Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children
ALSPAC Pregnancy, Birth and Infancy (pregnancy to 12 months)
Your Pregnancy
alspac_91_yp
YOUR PREGNANCY
This questionnaire asks about how you are now feeling and some questions about your background, and about your plans and preparations for the baby.
Your answers are confidential. Your name will not be on the questionnaire and none of the doctors or nurses you see will know your answers.
Please answer all the questions you can. If there are any you cannot answer or do not wish to answer that is fine. Just leave them blank.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP
SECTION A: PLANS AND EXPECTATIONS
Information about pregnancy
Before you became pregnant this time did you read a lot about pregnancy and becoming a parent?
Do you have friends or relatives who have children with whom you can discuss your pregnancy?
How would you describe the knowledge you have about having a baby? before you became pregnant this time
How would you describe the knowledge you have about having a baby? now
Have you attended childbirth preparation classes in this pregnancy?
Did you attend classes in a previous pregnancy?
Which of these options would you prefer ideally?
Would you like someone you know (husband/partner/mother/friend) with you at all times throughout your labour?
Assuming that there are no complications, who do you think should make the decisions about your labour?
(tick one only)
How important is it to you that giving birth will be a wonderful experience?
Do you intend to start work after you have the baby?
If no go to B1.
about how old do you expect the baby will be when you go back to work?
Have you decided what sort of child care you will have?
what sort of child care do you expect to use? nanny/childminder in your home
what sort of child care do you expect to use? childminder outside your home
what sort of child care do you expect to use? partner
what sort of child care do you expect to use? family
what sort of child care do you expect to use? nursery/creche
what sort of child care do you expect to use? other (please describe)
SECTION B: YOUR PRESENT HEALTH
How would you describe your health in the last two weeks:
In the last 3 months have you had any of the following: nausea
In the last 3 months have you had any of the following: vomiting
In the last 3 months have you had any of the following: diarrhoea
In the last 3 months have you had any of the following: vaginal bleeding
In the last 3 months have you had any of the following: jaundice
In the last 3 months have you had any of the following: urinary infection
In the last 3 months have you had any of the following: a cold
In the last 3 months have you had any of the following: influenza (flu)
In the last 3 months have you had any of the following: rubella (german measles)
In the last 3 months have you had any of the following: thrush (candida)
In the last 3 months have you had any of the following: genital herpes
In the last 3 months have you had any of the following: other infection (please describe)
In the last 3 months have you had any of the following: injury or shock to you (please describe)
In the last 3 months have you had any of the following: sugar in urine
In the last 3 months have you had any of the following: x-ray
In the last 3 months have you had any of the following: amniocentesis (amnio)
In the last 3 months have you had any of the following: chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
In the last 3 months have you had any of the following: AFP test (spina bifida test)
In the last 3 months have you had any of the following: ultrasound scan
In the last 3 months have you had any of the following: headache
In the last 3 months have you had any of the following: backache
In the last 3 months have you had any of the following: varicose veins
Have you been admitted to hospital in the last 3 months?
If no, go to B4.
In the last 3 months have you used any medicines, pills or ointments for the following: other reason (please describe)
In the last three months have you been taking any of the following? iron
In the last three months have you been taking any of the following? zinc
In the last three months have you been taking any of the following? calcium
In the last three months have you been taking any of the following? folic acid/folate
In the last three months have you been taking any of the following? vitamins (please describe)
In the last three months have you been taking any of the following? other supplements or diet foods (please describe)
Do you ever take homeopathic medicines?
please list any you have taken this pregnancy:
Check Have you included the contraceptive pill, iron tablets, laxatives, vitamins, sleeping tablets, aspirin, cough mixture, pain killers, indigestion tablets, herbal medicine?
If you need more room continue on page 40.
SECTION C: YOUR DIET
Do you eat the fat on meat?
When you have a soft drink, how often do you choose low calorie or diet drinks?
