September,2013 due dates

Hello all, My daughter, Ms. Aya Patrick was born September 14th at 4:31pm at Al Zahra Private Hospital. Alhamdulillah she was born healthy and is doing fine (besides the nightly crying/gas). The good news is that I walked an hour everyday and began doing the moves on the spinningbabies.com website and went into labor naturally (high five) on the morning of September 14th. The night before I had eaten some pizza and gotten extreeeeeme nausea which I read was a great sign and knew that meant that I would be going into labor soon. So at 5am my contractions started, they just felt like Braxton hicks at first but they weren't going away. As they got stronger I felt the urge/need to help them along and my friend suggested I have ***...which I really really really didn't want to do lol and neither did my husband. But I told him the baby was coming and that I'd be out of order for 6 weeks lol. So my plan was to have *** and then go walk for an hour as I'd been doing everyday since Dr. Elsa tried to schedule my csection. Literally 10 minutes after *** my contractions started getting worse and my mom wanted to take me in. I really wanted to wait as long as I could but my husband was getting on my nerves lol so we went in at around 10:30. When I got there I was 4 cm (super high five) and labored for 4 more hours and was at 8cm (and I let them break my water, which they tried to do at 4cm but I said heck no). An hour later I was at 9cm but the babies heart rate was going down with every contraction (it got as low as 50 :-o). So the doctor said that this was too dangerously low and that I needed to have an emergency c section as we could not wait another hour for me to get to 10. She tried to move my cervix during a contraction which she said would make the baby come right out or something but she could not and said that I had to do the section. I was heartbroken as I'd labored for 10 hours 100% naturally just to have another doctor tell me that I had to have a csection...but Alhamdulillah. I feel ALOT better about this csection than with my first and I actually do believe it was necessary given the circumstances. I DO think that doctors should have to learn about optimal fetal positioning and how to help mothers in labor get their babies into the right position. My baby wasn't coming down because her head was....deflexed I believe, I have the medical term written down but I KNOW that if I had a doctor/midwife who had the knowledge of optimal fetal positioning that she would have suggested different positions for me to get the baby in the position she needed to be in to come down. I've even revisited the spinningbabies website and read about the positions to use during labor to help the baby come down and out but unfortunately I wasn't well versed enough in any of them during my labor :-( It took over an hour for them to book the OR and get it ready and administer the spinal and finally be ready to cut....I just think if I had all that extra time with a specialist who was truly "pro natural" then my baby and I wouldn't have had to go through that. I think because I've had to go through 2 csections that my brain is now obsessed with natural birth since now that I know my body WILL go into labor naturally (something I should never have doubted in the first place). Our plan was always to have another one about a year later but now my brain is on overdrive thinking about trying in a year. I did not know that natural birth was a possibility after 2 csections and have read a TON of woman who've successfully had them. I do know that finding a doctor here in Dubai who is willing will be virtually impossible, though I read on a forum written about 2 years ago that Dr. Raj at American was willing with a former patient, assuming she went into labor naturally and there were no complications of course. So she's my starting point. I feel the need to secure a doctor NOW who knows what I want and who is willing to help get me there, even though we of course wont start trying until this time next year lol. I definitely do not plan on putting all my trust into the hands of any doctor and will do ALOT more to make sure my body is ready and that I'm doing everything for optimal fetal positioning (which is key to an easy labor) hi ummzarinah its such a coincidence, i delivered at Al Zahra on 15th Sept at 2.20pm and oddly i had the same experience with an emergency C section. I went into labour naturally but the baby's head didnt engage and was finally told there is no other option besides a C sec. the operation went well and i delivered a healthy baby but i still wish i had been given excercise suggestions in advance to make the head get in position in time. how are you coping with the little one? XX

Congrats to everyone who has delivered their bundles of joy. I'm very glad to read about so many natural births and the good experiences everyone has had.

