Having a baby in UAE: Choose hospital wisely

When researching a potential venue to stage the birth of your first child, fathers usually have a solid list where several bullets need to be checked off before we even consider a certain hospital.

Fellas: This is some truth right here. For the ladies, please bear with me...

Cleanliness of the facility, experience and friendliness of the staff along with the proximity to your home are some things that usually factor pretty high on these hospital checklists. Miranda did a good job of keeping tabs on these oh-so-important details.

For me, I demanded unequivocal access to a television inside our hospital room so I could binge-watch Breaking Bad (my latest obsession). The nearest fast-food restaurant was also important to me because I knew there would be some long hours ahead (probably spent watching Walter White and his crazy crystal meth shenanigans). And Wifi was essential because two (2) fantasy football drafts were also on the agenda.

We gave Burjeel Hospital a gander and Miranda was not impressed at all. There was talk about hitting up the Corniche Hospital but word on the street was that is had recently been swallowed up whole by the locals and that our kind were not welcome around those parts (this was never verified).

When we pulled into the parking lot next to BrightPoint Royal Women's Hospital, I knew we had just stumbled upon a gold mine.

Yes, I know. That is a picture of a football pitch. You are very observant.

Al Jazira Stadium is considered to be the UAE's national stadium but before you get lost in its mystic, I have to divert your attention toward that tall tower on the left side of the photo. That is our hospital. Within its walls is where my child entered this world. And yes, I did request a room with a window. With a view. Of the pitch.

The good people at BrightPoint were happy to accommodate me and my request. When I told the nurses that I worked for the sports section at The National, they replied that they had the best seats in the house for home matches. I had to agree with them. We were on the ninth floor and that bird's-eye view was a pretty interesting perspective.

When we checked into our stadium/hotel/hospital room, Miranda needed help unloading her comfy-cozy clothes and supplies but I had no time for that. During my search for the nearest electrical socket -- I was just seconds away from launching a Breaking Bad marathon up in that joint -- I gave a quick gander out the window.

Al Jazira is a club team from the local UAE professional league but on that day, I noticed the stadium workers had climbed to the highest nose-bleed seats in the stadium to hang up FIFA flags.

Then it hit me: The UAE national team was going to host Malaysia in a 2018 World Cup qualifier the same night we were scheduled to have our baby. And I had a perfect seat for all the (football and baby) action.

Fast forward eight hours...

It was a frantic moment. My wife was in obvious pain, the machine that measured her labor contractions was making all types of loud noises and the worst part: There wasn't a single nurse to be found.

I was scrambling through the hospital hallways looking for help. A doctor, a nurse, a janitor -- anyone! My wife needed immediate assistance and it was on me to locate the trained professionals. As I started to sprint through the building, I became very desperate for help. I started to sweat. My nerves were getting the best of me. I was scared.

WHERE IS EVERYBODY? WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON??

I burst into a door that I had not checked yet and discovered this...

Every nurse on the floor had gone AWOL and instead of attending to their nursing duties, they crowded into the "Baby Nursery Room" to watch as the UAE demolished the visitors 10-0.

It was the largest margin of victory for the Emirates in World Cup qualifying history. The Malaysia coach resigned due to complete embarrassment and this was the sport front page the next day:

OK, so long story short: my wife is a champion and we eventually had our beautiful daughter. I think it's completely obvious now that she will be a future footballer. Or if you're reading this while in America or Australia, I meant to say she will flourish in the brilliant sport of soccer.

And to confirm this fact, Miranda and I took baby Harper to her first professional football match when she was just three weeks old. She loved it so much she decided to take a snooze.

For any expecting parents in or around the UAE: If you have any direct questions about what it was like to give birth in Abu Dhabi, the different hospital options, doctors, the access to drugs, birth certificate shenanigans, etc. please send me an email (aarongray2337@gmail.com) and I will respond promptly. Trust me, we know what it's like to not get straight-forward answers from trained professionals here. All I can do is tell you exactly how our situation played out and offer my wholehearted advice. Cheers.

