Birth scene in Riyadh

Labour and delivery in Riyadh is nothing short of arcahic because they lean towards the American Model of care, which funnily enough is in the massive period of transition back to natural, low to non intervention and high support in the form of fathers and doulas being recognised. For me coming from a midwife lead maternity system, into a OB directed care system, its been tough. Tough as a parent and as a professional. Midwives are trained in normal birth, they can handle everything until it steps out of normal realm. OBs on the other hand are trained in the abnormal labours, babies with medical issues etc etc Yet we have these highly trained doctors incharge of our 99% totally problem free pregnancies. WHY?


My advice for mums and dads in Riyadh.

• Educate yourself. Attend antenatal classes. There is a few around. Read books, read research, take control of your pregnancy.
• Hire a doula. Doulas need to be a minimum care requirement. There is a few around, you can check out my website for more details or simply google doulas in riyadh. Doulas are experts labour and delivery. They really do make a difference.
• Develop a indepth birth plan together and with your doula. Note those things that are NON negiotable and share with your doctor. If they cannot adhere to your wishes then they probably arent right for you
• Interview doctors. You are hiring them, not you allowing them to help you birth your baby. Do you research, visit, ask around, evaluate after each meeting. Dont hire someone because you feel you have to, go with your instinct. This will be the most amazing day in your life, who do you want to share it with?
• Stay at home for as long as you can. Walk, dance, watch movies. When it gets intense and the surges are regular say 3 in 15 mins then make your way to your hospital on preplanned route.
• Research rezbo, spinning babies, birth balls, hypnobirthing and use.
• DONT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER. Your planned this, this is how it will be.
• DO NOT consent to anything you do not want. They will do things as matter of routine. Everything is consentable. This includes Vit K, Vaccinations and eye infection ointment.
• Babys can be checked with you, there is no need to clamp the cord or take baby away for its routine observations to be made. If you decide to cut cord immediately, someone should stay with the baby at all times if you do not choose hopsital policy.
• Babies who are pink, feeding, passing meconium and urine, breathing comfortabley do NOT require observation in a nursery.
• If you choose to breastfeed, let the hospital know. If you do not wish the baby to have any artifical teat, make that clear. They will give the baby a bottle in the nursery unless you either stand guard or not allow baby to go to nursery.
• You are not bound to the hospital for any length of time. You can discharge yourself at any time but you will have to sign a refusal to treat most likely.
• Educate yourself and choose if you are going to vaccinate or not before hand. Make this clear.
• Enjoy your baby, take lots of photos, have quiet time - ask nurses to leave. They are only tiny for such a short time.

Own your gentle birth
xx