I had a very difficult pregnancy, from four weeks until week nine I felt nauseated and from week ten onwards I was sick constantly and suffered terrible pains, landing me in hospital twice(once at 18 weeks and then at 22
weeks)

My employer, made things very difficult for me and as a diligent worker prior to pregnancy this made me feel even worse, every day off I had through illness meant, on my return, a parade through the office behind a supervisor for a 'back to work' talk. Did they not realise that my symptoms would not clear until I had given birth?

At 12 weeks I found out I was expecting twins, with none in our families, we were stunned and delighted, regardless of the physical torment!

After another stressful hospital admission and constant pressure at work I asked my doctor for a sick line and the following week I went to my first ante natal class. Why are there so few multiple birth classes? singleton pregnancy just isnt the same!

I came home that night out of sorts and at 2am I awoke thinking I had wet the bed, if only.

My husband called the hospital and we drove there as I got my first contraction. The hospital staff were great although reluctant to believe that I was in established labour. I pressed them for an examination and I was fully dilated. I was only 28 weeks pregnant.

I had an emergency c-section and although Ewan cried I wasnt able to see him as he was whisked away to scbu, Isla did not cry, although wrapped up I was allowed to see her before she too was taken away.

Four hours later we were told that they could be seen, I was immobile so Scott went alone and brought me back only a photo of our son Ewan.

Finally we got a photo of Isla and after nearly 8 hours I got to see my children from a wheel chair.

No explanation has ever given me any ideas as to the prematurity of my children.

We were in special care for eight long weeks and one bought of mrsa and heart problems. The stress of leaving my children behind and the pain of seperation however necessary is a heavy burden to carry. I had had enough of trying to sleep on a ward where you had to go to a day room for food and meet other happy mothers with term babies, it was torture of the highest degree so I had to leave hospital.

We spent close to £1000 travelling up and down to the hospital twice a day and eating on the run, my maternity allowance had to kick in from their date of birth so I was financially crippled by premature delivery.

Due to delivering 12 weeks early, I lost 8 weeks of paid maternity leave and eight weeks of early bonding time with my children. Women who give birth early should be protected by sick pay until the original maternity start date they had chosen.

Rhona

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