PREPARING TO HAVE A BABY
The General Environment
Anyone who has ever had a baby in Cayman will tell you it is a nice place to be pregnant. People are generally very considerate. You will seldom pump your own gas, carry your own groceries or open a shop door. You can float in the sea and feel weightless, the midwives are fabulous and Caribbean men are protective and thoughtful. There are also lots of young families, so even if you are far from home, the community is very supportive and there are many opportunities for play-groups, help from nannies or helpers and support from many other sources.
Cayman is a very child-friendly place. Children are welcome almost everywhere and highchairs can be found at most restaurants and coffee shops. Helpers are readily available part-time through local agencies, or you have the option of applying for a work permit for a full-time helper or nanny. Such help is very economical compared to other countries. Residential and work districts are within easy driving distances so dads or working mums can conveniently pop home for lunch with the kids.
Prenatal medical care is also excellent on Cayman. Parents-to-be have the enviable opportunity of first-class ultrasound scans at each and every private obstetrician appointment, right in the doctor's office. Most obstetricians and the Chrissie Tomlinson Hospital have 3D and 4D scanning equipment for when the foetus reaches an appropriate level of development.
Obstetricians & Gynaecologists
Upon discovering one is pregnant, the first thing to do is to choose either a private doctor (OB/GYN) or register at the Women's Health Centre at the Cayman Islands Hospital for antenatal care. The following is a list of all the OB/GYNs on the Island.
Dr. Sarath de Alwis FRCS FRCOG MRCP FFSRH(UK) MRCS LRCP(UK)
The Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital
Walkers Road, George Town, Cayman Islands
Tel: (345) 945 6066 or (345) 949 6066
Fax: (345) 945 0161
Email: sarath@candw.ky
Consultant/Specialist OB/GYN General OB/GYN; Infertility; Cancer Screening; Ultra-sound; Colposcopy; H.R.T; Amniocentesis; Laparoscopic and Hysteroscopic Surgery; Reconstructive Surgery.
Dr. Edward Caudeiron
33 Pasadora Place, Smith Road, Cayman Islands
Tel: (345) 949 9090 Fax: (345) 946 7917
Cel: (345) 916 0159
Dr. Howard Deosaran Bsc MD DM FACOG LLB
TrinCay Medical Services
Suite 1204, 65 Market Street
Jasmine Court, Camana Bay, Cayman Islands
Tel: (345) 943 4633 Fax: (345) 943 4634
Email: trincayms@candw.ky
Languages spoken in the office: English, Spanish and Tagalog
Obstetrician / Gynaecologist including Antenatal; Intrapartum; Post-Partum and Pre-pregnancy Counselling; Early Foetal Testing (Amniocentesis, Quad Test); Ultrasound; Infertility Management; Minimal Access Surgery; Regular Gynaecology; Colposcopy; Hysteroscopy; Saline Infusion Sonography. Member of the American Association of Gynaecologist Laparoscopies and The Society of Laparoscopic Surgeons.
Dr. Rommel El-Madany MB BCh FRCS(GYN)(Edin), HDGO(Dublin) DM MD RCSI/IPA(Dublin) Diploma of Advanced Obstetrics Ultrasound RCOG/RCR (London)
Island Medical (OB/GYN) Office
9 Smith Road Plaza, Smith Road, George Town, Cayman Islands
Tel: (345) 94 OBGYN (946 2496)
Urgent after Hours: (345) 926 2911
Fax: (345) 946 4329
Email: islandobgyn@candw.ky
Consultant/specialist OB/GYN including infertility; traditional and advanced surgery including: advanced laparoscopic surgery and minimal invasive surgery for heavy periods, endometriosis, urinary incontinence, sterilisation and prolapse; advanced equipment including: 4D, 3D and coloured ultrasound; electronic urodynamics; digital colposcope and LEEP procedures. One stop cancer screen; foetal anomaly scan; nuchal translucency and amniocentesis tests; packages for pregnancy care and delivery.
Dr. George Meggs OB/GYN MB BS DM FRCOG FACOG
Smith Road Plaza
69 Smith Road, George Town, Cayman Islands
Tel: (345) 949 8969 Fax: (345) 947 8193
NB: Dr. Meggs does not practise obstetrics.
