I was diagnosed with urinary tract infection and upon questioning the treatment options and seeking more information on my health condition, I was subjected to fearmonging by the doctors in the hospital system.

When I finally consented to ultrasound of my kidneys as a diagnosis measure to see if a blockage was causing the infection, my baby wrenched away from the scanner and twisted and turned violently until she got herself into a breech position as far away from the scanner as she could manage.

The results of the ultrasound showed that my right ureter was more dilated than my left one and that there was dilation at the point above my pelvis. My doctors stressed the "fact" that this was most likely due to a blockage and if I did not remain in hospital under observation and on IV antibiotics, my kidneys would fail and my baby would die!

This fearmonging was so obvious I saw it coming a mile off and I became very angry at being subjected to this added stress of fear and doubt while I was already stressing over how to make the best decision for myself and my baby.

I questioned the diagnosis asking if it was not possible that the supposed blockage had something to do with pressure from the baby or with the fact I was pregnant - instinctively I felt the problem was NOT a blockage, but rather a bacterial infection related to the perineal massage I had just started doing, and that the UTI would resolve under my own care.

My enquiry was pooh'pooh'ed and my attempts to see the resident urologist for more information to help in my decision making regarding my heath care were neatly sidetracked, delayed and thrown around the bush.

Fed up with it all, I signed myself out against medical advice. Nobody was happy with me. My husband was angry at the lack of support and assistance that was being given to me, angry at the fearmongering, and worried for my wellbeing and that of our baby's, as was I.

Home sweet home. The minute I slipped into my own bed after a hot shower, I was comfortable and had a good sleep - something I didn't get in the hospital.

I got better - yes, despite being on the wrong antibiotics for 4 days until the hospital got the lab results back and discovered the strain of e-coli bacteria I had was resistant to their drugs!

I got better on nothing but sleep in a comfortable bed, plenty of fluids and a probiotic supplement. The doctor that called me back in regarding the antibiotics was incensed that I had the audacity to say the pain was gone and that I was getting better. Geez. You would think he'd be pleased to hear I wasn't suffering!