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Pregnant - Should I stay or should I go...

6

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 12:01

Hi Ladies! This is my first post but my sister is on here all the time and says you all give great advise. I am 22 weeks pregnant with my first child and have been going to American Hospital for all my appointments so far. I'm debating on whether or not I should return home to the US to deliver. What was your experience having a baby in Dubai? All feedback is appreciated!

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393

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 20:09

Just had a baby this summer in American Hospital and we had a great experience. Our midwife was [b'>excellent[/b'>. Everyone was professional, friendly and competent down to the people who delivered food to the room. We ended up in the ER about 5 days after the baby was discharged and were re-admitted for 3 days while they tried to figure out what was wrong with him. Again, top notch care in a very stressful time. If you have an ob-gyn you trust then I would say you will get good care at AH.

bornconfused34509

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Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 19:07

Prego, I have had a few friends deliver at the American Hospital with no issues. I delivered my second child at Belhoul and couldn't say enough good things about the quality of care I received. I also had debated on returning to the US during my pregnancy because I was scared to death about the quality of healthcare. I had wondered about things like neonatal units if there was a problem, I wondered about infections, etc. I had no issues As with most places, it is a hit or miss no matter where you are. ETA: When you go to get the passport and birth certificate for the baby, ask the consulate for a duplicate copy of the birth certificate. They issue one and it is virtually impossible to get a duplicate if you lose the one they issue. We have tried in vain to get a notarized copy of the one that was issued in May 09 while here in the US and they flat refuse to do so citing they can not confirm that it was government issued. Odd i Know but this is what we are facing. Also we had no issues obtaining a passport for our baby. We had one issued within 6 weeks of the birth. Took 3 days to get all the paperwork translated after the birth. Make sure you have your marriage license, (if one of you is previously divorced, make sure you have the original divorce decree (had this problem), original birth certificates or notarized copies of yours and your husbands birth certificates. After that, it's smooth sailing. Also ask for them to issue a social security card when you do this paperwork. <em>edited by bornconfused on 11/10/2011</em>

394

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 16:27

Hi Prego, I had the same dilema (although im from the UK). I decided to have my 1st (and only) child here at Welcare Hospital. I had an epidural too. The welcare experience was a good one although i have written many times on this forum about my epidural disaster (although that could easily have happened in the UK too). I got a private room and could have stayed as long as needed. DH was there for the birth - in fact he was there 10am-10pm he could have stayed overnight for 500Dhs. So to cut a long story short im glad i chose to stay in Dubai for the birth of my DD and if i were to have another baby id stay here to have "it" too.

38

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 15:05

Hi Prego, I am nearly 37 weeks and delivering in AH. Although this is my first so I have not actually gone through the experience with them as of yet, I have heard nothing but praise from all my friends that have delivered there! I have also visited the hospital to see the rooms and equipment and attended a weekend of Ante-Natal classes with them, which really answered every single query I had about the hospital, their pain relief options and everything to do with the birth and breast feeding (SO A LOT). Over all I am excited and now very relaxed about delivering with AH. It is a big decision you have to make. No matter what you decide i wish you all the best :)

42

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 15:00

Congrats, prego! I just thought I'd add one more positive experience for birth in Dubai. My second child was born here (at American Hospital) and I had a wonderful experience there. In comparison to the birth of my first child (in the US), giving birth in Dubai was 100 times better. While in labor in the US, I was given an iv, was encouraged to use pitocin and an epidural, and was held to strict guidelines about the baby being out within 24 hours of my water breaking. In Dubai I was allowed to labor as I wished and was not encouraged to use any sort of interventions. There was also added stress with the first birth in the US because we had to plan my husbands travel arrangements to ensure he would be there for the birth - but he only had four weeks in total to spend in the US. He ended up having about two weeks at home with our daughter and then we were apart for about three months. I think as long as you find a facility and doctor here that you are comfortable with, giving birth in Dubai can be a great experience.

1052

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 14:45

No pregnancy experience personally but did undergo extensive surgery last year and everything was perfect and fine, i would not have received the same treatment in my home country. i have 2 friends who have given borth here and have had no problems and everything was fine. On another note, personally, the distance and time away from my DH would drive me insane plus a long flight back here after the baby is born is another thing to think about. Good luck and congrats.

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Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 14:16

Prego congrats on your pregnancy! Slightly off topic but I saw a very interesting and moving documentary called 'pregnant in America' which displays some interesting facts and opinions about natural childbirth/ home birth vs c-section, epidural and inducing. Worth watching in my opinion. Watever you deceide I hope you will have an amzing pregnancy and a wonderful birthing experience!

6

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 14:07

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I'm feeling more and more confident that I should stay here and enjoy this entire pregnancy with my husband and family instead of being away from them for over two months before delivery in the US. (If I deliver in the US I'll have to be there by December and my family would fly in Feb. when I'm due) I have not heard a bad experience yet. Sounds like delivering in Dubai is nothing to be worried about after all.