Dr. Gregory Richmond-Peck MB BS LRCP MRCS LMCC FRCS(C)
247 Smith Road, George Town, Cayman Islands
Tel: (345) 945 7044 or (345) 525 8177
Fax: (345) 945 7033
Email: sheilarp@candw.ky
British, Canadian and US trained. High risk pregnancies, 3D and 4D colour ultrasound, Genetic amniocentesis, Advanced laparoscopic surgery, Infertility, insemination, IVF coordination, Incontinence and Transobturator tape procedures, Colposcopy and LEEP procedures, HPV vaccination, Breast ultrasound, Facial aesthetics. Botox and Restylane.
Dr. Barry Richter MB ChB LMCC MMed(O&G) FRCS(C)
Cayman Clinic, 439 Crewe Road, George Town, Cayman Islands
Tel: (345) 946 3424 Fax: (345) 946 3426
Email: barry.richter@candw.ky
In-office 3D Ultrasound and Fetal Monitoring; Colposcopy; LEEP-Procedures; AccuDexa Bone Density; Infertility; Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery of Endometriosis, Adhesions, Incontinence, Laparoscopic Hysterectomy; Advanced Hysteroscopic Surgery including Endometrial Ablation and Resection of Fibroids; E-Sure Office Sterilization (female sterilization without incision).
Doula Services
A doula is a woman experienced in childbirth who may be hired privately to provide physical, emotional and informational support to the mother before, during and after childbirth. A doula is especially popular as a birth coach during labour. Jacqui Smith (Tel: (345) 949 6024) offers doula services on the Island.
Hospitals
There are two hospitals on Grand Cayman: the Cayman Islands Hospital (also known as the George Town Hospital) and the Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital, both located in George Town. Most private OB/GYNs will offer to deliver your baby at either hospital, although some have their own preference. If you are using a private doctor, you can leave the decision about the hospital right up until the end of your pregnancy. If you decide on midwife care, you should register at the Women's Health Centre in the George Town Hospital as soon as possible.
We suggest you visit both facilities so you can ask questions and decide where you will feel most comfortable delivering your baby. A brief overview of both hospitals' maternity units follows:
George Town Hospital (GTH)
Maternity Unit Tel: (345) 244 2842/2841
The GTH Maternity Unit caters to about 550 births a year and is located on the ground floor of Building 3. It is well signed from the main entrance. The facility has five double and three single rooms providing a total of 13 beds, plus three labour/delivery rooms. All rooms have en-suite toilet and shower facilities. This hospital caters to both low and high-risk mothers and babies, offering services in antenatal care, labour and delivery, postnatal care (including normal births, twin births, breech, vacuum and forceps) and caesarean section deliveries.
The maternity ward staff consists of well-qualified and fully trained professionals, including 14 midwives, obstetricians, paediatricians, neonatal nurses, nursing assistants and ancillary support staff. If you are a private patient, a midwife or your OB/GYN will monitor you throughout your labour and your OB/GYN will be present for the birth of your baby. If you are a patient of the Women's Health Centre, a midwife will deliver your baby and a doctor will only be called if there is reason for them to intervene. Epidural services are available for both private and midwives' patients.
Discharged mothers and babies will also be visited by community health nurses for a couple of weeks after their discharge. This visit is usually once a week, or more regularly if needed. It is a great resource for new mothers who may be far from home and need a little reassurance once home alone with a newborn.
The Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital (CTMH)
Tel: (345) 949 6066
The CTMH Maternity Ward handles approximately 50 births each year and has four private en-suite birthing suites equipped for labour, delivery and recovery, so you do not have to move between rooms. There are six midwives, an obstetrician, a paediatrician on staff and a paediatrician with a neonatology interest who can be called to assist. The birthing centre is fully equipped with neonatal ventilators, CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure), incubator and phototherapy equipment.
Other services include Lamaze childbirth preparation classes (which run on an on-going eight-week cycle), infant and child CPR, antenatal and postnatal doula services, lactation consultant services and a postnatal mother-to-mother support group.
Visiting hours at CTMH are very flexible and fathers are allowed to overnight alongside their wives/partners.
Costs of Having a Baby On-Island
Once you have considered a doctor and hospital, be sure to call your insurance provider and discuss the fees in relation to your insurance coverage.
