Sunday, February 24, 2013

Hypothetically speaking...

MULTITASKING WOMEN

After a decade of shuffling between home and work, I entered into a full term house wife profession. This is realization mode on the importance of a woman at home!

During this time, I could focus on organizing my home, food habits, taking care of my child and family. It is no longer a confused-how-to-go-about state. I have my to do lists, things to buy, food schedules, my budget planner - all set. The next day seems all set. All things are in place when compared to a hectic day at work; come back and have mess further pull down your spirits. 

My coordinating and organizing skills from jobs have helped me utilize these skills more effectively and efficiently at home! Yes, I do have the dis-organized areas / days; then I have to pull out my schedule sheet - to fit in this TDL! Extra time goes for learning / doing new things - be it a new dish or writing my blog :)! 

As of today, I personally do not require a maid or outside food. So, hypothetically speaking... if every women in each family have to focus only on Home Management - that could possibly bring down the demand and business for nanny services AND fast food restaurants! 

Wow - that would mean an organized home, healthy food, focus on your child's growth and development, having time for yourself, even if you have stress - It is for you and your family!! Coming to think of it - I should rename this blog to - Strength of a woman!



Monday, February 18, 2013

Maternity Hospital Procedures - Kuwait

MATERNITY HOSPITAL PROCEDURES - KUWAIT





Make sure you have the following done before proceeding further

1.    Get a file organizer and slip in each folder 10-15 copies each of father passport, mother’s passport, father’s civil ID, mother’s civil ID, marriage affidavit and marriage certificate attested from Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kuwait, 1 folder for all originals, 1 folder for photos and passports (I maintained blue and white background photos – 15 each of parents. Baby photo after he/she is born :). Photos always come in handy) Keep separate folders aside for baby’s passport copy, civil ID copy. Keep this file organizer with you at all times – Hospital, Embassy and Ministry. You never know what you will be asked for.

2.    Make sure that father’s name is endorsed in mother’s passport before registration of birth of the child. For addition of Spouse’s Name in the mother’s passport, mother of the child has to come in person to the Embassy along with duly filled Application Form No.2A. If either of the parents holds nationality other than India, then a No-Objection Certificate is required from their respective Embassy.


Tips at this point

1.   Make sure whether you want to give birth at Maternity Hospital or any private hospitals. Both have their respective pros and cons. Personally, my entire experience at Maternity was never close to good even.

2.   Keep change with you at all times during this entire process. Eg: KD 0.250, 0.500. 1.000, 5.000. Set aside KD 150 – KD 200 for residence and miscellaneous procedures.

3.   It will be good to go through New Born Passport forms. Doubts can be cleared, keep the required fees amount set aside and keep copies ready. I normally fill out a draft of forms before I enter details on the original form.

Passport for new born


STAGE 1

1a. Opening file at Maternity – Sabah

1.    Normally File opening is on Monday & Wednesday (7.30 AM)

2.   Carry along your organized folder – You may be asked copies to your passports, civil ID, marriage affidavit and certificate. 

3.    A slip will be given with an appointment date to visit your gynecologist thereon. During this time period, your file will be created with all the documents you had given and an appointment card will be issued which will be handed over at your next visit. In some cases they will refer you to maternity hospital when you reach 6-7 months. (Till then, the residence allocated poly clinic)


1b. Procedures at Maternity – Sabah

1.   On your first visit, give your slip (later your appointment card) at the file section. On calling out your name, you would be given a casualty sheet and asked to get KD 2 stamp & signature from Reception 2 (just beside the file section – and keep your civil ID card ready). Return back to the file section, get your file and go to your respective gynecologist.

2.  Bring in your appointment card at every visit to get your file and have your next appointment jotted.

3.  Per your docter’s advice you will be asked to do lab tests and ultrasound. Lab test, you may have to be on 8hrs fast for Blood and urine test. Results can be picked up the same day.

4.  Ultrasound will cost you KD 10/- payable at the reception. (The one at the main entrance, after the EMERGENCY entrance)


STAGE 2

Delivery & Post Delivery

Documents: Marriage affidavit and Civil ID of father and mother.
Pay KD 2 as admission fee
Again at the main entrance after EMERGENCY entrance

Enter the emergency area (fathers are allowed only to a certain point. sad!). Mother will have to submit the admission paper and her civil ID to the examination area. (On your left side after you enter) If they THINK you will deliver or need to deliver, you will be admitted right away.

