We recommend that the Department of Health co-ordinate a programme of systematic social and medical research aimed at establishing the reasons for, and reducing the incidence of, low birthweight. (Social Services Committee 1988-9: ix)

For some issues open-ended interview techniques are essential. We have to listen to what people say and allow them to define the problem in their own terms. (Richards 1983: 165)

Six and a half months I was, and I’d been doing some things up here [in the flat ready to move in]. I think that's why I had him, and then I went home and had some pains, then about 2 o’clock in the morning they got stronger and I had the baby at 6 the next morning ..

That night, about 4 in the morning, my husband phoned the hospital up, because the baby’d lost some oxygen in his brain, you know what I mean, and he was just getting worse, and then on the Friday they were telling me what was wrong with him and on the Saturday he died .

It could have been anything, you know, maybe I done things, it could have been that … Painting, as I wanted the place decorated before he was born …

He said, like, the doctor who delivered him, said it's because you smoked that he come out early. I don't believe that really. I don't think it brings on the birth. It might make the baby small, but I don't think it brings it on. That's what he said, anyway …

I never liked him because when I was having the baby, and when I was in theatre, he said when you get the next feeling you want to push, tell me.