Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



Interview 24

Both parents are beta thalassaemia carriers. Had CVS in first pregnancy. Baby diagnosed with beta thalassaemia major and they continued the pregnancy. In three pregnancies since they chose not to have antenatal diagnosis and none of the children is affected. Some audio clips in Mirpuri. Sister-law also interviewed in English.

  • Background

    Married housewife with four children aged 6, 5, 3 and 9 months. Ethnic background/nationality: Pakistani.

  • Age at interview 32
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Interview 29

    Mother discovered as a student she was a beta thalassaemia carrier. When she became pregnant the first time her husband was tested and is not a carrier. Video and audio clips read by an actor.

  • Background

    Finance officer, married to community development worker, with one child aged 23 months. Ethnic background/nationality: Indian.

  • Age at interview 29
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Interview 16

    Mother discovered she was a beta thalassaemia carrier in first pregnancy. Husband still in Bangladesh and wasn't screened. Son born with beta thalassaemia major but has now had a bone marrow transplant. Video and audio clips in Sylheti.

  • Background

    Married couple with two children aged 11 and 2. Mother aged 31, full-time mother. Father aged 34, unemployed. Ethnic background/nationality: Bangladeshi.

  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Interview 23

    Couple knew before marriage they were beta thalassaemia carriers. His sister and two brothers died of beta thalassaemia major. They have tried pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to conceive a baby unaffected by the condition, so far without success. Video and audio clips read by actors.

  • Background

    Married couple with no children. Female partner aged 37, office manager. Male partner aged 51, engineer. Ethnic background/nationality: Both Italian.

  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Interview 30

    Mother discovered through screening in pregnancy that she carries Haemoglobin D Punjab. Her husband is not a carrier. Newborn screening showed her second baby is also a carrier. Video and audio clips in Urdu.

  • Background

    Secretary of own business, husband runs own business. Two children aged 3 years and 18 months. Ethnic background/nationality: Pakistani.

  • Age at interview 37
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Interview 21

    Both partners knew they were beta thalassaemia carriers. Second child born with beta thalassaemia major. Mother has had CVS in two pregnancies since, and would terminate the pregnancy if the baby was affected. Video and audio clips read by an actor and recorded in Mirpuri.

  • Background

    Married housewife, four children aged 10, 9, 8 and 2. Husband unemployed. Ethnic background/nationality: Pakistani.

  • Age at interview 31
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Interview 08

    Mother tested in first pregnancy and discovered she was a beta thalassaemia carrier. Husband was also tested and is not a carrier. Both their daughters are carriers. Interview translated into English from original in Urdu and Mirpuri.

  • Background

    Housewife, married to a restaurant owner, two children aged 6 and 3. Ethnic background/nationality: Pakistani.

  • Age at interview 26
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Interview 02

    Discovered she was a beta thalassaemia carrier from routine screening during pregnancy. She was not aware she was being tested. Partner was tested and is not a carrier.

  • Background

    Married, full-time mother, in first pregnancy. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 22
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Interview 13

    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.

  • Background

    Married couple, first pregnancy. Mother aged 27, father 32. Father is an accountant. Ethnic background/nationality: Vietnamese.

  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Interview 15

    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.

  • Background

    Married couple, with on child aged 14 months. Mother aged 36, father 35. Both are solicitors. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Sex/Gender Male