Mothers group tours newly opened hospital

A new woman and child hospital in the emirate is trying methods that are uncommon in the region, like sending midwives to the mothers' homes after they deliver or limiting medical intervention in a delivery within safety limits on a patient's wish.

Cheow Seng Lee, hospital chief executive, leads a group of mothers on a tour of the recently opened Danat Al Emarat and explains the facilities. Delores Johnson / The National

ABU DHABI // A group of mothers from an online community forum in the capital gave a welcome to measures taken by a new hospital to provide more natural birthing and improve post-natal care.

Members of the Moms Guide Abu Dhabi group toured Danat Al Emarat Hospital, where methods that are uncommon in the region, such as sending midwives to mothers’ homes after they deliver or limiting medical intervention in a delivery, within safe limits, upon a patient’s request, are being tested.

Esraa Bani, a Sudanese American expatriate, is the founder of Moms Guide Abu Dhabi.

She did not consult an obstetrician or gynaecologist when she had her daughters, now aged seven and five. Ms Bani is expecting her third child and she will be going to Dubai for the delivery as she believes “Dubai is far ahead of Abu Dhabi where natural birthing is concerned”.

“This is the first time I will be delivering with an obstetrician and gynaecologist. It’s not just a new country but also a new experience for me,” she said while questioning doctors on birthing.

“I could tell their level of knowledge and expertise,” she said.

Ms Bani warned that “new places tend to over-promise but the problem comes with delivery”.

Emma Wood, a British mother of two boys and two girls aged 12, six, five and two, said: “When you are having a baby, you’re going through a time in your life when you need privacy. At present, the maternity hospitals in the emirate don’t provide this facility.”

However, she said: “The private rooms here are outstanding. I would choose to come here.”

When fully operational, the 150-bed hospital will have 700 staff, of whom 45 will be doctors and 300 nurses.