Baby delivery at Medcare hospital

Hi Claire, Who was your OB? Thank you for sharing.

Hi.. I am due in January 2019. Any reviews on city hospital lately. Any good doctor recommendations??

Which doctor were you consulting at city??

I'd been following this thread with interest while pregnant as was also with Dr Nataliya so didn't have a choice about which hospital I delivered at, now that i'm on the other side thought I would add some feed back on my experience of Medcare. Overall the experience was much better than I'd thought it would be after reading some reviews. In general the nurses were really good, some were of course better than others about letting you know what was being done and why but the others explained when asked at least. In the labour ward they do seem to have set ideas about how things should be done but it's ok to stand firm if you have something else in mind. I ended up spending a full day in the labour ward before eventually ending up in an emergency c-section. They were really pushing me to have the enema when I arrived which I really didn't want so managed to get them to agree I would have some time to try to go by myself and then only if I couldn't would I consider the enema so having been admitted at 10pm and not managing to go by 7am I did end up having the enema and actually it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be (considering I'd been blocked up for a while it was actually quite good!). They also got me changed into the hospital gown when they admitted me but I wasn't comfortable in it so changed back not my own clothes which they were ok with but made sure I knew that I would have to put the gown on if I was going to have an epidural. I only put the gown on just before I went into surgery in the end. If you have a birth plan I would take extra copies with you to the hospital as mine hadn't been forwarded to the hospital or they hadn't bothered to put it on the file, although the nurses didn't seem that impressed with it and as it happens, due to the complications, I ended up getting the exact opposite of what was on my plan! The nurses up on the maternity ward did appear to be much more respectful of my wishes for my baby though, e.g. Respecting the breastfeeding only and my husband was with the baby the whole time when I was in recovery etc. we didn't use the nursery but friends who were in at the same time did and found it really helpful for the first couple of days to have the baby spend the night in the nursery being looked after by the nurses and brought in for feeds. We found them really helpful when we called them in for things, they did all the nappy changes for the first day or so when i wasn't able to get out of bed. There are beds/sofas for dads to sleep on and they will give a blanket and a pillow but it's not that comfortable, although more comfortable than spending the night In the Labour ward where ther isn't really anywhere designed for DH to sleep, Iin hindsight, if we'd known there would be no progress overnight we'd have been better off going home and getting a proper nights sleep. The food is pretty rubbish I have to say so would be worth getting friends to bring in something better! Before you leave remember to get an appointment for the baby's hearing test as sometimes they don't remember to arrange it for you. Also they will send you one with vitamin D drops for the baby, we decided not to use these as they have sugar, colorings and flavourings in (will instead make sure bubs gets a bit of sun each day) so if you won't use them either you mit want to leave them and get them take off the bill. Also check with your insurance whether the baby will be covered, we ended up having to pay and reclaim the baby's costs as these weren't covered in the preapproval. The hospital isn't as flash as City or Medcare but I wouldn't object to delivering there again if required by my doctor. As I had an emergency c/s there was only half an hour between the doctor deciding we needed a section and the baby being delivered so it was quite impressive how quickly they mobilisd everything and everyone and the operation was quite smooth. Good luck to anyone else delivering at Medcare, hope you also have a generally positive experience. <em>edited by DXBchica on 12/03/2012</em>

I had my DD @ medcare 5 months ago,its been a wonderful experience there especially with doctor shiva...

I am with Dr. Shiva as well, have found her to be pleasant so far! Have heard mixed reviews about every hospital so just hoping for a smooth delivery at MedCare! Due July 2012

Hi ladies, Congratulations on your LO's. I'll be deliviering with Dr Shiva at Medcare and although I know shes not warm and fuzzy I've been told shes a fantastic gyni. The only concern I have is the level of care in the [u'>shared rooms[/u'> and your experience of it. My insurance with daman only covers shared rooms. Thanks