How many pieces of bread, rolls or chappatis do you eat on a usual day ?
How many times in a month do you eat take-away foods for your main meal?
What types of bread do you eat most days? white bread
What types of bread do you eat most days? brown/granary bread
What types of bread do you eat most days? wholemeal bread
What types of bread do you eat most days? chappatis, nan bread
What types of bread do you eat most days? don't usually eat any bread
What sort of fat do you mainly use: Other (please describe)
How many slices of bread (or rolls) spread with fat do you eat each day? (include bought sandwiches) ... slices
What type(s) of milk do you use? Full fat (silver or gold top)
What type(s) of milk do you use? Semi Skimmed (red stripe)
What type(s) of milk do you use? Skimmed (blue stripe)
What type(s) of milk do you use? Sterilised
What type(s) of milk do you use? Dried milk
What type(s) of milk do you use? Goat/sheep milk
What type(s) of milk do you use? Soya milk
What type(s) of milk do you use? Other (please describe)
How often do you have milk: In tea
How often do you have milk: In coffee
How often do you have milk: On breakfast cereal
How often do you have milk: As pudding (custard,rice)
How often do you have milk: To drink on its own
How often do you have milk: As a milky drink (Horlicks, cocoa, all milk coffee)
How many cups of tea do you drink in a day? (do not include herbal teas) ... cups
How many spoons of sugar in each cup? ... spoons
How many of the cups of tea you drink each day are decaffeinated? ... cups
How many cups of coffee do you drink in a day? ... cups
How many spoons of sugar in each cup? ... spoons
How many of the cups of coffee you drink each day are decaffeinated? ... cups
How many of the cups of coffee you drink each day are made using real coffee (ie. not instant)? ... cups
How many of these are decaffeinated? ... cups
How many drinks of cola do you have in a week? ... drinks
How many of these drinks are decaffeinated? ... drinks
Do you drink herbal teas at all?
If no, go to C15.
how many cups/mugs of herbal teas have you drunk in the past week? ... cups/mugs
Please list the types of herbal teas you have drunk in the past 3 months:
Do you buy organic foods? fruit
Do you buy organic foods? vegetables
Do you buy organic foods? meat
Do you buy organic foods? other (please describe)
Apart from herbal teas, are there any other health foods (whether or not bought from a health food shop) that you often eat or drink?
please describe below:
Have you been on a diet this pregnancy?
please describe the type of diet:
Apart from this pregnancy have you ever gone on a diet to lose weight?
Are you, or have you ever been a vegetarian?
how many years of your life have you been vegetarian? ... years
(If less than one year put 00)
Are you, or have you ever been, a vegan (i.e. do not eat meat, poultry, fish, eggs, butter, milk or cheese)?
how many years of your life have you been vegan? ... years
(If less than one year put 00)
Do you now feel you've put on too much weight?
Do you feel uncomfortable seeing your body in the mirror?
Have you had a strong desire to lose weight at any time during this pregnancy?
Do you feel dissatisfied about your shape?
Have you experienced any loss of control over eating during this pregnancy?
Are you concerned about losing any extra weight you've gained in this pregnancy?
How many days in the past month have you drunk the equivalent of 2 pints of beer, 4 glasses of wine or 4 pub measures of spirit?
SECTION D: YOUR OWN CHILDHOOD
Please indicate if any of the following events happened to you before you were 17 and how much it affected you.