Hello all, My daughter, Ms. Aya Patrick was born September 14th at 4:31pm at Al Zahra Private Hospital. Alhamdulillah she was born healthy and is doing fine (besides the nightly crying/gas). The good news is that I walked an hour everyday and began doing the moves on the spinningbabies.com website and went into labor naturally (high five) on the morning of September 14th. The night before I had eaten some pizza and gotten extreeeeeme nausea which I read was a great sign and knew that meant that I would be going into labor soon. So at 5am my contractions started, they just felt like Braxton hicks at first but they weren't going away. As they got stronger I felt the urge/need to help them along and my friend suggested I have ***...which I really really really didn't want to do lol and neither did my husband. But I told him the baby was coming and that I'd be out of order for 6 weeks lol. So my plan was to have *** and then go walk for an hour as I'd been doing everyday since Dr. Elsa tried to schedule my csection. Literally 10 minutes after *** my contractions started getting worse and my mom wanted to take me in. I really wanted to wait as long as I could but my husband was getting on my nerves lol so we went in at around 10:30. When I got there I was 4 cm (super high five) and labored for 4 more hours and was at 8cm (and I let them break my water, which they tried to do at 4cm but I said heck no). An hour later I was at 9cm but the babies heart rate was going down with every contraction (it got as low as 50 :-o). So the doctor said that this was too dangerously low and that I needed to have an emergency c section as we could not wait another hour for me to get to 10. She tried to move my cervix during a contraction which she said would make the baby come right out or something but she could not and said that I had to do the section. I was heartbroken as I'd labored for 10 hours 100% naturally just to have another doctor tell me that I had to have a csection...but Alhamdulillah. I feel ALOT better about this csection than with my first and I actually do believe it was necessary given the circumstances. I DO think that doctors should have to learn about optimal fetal positioning and how to help mothers in labor get their babies into the right position. My baby wasn't coming down because her head was....deflexed I believe, I have the medical term written down but I KNOW that if I had a doctor/midwife who had the knowledge of optimal fetal positioning that she would have suggested different positions for me to get the baby in the position she needed to be in to come down. I've even revisited the spinningbabies website and read about the positions to use during labor to help the baby come down and out but unfortunately I wasn't well versed enough in any of them during my labor :-( It took over an hour for them to book the OR and get it ready and administer the spinal and finally be ready to cut....I just think if I had all that extra time with a specialist who was truly "pro natural" then my baby and I wouldn't have had to go through that. I think because I've had to go through 2 csections that my brain is now obsessed with natural birth since now that I know my body WILL go into labor naturally (something I should never have doubted in the first place). Our plan was always to have another one about a year later but now my brain is on overdrive thinking about trying in a year. I did not know that natural birth was a possibility after 2 csections and have read a TON of woman who've successfully had them. I do know that finding a doctor here in Dubai who is willing will be virtually impossible, though I read on a forum written about 2 years ago that Dr. Raj at American was willing with a former patient, assuming she went into labor naturally and there were no complications of course. So she's my starting point. I feel the need to secure a doctor NOW who knows what I want and who is willing to help get me there, even though we of course wont start trying until this time next year lol. I definitely do not plan on putting all my trust into the hands of any doctor and will do ALOT more to make sure my body is ready and that I'm doing everything for optimal fetal positioning (which is key to an easy labor)

congratulations cleo4e....glad to hear the good news ummzarinah...how did it go for you hope your well and babes good

Hello All, Had my 40 week checkup today and I must report that I am extremely disappointed. Baby is still high and not engaged (-3) and Dr. Elsa wants me to schedule a C-Section. I must say that I have not been impressed by her at all. For all the positive reviews on how pro natural she supposedly is, I've not seen much of any pro natrual(ness) about her. She says that I am 'prolonging the inevitable, there's no need to be a hero' and 'why put yourself through the discomfort' The only discomfort I've complained about is the swelling in my feet and honestly I feel that she should be encouraging me positively and assuring me that the baby will come when she's ready. My eyes aren't closed to a c-section I just really feel she's being premature. Everything is based solely on the fact that the baby is not yet engaged but I've read tons and tons and tons online about how many babies do not engage until labor has begun and how thats not an indication of needing a c-section or needing to be induced. Dr. Elsa originally said that we would probably be looking at csection number two 10-14 days after my due date, but now for some reason all of that has changed. The baby is not showing any signs of distress, she's still moving around and active with a strong heartbeat and good fluid so why the big rush to push me towards a c-section???? I'm so sorry to hear that hun :( If baby is fine, and your healthy there is noreason to section just yet. Here they would wait till 41 or even 42 weeks. At 40 weeks, you can have a membrane sweep to see if your labour starts and that could be helpful. My second who I just delivered, was also not engaged (0 station) until I was 4 cm- despite my water having broken at 7 am..he only engaged at 4 in the afternoon. I didn't even had contractions until they started giving me small amounts of pitocin (not too much because of my previous c section scar). Don't be pressured into doing something you don't want to do. If your healthy and baby is healthy then stand your ground. PS I saw a chiropractor regularly twice a week to help open up my pelvis and help baby drop and position himself. something the baby can't engage and labour doesn't begin because of his head position. Lean forward when sitting as much as you can, rotate your hips on an exercise ball. Walk- briskly ALOT, keep your knees below your hips when possible... <em>edited by Cleo4e on 02/10/2013</em>

