▸ Example 1: ‘I'm not praying for it but even if this child is SC [has haemoglobin SC disorder] I wouldn't say, “Oh no, I'm not having that baby.” So there's no point in even doing any kind of tests or anything, so I'm just happy with what God's going to give me … (Mother of Nigerian origin and Christian faith, knew from childhood she was a sickle cell carrier. Husband knew he did not carry Hb S but did not know he carried Hb C till their first baby diagnosed as newborn with haemoglobin SC disorder. Declined prenatal testing in next pregnancy.)

▸ Example 2: ‘I didn't have the test because there wasn't any point in getting checked, because neither did we want to have a termination and neither did we think there was any point … I left it to Allah … The individual cannot do anything … If we'd have terminated, then we wouldn't have our daughter. He [husband] says, “Okay, our daughter is troubled, but Allah has given her these troubles, and at least she is in front of our eyes.” We don't have to regret that we terminated her.’ (Translated from Mirpuri. Mother of Pakistani origin and Muslim faith, first child born with beta thalassaemia major, diagnosed prenatally by chorionic villus sampling. Declined prenatal testing in all subsequent pregnancies — three sons unaffected.)

▸ Example 3: ‘I'm a Christian, I wouldn't have an abortion … Other people would think it's the best way, termination would be best for them. So I think for each individual it's best to have the screening, both to know, because it's better to prepare — if you want to keep the baby, … than not to be prepared and be shocked and, and sad.’ (Mother of Congolese origin and Christian faith. Mother learnt through antenatal screening she was a sickle cell carrier, partner refused screening. Not aware she could have prenatal diagnosis. Baby diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia by newborn screening.)

▸ Example 4: ‘I start from the principle that in life everyone has their crosses to bear. And for me, my first son, I've taken him up as my cross — which can be heavy sometimes. But at the same time I manage it because I love him. And in the life that I travel with him I can see the life of Christ. And that helps to lighten my burden. (Translated from French. Mother from Ivory Coast of Roman Catholic faith, first son diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia through newborn screening in France. Neither partner knew they were carriers before the birth).