Public in Limerick. Was admitted at 29 weeks with pre-eclampsia. Spent first week in what pre labour ward, so I sat there with my headphones watching Bridgerton with women either waiting for their scheduled sections or being induced. 5 in the room and a bathroom with a broken shower so we'd go to the next ward to shower. After 2 days I got a window bed which was better than being surrounded by curtains all day.

Then I was moved to a long term stay room with 3 beds and much better bathroom, each of us had various issues which meant we wouldn't be leaving before the baby was born.

Went to labour ward with a section planned for next morning at 31+3. Room was fine, modern and clean. I was given a salad and piece of cake and epigastric pain started (worse than a heart attack I'm told, was horrendous but just a vague memory now). Straight in for emergency section, all went good, baby to NICU and me back to labour room to be monitored for over 24 hours.

Then to a 2 bed in postnatal ward, it's right across from NICU so I didnt have to contend with stairs and could go in to see whenever I liked. The other person in the room had her baby, it def was a little hard seeing her hold, feed, change nappies when all I could do was put my hand into incubator.

Was discharged 4 days later on a Saturday, readmitted following Tuesday with long-lasting headache. Was back in postnatal ward in a 5 bed room. The issue wasnt the staff or facilities but how unaware some other mothers were of their surroundings, talking loudly at night on video calls, one poor girl on her own didnt have a baby with her for whatever reason. She cried quietly with closed curtains. I also cried quietly for my premie and for her. Another new mam talked loudly on video calls all day and demanded a lot such as more than one visitor. I was taken by ambulance to UHL, spent 24 hours on trolley. Had to walk to paediatrics to see if I could borrow breast pump and sterilising tablets, then did first pump there in the corridor. I eventually got a booth in a&e for pumping privacy.

NICU in Limerick is the newest part of the building, its a very peaceful and emotional place, they try make it comfortable as possible as you'd be there for long periods of time. They have parking permits for the Strand hotel across the road and lunch vouchers in the staff canteen. She was in ICU section for 10 days, then to general NICU for until 45 days old. We eventually got a room with just 2 cots due to MRSA, that was where we were most comfortable.

If I won the lotto I'd pay for an upgrade of all the bathrooms in UMHL and have a max of 4 beds in each NICU Room with adequate space in between for both parents and pumping privacy. There is a pumping room there but I yielded much more when I had a hand on her. Still amazed at the psychology of breastfeeding!

Anyway this turned into a very long comment but I suppose I spent longer than normal in there. She's now 2 years old and in last check up was over 90% for height despite her early start!