" I am reassured that I have seen first hand what an amazing job they do"

During the very early stages of my pregnancy I was admitted on 3 separate occasions to the maternity hospital at the RAH with hyperemisis.

As this is my first child both myself and my partner were very anxious as we did not know what to expect.

On all 3 occasions I attended the triage at the maternity having been sent down by my GP. The first occasion we got seen straight away, but the 2nd and 3rd visits we had to wait 30 mins or so. At the time it seemed like the longest 30 mins of my life, but in hindsight the staff were dealing with numerous patients in labour and I know why I wasn't their first priority. Have to say though when you are so weak you can't even stand up the plastic seats aren't the most inviting places to rest. I ended up lying on the floor as I didn't have enough energy to even sit up as I was severely dehydrated, and ketones were dangerously high.

The midwives and consultant in the triage were amazing, very reassuring and sympathetic. I was feeling very sorry for myself. They struggled to get a line in for my drip, due to me being so dehydrated, but the midwife ended up actually making me laugh by getting me to wear a couple of pairs of examination gloves whilst they turned the heating up to try to get my veins to pop up.

During my time in the ward, all the midwives and support staff were very attentive. They were very short staffed though, had to wait 4 hours to get a dr to approve a change in anti sickness meds.

Only criticism was that when I was discharged on the first occasion I wasn't provided with any advice on how to manage my condition. I felt totally back to normal and thought I was cured. It was never explained to me as soon as I was off the drip that my symptoms would return. So within 12 hours of being home I was surprised and rather stressed about getting so ill again... Less than 24 hours after my discharge I was re admitted.

My third admittance deserves the most attention, all the staff were great in the ward, but one particular midwife went out and bought me Ice lollies. I couldn't even hold down the smallest sip of water despite being on anti sickness meds and my weight had dropped substantially. She suggested that I try the ice lollies, not only was I getting water but also sugar. This was a huge break through, after 8 weeks I could finally tolerate something. She was so helpful, told my partner to freeze sports drinks... And very slowly I built up being able to eat small meals such as toast. The staff were making me toast round the clock, 2am, 4am....

When I was finally well enough to go back home, she gave me loads of advice on how to manage my condition. She warned me that I would feel horrendous, gave us all the facts. As a result I was able to manage at home as we were fully prepared on what to expect and how best to treat it.

I'm due in less than 8 weeks, and every time I go to the hospital for scans and my classes the midwives recognise me and always make time to stop and say hello.

Whilst I'm nervous about the delivery of my first child I am reassured that I have met with a lot of the staff and have seen first hand what an amazing job they do considering how stretched they are. They don't get the credit they deserve and I couldn't have gotten through the first 16 weeks of my pregnancy without them