Having a baby in UAE: A letter to my daughter

Dearest Harper,

Looking back on my life, I really cannot remember the last time I cried.

Sure there have been a few times here and there: a sad funeral, a triumphant ending to a dramatic movie or when the New York Giants blow a six-point lead with less than two minutes to go. But all those examples registered slight emotional reactions, in the grand scheme of things.

When I was there to watch your global debut on September 5, 2015 and when I heard you crying before I could even see you, it changed me forever. In a very astonishing way.

You always hear about how men claim that the day their children were born was the best day of their lives. Rather cliche, I know. But for me, I can now relate.

Trust me, I will never forget that moment. For the rest of my days, there will always be an obvious reason for celebration on September 5th.

Because that is when my second life began. My life with Harper.

I never knew I could love something so much. I just never knew I had it in me. You have been alive for only two weeks but your impact on me has already been immeasurable.

But like I said before, when I heard you cry for the very first time, I immediately started to cry. Uncontrollably. Indeed, it was a very beautiful moment. So much so that -- according to my sources -- the other nurses in the room started to weep when they saw me get emotional.

It was proof that everything was now different and nothing would ever be the same. Ever. And because that was so obvious to me at that exact moment, I was very:

- excited
- happy
- overwhelmed
- optimistic
- proud

And when I experience all those emotions at one time -- trust me, it does not happen often -- my heart starts to swell and the waterworks come down. I'll admit it: only you and your amazing mother have that kind of effect on me.

So now that we have established your father will forever be completely wrapped around your finger, allow me to offer some concrete reassurance that will last for a lifetime. Harper, I will always be by your side. For good or ill, and even after my clock runs out, know this: your dad loves you.

And perhaps down the line, when you are old enough, you will read this. Then we can talk and reflect on that special day we shared together. After all, having children is a beautiful thing and it should be celebrated.

These are precious moments right now. I know this and sincerely appreciate it. But eventually you will begin to walk and begin to talk and then, you will grow up to become one of the most delightful people I have ever known.

I look forward to those days as I look forward to our life together. Now if you will, please excuse me while I wipe the tears off my keyboard.

With all my love,
Dad

For any expecting parents in or around the UAE: If you have any direct questions about what it was like to give birth in Abu Dhabi, the different hospital options, doctors, the access to drugs, birth certificate shenanigans, etc. please send me an email (aarongray2337@gmail.com) and I will respond promptly. Trust me, we know what it's like to not get straight-forward answers from trained professionals here. All I can do is tell you exactly how our situation played out and offer my wholehearted advice. Cheers.

Having a baby in UAE: Introducing Harper Gray

Miranda and I would like you to meet our daughter Harper Sharon Gray, who came into this world on Saturday, September 5th and brought nothing but love with her. She weighed in at 7 pounds, 6 ounces and measured at 52cm long. She and mommy are healthy, happy and absolutely adorable.

Obviously, she is our newest obsession. We could not be happier and we are looking forward to the new and exciting challenge of parenthood in a foreign country.

Our little angel was conceived in Goa, India and actually visited six different countries while in the womb. Kind of sets the bar for what we can only hope will be an enriching and adventurous life full of travel and amazing experiences.

I'm going to cut this short (well, shorter than most of my blog posts) and get back to staring at my daughter while she sleeps. Soaking up all the love is our new favourite pastime.

For any expecting parents in or around the UAE: If you have any direct questions about what it was like to give birth in Abu Dhabi, the different hospital options, doctors, the access to drugs, birth certificate shenanigans, etc. please send me an email (aarongray2337@gmail.com) and I will respond promptly. Trust me, we know what it's like to not get straight-forward answers from trained professionals here. All I can do is tell you exactly how our situation played out and offer my wholehearted advice. Cheers.