The Cuban Experience – Part 1 – Before Birth

I have always been a fan of the Cuban from everything I heard and that is where I chose to deliver.

Why I picked the Cuban Hospital:

• The fact that it is part of HMC was a huge deal. Even if you are in a private hospital, and you have a high-risk situation, you get moved to Hamad. So if I am in Hamad to start with, it all becomes easier.
• I cannot get my head around paying for delivery. Women have been doing it since time began and I refuse to pay thousands upon thousands for delivery.
• I knew that I absolutely did not want to give birth without my husband around. He was an equal partner in our parenthood journey and he deserved to be there when his son arrived. Cuban is the only HMC hospital that allows husbands to be there.
• Private room. There are no options to have a private room at any of the other HMC hospitals but Cuban does. Hence Cuban.
• All the excellent reviews I had heard about them. 

Referral

During my 33^rd week, I decided to send the referral to Cuban in preparation for my upcoming labour. I had my doctor give me the letter. The letter stated that I was having a normal pregnancy, expected date of delivery, that I had no problems or issues, and that it was given at the couple’s request for delivery at the Cuban. It needs to be emailed to referral_cuban@hmc.org.qa.

I sent it to them with details including my health card number, LMP, DOB, age and other basic details. Most importantly, ensure you put yours as well as your husband’s phone number on it.

I got a call within 24 hours to confirm my appointment, which would happen in three days time.

The Drive

One of the biggest concerns about the Cuban is the distance from Doha. It takes about an hour to hour-fifteen to get to the Cuban from Bin Mahmoud. The thing is once you get past Education City and hit the Dukhan highway; it is peaceful and fairly fast. I found that the long empty roads and the vast sky above had a calming effect on me – especially while I was not the one driving..

Registration

Once we reached the hospital, it was easy to finds our way around. It cost QR 50 for the registration. The documents needed were – originals and copies of QID of both husband and wife, attested marriage certificate, and a valid health card. Always make sure that you are carrying some cash simply because that makes it a lot easier.

Pre-Natal Care.

The first time we had an appointment, we were seen at 9.40am for a 9am spot. That is still great, considering the amount of waiting we have to do at most other hospitals. We met with Dr Daritza and I was extremely pleased with her. warm smile and soothing demeanour. She asked a lot of questions to update all the records: family history, my pregnancy history, allergies, medications, experiences etc. They then took my vitals. And she did a physical examination and measured my tummy and checked heart beat with Doppler. There was no ultrasound done. She did look at my US results from Fetomaternal, and seemed fine.

I also had to give blood and urine samples – both which I couldn’t because they need the first urine of the day, and blood needs to be taken while fasting.

I got an appointment for the next appointment in about three weeks, and then collected meds from the pharmacy and left. But before leaving, I made sure I took a tour of the maternity section. It was clean, comfortable, efficient, and welcoming. Also, it was private and cozy, and there was no loud noises or madness in the maternity wing.

My next few appointments and delivery was with Dr Maria Loretto, who is absolutely wonderful. It was pretty much the usual, triage, and checking the bump. Blood and urine samples given every time too. Over the course of the appointments, I also discussed the aspects related to me (and not the baby) with her, and she explained what would be possible, what was not available and promised that she would always explain every step of the way.

My due date came, and excited I went to the hospital and met with Dr Maria. She explained that since labour had not started, we would wait another week and if nothing happened by then, I would be induced.

One concern is the language barrier. But I was not bothered by it. They know what they need to know to communicate effectively with us. After all, it is not like we are discussing the history of the world.

All in all, I was very happy with the care so far. I wonder what the delivery will be like…