#AlwaysAsk: Isabella - Our preemie

5 years ago to the day, I was 29 weeks pregnant with Isabella. Little did I know that in just 3 weeks time, she would be here.

Two days before Isabella arrived, I started with mild contractions but a call to the unit at the hospital reassured me this was just braxton hicks (false labour pains).

The pain got worse so I went home early from work and called the hospital again to be told it definitely sounded like braxton hicks. After that, and a hot water bottle, the pain died down and I went to work the next day. The pain came back ten times worse and to this day, my ex colleagues talk about me doing the pregnancy rock. I remember walking around the supermarket after work having to stop and grip the freezer as the pain was so bad. I carried on, this was after all, braxton hicks.

That night, I was up and down the stairs, couldn't sleep. It wasn't until 4ish in the morning after a bloody show that I called the unit and was advised to come straight in. On arrival at the hospital and after being checked by a doctor AND a senior doctor, it was confirmed I was in fact fully dilated. The baby was coming.

At 5am, Isabella came into the world, crying thank goodness and I was able to have a quick hold before she was whisked away. The next time I saw her a few hours later, she was lying in an incubator, covered in tubes and wires; easily one of the scariest moments of our lives and when reality suddenly hit home.

Amazingly just 3 weeks later, after very little sleep and relentless breast pumping to at give Isabella the very best start I could, she came home and was admired for her 'remarkable' strength by the neonatal consultant.

At nearly 5 years old, you wouldn't know Isabella was a preemie. She's as tall as, if not taller than some of her peers, is doing well at school and is inquisitive and loving.

The reason I wanted to share my story is that some parents aren't as lucky as us. A new campaign by Tommy's Baby Charity, King's College London and BabyCentre brings to light a worrying statistic. More than 60% of pregnant women worry about wasting midwives time when raising health concerns. I felt exactly that way. I'll always carry my 'what ifs' with having Isabella early. What if I'd pushed for a check up? Could I have carried her to term? I'll never know but I do know I am truly grateful of the care we both received.

#AlwaysAsk is about trusting your instincts and if things don't feel right, go straight to your midwife. We're so fortunate to live in a country with an amazing healthcare service, it is there for YOU, as are your midwives. Listen to your gut and don't be afraid to ask. Here are Tommys' Top Tips for speaking up.