Give birth in Dubai or UK? | ExpatWoman.com
 

Give birth in Dubai or UK?

112
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 June 2011 - 15:58

This is a very tough decision for us and I just can't make my mind up..

Pro's of giving birth in UK for me are:

Better medical care, especially with the anxiety I have been expriencing lately, Doc in Dubai was just dismissive.
Having family around
Registering the baby maybe easier?

Advanctages of staying in Dubai are:

My own home
DD is still at school in Dubai
More quality time with DD and DH as nobody else around

254
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 22:38
just started a new thread (expat parents struggle with stateless kids) on this topic - if it is of any interest
2937
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 22:21
I have no clue. My sister was born in Norway because that's where we were living at the time, and she was nine when we left. At 16 she could have chosen Norwegian nationality but she didn't, as she said she'd feel like a fraud because she'd only been born there and had no real ties to the place once we'd left.
236
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 20:37
What does the place of birth have to do with the kid's nationality in the first place??? I really do not get that...where I am from, you get the nationality if your parents have it ( or parent) regardless of where they are born..The dilemma of the place birth issue is only in the UK and America and honestly i find it rather strange that you are entitled or not entitled to a certain nationality if you are born or not born there.. <em>edited by Annabelle09 on 21/06/2011</em>
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 15:47
By the time you're on that generation, you really don't have much connection with the UK, presumably haven't paid taxes there through that period, etc; they would be a potential burden to the country with no obvious benefit. You could ask, would the UAE really deny a passport to the child of a fourth generation UAE resident....? (doing well thanks!)
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 15:42
Who is 'they'? There are stateless persons in the world. The child would not be entitled to any citizenship - nobody *has* to grant citizenship to someone not entitled to it. Nobody (except the parents, I suppose) would be 'making' the child stateless, the child just would be stateless.
504
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EW GURU
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 15:33
BM - why would they 'have' to, any more than the UAE 'has' to give passports to people born here? The child would potentially be stateless, unless there is a right to another passport for whatever reason (eg through the other parent)
61
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 15:13
I stand corrected heyjude! This was not my understanding but I have not looked into it massively as have been a bit busy! maariyah - we're doing fine thanks although little chap is rather under the weather with his first teeth on the way at the minute. I would def recommend Dr Azza - a lovely warm hearted lady who made me feel like I could the whole birthing thing so easily. Good luck!
254
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 June 2011 - 00:22
Pav - you can't have expats and their kids generation after generation giving birth outside the home country and expect to receive passports ad infinitum. You are right that your kids get a passport if you go and organise one with the UK embassy - of course they do. But it is different to the one that they would get if they were born in the UK (looks the same, but isn't)...they have it by descent through you, not by birth. If they don't spend any real time in the UK, and stay in Dubai for instance (where they are not entitled to a passport by being born there) then it can get very tricky for their kids and so on. I have first hand experience of this, and will be careful to remind one of my children in particular when she comes to have children, that she should be mindful where she has them. She was born on on one of our expat postings, and her children will not be entitled to the same citizenship that she has if she stays an expat.
112
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 June 2011 - 23:34
Thank you so much PAV hope you and the lil one are doing fine! I need a temp doc in Dubai so might look up Dr Azza :)
61
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 June 2011 - 12:13
Hi - re: the passport issue - I believe if you register (can't remember if that's the correct term) your child at the British consulate then there is not a problem for the next generation - we were concerned about this too. It costs about AED 600 and then the child and any future offspring are entitled to a UK passport, born overseas or not. We're going to do this but haven't got around to it yet... As for the UK v UAE debate, I gave birth here nearly seven months ago and had the same dilemma as to whether or not to return home to the UK to give birth or go ahead here. I opted to stay in Dubai as I had a lovely doctor at Medcare who saw me all the way through from the beginning to the end (Dr Azza). It meant my husband could be as involved as possible at every stage, which I felt was so important and I was very happy with my experience on the whole. I'm a great fan of the UK NHS but I really think I may have had a slightly better experience than had I been back home because I had so many more scans and got a chance to connect with my baby more... however that's only my opinion - this was my first and last pregnancy so I have nothing to compare it to! I was anxious about the whole thing too and still regularly find myself out of my depth it seems (!) but I think that's the same for most people and whereas I thought there would be no safety net here afterwards with LO, between his doctor and the government clinics for his jabs, there's as much or as little support as we need. I am aware I sound such a great fan of Dubai but believe it or not, I've never been that convinced by the place in some ways and so I totally understand the dilemmas here posted by the original OP. Good luck with your decision - everyone is different and must do what's right for them! Apologies if this reads strangely - I've had a about 4 attempts to right this - my longest post since LO arrived!!
