View Poll Results: Best hospital for expat giving birth Abu Dhabi 2013
Corniche
4
80.00%
Khalifa
1
20.00%
Al Raha
0
0%
Medcare
0
0%
American Hospital
0
0%
WellCare
0
0%
Al Wasl
0
0%
Voters: 5. You may not vote on this poll
Best hospital for having a baby in Abu Dhabi - advice please
Sep 23rd 2013, 5:40 pm
#16
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,125
Re: Best hospital for having a baby in Abu Dhabi - advice please
Hi, My husband and I have just recently moved to Abu Dhabi from the UK. We are 4 months pregnant and looking into which hospital would be best to have our baby.
My husband has private healthcare fully covered for myself and maternity for having the baby.
We need to have more regular scans and check up due to my blood type and risk of pre-term birth.
Can anyone recommend a hospital that might accommodate this type of support here in Abu Dhabi? I have read the Corniche is good and also Khalifa and Al Raha. But any advice would be much appreciated. Also what documents do you need to take to get set up at a hospital? What is the process?
Thanks in advance.
My husband has private healthcare fully covered for myself and maternity for having the baby.
We need to have more regular scans and check up due to my blood type and risk of pre-term birth.
Can anyone recommend a hospital that might accommodate this type of support here in Abu Dhabi? I have read the Corniche is good and also Khalifa and Al Raha. But any advice would be much appreciated. Also what documents do you need to take to get set up at a hospital? What is the process?
Thanks in advance.
Sep 23rd 2013, 5:42 pm
#17
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,125
Re: Best hospital for expat to give birth Abu Dhabi - any advice please
Corniche is a maternity hospital so I expect is one of the best in terms of facilities, however I have heard it's chaotic and where many of the locals go so expect long waits, no adherence to supposed visiting hours and I think you share rooms (i.e. are on a ward before/after).
Not sure about Khalifa but I know it has good facilities in general but may not be a maternity hospital as the Corniche is.
By Al Raha I think you mean Al Rahba which again has good facilities, including a special care baby unit, but is a bit out of town. I know this because my daughter was born at Al Noor Hospital on Airport Road 4 years ago and had to be transferred to Al Rahba straight after with breathing difficulties which they were not geared up for at Al Noor. They were excellent at Al Rahba though, but again expect many locals and am not sure what the facilities would be like for the mother as my wife remained at Al Noor.
Al Noor was good and I expect their facilities are better now.
If you're living a little out of town it may be just as quick to get to Al Rahba as it is to get to the Corniche, particularly during peak hours.
In terms of what you need, you should just need an appointment and your medical insurance card. Take your passport/visa copy (if you'e got it yet) as you may need it for some reason.
Good luck..
Not sure about Khalifa but I know it has good facilities in general but may not be a maternity hospital as the Corniche is.
By Al Raha I think you mean Al Rahba which again has good facilities, including a special care baby unit, but is a bit out of town. I know this because my daughter was born at Al Noor Hospital on Airport Road 4 years ago and had to be transferred to Al Rahba straight after with breathing difficulties which they were not geared up for at Al Noor. They were excellent at Al Rahba though, but again expect many locals and am not sure what the facilities would be like for the mother as my wife remained at Al Noor.
Al Noor was good and I expect their facilities are better now.
If you're living a little out of town it may be just as quick to get to Al Rahba as it is to get to the Corniche, particularly during peak hours.
In terms of what you need, you should just need an appointment and your medical insurance card. Take your passport/visa copy (if you'e got it yet) as you may need it for some reason.
Good luck..
Sep 23rd 2013, 5:44 pm
#18
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,125
Re: Best hospital for having a baby in Abu Dhabi - advice please
Sep 23rd 2013, 6:07 pm
#19
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15
Re: Best hospital for having a baby in Abu Dhabi - advice please
Thanks for your help so far.
Sep 23rd 2013, 6:07 pm
#20
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15
Re: Best hospital for having a baby in Abu Dhabi - advice please
Thanks for your help so far.
Sep 24th 2013, 4:02 am
#21
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 5,125
Re: Best hospital for having a baby in Abu Dhabi - advice please
Thanks Busybee. Some of the hospitals are Dubai (on a recommended list) and I've heard some people travel there. I am just trying to work out the best possible hospital for us. Do you know if Corniche allows husbands to be present for all appointments and delivery and also to stay the night with wives if necessary?
Thanks for your help so far.
Thanks for your help so far.
Sep 24th 2013, 4:30 am
#22
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 15
Re: Best hospital for having a baby in Abu Dhabi - advice please
Thanks, I think I am going to make an appt with the corniche. As a high risk the hospital obviously comes first but as a first baby I would like my husband there for all parts. To be part of the process and as support. He too does not want to miss any part.
I have every intention for a natural birth. I am not a fan of a c-section unless it is medically necessary.
Thanks for your thoughts and advice.
I have every intention for a natural birth. I am not a fan of a c-section unless it is medically necessary.
Thanks for your thoughts and advice.
Sep 24th 2013, 8:06 am
#23
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2008
Location: Abu Dhabi by body and Sydney by soul
Posts: 1,841
Re: Best hospital for having a baby in Abu Dhabi - advice please
You're right, C sections should only be done when properly necessary. The dubai hospitals and generally in private have a much higher incidence. That said i had three 
. Two emergencies and then the thrid was only 14 months later so there was a risk of rupture. Husband was with me at C section at the corniche. I was high risk and it was fine.
If you're high risk, you are put under Maggie Blott and she definitely had husbands attending. They can't sit in the female section when you wait to go in, so you wait separately and then go in together.
TBH, after attending appointments here and in Sydney (private) it's the waiting time that is a bugger as often the drs are dealing with emergencies and there can be delays. So your husband's employers may not be very supportive over losing him for most of the morning each time you go.
IMO, there are some main appointmentss to have him there, the first one, the 12 week scan and the 20 month scan. The others (even under the high risk team, are only really a weigh in, blood pressure and measurements of your belly).
. Two emergencies and then the thrid was only 14 months later so there was a risk of rupture. Husband was with me at C section at the corniche. I was high risk and it was fine. If you're high risk, you are put under Maggie Blott and she definitely had husbands attending. They can't sit in the female section when you wait to go in, so you wait separately and then go in together.
TBH, after attending appointments here and in Sydney (private) it's the waiting time that is a bugger as often the drs are dealing with emergencies and there can be delays. So your husband's employers may not be very supportive over losing him for most of the morning each time you go.
IMO, there are some main appointmentss to have him there, the first one, the 12 week scan and the 20 month scan. The others (even under the high risk team, are only really a weigh in, blood pressure and measurements of your belly).
