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What should I do? New and pregnant

44

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 12 February 2012 - 15:39

Hi, I have just discovered that I am expecting my third baby and I don't have a clue on what to do in Dubai.
Both my DDs were born in the UK and the process was easy as the same midwife followed me from beginning till birth, both natural with only gas and air ( as I am not allowed epidural due to a damaged back) .
Where should I go? My youngest is 18 months and her birth in a pool was just the best memory for me. Is there such birth pool in Dubai?
What should a do?
Thanks in advance.

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2340

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 13 February 2012 - 04:07

Thank you so much for your reply green-ish. I am so freaked out on where to go, who to choose. What is an OB, is it an obstetrician? gynaecologist? What do you mean by they like to take over? How many people are involved in the whole thing? Do they do stuff like internal exams? In the uk nobody ever touch me internally until the birth, the only exams were blood test, measuring blood pressure, checking urine sample, listen to baby heart and feeling my tummy...do they do more here? I will search the doula option but can you tell me, how does it usually happen here? Do they ask the mum for a birth plan and respect it or will the doc impose his way? What are the issues about birthing pool in this country? I don't understand what the problem could be. Thanks again Step 1: Stop freaking out. ;) It's natural to worry when you're doing all of this in a new country, but thousands of us have done it and have wonderful birth stories to share, so you will be fine. It's all about wrapping your head around a slightly different system. Yes...OB is obstetrician. Sorry, I got so used to using the local terminology that I forget it's not the norm everywhere. What your OB actually does during delivery will depend on how your labour is progressing and the OB you choose. There are some lovely OB's in Dubai who will just let you and the midwives (and doula?) get on with it and only come into the labour suite if they are needed. As you interview OB's. talk to them about your preferred birth evironment and check that the hospital will be ok with what you want. I think you'll find your wishes happily catered to. My birth plan and after-care plan for my babies were 100% respected by all hospital staff. I'm pretty sure a water birth is still illegal in Dubai, as is a home birth. Some of the delivery suites have a bath in the ensuite and some of the hospitals *may* allow you to use that during labour. Best not to worry yourself with the "that's ridiculous" line of thinking...it's just the way it is. :) Instead, focus your energy on growing a beautiful baby and planning for a birth that will be as unique and beautiful as your first. Please do contact the doulas...they have so much local experience and talking to a woman who is there 100% for YOU (not for the hospital or the OB), I guarantee will help you to forget all of your worries. Take care Hannah. <em>edited by Green-ish on 13/02/2012</em>

2340

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 13 February 2012 - 03:56

Another question? Is the father allowed during the whole process, seeing doc, birth...? In any of the private hospitals, yes. If you were to deliver at a gov't hospital, your husband would have to wait outside only while you're in the shared labour ward, before the real action begins. ;) He'd be in the delivery suite with you.

784

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 12 February 2012 - 16:51

Another question? Is the father allowed during the whole process, seeing doc, birth...? absolutely!!

154

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 12 February 2012 - 16:43

You also may want to go to one of these open houses by a group that has 2 doulas I've used in the past. You could get some good information to help guide you along the way. It's called Be Empowered. http://be-empowered.weebly.com/index.html I think in terms of respecting a birth plan, internal exams, all of that stuff, it really depends on who you choose as an OB/GYN (obstetrician/gynecologist - OB part being about the delivering babies end of the "area") and where you deliver. A lot of the doulas who have been here for a while are pretty good at helping you figure out the best place for you to go. And I just lOVE LOVE LOVE having a doula for labor and delivery. They can probably better answer your specific questions. I would think though that in any situation, if you don't want an internal exam, you should be able to refuse. If not, isn't that rather messed up that you can't say no to someone sticking their finger up your private parts? It's your right to say no to that. I had no internal exams at all during my last pregnancy/labor. I take that back - once, because the baby wasn't making his final exit (I didn't want my water broken either), but I was so ready to be done and felt I wasn't going anywhere that I let her do it and then like 10 minutes later, he was born. But she kept saying, "are you sure, you told me you didn't want your water broken." Like almost didn't want to do it because I hadn't wanted her to. But I delivered in RAK. Anyway, check out the Be-Empowered crew. They will probably have loads of info for you and Monika and Silvia (the 2 doulas I used) are amazing!

44

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 12 February 2012 - 16:34

Another question? Is the father allowed during the whole process, seeing doc, birth...?

44

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 12 February 2012 - 16:33

Thank you so much for your reply green-ish. I am so freaked out on where to go, who to choose. What is an OB, is it an obstetrician? gynaecologist? What do you mean by they like to take over? How many people are involved in the whole thing? Do they do stuff like internal exams? In the uk nobody ever touch me internally until the birth, the only exams were blood test, measuring blood pressure, checking urine sample, listen to baby heart and feeling my tummy...do they do more here? I will search the doula option but can you tell me, how does it usually happen here? Do they ask the mum for a birth plan and respect it or will the doc impose his way? What are the issues about birthing pool in this country? I don't understand what the problem could be. Thanks again

2340

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 12 February 2012 - 16:00

Congratulations on your pregnancy! You'll find the Dubai experience quite different to what you've described from the UK. All births are OB led in Dubai so you'll need to find an OB and see him/her throughout your pregnancy. In some of the hospitals the OB's pretty much let the midwives get on with it...but some of the OB's are too keen (for my liking) to take over. There are some AMAZING doulas in Dubai so perhaps your first point of call could be one of the doula groups. If you chat to them, they will be very current on which OB's may support your desired birth plan and from there, which hospital to choose. Having a doula by your side in Dubai will be the closest thing you could have to a midwife-led birth. ;) Try Dubai Doulas - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dubai-Doulas/285867454785337 or Doulas of Dubai - http://www.doulasofdubai.com/ ETA: I believe there physically is a birthing pool in Dubai, but I don't know what the current situation is on it's legality. (Can you believe it's even an issue?) Elizabeth Bain from Dubai Doulas may be able to shed some light for you on the current situation. <em>edited by Green-ish on 12/02/2012</em>

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