Hi Ladies! I just wanted to write in and announce the birth of my baby boy who was born on the 24th. My entire pregnancy I wished for nothing but a healthy baby but i had my heart set on having a successful VBAC. After 24 hours of labour and 5 hours of pushing (yes 5 hours) he finally came and I couldn't be more happy. Even the stitches and haemorrhoids haven't gotten me feeling too down LOL. Having a vaginal birth is worlds worlds better than the c-section I had 2 years ago. I'm happy I came home to Canada to have my baby. Dr Elsa was fantastic at City, but my OB here worked with me and was there every step of the way and it's only because of her confidence and and faith in me that I managed to do it. 2 years ago the Dr who was on call the night I delivered my first told me I could never have a vaginal birth because my pelvis was too small. As luck would have it- he was on call again the night I delivered #2 , 2 years later and I proved him wrong. At 33 weeks my baby was breech but thanks to spinning babies we managed to turn him without a version at 36 weeks. All in all it's been a beautiful experience. Now if only i can get rid of the feeling of a bowling ball between my legs...things will be perfect lol

Lovely news, I delivered with Dr Anne @ city 2, 18days ago...she was wonderful, can't praise her enough, as was the team on the ward, a healthy & happy baby boy born naturally and a quick recovery...any1 would be lucky to be in her dedicated care!

Sara K - congrats on bubs arrival. We were probably in City at the same time. Glad to hear that you had an uneventful delivery. Slurp81 - you are obviously incubating too well and bubs just doesn't want to come out. The day before I had DD2 I did a pile of gardening - doubt it helped but might be worth a try ;-) will keep my fingers crossed for an arrival very soon.

Congratulations Sara K! Hope you're enjoying Mummyhood and lots of cuddles; great to hear you also had a positive City experience. Still waiting this end - due date in 3 days - but given DS was an induction at 42 weeks I'm beginning to think I may be going down the same path but at 41 weeks out here...sigh...so much for no.2 coming early! Can't wait to meet all the new babies very soon... :)

I had my baby this week after being induced at 38wks. Cannot recommend Dr Anne Phillips enough. She was a thorough professional and delivered my healthy baby boy without the need for a c section. I felt really cared for by her particularly during the labour where it mattered most. I have no hesitation in recommending Dr Anne at City Hospital as with all the complications I had, she knew what she was doing and her plan to deliver my baby healthy and early worked! I am now enjoying my bundle of joy xx

Glad you're both home and had a good experience at City. Did she come naturally or were you induced? Still waiting this end, discussing induction with Dr today but after being induced with DS1 I'm not so keen to go down that route until I have to... So much for no.2 coming early! Can't wait to catch up soon for a coffee and cuddle! :) Hey, she arrived naturally (with a sweep that morning) at 38+6 thank goodness as my blood pressure etc was slowly going up and we were talking breaking my waters today if she had not arrived. Don't worry - one thing guaranteed these babies will come, just not on our schedule. Yes, I am looking forward to catching up with everyone too - can't wait. <em>edited by perkynana on 18/09/2013</em>

Glad you're both home and had a good experience at City. Did she come naturally or were you induced? Still waiting this end, discussing induction with Dr today but after being induced with DS1 I'm not so keen to go down that route until I have to... So much for no.2 coming early! Can't wait to catch up soon for a coffee and cuddle! :)

Hi ladies Pleased to let you all know that our DD2 arrived safe and sound at the beginning of this week. She is a little on the small side but seems to be doing well. At home again which is lovely and currently enjoying a nap time. Hope those who have had arrivals already are doing well and those waiting it won't be much longer :-) Take care

