Procedure

• Select a hospital based on your health insurance, location and any recommendations.
• During your pregnancy, you will need to have numerous tests, checks and scans on a regular basis (usually monthly at first; then weekly as your due date approaches). You can pay for your antenatal visits as a package (upfront) or on a visit-by-visit basis. The delivery will be performed by the doctor who treats you throughout your pregnancy, rather than a midwife.
• You can choose to have all your antenatal care at a local clinic, as many doctors at such clinics are also authorised to deliver at certain hospitals.
• You will often have the option to sign up for a maternity package which will set a flat fee and may or may not include an epidural, C-section delivery, multiple births, nappies etc – so do check before the contractions start!
• After the baby is born, the hospital will require the necessary documentation to prepare the baby’s notification of birth — you should bring these documents with you to the hospital (passport copy of mother and father, and marriage certificate), along with a Dhs.50 fee.