You will want to ask about your prenatal care, the cost of the delivery and the immediate care of your newborn baby. The amount of coverage will depend on your insurance plan; it may be anything from 100% to nothing at all. It is standard policy for insurance companies to require a 10-month waiting period before they will cover your pregnancy, and some have a limit on prenatal care, e.g., CI$1,000 at 100%. Some do not cover premature births. It is also advisable to find out about adding your new baby to your insurance policy from the moment of their birth.
Having a baby in Cayman is expensive and there is no free healthcare. The cost of a normal midwife delivery with a three-night stay in the George Town hospital and the use of the facilities is exactly CI$3,675.57. A normal delivery at the GT hospital with a private OB/GYN costs CI$2,359.50 (the hospital fees) and then the OG/GYN will charge you CI$2500. The insurance company will usually pay CI$1,925 of this fee that the private doctor charges you. For an elective C/Section the cost is between CI$3,942-$4,192 for the GT hospital fee and your private doctor will charge between CI$3250-$3500 with the insurance company picking up CI$2676 of the private doctors fee.
Prenatal Education Classes
GTH offers an eight-week educational series called "Parent Craft." It is held on Monday evenings 5.30pm-7.30pm in the Women's Health Centre. There is no charge or need to register in advance. Call the Antenatal Services Department on (345) 244 2649 or drop in to the Women's Health Centre to pick up a schedule of class dates. If you miss classes, you may make them up during a subsequent eight-week course cycle. You may find it more comfortable to bring a cushion for your back, particularly if you have already been sitting all day at work or have a lower backache.
Jacqui Smith runs a six-week series of Childbirth Education (Lamaze) classes at the CTMH on Tuesday nights at 6pm. You have to pre-register and the cost is CI$175 per couple. Call on (345) 949 6024 for registration information.
These classes are a great way to meet other pregnant women and establish a support network you will appreciate long after your baby is delivered.
Yoga, Pilates & Exercises
Various classes are offered at different times of the year. Current classes for pregnant as well as new mothers include:
Body Works
Queens Court Plaza, Seven Mile Beach
Tel: (345) 945 6485 Fax: (345) 945 1234
Beyond Basics Medical Spa
Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital (CTMH), GT
Tel: (345) 949 6024
NB: Their second location at #7 Smith Road Plaza, Smith Road also offer a "Body after Baby" solution called Velashape. Call (345) 945 2737.
Colleen Brummer/Energy
171 Elgin Avenue at Cricket Square
Tel: (345) 925 5631 or (345) 946 6006
Specialises in personal training and has a fully stocked pilates apparatus studio with reformers.
Maternity Clothes & Bras
The selection of maternity wear on the Island is getting better. Your best option on Island is Expectations (Tel: (345) 946 6667) or you can order maternity clothes online through CaymanCuties.com.They promise to deliver within 3 days and their prices are very competitive. If you are already pregnant or planning to get pregnant, it is advisable to shop ahead of time and bring clothing with you.
Maternity Leave
You will need to ask your employer what their policy is on maternity and paternity leave, as some can be more flexible than others. However, Cayman Islands law on the matter is as follows:
Every female employee shall be entitled to 12 calendar weeks of maternity leave in any 12-month period. If she has not completed twelve months of employment, then her maternity leave shall be calculated on a pro-rata basis for the time she has worked. Her employer is legally required to offer her 20 days leave on full pay, 20 days leave on half pay and 20 days leave on no pay. Leave may be taken in whatever proportions before and after actual childbirth that the employee wishes.
A female employee who adopts a child under three years of age shall be entitled to nine calendar weeks of leave, of which 15 working days are on full pay. Adoption leave may be granted once in any thirty-six month period.
At present, there is no provision in the law for paternity leave, however, some companies are flexible and will allow a new father to take a few days off. There have been proposals to amend the law, but as yet nothing has been legislated.
AFTER HAVING A BABY
Paediatricians
Dr. Cecily Abraham
Alexander Place, Unit 7
Dorcy Drive, Industrial Park, Grand Cayman
Tel: (345) 945 7050 Fax: (345) 949 9823
Dr. Shirley Cridland
247 Smith Road, George Town, Grand Cayman
Tel: (345) 949 5225 Fax: (345) 945 7040
Dr James L Robertson MB. ChB. MRCP paed
Suite 1204, 65 Market Street,
Jasmine Court, Camana Bay, Grand Cayman
Tel: (345) 943 4633 Fax (345) 946 4634
Specialist/Consultant Paediatrics; Paediatrics from birth to 12 years; Special interest in neonates and paediatric cardiology; universal paediatric care.
