Choosing where we have our baby is the biggest decision my wife and I have had to make since we arrived in Dubai.
And, unlike our home countries, where free care is available, it's partly a financial decision. There's a cost, and we have a budget.
There are a wide range of options available, from bargain basement to premier class. But price doesn't necessarily reflect quality of care, and not every hospital offers what we want. You pay your money and take your choice.
There are three basic options for childbirth in Dubai: delivery only, community physician and a hospital-based, ante-natal and delivery package. Delivery is just that – head for the hospital, spawn your young and leave a couple of days later (Caesarean deliveries usually allow a four-day stay as part of the package).
Ante-natal and delivery packages offer check-ups through your pregnancy and some education and awareness lessons.
The community physician option lets you choose a doctor for ante-natal care and check-ups, then rent a hospital delivery room for the birth, with your chosen specialist attending. In addition to the hospital's fees, you'll also have to pay the doctor's fees – these vary widely, and it's generally the most expensive option. The advantage is that you'll see the same doctor throughout pregnancy and birth.
Most of the hospitals also offer a choice between a stay in the maternity ward (the cheapest option), a shared room and a private room.
First of all we decided what we wanted and what we didn't need. Our prime concern was that my wife would be comfortable with the hospital. We wanted me to be present during labour, and during the birth if possible – that meant a private room. And we didn't want to spend a fortune.
The budget immediately ruled out the American Hospital and Welcare Hospital.
The government-run Al Wasl Hospital not only offers the cheapest delivery in town, but has the best-equipped maternity section. If you have a serious problem with your pregnancy, you'll get sent here. It has to be the first choice for anyone.
Unfortunately, as we discovered you have to have a government-issued health card to book in here.
The Iranian Hospital is always our first port of call for routine illnesses and even minor surgery. It's where we've had our preliminary ultrasound scans and ante-natal tests.
Unfortunately, the very things that make it our first port of call for routine medical issues – its size, low cost and efficiency – mean that you feel a little like a product on an assembly line.
But we do trust the hospital, and it's remained our fall-back choice, even though I can't be present at the birth there.
Late in the day, we discovered the relatively new Al Rafa Hospital, near Port Rashid. Check-ups not too pricey, and a consultant who took her time and really seemed to care about how we felt.
We've found a place that looks clean and efficient, with staff that makes a mum-to-be feel special and with prices that aren't going to result in frantic phone calls to the bank manager.
However, at no hospital were we offered birth classes, nor has any dietary advice been given.
To get that, we've used books and the net.
The start of the post-birth costs
The big expenses are likely to be the cot and pram or stroller. If you buy new, you're looking at a minimum Dh1,200 for cot and mattress and Dh800 for a stroller/car seat combo.
We brought second-hand, through Gulf News Classifieds, and found exactly the model we'd been looking at in the shops, six months old, for Dh500 for cot and stroller. You can easily go through another Dh2-3,000 on sterilisers, bottles, nappies, clothing and all the other things your baby's going to need.
Ante-natal packages are another expense. These vary widely. Some hospitals offer an all-in-one package (pay up front), community physicians and midwives are available, and some hospitals offer pay-as-you-go consultations.
Among the cheapest is the Iranian Hospital, at Dh80 a visit, drugs included. Al Rafa is Dh90 a consultation, drugs are extra and a detailed scan costs about Dh300. We seem to average around Dh150 a visit. Budget a minimum of Dh2,000, though Dh4,000 is more likely.
Choosing the hospital
American Hospital
- Normal delivery: Dh7,900 (includes two-day stay). Add Dh2,200 for epidural
- Caesarean: Dh16,800 (includes four-day stay)
- Note: husbands are allowed to stay for a small extra charge (Dh60/night)
Al Wasl Hospital
- Normal delivery: Dh2,000 (public room) or Dh3,000 (private room). Includes two-day stay.
- Caesarean: Dh4,000. Includes four-day stay.
Al Rafa Hospital
- Normal delivery: Dh2,500 (public room), Dh2,950 (semi-private room), Dh3,325 (private room). Includes 36 hours' stay. Add Dh750 for forceps/vacuum delivery; add Dh1,250 for twins.
- Caesarean delivery: Dh6,000 (public room), Dh7,500 (semi-private), Dh8,750 (private room). Includes four-day stay. Add Dh1,500 for twins.
Welcare Hospital
- Normal delivery: Dh8,125 (twin room), Dh8,750 (private room). Includes two-day stay. Add Dh1,815 for epidural; add Dh1,875 for forceps delivery.
- Caesarean delivery: Dh15,625 (twin room); Dh18,125 (private room). Includes five-day stay.
Iranian Hospital
- Normal delivery: Dh3,000
- Caesarean delivery: Dh5,000
- Tip: Assume you'll be paying for a Caesarean delivery, and then you won't be caught on the hop if that is what's needed.
