
Family life
A life-threatening emergency in childbirth not only affects the parents but it can have a significant effect on their children (for relationships with partners and other relatives see ‘Relationships with partners and family’). The women and men we spoke to had a range of views. Some felt that their emergency had had a profound effect on their children, others felt that it had not impacted their children much at all, or even improved their relationships with them.
- Age at interview:
- 36
- Sex:
- Female
- Age at diagnosis:
- 34
- Background:
- Hannah, a 34 year old editor, is married with two children. White British.
- Age at interview:
- 36
- Sex:
- Female
- Age at diagnosis:
- 35
- Background:
- Lisa, a 35 year old instrument maker, with one child. She lived with her partner. White British.
- Age at interview:
- 44
- Sex:
- Female
- Age at diagnosis:
- 42
- Background:
- Alison T is married with 5 children. She is a housewife, her husband is a sheet metal worker. White British.
- Age at interview:
- 34
- Sex:
- Male
- Age at diagnosis:
- 29
- Background:
- Rob is now a house-husband, and lives with his wife and three daughters. White British.
- Age at interview:
- 43
- Sex:
- Female
- Age at diagnosis:
- 32
- Background:
- Rachel is a psychologist, married with three children.
- Age at interview:
- 34
- Sex:
- Female
- Age at diagnosis:
- 30
- Background:
- Jo is a teacher, married with two children. White British.
- Age at interview:
- 37
- Sex:
- Male
- Age at diagnosis:
- 36
- Background:
- Alex is a solicitor, married with two children. White British.
- Age at interview:
- 35
- Sex:
- Female
- Age at diagnosis:
- 34
- Background:
- Farkhanda is a British Pakistani lawyer, married with 4 sons.
- Age at interview:
- 44
- Sex:
- Female
- Age at diagnosis:
- 42
- Background:
- Karen is married with two sons, one now a teenager. White British.
- Age at interview:
- 37
- Sex:
- Female
- Age at diagnosis:
- 29
- Background:
- Cara worked in advertising as a media director. She lives with her partner and has three children. White British..
I think I honestly feel that it hasn’t. I was fortunate. I felt like I bonded with her really quick and I know some people can have bonding problems. I don’t remember having any issues and if they were, they must have been very fleeting. And you know, it was her and me. Particularly, obviously becoming a single parent, she was my, you know, my little side kick really. And you know, she remained my only child for seven years, and we have great relationship. We’re really close. Yes, I just, I’m fortunate, you know, that hasn’t been something.
Last reviewed April 2016.