Before you were 17: Your parent died
Before you were 17: A brother or sister died
Before you were 17: A relative died
Before you were 17: A friend died
Before you were 17: A parent had a serious illness
Before you were 17: A parent was in hospital
Before you were 17: You had a serious physical illness
Before you were 17: You were in hospital
Before you were 17: Brother or sister had a serious illness
Before you were 17: Brother or sister was in hospital
Before you were 17: A parent had a serious accident
Before you were 17: You had a serious accident
Before you were 17: Brother or sister had a serious accident
Before you were 17: You acquired a physical deformity
Before you were 17: You became pregnant
Before you were 17: A parent was imprisoned
Before you were 17: A parent was physically cruel to you
Before you were 17: Your parents separated
Before you were 17: Your parents divorced
Before you were 17: A parent remarried
Before you were 17: A parent was emotionally cruel to you
Before you were 17: Your parents had serious arguments
Before you were 17: You were sexually abused
Before you were 17: A parent was mentally ill
Before you were 17: You discovered you were adopted
Before you were 17: Your family moved to a new district
Before you were 17: You were in trouble with the police
Before you were 17: You were expelled or suspended from school
Before you were 17: You failed an important exam
Before you were 17: Your family's financial circumstances got worse
Before you were 17: You acquired a stepbrother or stepsister
Before you were 17: Other important happening (please tick & describe)
How many schools did you attend between the ages of 5 and 16?
did you have a twin?
SECTION E: YOUR ENVIRONMENT AND LIFESTYLE
Are you living in the same home that you were in at the start of your pregnancy?
how many times have you moved?
Have you been homeless at any time during this pregnancy?
Have we sent this questionnaire to your correct address?
If no, please telephone Bristol 256260 or send a card with your new address, quoting your contact number.
Are you intending to move house in the near future?
If yes, please let us know your new address on the back cover
Please indicate how often during the day you are in a room or enclosed place where other people are smoking: Weekdays
Please indicate how often during the day you are in a room or enclosed place where other people are smoking: Weekends
How many cigarettes per day are you yourself smoking at the moment ... cigarettes
Are you currently in paid work?
Have you worked at all during this pregnancy?
If you are working, how many hours per week do you work? ... hours
Do you do shift work?
does this include night shift?
Which of the following statements best applied to you, in the last 3 months and now: in the last 3 months
Which of the following statements best applied to you, in the last 3 months and now: nowadays
Compared with other pregnant women of your age, would you consider yourself to be:
Nowadays, at least once a week do you engage in any regular activity like brisk walking, gardening, housework, jogging, cycling, etc. long enough to work up a sweat?
how many hours a week: ... hours
SECTION F: YOUR FEELINGS
The questions in this section ask you about your feelings and the way you behave nowadays Please indicate the way you feel.
Do you feel upset for no obvious reason?
Do you get troubled by dizziness or shortness of breath?
Have you felt as though you might faint?
Do you feel sick or have indigestion?
Do you feel that life is too much effort?
Do you feel uneasy and restless?
Do you feel tingling or prickling sensations in your body, arms or legs?
Do you regret much of your past behaviour?
Do you sometimes feel panicky?
Do you find that you have little or no appetite?
Do you wake unusually early in the morning?
Do you worry a lot?
Do you feel tired or exhausted?
Do you experience long periods of sadness?
Do you feel strung-up inside?
Can you get off to sleep alright?
Do you ever have the feeling you are going to pieces?
Do you often have excessive sweating or fluttering of the heart?
Do you find yourself needing to cry?
Do you have bad dreams which upset you when you wake up?
Do you lose the ability to feel sympathy for others?
Can you think as quickly as you used to?
Do you have to make a special effort to face up to a crisis or difficulty?
Your feelings in the past week
I have been able to laugh and see the funny side of things:
I have looked forward with enjoyment to things:
Your feelings in the past week.
I have blamed myself unnecessarily when things went wrong:
I have been anxious or worried for no good reason:
I have felt scared or panicky for no very good reason:
Things have been getting on top of me:
In the past week.
I have been so unhappy that I have had difficulty sleeping:
I have felt sad or miserable:
I have been so unhappy that I have been crying:
The thought of harming myself has occurred to me:
SECTION G: INFANT FEEDING
Below are some attitudes about infant feeding often expressed by mothers. What do you feel?
