Anyone given birth at American Hospital?

Hi Lec299, I have given birth a little bit over a week ago in AH. This was my 2nd delivery in AH and both experiences were very different. Recent birth was close to perfection, aftercare for me and LO was great and I cannot fault them. During my 1st birth we felt that ob-gyn was pushing for interventions (ie. breaking waters) with no good reason. Anyways, here is my story. The pregnanacy went well, but DS was not in any rush to come out. I had a sweep done at 41w1d and following night my contraction started around 2300hrs, around 3 am they were strong and we went to AH. It all went as with DD - I was slowly progressing - bouncing on the birthing ball and walking around the labour room. I realised that contractions are more intense when I lie down, so spent most of the time standing up/walking around. Had a great midwife from Germany who was very supportive, but also asked anesthetist to come and see me in case things would go not as planned. Doctor had a good look at my back (I had a spinal surgeries in the past), explained risks, options but by no means pushed me for decision. Gas and air gave me something to focus on - I defenitely was in control this time around. My waters did not break - I think around 1300hrs midwife checked me and mentioned that she can break my waters as it will speed up the process, but really there is no medical reason to do so. We did not break the waters. At this point my ob-gyn was not there. I was still walking around, contractions were way stronger and all of the sudden I had urge to push. And I pushed, yelled for midwife and felt that head is crowning. Two midwives came running, prepared the floor for delivery (I was still standing up, leaning on the edge of the bed and I reckon three pushes later DS came to this world - waters in tact! So he had a super gentle entry to this world. HTH and all the best for delivery of your Little One!

Hi Lec299 I have no intention of scaring you with my story about delivering at the American Hospital, but after reading just about only positive notes I just wanted to let you know my experience was completely different. I delivered my son there two years ago. I went in at 9 pm with contractions every 4 minutes and 3 cm dilation. I asked to walk around at least during the first part of labour to ease things. They said that was fine but called me back after 10 minuted and insisted on putting me on an IV to induce contractions. I objected strongly- I didn't need any inducing did I?, but they just jabbed it in me and gave me the meds until contractions came so quickly I couldn't even breathe. We told them from the start our son was not in the right position (stargazer) and thought they should perhaps check if he was turning at all during labour. This was never done. I asked for an epidural (since the contractions were coming so fast) 6 TIMES and never got a decent answer from the midwife, who just walked out of the room every time I asked for one... . I insisted I did not want the pethidine as this affects the baby, but they told me it was the only option as they could not find an anaesthesist! SO I had the pethidine, which was about the only thing said I would never do during this birth... . My water broke when I had about 8 cm and the midwife insisited this was not the water breaking, because the quantity was not enough... . She walked out again and left us alone. My husband and me were left alone as well when the pushing stage came, no one came to check me and I just pushed. In the end the gyne ran in, saw that the pushing wasn't doing anything, FINALLY checked the baby, saw he wasn't moving an inch and that he was in huge distress. She just pushed the big red emergency button in the elivery room... Miraculously an anaesthesist turned up and gave me an epidural for the emergency section. I was ready in the OT but they wouldn't start on me, because the paediatrician was taking so long to turn up and the gyne was not going to take the risk to take this baby out without him being present.... And was he needed: my boy came out black, not breathing, not moving, with an APGAR score of 3. The whole room went quiet and nobody said anything to me for 20 minutes. I told my husband to please stay with the baby and check on him and he didn't dare to come back to me because he had no idea what to say to me. I saw my son after 40 long long minutes. He turned out fine, but the delivery was the most traumatic experience ever. After that we saw a paediatrican once, a few hours after delivery. He assured us our son would be fine. Then we did not see any paediatrician at all. We did not see one when he was taken from our room because of jaundice, we did not see one when they told me he could not go home because he was not making stool, we did not see one untill I screamed and shouted on the 4th day that I demanded to see one! All the lactation consultant told me was that the milk wasn't coming and that I should give him formula, because it was my fault that he was hungry... She put me on a breast pump to see if the milk would come then, it did, a whole bottle of it, and I never saw that consultation again, she never even came back to check. I breastfed my son for 8 wonderful months and she told me 2 days after he was born I was not able to do it!?!? I am pregnant with twins now and there is NO WAY I am going back to the American Hospital. I have no idea which hospital I can put my trust in over here, but it certainly isn't AH. That being said, I do wish you have a wonderful pregnancy and birth and a healthy little one!

Sorry, don't know the answer to that.

Thanks Niggly. Sorry to keep hijacking this thread but do you know what level of NeoNatal care American has? Is it Level 2 or 3? Thanks again.

You can do the tour at any time. I just called them up in advance to let them know I was coming in.

I am planning on giving birth at American hospital in March so thank you to the OP for posting this thread and to everyone for their responses. It has certainly put my mind at ease. Was just wondering at what stage did you do a tour of the hospital and it's facilities? Do you need to wait until you are a certain number of weeks or can you just call up and book in? Thank You!