59
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 20 June 2011 - 07:55
I flew back to the UK to have my baby at 29+3 and nobody even mentioned my pregnancy at all. I changed at Amsterdam so boarding two planes it was not mentioned and I was HUGE. I did have all the relevant docs to allow me to fly but they weren't needed. There was no question in my mind about going home to give birth for all the previously mentioned reasons but also because I just couldn't consider my baby being born anywhere else than Scotland. I really wish is some ways I had stayed in Dubai to have him now. I am pretty sure my experience was just a one off but even though I was in hospital my mum ended up delivering my baby because the midwife refused to believe me when I said he was coming and left the room to get me sweet tea to give me energy, lol. I laugh now but trust me I was not laughing at the the time. As I say it MUST be a one off
2937
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 June 2011 - 17:22
I'm nearly 18 weeks and was asked at the door of the aircraft and again when I reached my seat last weekend. I thought to myself, "Yep, here I go again, I look like a beached whale". So much for second pregnancies and lovely neat little bumps! Hmmmph. I will be travelling again at 22 weeks then 29 weeks and will be arming myself with every letter I can get hold of.
87
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 June 2011 - 15:42
You can print out the form and give it to your dr, but mine had it already printed out on her own letterhead. I think most Dr's here are familiar wiht the requirements. Check the website so you've got one in hand just in case .............
668
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EW GURU
Latest post on 19 June 2011 - 14:53
Do you just give your doctor the form and she signs it? I'm thinking of going back to the US at 32 weeks. For my previous 2, I did not have a letter cause I flew much earlier.
87
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 June 2011 - 12:47
I just flew from Dubai to Aus at 36 weeks, with a 5, 2 & 83 year old in tow. They didn't actually notice I was pregnant at check in - those who know me will find that incredible! ( I think it was the high counter, 'cause I'm huge!), but did ask to see my certificate at the door to the plane. The trip went really well and I'm very happy to be here at home in the cooler weather with great friends and family not too far away. DH will join later for the birth and a stay afterwards. That said I had my last daughter in Dubai with no problems. It was the heat really that swayed me - trying to entertain two little un's when you're feeling crappy 'cause of the weather is NOT fun......
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 19 June 2011 - 12:04
However, if you are really round, it would be better to have one even if not near 28 weeks, as they can refuse to carry you without it if they doubt you....not much fun at check in and I was even questioned at the boarding gate. I wasn't questioned at check-in at all, but asked at the boarding gate for a certificate (I was 27+6 - hehe - and thankfully had one just in case). It's at the gate that they'll make the call - not a fun prospect, if, as I was, you're flying with a toddler!
88
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 June 2011 - 06:37
I would just like to say congrats on your pregnancy! And also think about booking into a hospital here just incase you can't go home for any reason (Al Wasl, for example, requires you to have booked in at 28 weeks)! I say this from personal experience as it happened to me! And I was not prepared to have my baby in Dubai. I was actually going back to NZ to give birth and in the same week I was due to fly home (at 29 weeks), I was admitted to Al Wasl with DVT where I stayed for a week and was not allowed to fly home (and still not allowed for another few months!) Al Wasl was questioning whether or not they were going to admit me as I was past their cut off point and had not booked. Luckily, they did and I ended up with a positive experience, for that week in hospital and for the delivery of my little girl! I'm not saying to stay in Dubai (which it worked out better for me in the end!) but just to think of the possibility of something happening and booking into a hospital just incase. It will save a lot of unwanted stress at a later date! Good luck with your decision and only you know what is best you, your husband and your baby!
254
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 June 2011 - 22:51
recently had to fly to Australia whilst heavily preggers. Emirates required a med cert (downloaded) from their website after you were 28 weeks. However, if you are really round, it would be better to have one even if not near 28 weeks, as they can refuse to carry you without it if they doubt you....not much fun at check in and I was even questioned at the boarding gate.
112
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 18 June 2011 - 22:26
Thank you for the comprehensive list NatashK it really has swayed me along with the British passport malarky which I truthfully don't know much about. Now I just need to call the different airlines to find out what the cut off period is for flying whilst pregnant.. ps Shaf wish my doc was that good! it may have changed my decision about Dubai and childbirth..
254
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 June 2011 - 22:48
LOL! well said Shaf, I shall get back in my box. Sorry maariyah for hijacking your thread.
429
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 June 2011 - 22:14
All I can say is if you are with Dr. Elsa at City Hospital, then u are in safe hands. That woman simply rocks! Inshalla, i hope that if and when i have a baby next, I can go to her. She trusts the female body to do what it should do.
254
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 June 2011 - 19:14
