I am stressing and worried - Whats my next step any advice

Congrats on your pregnancy. I had my baby at City with Dr Elsa. She is fantastic and my birth was great, midwives were lovely. My baby was taken to NICU but that was because I detected he wasn't breathing properly after they did the APGAR test. He sounded like he had a conjested nose and I asked if they could clear it, they took him off me to check and before I knew it he was in NICU because of fluid on his lungs. The staff were professional throughout, and the NICU staff were also lovely. My only gripe was for about 2-3 hrs after that initial hold I wasn't able to see my little boy. They were taking X-Rays of his chest as well as on a couple of other babies in the NICU so no one was allowed in there other than medical staff. it took a while to find out what was going on with him but other than that it was all very professional and the staff were all so caring. I have had 6 other friends give birth at City hospital - their babies ranging from birth at 36 weeks to 41 weeks term and none of their babies were put into NICU after birth - all very healthy.

kiwispears, what does a birthplan look like / consist of? excuse my ignorance, first time pregnancy and i keep hearing about it but have no clue. :\: ok I will post my birthplan, but only if you promise not to think I'm a complete control freak :), yours doesn't have to be as long, it depends on how happy you are to go along with hospital policy etc. Some people might jut write [i'>"no drugs unless requested, baby to be in parents room at all times, no formula "[/i'> ;) At the end of the day you need to be flexible anyway as things don't always go to plan but a birthplan is good, it also helps your husband know what you want as you might not necc be in the right frame of mind to explain mid labour [i'>IMMEDIATE SKIN-TO-SKIN CONTACT POST-BIRTH. NO BOTTLES, NO FORMULA, NO SUPPLEMENTARY LIQUIDS, NO DUMMIES/PACIFIERS REGARDLESS OF TYPE OF BIRTH. NO ANTIBIOTIC DROPS/ OINTMENT IN BABIES EYES, NO VACCINES ON DAY OF BIRTH • Skin-to skin uninterrupted from birth until after first breastfeed takes place. • Skin-to-skin continues during episiotomy/tear repair • Baby to remain with parent(s) at all times. (Including pediatric check.) • If initial latching is unsuccessful I am to be assisted with hand expressing colostrum to be fed to the baby by cup or spoon. The baby will not be given any other liquid/formula orally without written consent from the parents. • Baby is not to be bathed unless requested . If parents do request a bath one or both parents are to be present, water only is to be used (no soaps or lotions) and vernix is to be left on skin. ANAESTHETICS/ ANALGESICS/ SEDATIVES/ NARCOTICS/ IV DRUGS/ ANTIBIOTICS Before administering ANY drug (including antibiotics and sedatives) to either the baby or myself its purpose must be explained and alternative options given (unless the situation is an emergency) If any drug will affect the mother’s milk supply or will prohibit breastfeeding this MUST first be CLEARLY EXPLAINED and its use justified. VAGINAL BIRTH • No IV during first stage of labour, I am to be free to move around for as long as possible. During delivery I would like the option of the kneeling position. • No early breaking of waters/ giving oxytocin or other inducement unless there is a valid medical reason • Room quiet, no unnecessary staff, Music if requested/ Lights dimmed • No Episiotomy unless a large tear seems inevitable. Any cut and the repair are to be done by the Consultant on duty. • No urinary catheter unless medically indicated (e.g. Epidural) • Any Epidural to be lowest possible dose and to be reduced in time for pushing. • I would like to be mobile and without catheter as soon as possible after delivery. • Father to cut Umbilical cord, [u'>clamping to be delayed[/u'> until cord stops pulsing. • No excessive suctioning of babies nose and mouth unless truly necessary. INT THE CASE OF CAESAREAN SECTION • Epidural/spinal if possible and with minimal sedation • Immediate skin- to-skin with myself and baby post-birth • Opportunity to breastfeed within one hour post- birth • I would like to spend minimal time in the recovery room • Baby and Father to be present in Recovery Room if possible • NO BOTTLES, FORMULA, SUPPLEMENTARY LIQUIDS, OR PACIFIERS We request that the father be allowed to be present in the recovery room if possible and be frequently and clearly updated as to the mother and baby’s status and whereabouts during any necessary separation. Mother and baby should be separated only when absolutely medically necessary and should be reunited as soon as possible. If I am physically unable to hold the baby in the recovery room, I would like to be assisted in holding him or in hand expressing colostrum to give him by spoon or cup. If I am not stable, the father will be given the baby to hold until I recover. IF CAESAREAN SECTION WITH GENERAL ANAESTHETIC IS REQUIRED • Immediate skin to skin with Father until Mother is conscious • Opportunity to breastfeed in recovery room as soon as mother is conscious • If baby is admitted to NICU expressed colostrum to be given if possible. PREMATURE BIRTH / COMPLICATIONS LEADING TO NICU In the event of a premature delivery or complications leading to NICU, I would like to express colostrum as soon as possible. This can be stored and given to the baby as soon as is safe and in preference to formula. So long as there is no risk to the baby, I would like to hold/warm the baby skin-to-skin as soon as, and as often as possible. In the event of a large (more than 4 kilogram) baby he should not automatically be transferred to NICU for observation, Suspected hypoglycaemia should be confirmed before separation/treatment and baby should be monitored in my room where possible.[/i'> <em>edited by kiwispiers on 24/07/2011</em>