Second what everyone else says. I gave birth there last year and the only thing I could complain about is the food. I spent 3 nights there so by the end of my stay I really wanted something nice and healthy. I had a 21 hour labour and my doctor was fantastic. I got the epidural when I was 2cm dilated. They told me I could have it then or wait for the doctor to see other patients and come back when I was further along. I did not want to take the chance that I would miss it, so I had it then. I had given my doctor a birth plan in advance which was just a few simple requests. All of these were met. After reading about women dying in childbirth in the UK at NHS hospitals, I would say you are in much safer hands here! Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

Hi Lec299 I gave birth in AH 4 days ago and can honestly say everyone was great, but as everyone mentions it depends on your expectations and your labour really. I personally did not have the easiest of labours, and the midwife dealt with everything brilliantly (one midwife is signed to you) Labour and delivery rooms are huge, plenty of seating options if you are like me and want to keep trying different labouring positions, but if you are to have an epidural then yes you are restricted to your bed and strapped up to the CTG monitor. There is a TV in the room, your own en-suite but no bath. Once you gave birth, the normally procedure i believe is the baby is kept with you, after a small clean up and change. Unfortunately i cant go into detail her as my DD had to go to NICU immediately, but i believe you are both normally transferred to the maternity unit together. Maternity unit is fab, so quiet, your room is like a hotel room, after labour the bed seems amazing, DH slept on the large sofa in the room for a small charge of 165 per night. You have the option for the baby to stay with you in the room or go to the nursery, where you can watch them on the TV provided from the ceiling camera. On both the labour ward and the maternity ward the staff will see to you as much as you like or as little. I was happy to be left on the maternity ward and set into my own stride. Overall, I had a great experience with the care and the facilities and if you are worried about anything seriously just ask. If you would like to know anymore or think I could help anymore please let me know and I'll give you my email. Good luck with everything :-) xx <em>edited by Nenni on 09/11/2011</em>

both my DS there. I was very happy but it depends on your expectations. I felt like I was in a hotel. and well cared for. all good. agree. going for the third one soon to AH. I know we (me, the new baby and the husband will be taken care of :-) You are in your own room with a shower, and a couch for your husband to catch up on TV / sleep. The Pediatrician comes in the morning after delivery so you can be at the baby's first check up and ask questions, the nurses will show how to bathe the baby and put the nappies on (I have found it very useful!!:-) - I took my time asking all the questions a first time mother might have), lactation specialist will help with BF. Don't be afraid to let the baby go to the nursery for the night - you both will need rest before you go home on your own. All in all a very good experience - you have everything to concentrate on labour and the baby. Good luck.

both my DS there. I was very happy but it depends on your expectations. I felt like I was in a hotel. and well cared for. all good.

I delivered at American about 9 months ago - a really good experience. Definitely go along for the tour, I'm sure they will answer most of your questions. I was induced at 41 weeks (had my waters broken) and when I was admitted the midwife went through my birthplan and we talked about my previous childbirth. My birthplan was on file as I was with one of the docs at AH and had reviewed it with her previously. I was allowed to labor as I wished with intermittent monitoring - there are no bath tubs but you can use the shower which has a stool inside it. My husband was with me the entire time and was able to spend the night no problem. They wheeled in an extra cot for him and charged a small fee for his meals. I was admitted directly into a labor & delivery room. After my daughter was born there were no beds available to move to so they put me in a clean labor & delivery room. I'm not sure what happens if they are full when you show up - probably a question to ask on the tour. The baby stayed with me the entire time - except for a short period when they took her to the nursery to be cleaned up (a few hours after the birth, she stayed with me a while at first) Good luck!

I know this sounds very silly, but I wondered if anyone could give me an idea of the way it will work - do you have your own room throughout? Is there ensuite? Can my husband stay with me - or will he need to head home every night? will there be a team of midwifes, with my doctor arriving at the last minute to deliver (I plan for natural birth, fingers crossed!) Do you think they'll be happy with my birth plan to have epidural on arrival? (I know this isn't always granted in the UK) and whether I may be allowed to lie in the bath in the bathroom (if ensuites exist) for a while during labour - something I have read is really beneficial? Will baby stay with me in room after birth? (assuming he/she is doing well). You won't be allowed to use the bath and have an epidural. Once you have an epidural you will need to be placed on a CTG and constantly monitored meaning that you'll have to be on your back on the bed. If you waited for the epidural (or didn't get one) you would be able to move around, use the bath, etc. Have you thought about using a doula? Their advice and experience are fantastic for any mum but especially for ones who are far from home. There are loads in Dubai if you google it.

lec299 replied : I know this sounds very silly, but I wondered if anyone could give me an idea of the way it will work - do you have your own room throughout? Is there ensuite? Can my husband stay with me - or will he need to head home every night? will there be a team of midwifes, with my doctor arriving at the last minute to deliver (I plan for natural birth, fingers crossed!) Do you think they'll be happy with my birth plan to have epidural on arrival? (I know this isn't always granted in the UK) and whether I may be allowed to lie in the bath in the bathroom (if ensuites exist) for a while during labour - something I have read is really beneficial? Will baby stay with me in room after birth? (assuming he/she is doing well). Is it possible to have an epidural and to lie in a bath at the same time ? <em>edited by Caramelle on 05/11/2011</em>

HI, i gave birth at AH 1 year ago and will do so again in 6 months time. I had a really great experience there. Upon arrival get the DH to valet park the car as mine parked himself and took forever.I was then taken by wheelchair to a labour suite where i was examined by a midwife who told me i was 6cm dilated. Didnt ask for my birth plan but asked what pain relief i was going for and promptly gave me the gas. She then rung my doctor and i changedinto a gown and waited whilst watching the tv during contractions. When the BIG ones started i askedfor an epidural and took them about 15mins to get it sorted out. DD was born a few hours later,upon delivery she was placed onto my chest whilst they cut the cord and waited for theplacents. She was examined by the pediatrician but stayed in the room. Eventually sshhe was taken to my room with DH as i got showered and repaired and saw her 1 hour later. She was allowed to stay inmy roomovernight but did ask for her to be taken to the nursery aroung 3am so i could recover (she didnt stop screaming!!) An hour later she was brought back to be fed as i insisted she wasnt to be given ANYTHING other than BF. Stayed 1 more night and was released with pain meds. Also, ask to see the lactation consultant before youleave. Very useful. Yes ensuite but no bath. Think theremight be a communal bathroom though. <em>edited by nutty on 05/11/2011</em>