Breast-feeding stops a mother from having the freedom to do what she wants
Breast-feeding gives the mother a special relationship with her baby
Bottle-feeding allows the father to share the child more
Breast milk is better for the baby
Bottle-feeding is more convenient for the mother
A mother who does not breast feed is inferior
Breast-feeding is difficult
How are you going to feed your baby: in the first week
How are you going to feed your baby: in the first month
How are you going to feed your baby: in the next 3 months
How does your partner want you to feed the baby?
Were you breast fed as a baby?
SECTION H: EDUCATION AND OCCUPATION
What educational qualifications do you, your partner, your mother, and your father have? Please tick all that apply. Yourself Other (please describe)
What educational qualifications do you, your partner, your mother, and your father have? Please tick all that apply. Your partner Other (please describe)
What educational qualifications do you, your partner, your mother, and your father have? Please tick all that apply. Your mother* Other (please describe)
What educational qualifications do you, your partner, your mother, and your father have? Please tick all that apply. Your father* Other (please describe)
[* by this we mean the mother figure or father figure who was mostly responsible for bringing you up]
Please tick all that apply.
What is the present employment situation of yourself and your partner? Yourself Other (please describe)
Please tick all that apply.
Please tick all that apply.
What is the present employment situation of yourself and your partner? Your partner Other (please describe)
Please tick all that apply.
If your partner is not currently in paid employment when did his last job end? Date your partner stopped working
(If you are unsure, put an approximate date, e.g March 1988)
The questions below ask about your current occupation and that of your partner.
As far as you can, please describe the actual job, occupation, trade or profession. (Use precise terms such as radio mechanic, woodworking machinist, tool-room foreman. If the occupation is known by a special name, please use that name. If in H.M. Forces, give the rank in addition to the actual job. Please also describe the type of industry or service given: i.e. Give details of what is made, materials used, or services given).
Your present job or last main job. Actual job, occupation, trade or profession
Your present job or last main job. Hours worked per week:
Your present job or last main job. Please tick which of the following apply to you:
Your present job or last main job. Type of industry or service given (main things done in job):
Your partner - present job or last main job. Do you currently have a partner?
If no, go to H5.
Your partner - present job or last main job. what is/was his actual job, occupation, trade or profession?
Your partner - present job or last main job. Hours worked per week:
Your partner - present job or last main job. Please tick which of the following apply to him:
Your partner - present job or last main job. Type of industry or service given (main things done in job):
Your partner - present job or last main job. Is he in contact with particular fumes or chemicals in his job? If yes, please describe:
please describe:
The main job your mother or mother figure did at around the time you left school. (Please put HW if she was a housewife) Actual job, occupation, trade or profession:
The main job your mother or mother figure did at around the time you left school. (Please put HW if she was a housewife) Type of industry or service given (main things done in job):
How old was your natural mother when you were born? (If you don't know, put 99) ... years
Is your natural mother still alive?
The main job your father or father figure did at around the time you left school. (If not known put NK) Actual job, occupation, trade or profession:
The main job your father or father figure did at around the time you left school. (If not known put NK) Please tick which of the following applied to him:
The main job your father or father figure did at around the time you left school. (If not known put NK) Type of Industry or service given (main things done in job):
How old was your natural father when you were born? (If you don't know, put 99) ... years
Is your natural father still alive?
Problems
Do you think you have been unfairly/unjustly treated in the last 12 months because of: other (please describe)
How would you describe the race or ethnic group of yourself, your partner and your parents? Yourself
How would you describe the race or ethnic group of yourself, your partner and your parents? Partner
How would you describe the race or ethnic group of yourself, your partner and your parents? Your mother*
How would you describe the race or ethnic group of yourself, your partner and your parents? Your father*
(*by this we mean the mother or father figure who was mostly responsible for bringing you up)
SECTION I: BEING A PARENT
Below are a number of statements about how some people think a parent should behave with a baby. Please indicate how much you agree with them.
