FLAIR scope
Connecting experts with expat and local parents
Pregnancy is a wonderful and exciting time in any woman’ s life, whether it is planned or unexpected. However, living in a foreign country can be one of the most stressful times of your life, especially if you are far from your social support network
When it comes to the birth of a child, all parents feel excitement, anticipation, trepidation, and every other emotion one can imagine, especially if it is their first baby. At such a special time in a couple’ s journey, equipping them with relevant information and resources is critical. In Qatar, it is of particular relevance to the vast expatriate population. Not only must these parents cope with the process and dynamics of the pregnancy, but they have to do it in a foreign country. This means navigating a“ new” health care system and searching for support( informational, medical, social, psychological, pre and post-natal care) while dealing with vast cultural differences from their home country. Add to that the absence of family and trusted friends, familiar medical networks and recognizable cultural practices and resources, and many expectant mothers in Doha lack a sense of security.
While Qatar has made huge strides in developing healthcare and wellness programs, many people feel there is a need for more support as expectant parents embark on the journey of pregnancy and parenting. In Western or European countries, hospitals, community education centers, well-baby clinics and places of worship offer baby care classes covering such basics as diapering, feeding, and bathing a newborn. Specialized baby clinics employ pediatricians, midwives, doulas, and maternal or pediatric nurses to answer questions, allay fears and support mothers through the first year with the baby and help manage her expectations. There are not enough of these support platforms in Doha and, if they do exist at all, they are not well known. Babies don’ t come with a manual, so parents really need information and education.
As part of its corporate social responsibility, Starfish Lane Kids, Doha’ s biggest nursery group, has taken the initiative of bringing experts in pregnancy and infancy together at a one day Pregnancy & Parenting workshop, to be held in March. Starfish Lane Kids has brought onboard eight highly qualified professionals to share their knowledge with expectant and new parents. Starfish Lane CEO, Kimberley Sheedy, explains,“ Our goal is to connect the experts with the local and expat parenting community in Doha. We hope to provide a platform of support, maternal services and information to help these parents as they raise their infants in a foreign land, with all the inherent challenges and rewards.”
Guest speaker at the event, Dr Renu Angwin, a UK trained consultant paediatrician and neonatologist at The International Medical Centre in Duhail,
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