Let the dads in
It came as a real shock to me when, just as my contractions began in earnest, my husband was booted out the Women's Hospital.
All because the ward had a 'no men allowed at night' policy.
So I was pleased to turn on the news this morning and hear a report has called for better inclusion of fathers in maternity wings.
For a nervous newbie like me, it was terrifying to be left alone. I wanted Mr F there to rub my back and help me breathe.
Even when he returned at 6am the following day, the midwives refused to let him through the doors of the ward for another two hours.
By the time we were dramatically reunited, labour was in full throw and I was not the earth mother-in-waiting I'd hoped to be.
None of it took away from my joy at Mollie's eventual birth but the ride could have been made easier.
Luckily most women begin labour at home surrounded by their creature comforts.
But for the small percentage needing to be induced in hospital, better support is certainly called for.
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Laura Yates - Brummie mum Laura Yates is a 27 year old mother of two from Kings Heath. She gives her take on family life in the city.
I'm shocked to hear your husband was booted out of Birmingham Women's Hospital. I thought the hospital actively encouraged men to be with their partners during labour. My experience of the same hospital was totally different. Like you I was induced and was in a horrendous labour for 48 hours - but my husband was with me throughout almost all of it. During the second night, I was in the delivery suite and he dozed in a chair next to me. During the first night we made a bed on the floor of the little room on the ward that had been set aside for women in early labour. I had a friend with me as well as my husband so we set up camp using blankets, cushions and pillows. My husband was asleep on one side of me, my friend on the other and I lay in the middle groaning in agony every 15 minutes. True, the midwife did consider kicking us out, but her compassion prevailed and so it should have done. How cruel is it to make someone go through that alone? As it was, I had a strange combination of experiences - during contractions I felt as though I was in a torture chamber, between contractions I felt as though I was having midnight feast with my pals.
The midwife on duty wasn't the kindest. I could hear another woman writhing in agony in the cubicle next door and she wanted someone with her too. It was all a bit 1950s.
I want a midnight feast next time.
Are you a Mum or the traditional Brummie Mom?
I was booted out of BWH too due to it being early hours, it was after the birth which they didn't mind me staying for, but as soon as that was over it was out you go. BWH isn't mother friendly either really, small cubicles whilst waiting for you to go to the delivery suite which are small too, staff leaving you alone and no one about for 15 or so minutes due to staff not turning up.
Completely different to that of almost 4 years earlier at Good Hope where you had you own proper room with on-site toilet, bath and shower, tea/coffee making facilities and bread supplied for the toaster in your room and fathers welcome to stay, larger delivery suite and better after care.
I'm from Yorkshire originally so I'm definitely a mUm! Been here 10 years though so I might swap the u for an o.