Babies should be picked up whenever they cry
It is important to develop a regular pattern of feeding and sleeping with a baby
Babies should be fed whenever they are hungry
Babies need to be stimulated if they are to develop well
Babies need quiet secure surroundings and should not be disturbed too much
Parents need to adapt their lives to the baby's demands
A baby should fit into its parents routine
Babies should be left to develop naturally
Talking, to even a very young baby, is important
Cuddling a baby is very important
What is the youngest age at which you think it is alright for a mother to leave her child regularly in the care of another person during the day?
SECTION J
Please put the date of completing this part of the questionnaire:
Please give your date of birth:
Thank you for your help so far.
These next pages are concerned with early sexual experience.
IF YOU WOULD RATHER NOT ANSWER THEM, WE QUITE UNDERSTAND. JUST STOP NOW AND SEND THE QUESTIONNAIRE BACK AS USUAL.
But it is possible that whether or not such events have taken place they may be a vital clue in understanding some of the problems we are trying to solve - even though they may appear to be unconnected. If you feel you can help, we would be very grateful.
SECTION K
As we are growing up we all have sexual experiences. These are a normal part of development and learning. Some people also have unwanted experiences to which they do not agree. These experiences can be important and may affect how you feel about yourself, your partner and your baby. Below are questions which ask about your sexual experiences from childhood until the present time.
Did anyone ever purposefully expose/flash themselves to you before you were 16?
Who was involved? boy friend
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? girl friend
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? parent or parent figure
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? brother or sister
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? other relative
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? family friend
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? stranger
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? other person (please describe)
did you want this to happen with this person?
how old were you when this first happened: ... years
Did anyone masturbate in front of you before you were 16?
Who was involved? boy friend
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? girl friend
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? parent or parent figure
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? brother or sister
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? other relative
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? family friend
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? stranger
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? other person (please describe)
did you want this to happen with this person?
how old were you when this first happened: ... years
Did anyone ever touch or fondle your body, including your breast or genitals, or attempt to arouse you sexually before you were 16?
Who was involved? boy friend
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? girl friend
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? parent or parent figure
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? brother or sister
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? other relative
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? family friend
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? stranger
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? other person (please describe)
did you want this to happen with this person?
how old were you when this first happened: ... years
Did anyone try to have you arouse them, or touch their body in a sexual way before you were 16?
Who was involved? boy friend
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? girl friend
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? parent or parent figure
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? brother or sister
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? other relative
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? family friend
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? stranger
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? other person (please describe)
did you want this to happen with this person?
how old were you when this first happened: ... years
Did anybody rub their genitals against your body in a sexual way before you were 16?
Who was involved? boy friend
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? girl friend
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? parent or parent figure
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? brother or sister
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? other relative
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? family friend
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? stranger
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? other person (please describe)
did you want this to happen with this person?
how old were you when this first happened: ... years
Did anyone have sexual intercourse with you before you were 16?
Who was involved? boy friend
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? girl friend
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? parent or parent figure
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? brother or sister
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? other relative
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? family friend
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? stranger
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? other person (please describe)
did you want this to happen with this person?
how old were you when this first happened: ... years
Did anyone ever try to put their penis into your mouth before you were 16?
Who was involved? boy friend
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? father or father figure
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? brother
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? other relative
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? family friend
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? stranger
did you want this to happen with this person?
Who was involved? other person (please describe)
did you want this to happen with this person?
how old were you when this first happened: ... years
Thank you for answering these questions which we realise may be difficult to answer. If there are any comments you'd like to make please write them below.
VERY MANY THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP
When completed, put in the envelope provided and either bring to the clinic or post to: Dr Jean Golding, Children of the Nineties - ALSPAC, Institute of Child Health, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol. BS8 1BR.
Please remember, because this is strictly confidential, the people who look at this booklet will not know your name. They will be unable to give you any help or contact anyone after reading what you have written. If you feel you need advice, please feel free to contact our special information line (Bristol 256260 during office hours). Alternatively your Midwife or General Practitioner should be able to advise you.