Glucose Test in Qatar

Glucose Test in Qatar

As mentioned in previous posts this is my first pregnancy and generally I have no idea what happens at each trimester in terms of the various tests you go through.

However, now that I am 27 weeks (it's flown by!!) I have had my glucose test and can safely report to you what happens!  My Dr and hospital of choice is Al-Emadi on the D-Ring road (it's not far from us, although I do hope these recent roadworks clear up come December as I may give birth in the car he-he... I digress....) and so this is the process I experienced there.

What is a Glucose test?

A glucose test is to check that you have not developed gestational diabetes during your pregnancy, and to check that you do not have preeclampsia either. 

Golden Rule:  Remember to fast from the night before, and only consume water, then go first thing in the morning for your test.

First step: Meet your Dr and have your scan, weigh in and blood pressure checked.

Second step: Go to the laboratory where you will first have your blood taken and provide a urine sample.

Third Step: Drink 50ml of a sugary mixure; mine was lemon flavour, it started off ok, but towards the end it was very sickly (and as a sugar-o-holic I was surprised!), then go away / wait 1-hour - the nurse will tell you the time to return.  

Having read online the experiences that other ladies had during this 1-hour (sickness, dizziness etc etc) I decided to consume around 2 pints of water before I arrived at the hospital (perfect for the urine sample) and also I drank more water straight away after the sugary one, which helped me immensely.  

**DO NOT EAT DURING THE 1-HOUR WAIT!**

Fourth Step: after 1-hour, go to the lab again for another blood test.  

I was advised from the Dr in the first instance, that I do not need to wait for the results (some places make you wait).  If your test is NOT ok and you need to re-test then you will be called that afternoon to go back in. 

With 30 years of consuming masses of sugar and chocolate I think it has paid off, I was not called to go back in which tells me that my body is rather used to processing sugar quite well!  So, perhaps being a choc-o-holic does help :) 

Good luck with yours, I hope my little tips will help you!

xoxo

Pregnant in Doha, Qatar

Congratulations!  

You find out your pregnant what to do next?

Most people will ask someone they know, or a friend of a friend, to find out what they did, who they saw and the best place to buy everything mother and baby!  As a first-time expectant mummy i'm learning as I go and happy to share the information with you and try to assist you too!

Where to go?

Many ladies I have spoken to have started off at Al-Emadi hospital and went to see Dr.Sonia.

Website here: Al-Emadi

Al-Emadi is expensive, however, as I am fully covered with insurance it was not something I needed to contemplate.  Should you wish to go to Hamad hospital (i'm yet to go there), you will first need to register to obtain your Hamad medical card, and then you will be able to go along.  I suspect like most NHS hospitals in the UK it will be very busy, however, I have not been in there and cannot advise!  Hamad hospital is the place you will be sent to in the event of an utter emergency during labour and they have many great Dr's to hand.  The reason I didn't go there is because Dr. Sonia came highly recommended to me, and I had seen her before in the past.

Dr. Sonia is a wonderful, kind lady whose office is showered with thank you cards and small gifts; it's safe to say she knows what she is doing!  The only caveat i've been told is that she does not deliver, so you will need to decide whether or not to remain there and have the Dr on rota at that time of your delivery, or move to a Dr who will be there throughout the pregnancy and there for the delivery too.  The latter I am contemplating however, I do trust Dr. Sonia a great deal and it's certainly not a hasty decision to be made.

When you first go there, it's always a good idea to carry your marriage certificate too in the event they ask for it - we weren't asked but I had already registered there and my ID shows that I am under husband sponsorship. My biggest piece of advice is: avoid weekends!  If you can't avoid the weekend, go first thing in the morning eg: 8am. 

First appointment

You will have a scan, blood tests and given pregnancy tablets to take.  I was in the hospital for 3 hours, but I didn't go there until 5pm on a saturday evening - big mistake.

Thereafter, you will meet with Dr. Sonia once a month for scans and then at key stages you will have more tests etc.

Maternity Clothes in Doha

Given the huge families here in Qatar I was certain that the one thing clothes shops will not be short on is maternity wear..... how wrong was I?

I have managed to get a top  and two pairs of shorts from H&M, Bras (very unflattering) from Mamas & Papas and that's it so far.  At the moment i'm living in unbuttoned trousers and jeans, stretching into my 'fat-day' tops and soon I will be in a desperate situation! 

I have been to: Marks & Spencers (1 set of maternity bras only), Mamas & Papas (bras, granny & casual clothes: think flair jeans, low cut dresses etc), Zara (nothing), Mango (nothing), H&M (two racks of clothes which aren't the greatest), Gap (nothing), Next (nothing), Mothercare (Nothing, baby clothes only), La Senza (Nothing), as you can see it's shocking!  Luckily for me I am going to the UK in July where I will raid every shop possible and come back with 30kg of clothes that Doha severely lacks to cater for.

For those of you who aren't going to the UK, or back to your home country, I suggest shopping online at: ASOS, New Look, Gap, Next, the list is endless.  ASOS offer free international shipping and they usually deliver to your home or office - which beat's queuing at Aramex and risk having your clothes sliced as they open the parcel to check what's inside! 

I will keep updating you all with what happens, if you are pregnant and due in 2014 get in touch!  Maybe we can meet for a decaf coffee and go hunting for clothes together :)

Good luck xoxo

Photo Source: Telegraph.co.uk