hi ladies. i just wanted to share my experience with Medcare.... i had my baby there 2 weeks ago, and after reading up everything i could on peoples experiences at Medcare, i was terrified of what to expect, to say the least. i had a c/s, with a few complications, so the actual 'birth' was out of my control, which we had anticipated, so i was prepared for a very clinical birth process, which in all honesty it was. it seemed rushed and out of my control, which obviously is par for the course. the main thing is baby was delivered safely, i was safe and that's all that mattered.my dr is dr Nataliya and i cannot express how amazing i found her to be throughout the entire pregnancy, c/s and after.. (coming to see me every day in the hospital, sometimes twice, giving my husband her personal mobile with strict instructions to call whenever he needed to, day and night).. The theatre staff, although not fawning all over me, were attentive, answered any questions and made me feel relaxed, as much as was possible. my main concern had been the after care, and the 'horror stories' i'd heard about not seeing your baby for hours etc. i ended up under G/A so did not see baby for a while, but my husband had her from the moment she came out, and he went up to the nursery and was with her the entire time i was in recovery. he said the nurses were fab and so helpful and gave him any assistance he needed. when i came to i was taken up to the room, a pvt room as we had requested... and from then on out i can honeslty say that i couldn't fault the nurses one bit. there had been so much negativity that i was so aprehensive, but i found them all to be warm, kind, and brilliant throughout my stay. i was in a lot of pain due to the complications, and they were constantly checking on me, helping me with baby, they were brilliant. i was so happily surprised, as i was expecting something quite the opposite. the only negatives re Medcare that i really had were that there are no visiting hours, well anyone can come any time until 10.30pm, and i found the evenings SO loud and noisy.. with most people visiting in the evening, and there were constantly hordes of people in the next door rooms, maids with small children waiting in the hallways so the kids were screaming and running up and down outside the rooms.. it was very annoying to say the least. the nurses were so apologetic but explained that not much good comes from asking people to be quiet. and it wasn't all the time... the days were actually quite quiet! and the food wasn't so great.. infact it was pretty grim.. but i wasn't interested in eating so wasn't too fussed!! so that was my experience. just wanted to share it as i was so aprehensive about going there, i had to as Dr Nataliya delivers from there only and i was determined to stay with her... and i really found the whole overall experience nowhere NEAR as bad as i was led to beleive or had feared! this is a bit long winded but hopefully i can reassure someone else who is going there. . . i hope your experience was as good as mine.

I had put my thoughts onto another thread about Medcare. Here's the link: http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=164166

Sorry to threadjack but can I ask why your doctor doesn't recommend City any more? I'm due to deliver there in a few weeks and it would be useful to know of any potential issues in advance. Thanks :). Bump for Nora.. It looks like something was lost in translation. It's not that NF's Dr doesn't recommend CH, they don't have rights to deliver there since resigning, so cannot offer it to their patients. <em>edited by Gina on 27/11/2011</em>

If you can get an alternative to Medcare, then do. I had my little girl there in April and the whole experience was horrific. It doesn't seem to matter what you agree with them beforehand, they will tell you that you stay with the baby after etc etc and then they will just do whatever they want. I had to wait 3 hours after the birth until they let me see the baby. They rushed her off to incubator - there was nothing wrong with her - it's standard practice in Medcare and they left me in a children's recovery ward, because, as it turns out, there was no room for me upstairs with the baby. They wouldn't let me see my husband either until I screamed so loudly they had to. There was no reason for this btw. As for the birth - it was a planned c-section - my second and it was nothing short of barbaric. They messed up my drugs so I could still feel everything and wouldn't listen to a word I was saying, just shoving me back onto the bed until I passed out. I'm sure it must make a difference who you have on the day but be on alert at all times there. On a positive I found the aftercare pretty good. Sorry I really don't mean to worry anybody who is due to give birth there but I wish I had more insight before i had gone there and that I had been warned. I just also wanted to add that the experiences I write of above are only a few of huge amount of complaints I have about Medcare and their lack of care. <em>edited by Mushroom on 02/11/2011</em>

Sweetlily. Are you a doula in Al Ain? If so can you please contact me on fiona dot vau at gmail dot com. I have someone in Al Ain wanting a doula in the area.

