Being pregnant in Saudi sucks sometimes, especially when it comes to prenatal care / testing. . if you are lucky enough to have access to medical care in your home country then do it there.
The first Dr i went to - to confirm that i was pregnant - scolded me telling me it was too soon to tell even after i had taken 2 home pregnancy tests confirming that i was pregnant. Silly me i booked with her my follow up appointment 3 weeks later - i was automatically ushered into the ultrasound room - where she did a quick scan and only put on the sound for the heartbeat after i requested it, i was only given a photo also when i requested it. She then said ok goodbye and see you in a month - she did not give me a due date, nor did she give me a pamphlet or any nutritional advice whatsoever. When I said i had questions she gave me attitude and threw out this gem of advice "Eat whatever you want except raw meat, fish and chicken. Do not listen to other people and do not go on the internet and follow what other people are advising" When i said i know i shouldnt eat soft cheeses she just gave a grunt and said do your urine and blood test and ill see you in a month.
My husband and i were shocked... this is our first child together and this bitch of a Dr reduced it to something so trivial and minimal. She took away the joy of our first ultrasound by being a cold hearted witch.
We headed down to the lab to discover that our insurance is no longer accepted with any screening or tests. Turns out Saad Hospital is now overcharging for tests and our insurance company is on to them and refuses to pay such ridiculous prices. Luckily there is a brand new hospital that just opened next to our house: Procare - i booked an appointment with the first available Dr (3 weeks from then) and waited to do my tests.
Luckily i traveled to Jordan in those 3 weeks and saw my OB/GYN there who did the tests for me, we also had a small scare and i was so glad to be in Jordan when it happened. I never thought i would say that. Im always sceptical about healthcare in the Middle East but in comparison to Saudi, you people in Jordan dont know how good you have it.
Back to Saudi and i finally got lucky with the Dr there, she was well informed and much warmer and kinder than the first one i went to. When i asked about doing the screening for chromosomal abnormalities such as Downs Syndrome and Trisomy she said : "Here in Saudi we do not do these tests". Why? "Because its not a requirement"
2 appointments with her and we find out we are having a girl! When i asked her about my upcoming 20 week detailed ultrasound appointment she said that she would no longer be working in the hospital as of next week. I was very disappointed and asked her to recommend another Dr. she said they were all good. So i had to pick someone, i did and booked my next appointment for the 20 week scan. Fast forward 4 weeks, after a standard 1.5 hour wait we saw our new Dr, who then informed us that she does not perform the detailed ultrasound. WHAT?! WHY?!
There are only 2 drs who perform this and one is on vacation. Could no one have told me this when i booked? Why did my last dr fail to mention this even though i specifically asked for the 20 week scan?! This new Dr looked like a child and i was not comfortable with her at all. I also complained about the lack of prenatal testing and she finally told me the truth about this: Apparently the reason is because they do no want people to find out that there is something wrong with their child and encourage them to get abortions! I said i would rather know if something is wrong with my child beforehand so i can prepare instead of being surprised at the birth. I was outraged.
So i booked my next apointment with the head of they OB/GYN department - who had been recommended to me earlier but i avoided him because he was a male Dr and didnt want my husband to feel uncomfortable. But after experiencing what Saudi had to offer with regards to standard obs i decided to book with him.
Once again i was travelling and managed to get myself an apointment with an amazing Dr in Dubai - who referred me to a clinic that specialises in detailed ultrasounds. Hamdillah everything looked good.
At 25 weeks i went in to see the new Dr. who's bedside manner is a bit cold but still seemed professional. I did my glucose test for gestational diabetes and was told that if i would like the results that i should contact the lab the next day.
After calling the lab everyday an average of 10 times a day i finally get an answer and was told that i cannot get my results and that i must speak to my Dr. Not 1 single Dr has given me their personal number. After pleading and begging with the lab technician he says the results are normal. When i ask for details he says he cant tell me.
I cannot wait for my last apointment with the Dr in Saudi - all i need is my permission slip to travel and head to Jordan where i will kiss the ground that my ob walks on.
