Profiles

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



Interview 05 - Making decisions about birth after caesarean

Advertising manager with a three and a half year old daughter. Husband is a recruitment manager. Ethnic background' White British (English).

  • Background

    Had a very traumatic 1st birth, long labour, CS was offered only after baby went into distress. Felt excluded from decisions and treated unsympathetically. Felt pushed into VBAC with 2nd...

  • Age at interview 42
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Mary - Interview 01- Menopause

    Mary describes menopause as 'the most fundamental loss ending her hopes of becoming a mother. Her decision to take HRT to improve poor memory was 'like a miracle'. Withdrawal on doctor's advice after 5 years, however, saw a return of symptoms.

  • Background

    Mary is a self-employed charity consultant. She is married with no children. She started the menopause at age 46 and had her last period at 53. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 57
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Charlotte - Interview 03- Menopause

    Following heavy bleeding, Charlotte was referred to a gynaecologist and prescribed the drug Zoladex to induce the menopause. This led to severe hot flushes. Bleeding returned after treatment ended, however, and Charlotte is now considering a hysterectomy.

  • Background

    Charlotte is a university professor. She is married with two adult daughters. She started the menopause at age 47. Ethnic background/nationality: Welsh/Caribbean.

  • Age at interview 54
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Lorna - Interview 08- Menopause

    Erratic periods at age 51 marked the start of the menopause for Lorna. Prescribed HRT 6 months later for severe hot flushes and night sweats accompanied by mood swings. A strong advocate of its benefits, Lorna plans to stay on HRT indefinitely.

  • Background

    Lorna is a research manager. She is married with an adult son and stepdaughter. She started the menopause at age 51. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 56
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Nancy - Interview 09- Menopause

    Nancy sailed through menopause in her mid-40s with no symptoms. Diagnosed as being at risk of osteoporosis, she took HRT for 10 years. A recent mastectomy has made her wonder about the possible link between long-term use of HRT and breast cancer.

  • Background

    Nancy is a teacher. She is married with three adult children. She started the menopause at age 45 and had her last period at 47. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.

  • Age at interview 59
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Interview 04- Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality

    She had an early termination, 2 miscarriages and a normal pregnancy. Her 5th pregnancy was ended by induction at 21 weeks - baby had Down's syndrome detected by amniocentesis. Since then she has had another baby.

  • Background

    Pregnancy ended in 2002. No of children’ 2 + [1]. Ages of other children at interview 6, 1. Occupations Mother – formerly legal secretary, Father – Joiner. Marital status married....

  • Age at interview 37
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Interview 06- Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality

    Their 2nd pregnancy. The 20-week scan showed baby seemed small for his dates. Further specialist scans at 28 and 32 weeks showed baby's head was small. Mother also had amniocentesis and MRI scan. Baby diagnosed with microcephaly. Pregnancy ended at 34 weeks by feticide and induction.

  • Background

    Pregnancy ended in 2003. No of children 1 + [1]. Age of other child at interview’ 4. Occupations Mother – mother and housewife, Father – policeman. Marital status married. Ethnic...

  • Age at interview 29
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Interview 01- Immunisation

    For DTP/IPV/Hib' Followed the recommendations of health professionals. Reading newspapers and magazine articles, talking to their GP, a private doctor and to friends helped her to make her decision about MMR.

  • Background

    At time of interview’ married, two children, aged 2.5 yrs (daughter) and second child due. Parent’s occupation’ Mother- Administrator, Father- Company Secretary. Ethnic background’ White-British.

  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Interview 11- Immunisation

    For DTaP/IPV/Hib' Followed recommendations of health professionals. For MMR' Gathered information from the media and talked to other mums at playgroup and to their health visitor. Advice from their GP helped them to make a decision.

  • Background

    At time of interview’ married, one daughter, aged 5 years. Parent’s occupation’ Mother- Nursing Auxilary, Father- Plasterer. Ethnic background’ White-British.

  • Sex/Gender Female