Apart from the fact that I had to be induced because I was so late, the birth was fantastic. Starsouthern, was this at Medcare? My doc also only delivers at Medcare so have been following this thread closely trying to get some comfort.... thanks Yep at MedCare I was 42 weeks +5 days when my Dr induced me, I was glad because I was so huge I could barely walk :)

SweetLily replied : Just to let you know, Doulas are now no longer allowed to be in the labour room at City Hospital so if you want a doula you will need to go to another hospital.... as far as I know there are no issues with having doulas anywhere else and many OB's see the benefits of having one, especially during labour. I was told that a doula did a vaginal examination on a lady in labour . This is so scary ! Does anybody has more information ?! I am 28 weeKs pregnant with my follow up done at City Hospital and so disapointed if I have to deliver there without a doula ... I heard this too. So dissapointing. I'm not sure who she was but if you get a certified doula (with DONA or Nurturing Birth for example) we follow pretty strict codes of conduct that very clearly state the doula gives no medical assistance. If you do want a doula make sure to check her background and go for a certified doula or doula who is working on her certification with one of these groups. As far as I know the ban is for good for right now. It seems that if you do want to a doula with you at the birth you might have to switch hospitals, unfortunately. Maybe someone else has some ideas? Do you have a doula already? I would talk to your local Dubai doulas to see what their ideas might be for you. They have a much better idea on what the exact situation is that I do over here in Al Ain and would be more up to speed. x

Apart from the fact that I had to be induced because I was so late, the birth was fantastic. Starsouthern, was this at Medcare? My doc also only delivers at Medcare so have been following this thread closely trying to get some comfort.... thanks

SweetLily replied : I was told that a doula did a vaginal examination on a lady in labour . This is so scary ! Does anybody has more information ?! I am 28 weeKs pregnant with my follow up done at City Hospital and so disapointed if I have to deliver there without a doula ... If that is the case then I totally understand why they will now no longer allow doulas into the delivery room. A doula does not provide ANY form of medical opinion or intervention at any stage of pregnancy or delivery. A doula is there for emotional and practical support only to both parents. The OB's at City are great but the new policy now is no doulas ( was not told why but was told by an OB there was an issue with a doula over a specific case so cannot comment on what you were told). If you choose to deliver at City Hospital then a doula can stay with you for your labour up to the time you go to the delivery room to deliver your baby. At that time only your husband or a non doula support person can go in with you. I dont think there is an issue with Doulas in any other hopsitals in Dubai. <em>edited by NZ2AD on 26/10/2011</em>

SweetLily replied : Just to let you know, Doulas are now no longer allowed to be in the labour room at City Hospital so if you want a doula you will need to go to another hospital.... as far as I know there are no issues with having doulas anywhere else and many OB's see the benefits of having one, especially during labour. I was told that a doula did a vaginal examination on a lady in labour . This is so scary ! Does anybody has more information ?! I am 28 weeKs pregnant with my follow up done at City Hospital and so disapointed if I have to deliver there without a doula ...

The room does get crowded when you deliver, I even had a nurse kneeling next to me on the bed pushing bubs down, which was traumatic. It was very barbaric and very primitive. This point alone sickens me to the core. I can't remember what this technique is called, but it was first used in the 19th century and has since been proved to actually be dangerous to both mother and child, increasing the risk of tearing and uterine abruption for the mum (I read somewhere that this happened in 5 out of 7 cases where the technique is used) (and not least being very painful) and can also result in trauma and shoulder/collarbone dislocation for the baby... why on God's earth are "professionals" still allowed to do it?! Cutting without consent is nothing short of a violation. Full stop. Gawd this kind of story gets me riled! Childbirth shouldn't be a fight and certainly doesn't mean that you're become a passive bit of meat on a table with no feelings or free will. I only had my mother, husband and a nurse when I was delivering my baby at one time, (this was in July) the duty Dr would come in and check me once in a while and then when I was ready to pop him out my Dr came in to catch him. They did tell me that I would have to kick my mother or husband out. I said no way and they let me be. I felt that I was taken very good care of, my baby was put straight on my chest after he came out and I got to hold him for ages they then asked my permission to take him off me to weigh him and clean him up. Which was done right next to me. Apart from the fact that I had to be induced because I was so late, the birth was fantastic.

The room does get crowded when you deliver, I even had a nurse kneeling next to me on the bed pushing bubs down, which was traumatic. It was very barbaric and very primitive. This point alone sickens me to the core. I can't remember what this technique is called, but it was first used in the 19th century and has since been proved to actually be dangerous to both mother and child, increasing the risk of tearing and uterine abruption for the mum (I read somewhere that this happened in 5 out of 7 cases where the technique is used) (and not least being very painful) and can also result in trauma and shoulder/collarbone dislocation for the baby... why on God's earth are "professionals" still allowed to do it?! Cutting without consent is nothing short of a violation. Full stop. Gawd this kind of story gets me riled! Childbirth shouldn't be a fight and certainly doesn't mean that you're become a passive bit of meat on a table with no feelings or free will.

