"A different antenatal experience"

With my first baby, five years ago (and at a hospital in London), I dreaded every visit to the antenatal clinic or sonographer.

I'm overweight and no matter how little weight I gained, how diligently I exercised or how carefully I watched my diet, every visit was an exercise in making me feel like a failure because I'm overweight.

I was weighed at every visit and was was even, on one occasion, when I met with the anaesthetist, told to 'reach for an apple instead' in the most patronising and insulting manner.

The irony, of course, was that this individual must have noticed, if they had cared to give my file a cursory glance, that I was, indeed, reaching for those apples (my weight was certainly recorded with military regularity.

Disappointingly, also, was the fact that I wasn't asked about my diet.

Although I had, at that point, even though I was 7 months pregnant, gained only nominal weight, I was too upset to say anything in response (which is uncharacteristic, but I don't think some medical professionals realise the weight of their comments, especially on reflective patients).

So, needless to say, 39 weeks of that and I was expecting the same experience the second time around.

Then I encountered Wexham Park Hospital.

At this lovely hospital, I am made to feel just like every other expectant mum.

I am listened to - guided skillfully and sensitively through difficult discussions about risks and the staff just seem to go out of their way to make me feel so lucky to be treated by them.

When I came for my glucose tolerance test, for example, I brought work with me - including my laptop.

I asked whether it would be okay to find an out-of-the way spot somewhere on the ground, because my ever increasing belly size makes balancing a laptop on my lap tricky.

One member of staff (I wish I could mention their name!) insisted on giving me a blanket and pillow so that I would be comfortable.

This morning (it's now a few weeks later), the sonographer (again, wish I could mention their name!) took extra time pointing our fingers and toes and generally gushed with me over my baby boy.

I am an assistant headteacher, also working in the public sector, and I know the strain we all feel with staff, time and monetary constraints.

For staff to, under such circumstances, be so utterly cheerful, smiley and make an expectant mum feel just normal and valued is marvellously kind and lovely.

So thank you - to all the lovely staff at Wexham Park's antenatal department - for making me enjoy this experience.

I think once you've seen how disappointing things can be, you really appreciate it when the experience is so pleasant.

All my very best to all the lovely staff.