Interview 43

Breastfed without problem. Stayed with mother-law for 40 days after birth. Sore nipples & breasts, mother-law massaged with oil.

This woman gave up her college studies in her second year to enter into her arranged marriage. She had learned English at school but had difficulty with the local accent. She did not have the confidence to attend antenatal classes but read many books and leaflets supplied by her health visitor. She chose to read antenatal material in English, reasoning that it would be good practice for her. She has since passed GCSE Grade 1 English and is now working on Grade 2. In the early days, she was often lonely, being on her own all day. After the birth of her baby, she went to stay in the home of her parents-law for forty days. There she received many visitors bearing congratulations and gifts for her and her baby son. Her mother-law did all of the cooking, cleaning and washing and all she had to do was breastfeed and attend to her baby. However, she missed her own mother who was in Pakistan and did not have the required documents for entry to Britain. When she returned to their own home with her husband and son, she was at first lonely again. She says that it was hard but nice to have her son for company. She is very happy to be a mother and is enjoying the experience, especially breastfeeding which has gone without a hitch. With her husband and son, she was able to visit her mother in Pakistan when the baby was nine months old and it was at this stage that her mother gave her lots of tips about childcare and parenting. She now attends a Sure Start Baby Caf’ where she has met and can talk to other mothers, is able to attend various courses, such as her English lessons, and can take advantage of the cr’che. She describes herself as very happy.

Newly arrived from Pakistan, she was not confident enough to attend antenatal classes, so she…

Age at interview 24

Gender Female

She stayed with her mother-in law for forty days after her son’s birth and received many visitors…

Age at interview 24

Gender Female