Looking for a doula in Dubai

Hi Sweet Lily...did you have your planned VBAC /Water birth in Dubai? Hi Anon - Basically we called the ambulance who arrived just after she was born (7 am) and they cut the cord. We had wanted my husband to cut the cord, but as he was the first person to hold her we didn't mind about this. I also got to do the delayed cord clamping that I also wanted to do and the Dr wasn't so keen to wait around for that in the hospital. The ambulance took us to the hospital and the Dr was just starting her shift as it was 8am...she laughed and said it was "all the yoga'...I didn't need any stitches but just a cut from a scratch was stitched up...then yes, we had to stay in 24 hours otherwise you have to sign an early release form. We wanted to leave that night as we were in the tiniest corner of a ward, as apparently the rooms were full (or saved for the mamas who actually gave birth there)...and so we were quite uncomfortable, but in the end we stayed as we were too tired to go home. We left literally 28 hours after we arrived. Andy stayed with us until we were ready for her to go...she was like our little security blanket :-) That is good to know. Thank you for the info.

Hi Sweet Lily...did you have your planned VBAC /Water birth in Dubai? We're in Al Ain.

Hi Sweet Lily...did you have your planned VBAC /Water birth in Dubai? Hi Anon - Basically we called the ambulance who arrived just after she was born (7 am) and they cut the cord. We had wanted my husband to cut the cord, but as he was the first person to hold her we didn't mind about this. I also got to do the delayed cord clamping that I also wanted to do and the Dr wasn't so keen to wait around for that in the hospital. The ambulance took us to the hospital and the Dr was just starting her shift as it was 8am...she laughed and said it was "all the yoga'...I didn't need any stitches but just a cut from a scratch was stitched up...then yes, we had to stay in 24 hours otherwise you have to sign an early release form. We wanted to leave that night as we were in the tiniest corner of a ward, as apparently the rooms were full (or saved for the mamas who actually gave birth there)...and so we were quite uncomfortable, but in the end we stayed as we were too tired to go home. We left literally 28 hours after we arrived. Andy stayed with us until we were ready for her to go...she was like our little security blanket :-)

Here we go again. salome, aren't you bored of this one yet?

Hi DebDanvers! If you give birth at home accidentally, do you still need to stay in the hospital afterwards?

What a lovely story, Deb. :) I agree that doulas are fantastic. I had a planned home, water birth VBAC here and it was so beautiful. We also did Hypnobirthing. That's great that you are using that, Icedqueen. I found it to be really helpful. I have also had friends do VBACs with Dr. Raj and they have had really fantastic experiences. It was wonderful having our doula with my husband and I. She did nothing medical and provided beautiful support. I would recommend a doula to anyone no matter where or how they birth. Congrats on your pregnancy and upcoming birth, Icedqueen! You are going to rock this birth, mama. :)

Delighted I have to agree, it does sound negative towards Andrea, but I think Andy has given them the benefit of the doubt...good for her. It was me that wrote that Andrea was a Lactation Consultant, simply because I didn't really know what the difference was between a Lactation Consultant and a Peer Counsellor and I only remembered the term Lactation Consultant when I was recommending my wonderful doula to the poster and look how Andrea has had to spend her time defending herself...for what? Doulas are amazing and it is a 'labour of love' as Andy said. I didn't say this, but I ended up having my baby at home as my baby came so fast. My husband was packing the car (I was on the 11th floor with Andy supporting me) and we were just about to leave and thank God Andy was with me the whole time and I just can't imagine how it would have been without her, as all of a sudden I needed to push...Andy did absolutely zero medical to help me, but she did stuff some cushions between my legs which my baby fell on to. She might have caught her, but I was holding on to her hand too tighltly! I can laugh now...but at the time having a doula was the best thing that ever happened to us ever and I wouldn't hesitate to have her or a doula again at my birth, especially in the ME where most of us give birth without our mums/sisters to help. Also my husband worked in AD and I was worried that if he were not to make it, I would have someone with me. We all have our reasons for wanting a doula, but I would recommend one in a heartbeat...the peace of mind I had knowing we had Andy to help us was priceless. Sorry Andy for using the wrong terminology and starting all this off... To the OP...sorry that this has gone off track...you will never regret getting a doula for your birth...and neither will your husband, it will bring you closer as he will be more involved with someone telling him what to do. My husband was great, but I knew he would have caved in and allowed me to have an epidural which I didn't want...Andy helped me in so many ways. I didn't do hypn birthing but I did yoga (in fact I'm a teacher) and I did yoga and meditation every day of my pregnancy. My birth experience was incredible and I wish you the same! All the best Deb <em>edited by DebDanvers on 29/04/2012</em>

Spamm and Caramelle, you are being a little bit negative and disparaging in my opinion towards Andrea, she has offered her website and email address if you care to correspond with her in private, but the poster was clearly [b'>Looking for a Doula[/b'>, and not a lactation consultant, Im thinking that she would already have a good idea of what a doula would be able to do for her, and certainly a doula would be making it clear UP FRONT, that she would do nothing 'medical'. Everyone having a baby here deserves a doula !!

