We polled more than 500 mums and mums-to-be about their pregnancy and birth within the last three years. Here is what they had to say about their experiences in Qatar:
Age
- Younger than 18: <1%
- 18-24: 8%
- 25-34: 74%
- 35-44: 17%
- Older than 44: <1%
Number of children
- 57% are first-time mothers
- 43% already have at least one child
Of those who had already given birth…
- 4.3% were premature (before 36 weeks and 6 days)
- 30.9% were early term (between 37 weeks 0 days and 38 weeks 6 days)
- 54.3% were full term (between 39 weeks 0 days and 40 weeks 6 days)
- 9.1% were late term (between 41 weeks 0 days and 41 weeks 6 days)
- Hamad PHCC was the most popular choice for prenatal care (27% of respondents)
- 30% of respondents say their prenatal care was not covered by insurance
- The majority of respondents would choose the same prenatal doctor (63%) and clinic (73%)
Top prenatal doctors
- Dr Maha (Doha Clinic)
- Professor Badreldeen (Feto maternal)
- Dr Zeenat Rizvi (Al Ahli)
Delivered at
- Hamad Women’s Hospital: 27.4%
- Al Wakra Hospital: 25.3%
- Cuban Hospital: 11.3%
- Al Ahli: 7.9%
- Sidra Medicine: 6.8%
- Doha Clinic: 6.5%
- Al Emadi: 3.8%
- Al Khor Hospital: 3.4%
- Turkish Hospital: 1%
- In the car/ambulance: .3%
- Other: 6.2%
Top delivery doctors
- Dr Maha (Doha Clinic)
- Dr Sergio (The Cuban Hospital)
- Dr Rita (The Cuban)
53% had their birth costs subsidised with a Hamad Health Card
Birth partners
- Husband: 49.1%
- Another family member: 25.1%
- My friend: 2.7%
- My doula: 1.4%
- No one: 32.3%
Birth plans
- 43% did not have a birth plan, but of those who did, 73% say their birth plan was respected and followed
Labor & delivery outcomes
- Vaginal delivery: 56.6%
- VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean): 2.7%
- Emergency cesarean: 21%
- Scheduled cesarean: 20%
- 31% of respondents gave birth with no pain relief
- 79% said the fetal heart rate was continuously monitored
- Fetal heart rate continuously monitored: 79.4%
- Fetal heart rate intermittently monitored: 13.9%
- No monitoring/other: 6.7%
Birthing position
- Flat on my back: 54.7%
- Semi-sitting: 21.5%
- On my hands and knees: 5.8%
- Squatting: 3.1%
- Other: 14.8
48% were given an episiotomy. Nearly half of those said they did not give permission (47%).
On the positive side, 53% said they did not tear, and of those who did, 90% said they only required stitches.
Breastfeeding
- 82% of respondents said they received breastfeeding support at hospital
- 26% reported that staff suggested they supplement or substitute breastmilk with formula
- Only 27% of respondents say they had no problems breastfeeding. The most common problems were sore nipples (29%) and low milk supply (25%)
- 12% say that they received assistance for baby blues, post-natal depression, or postpartum psychosis; most (74%) relied on support from friends and family
- Most were satisfied with their labor and delivery care: 76% said they would choose the same hospital and 60% said they would choose the same doctor
- 20% of respondents experienced gestational diabetes
- Only 20% attended any form of antenatal classes
Overall experience
- 1 star 4.0%
- 2 stars 6.1%
- 3 stars 16.8%
- 4 stars 41.8%
- 5 stars 31.4%
