndrome after low risk nuchal scan results, and no problems detected at 20-week scan. Home birth. Daughter now aged two.

• Topic
• >> Antenatal Screening >> Learning after birth that the baby has a condition >> Learning after birth that the baby has a condition

Learning after birth that the baby has a condition

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Learning after birth that the baby has a condition >> Learning after birth that the baby has a condition

Learning after birth that the baby has a condition

• >> Antenatal Screening >> What the rest of pregnancy and birth was like >> What the rest of pregnancy and birth was like

What the rest of pregnancy and birth was like

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> What the rest of pregnancy and birth was like >> What the rest of pregnancy and birth was like

What the rest of pregnancy and birth was like