16 weeks now ;) you're reaching the 12 week mark, right? sorry for hijacking the thread op!

i found this http://www.birthplan.com/sample-birth-plan/ do you really have to submit this? i would rock up at the hospital with a toothbrush LOL

kiwispears, what does a birthplan look like / consist of? excuse my ignorance, first time pregnancy and i keep hearing about it but have no clue. :\:

In my experience delivering in the middle east, a birth plan is essential, a lot of the hospitals here do have policies of taking your baby to the nursery post birth or taking them to NICU automatically as a precaution if they are over 4 kg but generally you simply have to be clear that the baby is to stay with you unless there is an actual medical emergency. Talk it all through with your OBGYN as it is vital they are on your side and can advocate for you, and write it all down. I did have a c-section in the end but I wasn't pushed into it, my doctor told me her opinion and suggested my husband and I researched it and in the end we decided it was safer and I'm glad we did. 20-30 percent of people end up with c-sections everywhere in the world and its better than the 10% death rate there used to be before there was an option, so you should add to your birth plan what your wishes are in the event of a c-section anyway. Due to my amazing OBGYN I was able to keep my baby on my chest throughout my surgery and recovery and as per my birth plan he never left my side in the 4 days I was in hospital regardless of hospital policy.

the one point which made me decide which hospital to give birth was because of my gynae. I cannot stop recommending her. Dr Andrea from International Modern Hospital. Not for you if you like the ones that hold your hand and stuff, she's very direct and won't tell you stuff if you are not suffering from it. She will not recommend unnecessary operations/medicine unless you really have to. S

I have just got off the phone from City again and after doing a search on Dr Ibrahim and all I read was good things I have an appoinement with him at the end of Aug. They had booked me with the other lady but could not find any information on her am sure she is great but you always feel happier when you have good feedback. So now I need to try and sort insurance with Adnic if not then I guess its packages instead and hope there are no complications. Thanks for you all your help :) I am sure I will have loads more questions......... I also got insurance with ADNIC after finding out my employer's insurance did not cover maternity (GRRR). Although I paid a huge premium, it was well worth it. All my visits with Dr. Ibrahim were covered as was the delivery. I had to pay for the epidural because it is not covered under direct billing but hope to get it reimbursed. I also suffered some minor complications post delivery and again, all of this was covered by ADNIC. All the best fullofdreams : )