Ummzarinah Thanks for taking the time to give such detailed feedback on Al Zahra - sounds like a whole new birthing experience for Dubai - lets hope other hospitals look to follow suit as well and give mums even more choice. I think the ladies have summed it up very well but just wanted to reinforce that you need to do what you feel is right for you, ask the questions "why" so you are comfortable with the options and your decisions, and know you will never be wrong because it is all about you and your family. Best of luck and we look forward to hearing the great news when your little one arrives xx

Thank you Kenza and Slurp for your positive encouragement, it makes me feel so much better :-) After reading a couple of people's recent experiences at City Hospital and having the experience I did with their emergency care earlier in my pregnancy and now with Dr.Elsa I began searching for another hospital. Honestly I'm over the whole you have to find a really good doctor phase. I'm 40W+2 and the doctors aren't there while you're laboring, they're getting their little updates and coming in when its "necessary" to deliver the baby. I would have liked to have had a doctor who was encouraging me and informing me of things I could do and implement to help my baby engage and apparently help my posterior cervix to come forward but thanks to spinningbabies.com and reading ALOT of other posts about women in the same position as I am I believe I'm on the right track to maximizing my chances of a natural birth. So through this forum it seems that Al Zahra private hospital (which is waaaaay closer to my house than healthcare city) has some pretty good reviews. Yesterday I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Yamini and was able to get an appointment for today. As the hospital is new they still have that "the patient comes first" attitude and hopefully that will remain even as the hospital becomes more popular. I tried, to judge as harshly as I could and honestly I only found positive. As I said the hospital is new, so its quiet, and quite empty. Dr. Yamini (who was previously at Welcare) is also quiet but she has personality. I told her of my concerns and she listened, did a full ultrasound confirming my baby is doing excellently at this point and also suggested doing a sweep. I had no clue what a sweep was and was a bit scared of agreeing to something I hadn't read about but when she checked me she informed me that my cervix is posterior and that she could not even reach it to do a sweep if she wanted to. She recommended I walk at least an hour everyday and come back to her on Sunday to see if I'd progressed. She did recommend that I have a c-section after 10 days if I didn't begin to progress and I've NEVER been against that. I just need to know and feel that I've done everything in my power to have this baby naturally. Not to have some doctor compare my babies head and my cervix to two mis matching shapes (YES, Dr. Elsa did!) So after I saw Dr. Yamini, who was great with me and with my six year old daughter I had to take with me, they sent me to the labor and delivery ward to speak to Ms. Emma, who I assume to be the head mid-wife. She's an African lady from Zimbabwe who was soooo warm and kind, you can tell she is VERY experienced in childbirth (she previously was at American Hospital). I sat and talked with her for an hour and she went through the entire process with me, she explained to me how pro natural and hands off they prefer to be...they even have a labor and delivery room that they are prepping to be a birthing room, with a birthing tub and birthing balls and a birthing stool. Though the room is not yet finished she said that if I wanted to they would set the pool up in my room and allow me to labor in the pool (babies cant be born in the pool though) which I found to be EXTREMELY great of them as I believe the only other hospital that allows laboring in water is in Al Ain (I could be wrong). She also showed me how to use the birthing stool...which I found to be quite low and awkward but its nice to know that they are so encouraging of natural options. Overall I feel pretty great about my experience there. Now that Kenza has given me this extra information I feel compelled to try out Dr. George as well....though at this point I'm pretty sure I do not want to deliver at City. Al Zahra was so quiet and welcoming....not that they aren't at City...its just different though...more warm.

Hi ummzarinah, poor you, that's awful. You shouldn't be being pressurised into a planned c-section at 40 weeks. I was induced with my first son in the UK at 42 weeks - they offered from 41 but I wanted to wait as long as possible because he wasn't engaged and I wanted a natural birth, in the end I had to be induced but I felt I'd given him a chance and my wishes had been accepted. I am with an obgyn at American Hospital (I'm 38 weeks) and she has said I can go to 41 before being induced. Not once has she suggested a c-section, when I said I only wanted one as a life/death option she said that was great. She is willing to induce me as of next week, but only if I want to be induced, she is happy to let me wait until 41. No.2 is not engaged and, if anything like no.1, won't until I go into labour, naturally or induced. If you don't want a c-section then I agree with KenzaB that you should consider switching obgyn, if not hospital too. I'm shocked and feel so bad for you - I'd only ever heard people rave about Dr Elsa so I'm surprised too. It's your body and unless medically necessary you shouldn't have to undergo major surgery and 'why put yourself through the discomfort'?! A c-section is discomfort on a whole new scale!! Good luck, I hope you find a resolution that you're happy with and I look forward to hearing about your little one's safe arrival... :-)

