Dubai Healthcare

Now that I've had several doctor visits in Dubai, I'm beginning to understand their healthcare "system." I'll start with the positives. One huge perk is the fact that all visits and meds are 100% covered. I don't think I will ever get fully used to leaving the doctor's office or pharmacy without reaching for my wallet. The facilities are modern and spacious. The hospital I'll be delivering at only has private rooms, which were really nice. The hospital also has a policy that the baby stays with the mother at all times unless the baby needs medical attention. So there's no area where you will see all the newborns thrust together (and less chance of us taking home the wrong baby, haha).

Private room with a sofa bed for Ram-ji and a shower/bathroom

And now onto my daily frustrations. The clinics here all have websites and the ability to request appointments online. Nice, right? Well invariably when I go to make my appointment 2 weeks out, the staff will call me and to let me know the doctor is available today or tomorrow. Then I have to go through the process of telling them that I don't need to see the doctor today, I'm scheduling my follow up appointment, etc. Then they tell me they can't schedule me that far out and I will have to call back. Every. Single. Time. On top of that, they apparently have a "don't ask, don't tell" policy when it comes to why your visiting the doctor and how much time you will need allotted for your appointment. They don't want to know if you need a procedure done and need an hour with the doctor. They won't schedule you that way. Very efficient.

No. 1 annoying factor is that everything requires pre-approval with insurance. It doesn't matter if you know and the doctor knows you have full coverage. Need a blood test? Come back in a few days once we have insurance approval. Need an ultrasound? Come back in a few days once we have insurance approval. Every. Single. Time. 

Thus their "system" requires me to visit the doctor's office frequently and therefore location is key. Until recently, I was able to drive a measly 5 minutes to see my doctor. Last week I found out (only by chance) that my doctor is leaving to go to another location and they will not be replacing her. So there is no OB at my neighborhood clinic now. Seriously?!

Both Ram and I were hearing great things about this doctor at City Hospital so I called to find out when I could see her. The next available appointment is in September. No scratch that, there is a waiting list for appointments beginning in September. SEPTEMBER. I knew she was popular, but damn. Since I want to deliver at City Hospital, I needed to find a doctor that also delivers there because I heard that Dr. Good can pick up your file from any stage of your pregnancy and go forward. So the closest doctor is now a 30 minute drive one-way (without traffic). I met her earlier this week and she is nice and competent (more so than my first doc), so I guess I should feel relieved. I do hope I get in with Dr. Good though sooner vs. later. I plan to call each month to see where I am on that damn waiting list!

Baby Aiyer Week 13

This is the last week of my first trimester! I've completed 12 weeks and now entering my 13th. Weird how the first trimester is longer than 3 months.... 

Thankfully I have not been plagued by morning sickness or nausea for a majority of the last 12 weeks. I have noticed that this week brushing my teeth induces a 5 minute gagging session, which can get ugly. That plus some foot pain but otherwise I feel normal! Funny how this peach-sized baby can inflict so much on the mother at this stage. 

I haven't had cravings as such to this point or food aversions.  Mainly certain foods just taste really good, like peanut butter and oranges.  Mmm. One morning I made Ram squeeze fresh orange juice using our hand held "juicer." It took 6 large oranges to make 3/4 cup but it was delish! (Ram thanked me later for the arm workout.) Aside from that, I've been a perfect angel. No crying, tantrums or meltdowns of any sort. And y'all know I can cry at the drop of a hat...well okay, I'm lying. I cried when I heard the baby's heart beat. But that was a happy cry...

In other news, I found out that I have to find a new doctor. I will no longer be able to drive 5 minutes to see my doctor. The second closest clinic is 30 minutes away one way. I know for Houstonians that's nothing but trust me when I say it's a pain. I'm on the waiting list for the best doctor here, her first opening is in September, yippee! Until then, the search continues...

I'm starting to show a little but at this point it's more of a food bump than a baby bump. (By the end of the day, I look like I'm having twins, lol):

Oh and check out those pants! So I went to Old Town Dubai yesterday near the Creek and checked out some Souks. All the stalls were selling these linen pants with stretchy waist bands. After passing by at least 5 stalls, I finally stopped and had to check them out. I ended up buying 4 pairs and they are seriously THE.BEST.PREGNANCY.PANTS.EVER. 

We take a hospital tour this weekend, so will be filling you guys in on the details next week. Oh boy do I have plenty to say about the healthcare system here!!! 

Babymoon

Who ever came up with the concept of a babymoon is a genius! Once we found out we were pregnant, we knew our next vacation had to be special.  Afterall, this will be our last adventure for a looooong time...wait, that means no Australia or New Zealand for another few years, crap!

With our no. 1 destination out of the question, Ram suggested the Maldives for some R&R, which I promptly shut down. I'm not hating on the Maldives, it's gorgeous and heavenly. But I shot it down for two reasons. Firstly, Dubai is warm and we have a pool, so there's plenty of R&R going on for this housewife. Secondly, I feel as though the Maldives is a baby friendly vacation spot. (As if planning a vacay isn't hard enough, now we have to make distinctions based upon places that are baby-friendly.) Even our friends, Asif & Dima, were saying the same about the Maldives. So we're planning on all going there with our bebe's in tow sometime next year.

Next suggestion was Greece, then southern Italy, then Switzerland. We kept going back and forth, back and forth. It sucks that now flights are a minimum of 5 hours to get anywhere. I'm used to hopping on a plane from Scotland and getting to our destination in 2-3 hours. Finally we decided to leave Europe alone and explore the far east instead.

Now I had to decide how long I could be on a plane comfortably. I decided 7 hours was my limit. So our 12 day babymoon will be spent in Kuala Lumpur, Bali, and Singapore! I'm so excited about this trip and esp about the food- it's going to be pregnancy heaven! Ram said that will be the extent of my knowledge of the trip. He's going to plan all the details and make sure I get plenty of massages along the way. Do I have a great husband or what?  Can't wait for May 15th! 

Happy Anniversary!

We graduated from the so-called "terrible two's" and now have been successfully married for three years. I don't think there's ever been a dull moment since I married this man of my dreams. My life truly began at 30 when I became Ram's wife. And when Ram promised me a life full of adventure, he was not joking. Our life together is my happily ever after. Looking forward to this weekend to celebrate. Cheers!

Tuscany Villa, 2010

Honeymoon in Cabo:) 

33 on 3-30

Another golden birthday? I think so! Last year we landed in Aberdeen on my birthday. This year we're celebrating in Dubai, next year who knows?! I could get used to this:)

My sister left for NYC early on my birthday morning, so after wishing her safe travels, Ram and I promptly went back to sleep for a few hours. Afterwards we had breakfast at good ole IHOP. Ram's gift to me was a shopping spree (he knows the way to my heart), so we spent the rest of the afternoon shopping. I had my eye on a few things but couldn't bring myself to pay more when I know it's less expensive in the US (am I a good wife or what?). But I did manage to snag this beauty:

So, according to Ram, I can pick up where I left off in the States when we go in July. Can't wait:) Now that we worked up our appetites, it was time for dinner. We went to a latin steakhouse called La Parrilla. This was our first steakhouse experience in Dubai and it was great. We had a beautiful view of the city while enjoying latin dancing between courses.

My handsome hubby:)

There was queso on the menu, so we had to order it. Wasn't quite what we hoped for but it was still good.

Argentinian Beef filet

Though I was missing our friends and family, Ram more than made up for it. Looks

like 33 is going to be a great year!