Spamm you are absolutely right I am a peer counsellor and would obviously refer to a specialist if I were unable to help.. Thanks for clarifying that for those who didn't know the difference. I am a cartified peer counsellor and Doula and would be happy to show certifcates to anyone wishing to see them. Andrea do hou have a current and valid licence from the DOH to practice legally in the UAE like all healthcare professionals ? edited by Caramelle on 29/04/2012 As the role of a Doula isn't medical we do not full under the banner of 'healthcare professional' and that is what is causing confusion with the local authorities. I offer support to mums as a Doula which is very much a labour of love as is being a peer counselling and as I do not undertake anything medical in any way with no exception. I am there for emotional and practical support and information only just like your mum would be. I tell all of my clients that my role isn't medical and that I am there to work with their chosen healthcare provider. If you would like to discuss this in more detail you are welcome to contact me directly at [email protected] edited by AndreaA on 29/04/2012 <em>edited by AndreaA on 29/04/2012</em>

Spamm you are absolutely right I am a peer counsellor and would obviously refer to a specialist if I were unable to help.. Thanks for clarifying that for those who didn't know the difference. I am a cartified peer counsellor and Doula and would be happy to show certifcates to anyone wishing to see them. Andrea do hou have a current and valid licence from the DOH to practice legally in the UAE like all healthcare professionals ? <em>edited by Caramelle on 29/04/2012</em>

Andy (AndreaA) was my doula when I gave birth last October....there would be a testimonial from me on her website if I wasn't so lazy! She was an amazing doula and helped me to have the natural birth experience I so desperately wanted. Her prenatal sessions were fantastic so we didn't need to do the v expensive ante natal classes and she helps afterwards visiting when baby is new and she is also a lactation consultant. My husband also thought she was incredible during the birth and she helped him to support me in the right way so that he felt a full part of the process...I think not having family around and the very medicalised birthing process in Dubai, having a doula is essential if you want to enjoy your birth and be in control as much as you can. She helped us also by advising us to move me into different birthing positions and well... she was incredible. A lot of my friends used her also as a LC and some wished they'd had her as a doula!! She is a breatfeeding councellor, not a lactation consultant. A LC must be a healthcare professional and the training require much more experience, hours of study, it is a very rigourous process Always check which training your doula has taken A lot of people call themselves lactation consultant without training. Spamm you are absolutely right I am a peer counsellor and would obviously refer to a specialist if I were unable to help.. Thanks for clarifying that for those who didn't know the difference. I am a cartified peer counsellor and Doula and would be happy to show certifcates to anyone wishing to see them. Debs thank you for such a lovely recommendation. x Andrea <em>edited by AndreaA on 28/04/2012</em>

Spamm- my fault as I used the wrong description. Andy did say peer counsellor and says this on her website. I didn't know fully the terminology and honestly forgot the term 'peer counsellor' when I wrote this as I was focusing on her being my Doula really. Needless to say she was still incredibly helpful and so kind and helped my friends with breastfeeding issues they had.

Andy (AndreaA) was my doula when I gave birth last October....there would be a testimonial from me on her website if I wasn't so lazy! She was an amazing doula and helped me to have the natural birth experience I so desperately wanted. Her prenatal sessions were fantastic so we didn't need to do the v expensive ante natal classes and she helps afterwards visiting when baby is new and she is also a lactation consultant. My husband also thought she was incredible during the birth and she helped him to support me in the right way so that he felt a full part of the process...I think not having family around and the very medicalised birthing process in Dubai, having a doula is essential if you want to enjoy your birth and be in control as much as you can. She helped us also by advising us to move me into different birthing positions and well... she was incredible. A lot of my friends used her also as a LC and some wished they'd had her as a doula!! She is a breatfeeding councellor, not a lactation consultant. A LC must be a healthcare professional and the training require much more experience, hours of study, it is a very rigourous process Always check which training your doula has taken A lot of people call themselves lactation consultant without training.

Andy (AndreaA) was my doula when I gave birth last October....there would be a testimonial from me on her website if I wasn't so lazy! She was an amazing doula and helped me to have the natural birth experience I so desperately wanted. Her prenatal sessions were fantastic so we didn't need to do the v expensive ante natal classes and she helps afterwards visiting when baby is new and she is also a lactation consultant. My husband also thought she was incredible during the birth and she helped him to support me in the right way so that he felt a full part of the process...I think not having family around and the very medicalised birthing process in Dubai, having a doula is essential if you want to enjoy your birth and be in control as much as you can. She helped us also by advising us to move me into different birthing positions and well... she was incredible. A lot of my friends used her also as a LC and some wished they'd had her as a doula!!

Hi, I had a VBAC 3+yrs ago (in Welcare) and had Elizabeth Bain as my doula - totally fantastic. Her website is www.dubaidoulas.com I am now pg with my third and like you, I have Dr Raj as my consultant. Liz is 'doula-ring' for me again! I know she is out of the country until the end of next week but she can still pick up emails. You could also check out her dubai doulas fb page. My husband is fab but I really feel that I was more 'protected' with the extra support she provided esp when they ask your DH to go do paper work as you're labouring!!! Wishing you a very healthy pregnancy and birth x

Dear Icedqueen, II hope you and baby are doing well. have been a doula here for over 2 years now and would be very happy to help you, if you want to take a look at my website www. thedotingdoulas . com for some information on me alternatively feel free to give me a call. 0509110453. Kind regards, Andrea

will fwd this request to a doula to reply to ya. :D