Hey Umzarinah, I am sorry to hear that a doctor is trying to convince you to do something against your will. I had the same thing happen to me with my first born. I switched at 38 weeks from dr Wafa (Medcare) to dr. George who at that time was head of maternity in American Hospital. He told me that there was absolutely no reason for a planned C-section. My son was born naturally on the day the C-section was planned and there was nothing wrong with him or with my placenta. I still remember the nurse from dr. Wafa calling me, even though I cancelled the C-section, I was already in labor and she was still trying to convince me to come to Medcare for the C-section. If you want a second opinion, please either go see dr. George who delivers in City, or dr. Azizunisa who also has her consultations in City Hospital. Here is the link for Dr. George's clinic. I can not recommend him enough. If you would really need a section, then he will let u know. I trust this man blindly. http://www.genesis-dubai.com In my country they usually wait till about 10 days after the due date if baby is thriving, because it is never really clear when exactly conception has taken place. The risk of C-section if you ovulated late means bringing a somewhat premature baby in this world. Now why would someone want to do that?

Hello All, Had my 40 week checkup today and I must report that I am extremely disappointed. Baby is still high and not engaged (-3) and Dr. Elsa wants me to schedule a C-Section. I must say that I have not been impressed by her at all. For all the positive reviews on how pro natural she supposedly is, I've not seen much of any pro natrual(ness) about her. She says that I am 'prolonging the inevitable, there's no need to be a hero' and 'why put yourself through the discomfort' The only discomfort I've complained about is the swelling in my feet and honestly I feel that she should be encouraging me positively and assuring me that the baby will come when she's ready. My eyes aren't closed to a c-section I just really feel she's being premature. Everything is based solely on the fact that the baby is not yet engaged but I've read tons and tons and tons online about how many babies do not engage until labor has begun and how thats not an indication of needing a c-section or needing to be induced. Dr. Elsa originally said that we would probably be looking at csection number two 10-14 days after my due date, but now for some reason all of that has changed. The baby is not showing any signs of distress, she's still moving around and active with a strong heartbeat and good fluid so why the big rush to push me towards a c-section????

Congratulations KenzaB, I'm so sorry to hear it wasn't a great experience, if you want to vent or get it off your chest fully then do, it's actually the best way to process what happened - feel free to PM me if that helps? Sending positive vibes...hope she and you are doing well :) No.2 seems to be making no attempt to appear this end, given no.1 was induced at two weeks over I'm resigned to a wait...sigh... Good luck everyone else who's waiting to pop!

KenzaB, congrats on bubs' arrival and sorry to hear the experience was not great this time. I hope every day going forward is more positive and you get to enjoy your little one to the max. Take care and thinking of you. <em>edited by perkynana on 07/09/2013</em>

Hi all, Due sept 8th and no baby yet. Doing exercises to help open my pelvis. A cousin just recommended today that I take castor oil to bring on labor and I was all ready to do it until I read this horror story online about an emergency csection being done because the woman's cervix wasn't ready to have a baby. While I'm not sure if that was actually the case or not I've had a csection and I just really don't want to have another. Dr Elsa says I can go 10 days over so I'm just trying to remain positive :-) Thanks Kenza for the note at the end about the delivery costs....I can't stand when a budget is wrong, I'm really quite **** about it lol. Congrats on the baby as well, what did you name her??