You are right Hello again Kitty....but what if that 3rd generation had their kids in Dubai for instance. The child is then stateless and doesn't qualify for a passport anywhere. That is one **** of a problem....and not the kids fault. This can and does actually happen.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 17 June 2011 - 19:10
There is another advantage of giving birth in the UK, that not many folks think of. It has to do with passports and future generations. If you give birth in Dubai, your baby gets his passport by descent. If in UK he gets it in his own right. This can have repercussions for future generations if your kids become wandering expats too. For example If your child doesn't live in the UK much and then has their children outside the UK, there may be issues. Perhaps this isn't a problem for your family, but I have heard of folks accidentally rendering their kids stateless over these kinds of things. I don't want to start a whole new topic - but it does bear thinking about. yes their children would need to be born in the uk to get a passport automatically otherwise they would need to go through all the paperwork, but if your family is british through and through and the fact that you were temporaily outside the uk for a period of time etc then you have the proof, but usually kids go back to the uk to study and so therefore not necessarily become an expat
92
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 June 2011 - 17:08
Maariyah - I had the exact same decision to make and I found it incredibly difficult. I am not such a fan of my Dr here either but the hospital looks great (City Hospital) compared to my NHS option in Manchester which is actually pretty good too. I was leaning towards Dubai because I have my own villa and space and privacy and thought that family might frustrate me a little but after just returning from the UK and realising how hot it is here in Dubai and it will only get worse so that made me reconsider the UK. Ive now finally decided to go back to the UK for the following reasons: 1. Better healthcare and mentality towards the Mother and Baby and less medical intervention when not required 2. Better after care with midwives 3. Option of having a Water Birth at the Hospital 4. The family support of having my Mother which I now realise I need as the time is nearing 5. The stress I would be under when my family and In-Laws fly out to Dubai after the birth and want to stay with us when I am trying to copy with a new baby (first time for me!!) .... 6. The beautiful fresh air of the UK which means I can continue doing my 30 minutes of walking outdoors up til the delivery whereas here I sit inside ALL day 7. All my family and friends are in the UK so the celebrations and happiness will be much more there whereas here in Dubai I might feel a bit overwhelmed on my own and a bit lost. 8. It is much easier to get our baby paperwork and passport etc sorted there rather than all the running around and nonsense you have to go through here. I just thought Id give you my reasons in case they trigger anything within you and help you make your decision. It is a really tough decision and I was changing my mind for about 3 months but finally it just came to me after meeting my Dr here in Dubai again and after spending a few weeks in UK.
1861
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 17 June 2011 - 16:45
There is another advantage of giving birth in the UK, that not many folks think of. It has to do with passports and future generations. If you give birth in Dubai, your baby gets his passport by descent. If in UK he gets it in his own right. This can have repercussions for future generations if your kids become wandering expats too. For example If your child doesn't live in the UK much and then has their children outside the UK, there may be issues. Perhaps this isn't a problem for your family, but I have heard of folks accidentally rendering their kids stateless over these kinds of things. I don't want to start a whole new topic - but it does bear thinking about. I guess there is that too, but at the end of the day, *if* expat children come to find it a problem, then they would probably be big enough to deal with it. None of us can tell whether a British passport would be such a desirable item in 25/50/75 years' time as it apparently is currently. It's also arguably the case that a 3rd generation expat Brit who has never contributed to the UK and doesn't intend to possibly shouldn't get a British passport by right, as you'd hope that they'd have integrated into their welcoming culture... but yes, a different debate.
254
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 17 June 2011 - 16:22
There is another advantage of giving birth in the UK, that not many folks think of. It has to do with passports and future generations. If you give birth in Dubai, your baby gets his passport by descent. If in UK he gets it in his own right. This can have repercussions for future generations if your kids become wandering expats too. For example If your child doesn't live in the UK much and then has their children outside the UK, there may be issues. Perhaps this isn't a problem for your family, but I have heard of folks accidentally rendering their kids stateless over these kinds of things. I don't want to start a whole new topic - but it does bear thinking about.
1861
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 17 June 2011 - 16:05
it's the toughest decision in the world and one where you must just follow your gut feel. Deep down you know what's right for you and yes, it is a balance. I chose to go back to the UK for all the reasons you listed, plus DS was due end of June, so 2 under 2 on my own in the height of a Dubai summer?! No, don't think so. I was so glad we decided to because the birth was everything I wanted and the aftercare was spot-on. It was really tough being away from DH, but he had 3 weeks around the birth with us. I also find the fact that both my children are on the radar, so to speak, a huge comfort. Follow your heart and do what feels right for you.
 
 

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