Maternity Care in Dubai
Everything you need to know about pregnancy, prenatal care, delivery options, and costs for having a baby in Dubai.
8 min read • Updated December 2025
Quick Overview
Dubai offers world-class maternity care with both private and public options. Private hospital deliveries range from AED 15,000-55,000 depending on delivery type and hospital choice. Book your OB/GYN early (before 8 weeks), ensure your insurance has maternity coverage, and pre-register at your chosen hospital by 32 weeks.
Choosing Your OB/GYN
Finding the right obstetrician is one of your most important decisions. Start early—popular doctors book up quickly.
What to Look For
- Hospital affiliation – Your doctor delivers at their hospital only
- Delivery philosophy – Natural birth supportive vs quick to intervene
- Availability – Who covers when they're unavailable?
- Communication style – Do they answer questions thoroughly?
- Insurance acceptance – On your network for lower costs
When to Book
- First appointment – Book as soon as you have a positive test (6-8 weeks)
- Popular doctors – May have 2-3 week wait times
- Switching doctors – Possible but easier before 28 weeks
- Hospital registration – Complete by 32-34 weeks
Your Pregnancy Journey
Here's what to expect at each stage of your pregnancy in Dubai, including typical appointments, tests, and milestones.
First Trimester (Weeks 1-12)
Tests & Screenings
Blood tests, urine tests, ultrasound dating scan, NT scan (11-14 weeks), NIPT optional
Main Focus
Confirm pregnancy, estimate due date, screen for chromosomal abnormalities
Second Trimester (Weeks 13-27)
Tests & Screenings
Anomaly scan (20 weeks), glucose tolerance test (24-28 weeks), blood pressure monitoring
Main Focus
Monitor baby development, screen for gestational diabetes, anatomy check
Third Trimester (Weeks 28-40)
Tests & Screenings
Growth scans, GBS swab (35-37 weeks), NST if needed, cervical checks near due date
Main Focus
Monitor baby growth, position, prepare for delivery
Prenatal Care Costs
Budget for 12-15 prenatal visits plus various tests throughout pregnancy. Here are typical costs at private facilities (public is significantly less).
| Service | Typical Cost (Private) |
|---|---|
| OB/GYN consultation | AED 300-800 |
| Standard ultrasound | AED 300-600 |
| 3D/4D ultrasound | AED 500-1,200 |
| NT scan (nuchal translucency) | AED 800-1,500 |
| NIPT (non-invasive prenatal test) | AED 2,500-4,500 |
| Anomaly scan (20-week) | AED 600-1,200 |
| Glucose tolerance test | AED 200-400 |
| Complete prenatal blood panel | AED 500-1,000 |
| GBS screening | AED 150-300 |
Top Maternity Hospitals
Dubai has excellent options across all budgets. Choose based on your priorities: cost, NICU level, location, or specific features like water birth.
Mediclinic City Hospital
Dubai Healthcare City
Natural
AED 25,000-35,000
C-Section
AED 35,000-50,000
Level III NICU, birthing suites, water birth option
American Hospital Dubai
Oud Metha
Natural
AED 30,000-40,000
C-Section
AED 40,000-55,000
JCI accredited, VIP suites, dedicated maternity wing
Saudi German Hospital
Al Barsha
Natural
AED 15,000-22,000
C-Section
AED 22,000-30,000
Affordable private option, Level II NICU, Arabic-speaking staff
Latifa Hospital (DHA)
Al Jadaf
Natural
AED 3,000-5,000
C-Section
AED 7,000-12,000
Public hospital, women-only, free for visa holders
Danat Al Emarat
Abu Dhabi (Al Ain)
Natural
AED 20,000-28,000
C-Section
AED 28,000-40,000
Women-only hospital, Level III NICU, high-risk pregnancy specialists
NMC Royal Hospital
DIP / Abu Dhabi
Natural
AED 18,000-25,000
C-Section
AED 25,000-35,000
Mid-range pricing, good NICU, experienced team
Delivery Options
Natural (Vaginal) Birth
The preferred method when medically appropriate. Options include:
- • Standard vaginal delivery – Most common approach
- • With epidural – Available on request (AED 3,000-6,000)
- • Water birth – Select hospitals only, low-risk pregnancies
- • VBAC – Vaginal birth after cesarean (doctor approval needed)
Cesarean Section (C-Section)
Surgical delivery, either planned or emergency:
- • Planned C-section – Scheduled for medical reasons
- • Emergency C-section – During labor if complications arise
- • Recovery – 2-4 days hospital stay, 6-8 weeks full recovery
- • Elective – Without medical indication, generally discouraged
Delivery Cost Breakdown
Here's what to budget for delivery at private vs public hospitals. Prices vary significantly—get a quote from your chosen hospital.
