I gave birth to my first child on 20th January 2007 at the Costa Del Sol Hospital. It was a fantastic experience and the care could not have been better. I had debated returning to England for the birth, (we are not on the social security system nor do we have private medical insurance) and had also heard horror stories about episiotomies and stirrups!

My waters broke suddenly (2 weeks early and on the day I was meant to be attending my antenatal crash course!) so we went to the hospital and were taken straight up to the labour ward after showing my E111.

I was shown into a room where they attached a monitor to me, my husband had to wait outside at this time. I think this initial monitoring is just to make sure that you really are in labour! After about 1/2 hour of being monitored my husband was allowed in and I was then given an internal. At this point I was already 4cm dilated.

They asked if I would like an epidural, which I did but not at this point, and they then took some blood in preparation for this. I was then shown into a labour room, and a monitor was attached. I had to wait 45 minutes for the blood results to come back before I was given the epidural - what a relief!! The midwife, Elisa, spoke perfect English and had actually worked for several years in England. My husband and I were together in the labour room and the midwife kept coming in reguarly to check on my progress. When I was ready to push the midwife was with me constantly until my beautiful son was born. I did not have an episiotomy, but did need 5 stitches, which the midwife did straight away. Once the baby and I had been washed we were then taken down to the maternity ward. I had a room (with ensuite bathroom and sea views!) to myself. Me, my husband, and our new son all spent the first night together which was really special. If I had been in England I would have been on a maternity ward with lots of other women and my husband would have been sent home! The staff checked on me every few hours and there was an alarm button to press if we needed anything.

The food was really good and the hospital was spotless. I do not speak Spanish, although my husband does, but we were lucky enough to get an English speaking midwife. There are also volunteer interpreters who work at the hospital, one of whom came to my room to introduce herself and enquire if we needed any help. The hospital also supplied everything -nightgowns, maternity pads, nappies, wipes, baby clothes. I had packed a large bag with what English hospitals advise you to take in and apart from some toiletries didn't use any of it! I was allowed to leave the following day after our son had had a thorough check and his hepatitus B injection. I had also had several check ups by then. We were invited back a week after his birth for a hearing test and they did the heel prick test at the same time. Although this was my first time giving birth and I don't have anything to compare it to, I was really impressed with the hospital and so pleased that I had decided to stay in Spain to have my baby. With all the horror stories you hear now about English hospitals and midwife shortages I will definitely be having my next one here!