Most individuals aspire to raise a family in Dubai, so they can have the privileges of the luxuries that the locals are enjoying. This is also the reason why many people are shifting towards this city and buying properties for their living. For instance, the Central Park City Walk are a great attraction for many people, however, they are almost completely sold out so if you want to buy a villa there don’t wait for too long, as it won’t stay available for long.
Although it might be daunting to give birth in a country other than your own country, you should not be frustrated. Here is a rundown of the steps to be taken to give birth as an expat in Dubai.
BEGINNING
If you encounter a pregnancy, make sure to get married as soon as possible. According to the regulations in Dubai, you must be married if you want to carry a baby in Dubai’s hospitals.
When opening a maternity file at any hospital in Dubai, you are asked for the original and a copy of your marriage certificate.
MEDICAL COVERAGE
Make sure your health insurance provider offers maternity insurance and search for the number. A coverage upgrade can be required if no maternity coverage is offered.
In government (public) clinics, prenatal services and birth costs are up to 6,000 AED. There are a wide variety of maternity packages in private hospitals, from AED 6,000 to more than AED 22,000.
OBSTETRICIAN AND GYNECOLOGIST
Choosing an obstetrician and gynaecologist who is attentive to your needs is important. Create a list of your standards and do not depend on a doctor until you trust that you will be given the best possible advice.
An Ob-gyn is specialised in infants, so it can impact whether or not your Ob-gyn can attend when you want to deliver in Dubai.
The mother is assigned a “team” to help in the delivery in some hospitals. Consider your choice and consult Ob-gyn, who you plan to see during your pregnancy.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Following are the important documents that you will need:
- Health or insurance card
- Marriage certificate
- Passport
- Residency visa
CHOOSING A HOSPITAL
GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL VS PRIVATE HOSPITAL
Decide where a maternity file should be accessed. See whether or not the husband can stay with the mother during the night at the hospital and whether or not the husband can stay during official hours of visits. This is not permissible in all hospitals in the UAE.
Private hospitals offer private rooms and suites, and public hospitals do not.
While Emiratis use government hospitals, both government and private hospitals speak English. In general, the care in state hospitals is as nice as in private hospitals.
It is normally important to pay for maternity packages in advance, and so testing is worthwhile.
GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS
Maternity package costs about 2500 AED for twelve visits and related tests in government (public) hospitals. A baby delivery fee is AED 700, (twofold if you have twins) and additional charges are available for private rooms, additional hospital nights and complications.
The overall cost is approximately 6000 AED.
Latifa Hospital is a hospital for women and children with a 34-bed neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). It is the highest NICU standard for newborns in the UAE and is rated III B by the American Academy of Paediatrics. The only neonatal surgery centre in Dubai is the Latifa Hospital.
Dubai Hospital has a pre and postnatal care department and a NICU department.
PRIVATE HOSPITAL
Dubai American Hospital is a common option for expatriates. Packages for the maternity here cost AED 11.950 for a stay of two days. Extra charges for vaccination, circumcision and neonatal (NICU) epidural anaesthesia (3,770 AED) are paid. Any guest who remains in the mother’s room is paid additionally.
Al Zahra Hospital Dubai provides a wide variety of specialised maternity care packages, as well as VIP and parental room options. The delivery costs in Al Zahra are up to 4000 AED.
The Mediclinic Welcare Hospital Dubai has a dedicated maternity facility with four lounges and 16 NICU sleeping accommodations. Many options are open, with prenatal packages and delivery packages for 12 and 28 weeks.
BIRTHING PREFERENCE
Please list your birth preferences expectations. Make sure you have a system of help in place. For others, in the absence of friends and family, the prospect of giving birth may be overwhelming. That is why doulas are available before and after birth to provide consultation, support and advocacy.
There are clinics and hospitals near every area in the city, even near the newly built Central Park City Walk, there are plenty of clinics with highly skilled professionals. So you don’t have to worry much about the situation as this city will support you at every moment.
