• Clip
• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN26 >> She described the screening process as a 'Pandora's box' where one decision leads to another.

Routine screening experiences, including nuchal scan.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN27 >> She did not feel she had much choice about screening and would have liked more information and explanation.

Healthy pregnancy, routine screening. Some blood test results came back abnormal. Levels of information and choice have been a concern.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN22 >> Deciding to have screening is a real choice, which may involve you in further decision-making.

Declined all screening except 20-week anomaly scan in two most recent pregnancies.

• 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 >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN37 >> She would encourage parents to think carefully why they are having screening and what they would do if an abnormality is found.

Couple declined screening on principle in previous two and current pregnancy. Had a scan at around 20 weeks in two pregnancies for dating purposes only.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN34 >> She and her partner agreed quickly about screening but their views might change now they already have a baby.

Routine screening experiences. Healthy baby born 2002.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN19 >> She and her husband agreed they would have chosen to end the pregnancy if the baby had Down's syndrome.

Normal first pregnancy, routine screening experiences, including combined nuchal scan and blood test.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN24 >> She decided not to have a CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling) when her nuchal scan results came back low risk, but was still considering amniocentesis.

Family history of Down's syndrome. Had amniocentesis in both pregnancies to rule out Down's syndrome, even though nuchal scan results were low risk.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN24 >> A further scan also suggested she was at low risk of Down's syndrome, but she still wanted amniocentesis to know for certain.

Family history of Down's syndrome. Had amniocentesis in both pregnancies to rule out Down's syndrome, even though nuchal scan results were low risk.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN13 >> The fear of losing another baby after two miscarriages affected their discussion of their nuchal scan results.

Healthy pregnancy after 2 miscarriages; following nuchal scan results they considered amniocentesis and decided against. Baby born healthy, although mother had obstetric cholestasis in late pregnancy.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN22 >> She decided to have no screening except the anomaly scan because she could not contemplate a termination, especially after a miscarriage.

Declined all screening except 20-week anomaly scan in two most recent pregnancies.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN19 >> A friend who had a child with Down's syndrome worried about what would happen to the child when she died.

Normal first pregnancy, routine screening experiences, including combined nuchal scan and blood test.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN37 >> She decided not to have any screening because it creates anxiety and as a Christian she would never have a termination.

Couple declined screening on principle in previous two and current pregnancy. Had a scan at around 20 weeks in two pregnancies for dating purposes only.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN33 >> She did not want screening because she would not have further tests, and would rather not worry for the rest of the pregnancy.

Couple declined all early screening in two pregnancies, because they would not consider terminating an affected pregnancy, but did have 20-week anomaly scans. Currently pregnant.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN33 >> Screening cannot give you definite information and having further tests would mean more anxiety.

Couple declined all early screening in two pregnancies, because they would not consider terminating an affected pregnancy, but did have 20-week anomaly scans. Currently pregnant.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN18 >> She decided not to have the triple test in her first pregnancy because she thought she was too young to be at risk of Down's syndrome.

Spina bifida detected at 20-week scan in first pregnancy - some family history of the condition. Couple decided to end the pregnancy. Now pregnant again.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN33 >> They explained why they had the anomaly scan but not blood tests and why they felt differently about them.

Couple declined all early screening in two pregnancies, because they would not consider terminating an affected pregnancy, but did have 20-week anomaly scans. Currently pregnant.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN37 >> He feels people should be more fully informed about the purpose of screening and that it could lead to termination.

Couple declined screening on principle in previous two and current pregnancy. Had a scan at around 20 weeks in two pregnancies for dating purposes only.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN23 >> She and her partner agreed quickly what they'd do with screening results, but it was difficult to start the discussion.

After initial contact with NHS, decided to have antenatal care in France, including 3 scans with normal results. Baby born 2 months early in England.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN21 >> She did not want to influence her husband's views about screening, but they found they agreed.

Normal first pregnancy; some early scanning after bleeding in first trimester. Screening includes nuchal translucency scan and blood testing.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN13 >> They discussed at length what they would do with screening results, but he felt he should support his partner's decision.

