ante-natal care, maternity care.
My husband has been offered a job in Doha and we are considering relocating from New Zealand. His company would pay for our medical insurance etc.
We haven't been sent the details of the insurance policy yet but I'm just wondering if women have had any issues with the coverage of medical care related to pregnancy and childbirth. We were hoping to start trying to conceive immediately but I have read that some insurance policies won't cover this unless you have lived in Qatar for 12 months already.
It would be my first child and I'm wondering if I would have comparable access to ante-natal classes, Dr's check-ups, Birthing options etc compared with say Australia/New Zealand/UK? Has anyone done both and can compare the 2?
How would the public health system compare with say NZ, Australia, UK? Do private hospitals book up quickly etc. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Hi, It appears you have some very good information on AlAhli hospital... my wife is very recently pregnant and we need to get things in order.
We have just arrived in Doha last week so RP, insurance etc etc are not yet in place.
Are you able to recommend a good doctor/gynocolgist who will do all the pre-natal checks as well as the final delivery at Al Ahli?
Many thanks!
Thanks tallg, I will. I assumed it was just the way things were done here. I didnt think to question it. I'd feel so much better if my hubby could be there with me.
If that's what your doctor told you then change doctors immediately, cos that's completely wrong and that doctor is clearly from the old school of thinking. The only way the husband wont be allowed at the birth is if it's a caesarian, and that's for health and safety reasons.
Maybe they just dont like the look of my husband!
When I went to Al Ahli they said that the husbands couldnt be in for the actual delivery. They can be there during labour, but not when the child is actually born.
This is just what I have been told, but I will check with them at my next appointment.
Two of my friends have just given birth in Al Alhi and both their husbands were there. Hamad is a definate no no for husbands during delivery.
EmmaS - husbands are allowed to attend at Al Ahli. I'm not sure where hesa24804 got her information from, but it's wrong.
Regarding pain relief, no doctor can administer drugs without your express permission, so the choice is always yours. It's just that here the doctors try and persuade you to take them and it can be hard to argue with them while in the middle of labour! That's another reason why it's good to have your husband there, as he can speak on your behalf. Al Ahli will also allow a doula to attend the birth if you request it.
So are there any private hospitals where your husband is allowed in for the birth??
I'm not keen on home birth anyway, but i would like to be able to make choices re pain relief and I'm def not keen on being alone in there!
It all depends on what you are looking for. If you type in the search box, you'll probably find more info. Al Ahli is one of the better private hospitals for delivering. Hamad hospital is the government run one. There is also Doha clinic a private hospital. Hamad, you will be waiting a long time to be seen, regardless of appointments. When it comes to giving birth, your husband will not be allowed in for the birth (thats what I have been told from Al Ahli), and definitely not in hamad.
Maternity facilities are excellent in Hamad Hospital and as good as free without insurance also.
You'll have to check your insurance policy to see if you're covered. No-one here can answer that for you without knowing the details of your policy.
Regarding giving birth here, you don't get as many options as you do in the UK. Home birth is not allowed for example. Continual foetal monitoring is preferred during birth. They cut the cord straight away. They're not keen on you giving birth squatting or on all fours. etc. etc.
Things are changing slowly but it will take time.
Thank you, that's really useful information!,
What private hospital would you recommend and are there antenatal classes that both parents can attend?
Were you living in Qatar for a while before your pregnancy? I'm hoping the maternity coverage is effective immediately on taking out the policy so I don't have to wait to long before trying to conceive.
Thanks again, and I'd really welcome anybody elses insight too.
Hi there.Insurance does cover Maternity but I guess it depends on the package the company will choose.For example with my insurance I have maternity coverage 20000 QAR.If you decide to deliver in a private hospital the cost of delivery only will be somewhere between 8000 - 12000 QAR.I was kind of lucky as I entered my 38 week when the the insurance just got renewed for another year and so I had a fresh Maternity coverage of 20000QAR.Otherwise this amount will not be enough for prenatal check ups and delivery and postnatal checkups.Every consultation cost around 150,ultrasound 300 and I had this once a month in the private clinic.There is public hospital where if you are resident in Qatar will pay minimum,example delivery is free,you just have to pay for the bed 100 QAR a day.Consultation 30 QAR,ultrasound 50 QAR.The thing is that if you decide to go there you must have a lot of patience and time and be prepared to wait for at least 2-3 hours in spite of the fact that you have an appointment.Otherwise Women's Hospital has good reputation regarding maternity.In private clinics you don't need appointment,walk in,can find 4-5 people waiting in front of you.Well that's my experience.