Dr. Gordon Smith MB ChB MRCP (UK) MRCGP, DRCOG
Windward Centre, 93 Smith Rd, George Town, Grand Cayman
Tel: (345) 949 2970 Fax: (345) 946 2768
Second Language: French
Services include: General paediatrics; Neonatology; Immunisations; Well baby; General practice; Dive medicals.
Dr. Sarah Newton MB ChB DCH (NZ)
Windward Centre, 93 Smith Rd, George Town, Grand Cayman
Tel: (345) 949 2970 Fax: (345) 946 2768
Services include: General paediatrics; Neonatology; Immunisations; Well baby; General practice; Dive medicals.
Cayman Islands Hospital
Dr. Marilyn McIntyre and Dr. Earl Robinson
Cayman Islands Hospital
95 Hospital Road, George Town
Tel: (345) 244 2531 or (345) 244 2530
Languages: English (but hospital staff may be able to assist with translating to or from other languages)
Immunisations
Immunisations are carried out by, and schedules are available from, paediatricians or the Public Health Centre. Should you choose to use the Public Health Centre you should make your appointment well in advance. Although there may be a wait for an appointment, the Centre is efficient and usually considerably cheaper than using a paediatrician. You may find that the schedule and specific shots vary slightly from your home country. Please note that schools will request to see your child's immunisation record and require a Health Screening Report filled out by a Cayman doctor before enrolment.
Postnatal Support Groups
There is a breastfeeding support group to help mothers with the art of breastfeeding. Contact Jill on (345) 925 6845 for directions and meeting dates.
Jacqui Smith also offers lactation consultancy services through CTMH. For information call (345) 949 6024.
There are a number of "home grown" playgroups for mothers and babies which meet on a weekly basis. Once you begin talking to people, you will soon find out relevant names and contact details. A really good way to meet other mums and kids is at the South Sound Mothers and Tots group which meets on Monday mornings at 9.30am for two hours at the South Sound Community Centre. All two-week-old babies to four-year-old children are welcome. Refreshments are served and the cost is CI$6 per family. For information call (345) 328 3684. A few more excellent ways to meet people are through Wednesday's 10.30am story telling time for children at Camana Bay and Thursday's 10.30am-12 noon toddler's play-day at Motions Unlimited. The latter is hugely popular and costs CI$15 per child (CI$10 if your child is enrolled in a weekly class). They also have a toddler's play-day on Wednesday and Friday mornings at 10.30am-12 noon and also on Friday afternoon from 2.30pm-4pm. The fact that they have recently put more sessions shows how popular they are! It is our son's favourite thing to do all week!
Baby and Toddler Equipment & Clothes
Baby clothes can be bought from Atlantic Kids at Paddington Place (Tel: (345) 949 2296), Little Darlings on Shedden Road (Tel: (345) 949 2580) and The Baby Shoppe on Alissta Towers (Tel: (345) 949 2229). They have a good selection, display gifts for baby showers in a very organized way and you will be pleasantly surprised at the quantity and quality. Another option where you may be surprised to find some adorable outfits, especially beach wear, is in the hotel boutiques.
New baby equipment, especially cots and car seats, can be bought at Little Darlings and The Baby Shoppe. There is quite a lot of choice and prices are refreshingly reasonable. Second-hand baby equipment can be bought at garage sales or on ecaytrade.com. If you need to rent baby equipment due to space constraints or for a visiting baby or toddler, contact Tourin’ Tots Furniture rental on (345) 947 8409. They offer cribs, strollers, bassinets, pack & play and more, and offer special rates for residents.
Baby Food
Many people wonder, before they come to Cayman, if they can get the major brands of baby food and products they are used to at home. Nearly everything you would expect to find in a large Canadian or US supermarket can also be found here. People from Europe might not be able to find exactly what they are used to at home, but there will be something similar and the grocery stores are happy to order specific items for you, especially if you have the product name, UPC label or barcode number. Examples of what is carried here include the Earth's Best and Gerber baby food lines; Enfamil and Similac formula lines; and Johnson and Johnson, Pampers and Huggies general product lines. Most of the stores also carry some organic produce, but choice and quantity is limited. You really need to shop around. The produce line in the stores that do try to carry more organic produce often includes carrots, apples, oranges, celery, onions, potatoes, broccoli and salad. Kirk Supermarket and Foster's (Strand location) also have a good line of frozen organic vegetables, fruits, soy-based, lactose-free and goat's milk products for those with food intolerances and allergies. You can always ask supermarket managers to place special orders on your behalf. If you tell others to buy these products as well, it enhances the chance of having these special dietary foods available on a more permanent basis.