Healthy pregnancy after 2 miscarriages; following nuchal scan results they considered amniocentesis and decided against. Baby born healthy, although mother had obstetric cholestasis in late pregnancy.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN14 >> They postponed discussion of what they might do about their screening results until they had further information to discuss.

Seven and a half months pregnant with twins conceived by IVF. Has had scans throughout pregnancy; nuchal translucency scan had to be repeated because of the babies' position.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN25 >> They did not discuss in advance what they would do with the results of screening, and were waiting until they had further information.

Two normal pregnancies. Nuchal scan not available locally, so had blood screening. Unable to have 20-week scan in first pregnancy because of staff shortages.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN05 >> She did not want to worry about something being wrong unless it actually happened.

4 months pregnant. Normal screening results. One scan in early pregnancy, no other scans planned. Alphafetoprotein results not yet received.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN11 >> She and her partner had different views about what they would do with the results of screening tests, so they postponed further discussion.

Normal first pregnancy; screening carried out in US, before return to UK when 6 months pregnant. Declined amniocentesis (offered as standard). Compares US and UK.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN21 >> Having talked to her GP, she felt there was little point in having screening if you would not consider termination.

Normal first pregnancy; some early scanning after bleeding in first trimester. Screening includes nuchal translucency scan and blood testing.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN05 >> Nuchal scans were not available on the NHS locally and she did not feel the need to have one privately.

4 months pregnant. Normal screening results. One scan in early pregnancy, no other scans planned. Alphafetoprotein results not yet received.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN28 >> She felt by the time of the 20-week scan it would be too late to consider ending the pregnancy.

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 >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN13 >> After being reassured at first, they found the meaning of risk statistics from the nuchal scan in their most recent pregnancy hard to interpret.

Healthy pregnancy after 2 miscarriages; following nuchal scan results they considered amniocentesis and decided against. Baby born healthy, although mother had obstetric cholestasis in late pregnancy.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN13 >> Ringing the Antenatal Results and Choices support group helped her think through her nuchal scan results and decide not to have further tests.

Healthy pregnancy after 2 miscarriages; following nuchal scan results they considered amniocentesis and decided against. Baby born healthy, although mother had obstetric cholestasis in late pregnancy.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Continuing with an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN07 >> Their nuchal scan results gave them a risk of 1 in 21. They felt they needed certainty, so they had CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling).

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 >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN35 >> They worried about the risk of miscarriage but decided to have CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling) in their first pregnancy because their screening result

Combined nuchal scan/blood test suggested high risk; early results ruled out trisomies but subsequently diagnosed a severe form of Turner's syndrome. Couple decided to end the pregnancy; now pregnant again.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN17 >> Sometimes healthcare staff assume you will have further tests. When the nuchal scan results in her second pregnancy indicated an increased chance of a

Hydrocephalus detected by 20-week scan and amniocentesis in first pregnancy. Felt the decision to end the pregnancy was rushed. Miscarriage and two healthy pregnancies since.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Continuing with an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN30 >> Meeting someone who had a baby with Down's syndrome made her re-think whether she should have amniocentesis, but her GP helped clarify her thoughts.

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 >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN39 >> Watching a TV programme in her most recent pregnancy made her decide to have amniocentesis to check for Down's syndrome.

Hypoplastic left heart suspected at 19-week scan, confirmed by cardiac scan. Couple decided to end the pregnancy. Chose amniocentesis in next pregnancy (baby born 2002).

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN40 >> Watching a TV programme in her first pregnancy made her realise that screening could not give a definite diagnosis, so she decided to have amniocentes

Down's syndrome detected by amniocentesis in first pregnancy. Couple decided to end the pregnancy. Baby son born since.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN40 >> When she went for amniocentesis, the doctor questioned whether it was necessary, but she chose to go ahead.

Down's syndrome detected by amniocentesis in first pregnancy. Couple decided to end the pregnancy. Baby son born since.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Normal results or declining screening >> Interview AN11 >> Her doctor in America recommended amniocentesis as a routine investigation, but she did not agree.

