"My experience at the hospital"

After a visit to my doctors to confirm my pregnancy I was given the option of being cared for at either Birmingham or Worcester hospital.

I chose Worcester, and this has involved me visiting the Alexander Hospital.

I have a phobia of hospitals and so was not looking forward to my first visit.

I spoke on the phone to a midwife from the Alex and they explained that my appointments would be at the Alex and reassured me that I would not be there too long and that I would be well looked after and not to worry.

Before I knew it, it was time for my 12wk scan. I was not feeling great at all that day. I had been suffering with terrible nausea from the pregnancy and then I was feeling sick worrying about going to the hospital. By the time I was getting in the car to go to the hospital I had started hyperventilating and wondering how I was going to get through this.

I arrived with my husband and asked at the front desk where to go. They were nice and polite and gave us clear instructions of where to go.

We found the right department and the receptionist was lovely and patient with me as I found my notes and stated why we were here as best I could with my breathing. The nurse guided us to where the waiting area was. It was a nice relief to sit down and try and calm myself but we were not in there long before we called through to the scan.

My husband explained to the sonographers that my hyper breathing was from my phobia of hospitals and that I was feeling nauseous as well. They were very good and let me in my own time get comfortable on the bed and throughout the scan to have a breather if and when I needed to. It was exciting to see our baby on the screen and to know that everything was looking ok. They were nice and friendly and very informative and explained everything clearly, which helped put me at ease a little.

Since then I have been back to the hospital twice and I have felt very comfortable and well looked after which has eased my phobia of coming to a hospital. The staff have all been lovely, very efficient and happy to help.

I would recommend the Alex Hospital to anyone.