hi fullofdreams... glad to know that the baby is fine safe and secure! :) i am seeing Dr. Janaki at Welcare... she's very experienced, professional in her approach and more the blunt/brazen type than the molly-coddling type! i went for the whole 'service with a smile' the last time (4 yrs back when I had my DD) and realised that the doctor & hospital i had at the time just couldn't deal with complications! that's why this time round i figured i'd go with the experience as opposed to the great service! i'm covered by Nextcare so costs are not an issue hence i haven't enquired about the package prices at Welcare... however, if price is really an issue, why don't u consider buying into a package with the government hospital - Al Wasl to be more specific. They are so experienced there that they don't even need the docs to handle anything but the actual surgery... the midwives there are the best in the city! u won't have the luxury of a private room but both u and ur lil one will get the best possible bedside care... and without breaking the bank... plus they have the best NICU unit (if, god forbid, ur lil one needs it)... the packages for a c-section is around 15K at Al Wasl so it might work out to be cheaper than the insurance... whatever u decide... hope it works out for u dear... u are always in our prayers... and have a wonderful holiday in the UK :)

Hi, I too have never heard this story about City. I am due to give birth there in November and am very happy. If you are worried about your baby i recommend that you see Doc George at American Hospital. He is amazing and also the fetal medical consultant so will be able to put your mind at ease. He is leaving American Hospital in September to set up his own practice so if you can not get an appointment now you should be able to then. If you have no pain and no bleeding there is less reason to worry. Please try to see DR George. XX

Thank you for the information I phoned city yesterday to book an apointment with Dr Elsa but I cant get one until Nov which will be to late :( so now back to square one. Please any other recommendations from the other doctors at city please or any other hospital. Thank you all so much I delivered at City Hospital 3 weeks ago and highly recommend Dr. Ibrahim. He is very caring, gentle, calm and generally a very nice person. I commenced seeing him at about week 20. On the day of delivery, the hospital was extremely busy with emergency births and no matter how many times Dr. Ibrahim was called away to assist in other deliveries, he stayed with me the whole time as I was "his patient". Post delivery, Dr. Ibrahim visited me on a daily basis, sometimes twice a day. He even came in on his days off to check in on me. As for the City experience, I could not fault the hospital or staff one bit. Yes, there are some challenging nurses, particularly when language is a barrier, but overall I found everyone to be caring and helpful. A range of specialists visited me post delivery including a physio and lactation consultant.

I have heard such mixed things about different hospitals I was thinking towards city but then someone told me that when you have your baby they take them away and automatically take them to intensive care unit as routine? In my personal experience and that of many of my friends who have given birth at City, this is absolutely not true. In OUR experience anyway. You will hear good and bad about all hospitals. Every hospital here has a horror story from a friend or a friend of a friend. You need to visit the hospitals you think you're keen on, meet with the OB/GYN's and choose based on your OWN personal feelings about the doc and place. After all, you need to have full trust and confidence in your doc who will be looking after you during your pregnancy and whilst giving birth. Only you will know who you feel comfy with. I cannot speak highly enough of my doc (Dr Elsa), City hospital and all the staff there! Good luck with your search and take care of yourself. Wonderful and exciting times ahead for you!!! :)

you have plenty of time! If you are worried about your fall, and are in the UK, just got to your nearest hospital A&E and take it from there. Once back in Dubai, go to a few hospitals or see who your current OB/Gyn recommends. There will be horror stories about every hospital on the planet, but all that counts is that you feel happy and confident that you are in capable hands. City, American and Welcare seem to be the ones that come up time and time again as "good ones". They will all be able to give you their prices too, so find out about them and then weigh up what's best for you. 30k seems steep for giving birth (although still possible). If you go natural then I'm pretty sure it's only about 15k... but then there are the antenatal checks too... hmmm... Government hospitals are cheaper too, so worth looking into. Basically, don't stress. Bubs will be born one way or another, even if you have to put it all on credit cards!