Normal first pregnancy; screening carried out in US, before return to UK when 6 months pregnant. Declined amniocentesis (offered as standard). Compares US and UK.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN36 >> Waiting for the amniocentesis results over a weekend was awful. They searched the internet for information to help make their decision.

Nuchal scan in first pregnancy gave low risk result, but anomaly scan at 21 weeks detected abnormalities, confirmed as Edwards' syndrome by amniocentesis. Couple decided to end the pregnancy.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Continuing with an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN07 >> She rang to check the CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling) results, and the receptionist was rude. Next day they were told it was negative for chromosomal

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 >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN02 >> The midwife rang her at home with the CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling) results to tell her the baby had Down's syndrome, but she was at work. The midwi

1997 - nuchal scan and CVS confirmed Down's syndrome - decided to end the pregnancy. Has since had a healthy baby and is now pregnant again. Had CVS again.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN40 >> The midwife came in person with her amniocentesis results. She was stunned to hear the baby had Down's syndrome.

Down's syndrome detected by amniocentesis in first pregnancy. Couple decided to end the pregnancy. Baby son born since.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN39 >> The hospital was sensitive in the way it gave her information about the baby's heart condition and the possibility of ending the pregnancy.

Hypoplastic left heart suspected at 19-week scan, confirmed by cardiac scan. Couple decided to end the pregnancy. Chose amniocentesis in next pregnancy (baby born 2002).

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN40 >> The midwife gave them excellent information about Down's syndrome and about the process of termination, but with hindsight it might have been better t

Down's syndrome detected by amniocentesis in first pregnancy. Couple decided to end the pregnancy. Baby son born since.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN36 >> It was valuable advice to take time to reflect on their decision to end the pregnancy and keep testing each other's feelings. They have positive memor

Nuchal scan in first pregnancy gave low risk result, but anomaly scan at 21 weeks detected abnormalities, confirmed as Edwards' syndrome by amniocentesis. Couple decided to end the pregnancy.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN16 >> At first she did not understand what anencephaly meant and spent the night searching books for information.

Anencephaly detected at 20-week scan in first pregnancy. Considered continuing the pregnancy but eventually decided to induce labour early. Second pregnancy miscarried. Now pregnant again.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN16 >> The consultant was shocked to discover they had not understood their baby's condition and had to find information themselves.

Anencephaly detected at 20-week scan in first pregnancy. Considered continuing the pregnancy but eventually decided to induce labour early. Second pregnancy miscarried. Now pregnant again.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN31 >> She decided not to meet another woman with a baby with Down's syndrome, because she would feel under pressure to continue the pregnancy.

Problems detected in first pregnancy at nuchal scan - confirmed as Down's syndrome by CVS. Couple decided to end the pregnancy. Subsequent normal pregnancy and birth.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Continuing with an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN30 >> During pregnancy they went to meet other families and people with disabilities to help their decision-making.

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 >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN02 >> From her experience of meeting children with Down's syndrome she did not realise the range of disability and health problems it could involve, from mi

1997 - nuchal scan and CVS confirmed Down's syndrome - decided to end the pregnancy. Has since had a healthy baby and is now pregnant again. Had CVS again.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN17 >> She felt too much information about the process of termination might have deterred her from having one. She wanted information and guidance in stages.

Hydrocephalus detected by 20-week scan and amniocentesis in first pregnancy. Felt the decision to end the pregnancy was rushed. Miscarriage and two healthy pregnancies since.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN31 >> She felt the consultant was unsympathetic and wanted her to decide quickly whether to end the pregnancy. He said she could have more children.

Problems detected in first pregnancy at nuchal scan - confirmed as Down's syndrome by CVS. Couple decided to end the pregnancy. Subsequent normal pregnancy and birth.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Continuing with an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN29 >> The information from screening and diagnosis helped them in deciding to continue with the pregnancy. They were offered the option of ending the pregna

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 AN41 >> They were given useful information about the condition and about termination, but it was difficult to have to read about termination.