| Item | Private Hospital | Public Hospital |
|---|---|---|
| Natural delivery (vaginal) | AED 15,000-40,000 | AED 3,000-5,000 |
| C-Section delivery | AED 25,000-55,000 | AED 7,000-12,000 |
| Epidural anesthesia | AED 3,000-6,000 | AED 500-1,000 |
| Private room (per night) | AED 1,500-4,000 | AED 200-500 |
| NICU (per day if needed) | AED 3,000-8,000 | AED 1,000-2,000 |
| Newborn care package | AED 2,000-5,000 | Included |
| Pediatrician consultation | AED 300-600 | AED 50-100 |
| Lactation consultant | AED 400-800 | Usually included |
Private Hospital Total
- Natural: AED 20,000-45,000
- C-Section: AED 35,000-65,000
- (Including 2-3 night stay, all standard care)
Public Hospital Total
- Natural: AED 5,000-8,000
- C-Section: AED 10,000-15,000
- (Latifa Hospital for eligible residents)
Maternity Insurance Coverage
Maternity coverage in UAE insurance varies dramatically. Understanding your policy is essential for financial planning.
Basic (EBP) Plans
- • AED 10,000 maternity limit (if any)
- • 10-12 month waiting period
- • May exclude newborn coverage
- • Public hospitals only
Enhanced Plans
- • AED 25,000-50,000 limit
- • 9-12 month waiting period
- • Network hospitals covered
- • Basic newborn coverage included
Premium/International
- • AED 75,000-150,000+ limit
- • 6-10 month waiting period
- • Any hospital choice
- • Comprehensive NICU coverage
After Birth: Newborn Care
Immediate (Hospital)
- ✓ Pediatrician exam within 24 hours
- ✓ Vitamin K injection and eye drops
- ✓ Hearing screening test
- ✓ Metabolic screening (heel prick test)
- ✓ Hepatitis B vaccine (first dose)
- ✓ Birth notification document
First 30 Days
- ✓ Register birth (within 30 days) at DHA
- ✓ Add baby to health insurance
- ✓ Apply for baby's passport
- ✓ Sponsor baby's visa (within 120 days)
- ✓ Schedule pediatrician well-visits
- ✓ Begin vaccination schedule
Postpartum Support
Professional Support
- Lactation consultants – AED 400-800/session
- Postpartum doulas – AED 150-300/hour
- Night nurses – AED 250-500/night
- Postnatal physiotherapy – AED 300-600/session
Community Support
- New mom groups – Dubai Mums, British Mums, etc.
- Baby classes – Sensory, swim, mommy & me yoga
- Breastfeeding support – La Leche League UAE
- Mental health – PPD screening, therapy options
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about maternity care in Dubai.
Yes, UAE law requires parents to be legally married to obtain a birth certificate for the child. Unmarried mothers may face legal complications. The hospital will require a marriage certificate during admission. If you're in a common-law relationship, consult with a legal advisor about your options before delivery.
While you can express your preference, elective C-sections without medical indication are generally discouraged by most doctors. However, if you have a strong preference or anxiety about natural birth, discuss this with your OB/GYN early. Medical necessity C-sections are performed when needed for mother or baby safety. Dubai's C-section rate is around 25-30% at private hospitals.
Yes, water birth is offered at select hospitals including Mediclinic City Hospital, HealthBay Clinic, and some birthing centers. You'll need to have a low-risk pregnancy, be at term (37-42 weeks), and meet specific criteria. Book early as these facilities are limited. Water births typically cost AED 5,000-10,000 extra.
Bring your Emirates ID, passport, marriage certificate (original or attested copy), insurance card, and your pregnancy file/records. Some hospitals also require a deposit (AED 5,000-20,000) if you're paying out-of-pocket or have limited insurance coverage. Pre-registration 1-2 months before your due date is recommended.
After delivery, the hospital provides a birth notification. Take this to the nearest DHA center or typing center along with parents' passports, Emirates IDs, marriage certificate, and hospital discharge summary. The birth must be registered within 30 days. The process takes 2-3 days and costs around AED 200-500 for the certificate and attestations.
UAE law provides 60 days of paid maternity leave (45 days full pay + 15 days half pay). You can take up to 45 additional days unpaid if needed. Fathers get 5 days paternity leave (private sector) within 6 months of birth. Many companies offer better packages, so check your employment contract.
Doulas can provide valuable emotional and physical support during labor, especially if you're away from family. They cost AED 5,000-15,000 for a full package (prenatal meetings, birth support, postpartum visits). Popular doula services include Birth Matters, The Birth Team Dubai, and Dubai Doula.
Dubai has excellent NICUs at major hospitals. Level II NICUs handle most premature babies (32+ weeks), while Level III NICUs at Mediclinic City Hospital, American Hospital, and Latifa Hospital manage complex cases. NICU costs AED 3,000-8,000 per day at private hospitals. Ensure your insurance covers NICU—some policies have limits or require pre-authorization.
Related Guides
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