Maternity Ward: Saudi Arabia

A few months ago our friends delivered a beautiful baby girl right here in Saudi Arabia.  Many that do not live in this country give me a strange look and wonder why someone wouldn't travel back to their home country for this important event.  Well, the facilities are great and people in every country have babies, so why not deliver in the country you are living in.  It makes things a lot easier.

However, things around the world can be quite different.  Did you know that many countries use "laughing gas" while they are in labor and delivery?!  I do not think this is a practice in the states.  Could you imagine using this while going through contractions or pushing?  I think I would just be laying on the table with my tongue hanging out imagining that I was floating in the clouds.  I am sure I would have had to have a c-section and I do wonder what the c-section rate is in countries that use this method for pain.

In Saudi Arabia the hospital doors are decorated once a baby is born.  Below are doors that I saw during my visit.

This one was unique with the birdcage and fake birds. 

This ballerina room was very interesting.  Inside the room I could see about 50 ballerinas hanging from the celling.  I wish I could have taken a picture. 

Not many baby boys on this day. 

Finally, our friends have a decorated door!

There is a company in the hospital that you hire to decorate.  I just kept wondering if these items were recycled or went to the garbage.  

As I was taking these pictures I got a weird sensation that I was being watched.  Yikes!  I forgot to wear my abaya so I was getting strange looks from everyone.  It is important that women cover when they leave the private rooms.  Oops!