6

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 13:58

Hi, prego, and congratulations! I haven't given birth here but have recently been frequenting the gynae and obstetrics department of the Welcare Hospital and have only praise for the care my daughter received there in an emergency and subsequently. If I were to be having a baby now, I would be happy to have it here, with my little experience. Also, has anyone told you you are not obliged to have an epidural? :D Thanks! I am scheduled to see my doctor today so I'll ask about all the options. I just figured epidural would be the best way to avoid pain. :-)

31

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 13:43

congratulations! I am 28 weeks and at City hospital. I am going home to deliver, but we are relocating in January back to the UK so didn't want to take the chance that I would get stuck here waiting for passports with a cancelled residency etc, so I am off home in 3 weeks time, and hubby and kids are joining me in in December once I have everything sorted back there. I would have loved to have given birth here, but its just not an option now. Hope everything works out xx

225

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 13:36

Hi Ladies! This is my first post but my sister is on here all the time and says you all give great advise. I am 22 weeks pregnant with my first child and have been going to American Hospital for all my appointments so far. I'm debating on whether or not I should return home to the US to deliver. What was your experience having a baby in Dubai? All feedback is appreciated! Hi Prego, Congratulations! I have delivered DD in AH with no meds. Although I recommend to have an open mind about it. DH was with me all the time; we had a doula;midwives and nurses were great. I am pregnant with no 2 now and scheduled for delivery in AH. A friend of mine opted to go back to US to deliver the baby - although I do not know what are the reasons.

407

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 13:34

Have plenty of family/friends who have delivered at the American Hospital - all of them very happy with the care. Most agree, they wouldn't have been as 'spoilt' in their home countries. Good luck. X

5400

Posts

EW MASTER

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 13:30

Hi, prego, and congratulations! I haven't given birth here but have recently been frequenting the gynae and obstetrics department of the Welcare Hospital and have only praise for the care my daughter received there in an emergency and subsequently. If I were to be having a baby now, I would be happy to have it here, with my little experience. Also, has anyone told you you are not obliged to have an epidural? :D

858

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 13:30

I had my first (and only!) child in Dubai at Medcare, as nutty said, if I had been back home I would have been in a production line with hassled, overworked midwives. Instead I had a private room, was admitted when my water brokes (not sent home until I was much further into labour) which was wonderful as I was fairly aprehensive about the whole procedure to follow. I had a good few hours of labour, with the Friday Rock show on the radio and the gyne singing along and bouncing on my birthing ball! Wouldn't have had that in the UK...

6

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 13:26

Thanks ladies! Dibdab, I have those same concerns which makes me want to stay here but I'm scared about the epidural. Maybe its because I'm a first timer. It just seems so scary to me... After hearing everyone's feedback, maybe I have some misconceptions about the quality of healthcare here.

6

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 13:22

Thanks ladies! Dibdab, I have those same concerns which makes me want to stay here but I'm scared about the epidural. Maybe its because I'm a first timer. It just seems so scary to me...

460

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 12:23

My American friend also had this dilemma. I can't speak for the healthcare as she delivered in Abu Dhabi but other things that she was considering were that if there were any kind of post pregnancy complications then she may have ended up delayed in the US and her husband would have had to return for work and therefore the family would be separated at what is an important time for bonding. Also she did not like the idea of staying with family as wanted to be able to feel completely at home in her own surroundings without too many people fussing around. And of course she would have had to return to the US further in advance of the birth than her husband in case of early arrival therefore travelling alone - and also then there is the risk of the husband missing the birth. I think that for her she felt that in the end it was much simpler to stay in the UAE and she was glad she did, she was pretty happy with the healthcare and I think the only issue was that an Arab lady who she was sharing a room with complained about her husband being in the room so he was asked to leave which I thought was very sad just after she had given birth. But if you could get a private room then that wouldn't be an issue.

308

Posts

EW EXPLORER

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 12:21

Same as Nutty on all points. Delivered at City, fab pregnancy, delivery and care. Will definitely be staying for my (hopefully) next too.

1280

Posts

EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 12:19

My bosses wife has had 4 babies, all born at American Hospital and all a good no hassle experience. I think the hospitals here are excellent, but not been through child birth, so can't comment personally on that!

6

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 12:11

Thanks Amanda but my husband and I are American. We are concerned about the healthcare, not passports. :-)

914

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 12:07

I gave birth at the AH and had a really good experience. Back home i would have been stuck on alabour ward with all and sundry but here in Dubai i had a nice private room with no interference from the staff unless i called for them. I saw a lactation consultant rightaway and was able to get a proper latch to start breastfeeding. I have no experience ofthe US system to compare it to though.

284

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 12:03

If you're from the US, you should go ask your embassy. My friend who hold a US passport had a lot of problems giving her child the passport because he was not born there. However, this may differ if you are born American rather than have gotten the passport by living there (which was her case).

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