Hello ladies, sorry I havent been online lately. I would like to announce the first September baby, born on the 2nd of September. She was 2 weeks early and I had quite a traumatising birth experience so havent been able to come online yet. I dont really mind telling about my experience but I think for the ladies that still have to deliver it is better not to hear any scary stories. My experience with dr. Azizunissa was lovely, she really cares about her patients. City Hospital midwives were very hands on and the nursing staff friendly and always there to help. Compared to American Hospital the delivery room is a lot smaller, less equipped and also the newborn screening was done by a not so baby friendly nurse in the regular laboratory the day after we went home, so you have to make a trip back there. They accidentally discharged me a day early and I was to exhausted to realise it until I got home. Baby was born on the 2nd and the 3rd they asked me to vacate the room. The maternity package does include 2 days so make sure they dont do this to you because once you are home, no more red buttons to press when you need something. :-) Besides the delivery experience and the early discharge I would defo recommend CIty Hospital for its friendly and knowledgable staff. For people who are curious, the total bill for my delivery came to about 12.500 aed, my insurance covered it but then you have an idea what a natural birth might cost at City <em>edited by KenzaB on 05/09/2013</em>

Come on early September babies! Still not ready for no.2, have washed no.1's clothes and put cot up, but that's about it! Finally packed hospital bag today to end the denial! Guess he will make his appearance when he's ready, just not during a lesson hopefully! Am upping the raspberry leaf in the hope it might encourage him...I was induced with no.1 so really want to avoid having to go through that again. Looking forward to hearing about the first arrival... Good luck everyone! x x x

I've got 4 weeks to go until EDD (Sept 24th), but no.1 was two weeks late so I'm not getting too excited yet! Just starting to sort out clothes and baby items before returning to work next week once term starts...:) I am amazed that we haven't had a September baby yet! Dr said 10 days ago to expect to be next week rather than my EDD of 23rd so I have been manically trying to get all the priority things at work finished this week - but they just keep throwing more my way - I just keep on chugging as there will come a very definite end to it all :-) Have another apt on Sunday so lets see what Dr says then. Good call on sorting the clothes must pop those through the wash this weekend. Hope everyone is well

Hi everyone Just checking back in after returning from the UK, I'm sure some bumps are almost fully cooked by now and ready to appear - good luck! I've got 4 weeks to go until EDD (Sept 24th), but no.1 was two weeks late so I'm not getting too excited yet! Just starting to sort out clothes and baby items before returning to work next week once term starts... Hope everyone is well and coping in the heat and humidity; I look forward to catching up with familiar faces and meeting new ones at coffee mornings soon with new additions! :)

Well hi Kenza I thing you've spelt the Dr 's name just the way i did!!!!!!!! Azizunissa! you can check your message

Hello, September due date mums First of congrats for your little angels,hope everything will go smoothly for you all! I need your help,especially ,from those who know or heard about DR .Azizunissa from city hopital,' cause i've been through almost all the forums and two names kept coming back: Dr.Elsa and Dr.Ibrahim but not the name of Dr Azizunissa!Even though she is the department head!!!!! i really would appreciate your help. Thank you. Hi Dahin I think you're spelling her name wrong, try typing it exactly how it appears on the City Hospital website. I know of a couple of people who highly recommend her. I think perhaps as she is the department head she is unable to take on as many patients as the rest of the doctors. If I find some posts I will reply here. Good luck! Haha, my husband is always surprised I can actually pronounce her name... never mind writing it. I think it is Azizunnisa, 2 n's and 1 s. I also think thats the reason her links never show up, coz everybody writes her name in a different way.

Thank you so much dear,i've already checked her "Perfect" profile on the hospital's site but ther is nothing better than the mums experiences for that matter.I'll be waiting for you messages.You are a doll.. Nooo I only meant for the correct spelling of her name :-) not for the hospitals opinion.

Thank you so much dear,i've already checked her "Perfect" profile on the hospital's site but ther is nothing better than the mums experiences for that matter.I'll be waiting for you messages.You are a doll..

Hello, September due date mums First of congrats for your little angels,hope everything will go smoothly for you all! I need your help,especially ,from those who know or heard about DR .Azizunissa from city hopital,' cause i've been through almost all the forums and two names kept coming back: Dr.Elsa and Dr.Ibrahim but not the name of Dr Azizunissa!Even though she is the department head!!!!! i really would appreciate your help. Thank you. Hi Dahin I think you're spelling her name wrong, try typing it exactly how it appears on the City Hospital website. I know of a couple of people who highly recommend her. I think perhaps as she is the department head she is unable to take on as many patients as the rest of the doctors. If I find some posts I will reply here. Good luck!