[DELIVERY PHASE: EVERY LADY WILL HAVE THEIR EXPERIENCE AND STORIES AT THIS POINT. I SINCERELY HOPE YOU GET THE BEST DOCTOR DURING THIS TIME PERIOD. IN ADDITION, I ALSO SINCERELY WISH YOU A SPEEDY NORMAL DELIVERY WITH A HEALTHY CHILD :)]

Once you are done, you will be shifted to general ward / private rooms (need to ask during admission time). You can inform your near ones on the good news or maybe you could ask your attending nurse to do so (if you cannot right away). While you are at labor, your near ones cannot reach you or know the status. The only option for them is to call the main delivery area (ward telephone number) and check the status. Any of the nurses will answer and give you an update. There will be several calls coming in, so you can expect frustrated responses or unattended calls. You may be advised to wait and that they will inform when it is over. Also, they may say that the patient is fine, labor ongoing etc. So the wait to hear the good news involves some tension and “patient” waiting! 

You will be admitted for ‘n’ number of days depending on your state. I understand Caesarian will take 3 days max, while the normal delivery will be for 1 day or so and then you can leave.

STAGE 3

1.    You will go to main counter for discharge, if there is any scan or extra test done, you will have to pay for it, else just ask the counter and do the necessary stamping on the forms and proceed.

2.    A pink paper and the discharge report will be given 2-3 days later from the reception. Here, make sure the name written in the pink slip is the same as the name written in your civil id, if not ask them to correct it otherwise, you have to take the pink slip to the admin office building, go to the secretary and you will be given a printed paper stating that the name in the civil id. This will be clipped with the pink slip. This will be safer now for you to go to the birth certificate issuing center.

3.    Now here you will be asked for both parents original Civil ID, Marriage certificate/affidavits attested.

4.    If all papers are ready, the pink paper will be issued and you will have to proceed to Hawally office for birth certificate after 3 days.

3a. Birth Certificate

1.   Birth certificates are obtained from Hawally office. It is located in Maidan-Hawally area. It will be best if you reach early.
2.   You will have to take a token. On your turn, give the officer the pink paper and write your baby’s name in English and Arabic. (Just the first name is required)
3.   Keep your original documents & copies ready for handover.
4.   You will be asked to return after 1 week to collect the Birth Certificate.
5.   If there are unnecessary delays or difficulties, try to catch hold of a Bangladeshi helper; they will help without expecting any returns (pay them if you personally find it necessary)

3b. Birth Certificate Attestation

1.   Proceed to Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Shuwaikh, Communications Tower. The one in Kuwait city is more fast and is open in the evening too.
2.   Collect a 5KD stamp from the machines located in the ministry building.
3.   Proceed to the officer with the stamp, your original documents and the birth certificate
4.  The officer will attach the stamp on the birth certificate and attest it (you may be given a toffee also :))

3c. New Passport

1.   Collect the form from your embassy
2.  Keep your file ready for 4-5 white and blue each baby photos; all original documents and copies.
3.   New passport fee will be charged. (varies)
4.   Collect the new passport when issued

3d. Medical Insurance

1.   Keep all originals and copies for this
2.   The Medical Insurance is done in Hawally near Mubarak Al-Kabeer hospital.
3.   Submit the baby’s passport
4.   Collect the Health Insurance card
5.   KD 35 will be charged

3e. Residency

1.   Depending on your area of residence, residency will be at respective passport /visas office
2.   Get the application for Residency typed. (Typists are available in all passport offices)
3.  Submit the application with copies of the baby’s passport, birth certificate, and health insurance card and copies
4.   Keep your file with the original documents and copies.
5.  You will have to purchase KD 10 stamps for each year you want the residency. Stamps & new residency permit will be pasted in the baby’s passport
6.   KD 110 will be charged for the new residency permit

3f. Civil ID

1.   Keep KD 1 notes handy
2.   This is done from the Ministries Area in the Shuhada area
3.  Civil ID for the baby will be available in 3-4 days but always check by calling in 1889988 or online on http://paci.gov.kw/
4.   The service(s) above will tell you which machine to collect the Civil ID from
5.   You can collect the new Civil ID in morning or evening
6.   KD 3 will be charged and will be collected via the card dispensing machine


Helpful links