Passport & Immigration
Registering the Birth of Your Child
After you give birth to your child the hospital will issue a Live Birth Notification Form. The parents will be given a copy of this and the original is sent by the hospital to the Registrar of Births. The next step requires one of the parents (it must be both parents if you are not married) to go to the Registrar of Births, Ground Floor, Citrus Grove Building, Goring Avenue (Tel: (345) 946 7922 or email: cigenreg@gov.ky) with the completed Live Birth Form, a marriage certificate (if married) and your passports. Residents of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman can register their children at the District Commissioner's Office on Cayman Brac. By law, you must register your child within three months of birth, regardless of your nationality. There is no charge to register your child, however, you may obtain extra copies of your child's birth certificate from the Registrar of Births at a cost of CI$10 each.
Getting a Passport for your Child
You must obtain a birth certificate for your child (and most likely also present the mother's birth certificate) prior to making an application for a passport. Much more information on getting a passport for your child is listed in the Immigration chapter under the section on passports.
American Passports:
The US Consular Agency is located at the Cayman Centre, Unit B1, 118 Dorcy Drive, across from the Airport Post Office (Tel: (345) 945 8173). They are open Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 8am-2pm. Leave a message or go in person for inquiries. They assist with passports and emergency services for US citizens only. They do not deal with visas. Details of what you need to take to the US Consular Agency to complete the passport process can be found in the Immigration chapter.
British Passports
Application forms for British passports (renewals or new passports) can be downloaded from www.ukinusa.fco.gov.uk, along with a list of what needs to be submitted. You can no longer go through the Cayman Islands Passport Office for British Passports.
British Overseas Territory & Caymanian Passports:
Contact the Cayman Islands Passport Office (Tel: (345) 244 2274), located in Sussex House by the Immigration Department, to fill in a form and pay fees. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9am-3pm.
For Canadian Passports:
The Canadian Consulate (Tel: (345) 949 9400) is open Monday through Thursday, 10am-1pm.
For Jamaican Passports
The Jamaican Consular Office (Tel: (345) 949 9526) is open Monday through Friday, 8.30am-2.30pm. A recent law requires Jamaican nationals to obtain a visa to visit Cayman, so please make sure you meet all requirements.
For any other nationalities:
The Portfolio of Internal and External Affairs of the Cayman Islands government and the Office of the Governor have assembled contact details for the consular representatives of the following 13 countries: Austria, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Honduras, India, Jamaica, the Philippines, Spain, Switzerland and the USA. Please visit www.gov.ky for a full list of the consular representatives for these countries and their contact details.
It is recommended that you obtain a passport for your child as soon as possible. You do not want the added complication of trying to arrange this document in a hurry should you need to leave for a medical emergency or, during hurricane season, due to the threat of a storm. In addition, it is advisable to apply for a US Visitors Visa if your child's citizenship requires this for entry into the United States. Contact the US Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica, for further details on 1 (876) 702 6000.
Dependant Permit
Children born on the Island to expats are not automatically entitled to citizenship unless one or both of their parents are either Caymanian or have been granted status. If you are on a work permit, your baby must be added as a dependant on your work permit. To make this application, you must submit the following documents to the Immigration Board:
1) Cover letter from work permit holder requesting addition of dependant
2) Child's birth certificate
3) Parents' marriage certificate
4) Letter from either/both parents' employers authorising the addition of a dependant to the work permit and proof of income (such as a bank statement)
5) CI$50 application fee.
In order for your dependant to reside legally in Cayman, your minimum monthly base salary for a family of three must be in the region of CI$3,500. Add CI$500-$1,000 for each additional dependant. For more specific information, call the Immigration Department on (345) 949 8344. Once all requirements are met, your child's passport will get a stamp with a date on it. Remember to keep that stamp on your child's passport up-to-date, as some airlines may not allow passengers to board planes back to Cayman if the stamp is out of date.