Their son was diagnosed with Tricuspid Atresia, a large VSD, ASD, small right ventricle & small pulmonary artery. Treatment: Modified BT Shunt & Atrial Septostomy at 24 hrs old. Cardiac catheters & further operations planned when their child is older. Current Medication: diuretics, aspirin, sytron, anti-reflux and lactulose. More of this interview can be seen on the DIPEX Congenital Heart Disease site as interview CHD03.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Continuing with an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN04 >> Before deciding to continue with the pregnancy, she made herself think through all her options, none of which seemed bearable.

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 >> They thought through how they felt about different conditions and whether they would want to continue with the pregnancy. She felt she might not get a

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 AN38 >> They continued the pregnancy because they needed to know in future they had given their baby every chance.

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 >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN31 >> She had always thought she would end a pregnancy if something was wrong, but the decision was heartbreaking.

Problems detected in first pregnancy at nuchal scan - confirmed as Down's syndrome by CVS. Couple decided to end the pregnancy. Subsequent normal pregnancy and birth.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN16 >> She never thought she would consider termination, but discovering anencephaly meant the baby could not feel anything changed her mind.

Anencephaly detected at 20-week scan in first pregnancy. Considered continuing the pregnancy but eventually decided to induce labour early. Second pregnancy miscarried. Now pregnant again.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN02 >> It was hard to start discussing whether to end the pregnancy. Their doctor did not appreciate how difficult it was.

1997 - nuchal scan and CVS confirmed Down's syndrome - decided to end the pregnancy. Has since had a healthy baby and is now pregnant again. Had CVS again.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN18 >> When they were told in their first pregnancy that the baby had severe spina bifida, they felt ending the pregnancy was the best option, because they d

Spina bifida detected at 20-week scan in first pregnancy - some family history of the condition. Couple decided to end the pregnancy. Now pregnant again.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN39 >> They were worried about what life would be like for a child with a severe heart condition, and how it would affect family life with their older daught

Hypoplastic left heart suspected at 19-week scan, confirmed by cardiac scan. Couple decided to end the pregnancy. Chose amniocentesis in next pregnancy (baby born 2002).

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN35 >> In making their heartbreaking decision to end the pregnancy at 17 weeks, they wanted to do what was best for their daughter and their family.

Combined nuchal scan/blood test suggested high risk; early results ruled out trisomies but subsequently diagnosed a severe form of Turner's syndrome. Couple decided to end the pregnancy; now pregnant again.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN32 >> Once they knew the baby had Edwards' syndrome, they felt termination was inevitable, but needed more sympathetic support and counselling.

Problems detected in first pregnancy at routine 12 week dating scan - confirmed as Edward's syndrome by CVS. Couple decided to end the pregnancy. Now pregnant again.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN18 >> She found out about Antenatal Results and Choices support group after she came out of hospital. She would have liked to have their booklet earlier.

Spina bifida detected at 20-week scan in first pregnancy - some family history of the condition. Couple decided to end the pregnancy. Now pregnant again.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN18 >> She would definitely want screening again, but will always feel anxious in subsequent pregnancies that something could go wrong.

Spina bifida detected at 20-week scan in first pregnancy - some family history of the condition. Couple decided to end the pregnancy. Now pregnant again.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN40 >> In her next pregnancy she wanted to know for certain if anything was wrong, so she had amniocentesis again.

Down's syndrome detected by amniocentesis in first pregnancy. Couple decided to end the pregnancy. Baby son born since.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Ending an affected pregnancy >> Interview AN02 >> In her current pregnancy she decided to have CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling). She found it hard to understand how her risk was calculated this time.

1997 - nuchal scan and CVS confirmed Down's syndrome - decided to end the pregnancy. Has since had a healthy baby and is now pregnant again. Had CVS again.

• Pregnancy & children >> Antenatal Screening >> Baby's condition detected after birth >> Interview AN12 >> Having another baby with Down's syndrome would have major implications for the family, but it would be difficult to contemplate termination. Media ima

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 >> When people are told their baby will have Down's syndrome, they need more balanced information about life with the condition.

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.