Just to let you know, Doulas are now no longer allowed to be in the labour room at City Hospital so if you want a doula you will need to go to another hospital.... as far as I know there are no issues with having doulas anywhere else and many OB's see the benefits of having one, especially during labour. I just heard that a couple of days ago, NZ2AD. That is so, so dissapointing.

My DS is now 21 months - I delivered at CITY - but started off at MEDCARE - here is my expierience I was seing Dr Shiva at Medcare - appointments always ran late and felt like a production line where you where shipped in and out as quickly as possible But the turning point for me came at at 36 weeks - I reacted badly to something i ate and couldnt keep anything down, went to emergency - where they put the baby monitor on me and insisted i lie on my BACK - for almost an hour ! even non-pregnant ppl know this can get very uncomfortable very quickly. My Dr did bother to check on me - a quick less than a minute check the much later the next day ! and despite asking for a private room ( our medical aid - DAMAN - covered even the VIP suite at CITY) I was given one of those partioned between 4 ppl room (not even a maternity room), where the lady next to me work at various parts of the night screaming and the one share bathroom was messed - with all sorts i care not to mention so a few days later - after all my tears for not going to south africa to deliver - my hubby and I drove to CITY - to check it out - after hearing its a south african hospital - And what a diff that was! the head matron - martie - welcomed us into her office in the maternity ward - reassured us that she would take are of me - then showed us around the hospital - then unpon returning to her office got us an appoitment with one if the hospitals doctors and got the insurance people to come up and explain what our medical aid would cover - so we need not worry abotu it on the day - turns out it covered everything including VIP wards. the only time we had to concern ourselves with the bill was on check out /discharge the actual birth - didnt go smoothly - labour started on a fri - but only ended on sun They are not pro C section so really tried everything to get a natural birth going even though DS was already a week overdue ....starting with a birthing ball and lots of walking to the next day breaking the waters to an induction 2 days later -but after all that DS & I went into distress when i asked for an epidural so it ended in an emergency C section ...... but thru the whole expierience i had faith that i was getting the best care possible The aftercare was really good - from the lactation consultant that didnt give up until breastfeeding was firmly established to the additional stockings, nipple sheilds and cream given to us to take home to the mothersupport group that ran monthly also the one thing i couldnt stand is sharing a a room - while some hospitals will make you share if they are full City has been know to upgrade ppl to the VIP when they are full Hence number 2 due in 5 weeks will also be at city

Just to let you know, Doulas are now no longer allowed to be in the labour room at City Hospital so if you want a doula you will need to go to another hospital.... as far as I know there are no issues with having doulas anywhere else and many OB's see the benefits of having one, especially during labour.

I am, but I recommended them and used them before I became trained. They really are a wonderful addition to your birthing team. :)

You can contact local doulas (lots in Dubai, AD and Al Ain) and they can provide invaluable support for whatever type of birth that you want. They are also really familiar with all of the hospitals and doctors. I am due to give birth in March, I am a VBAC mama and want a natural birth so have a doula all lined up. Research has shown that mothers who use doulas have decreased caesearean rates, shorter labour and are overall happier with their births. :)

My friend spoke highly of Medcare but when i went at 28weeks with a serious virus i was shocked at the treatment i received fron the gyny on duty. I spoke to my Dr about delivering there and she advised against it even though she had the rights to and told me they even paid her more to do so. She recommended the other hospital that she had rights to and we were very happy there.

Thanks so much for letting me know. I'll have a chat with my doctor next time I see her - she's based there so hopefully she'll be able to kick some butt if things aren't up to scratch! I am concerned about the nursing care if they're busy, as I'm having a C-section :(.

Sorry to threadjack but can I ask why your doctor doesn't recommend City any more? I'm due to deliver there in a few weeks and it would be useful to know of any potential issues in advance. Thanks :). Bump for Nora..

Sorry to hear about all of your negative experiences. I had a very good one at Medcare. I was left to my own devices, which was just what I wanted. I was very insistent about what I wanted and was fortunate enough to have a straight forward delivery. My birthplan was very well followed including dim lights and minimal staff. I almost delivered without anyone except DH but the nurse ran in to catch her. I didn't want any nursing input after the birth as she was my second though I did watch them bathe her, rather expertly I thought. I would recommend it.