Pregnancy Care in Dubai: A Complete Guide
Congratulations on your pregnancy. Navigating prenatal care in Dubai involves understanding both medical best practices and local DHA requirements. This guide walks you through each trimester with specific advice for the UAE context.
First Trimester (Weeks 1-12)
First appointment (6-8 weeks):
- Confirmation ultrasound (viability, heartbeat, dating)
- Complete blood work (blood group, Rh factor, CBC, rubella immunity, HIV, Hepatitis B/C, syphilis)
- Thyroid function (TSH - critical in early pregnancy)
- Vitamin D level (supplement immediately if deficient)
- Medical history and risk assessment
- Folic acid confirmation (5mg if high-risk)
DHA requirements:
- Register pregnancy with DHA through your healthcare provider
- Obtain maternity card (required for hospital admission)
- Confirm insurance maternity coverage (check waiting periods)
UAE-specific considerations:
- Ramadan fasting: discuss with your obstetrician - exemption is permitted
- Heat exposure: avoid outdoor activities during peak hours
- Vitamin D: most pregnant women in UAE need 2000-4000 IU daily
- Nausea management: ginger, small frequent meals, vitamin B6
Second Trimester (Weeks 13-28)
Key appointments:
- 16 weeks: check-up, uterine growth, foetal movements discussion
- 20 weeks: detailed anatomy scan (anomaly scan)
- 24 weeks: glucose tolerance test (gestational diabetes screening)
- 26-28 weeks: anti-D injection (if Rh-negative), growth scan
Gestational diabetes: The UAE has one of the highest rates of gestational diabetes globally. Risk factors include:
- Family history of diabetes
- BMI above 30
- Previous gestational diabetes
- PCOS
- Age above 35
- South Asian, Middle Eastern, or African ethnicity