The programme includes a tour of the facility with the opportunity to meet caregivers and receive relevant educational material.
“Having a baby can be a very exciting yet stressful time for our newly referred mothers,” said Dr Mohamed Alloub, senior physician, obstetrics and gynaecology at Al Wakra Hospital.
“As part of our prenatal programme for new patients,we are offering an on-site orientation at our hospital where women will have the opportunity to ask questions about our maternal units and services available.”
Al Wakra Hospital offers a range of services for their maternity patients including antenatal and postnatal clinics, gynaecology clinics, a lactation clinic and an anaesthetic assessment clinic for high risk obstetric patients
“By inviting pregnant women into the hospital before delivery, our goal is to establish a friendly environment and ensure women and their families feel safe, comfortable, informed and involved in their care,” Dr Alloub added.
As part of the initiative, hospital representatives accompany the participants to different maternity units after an on-site orientation presentation. During this time, a multi-disciplinary team at Al Wakra Hospital including the hospital obstetricians, anaesthesiologists, pharmacists and nurses, are available to answer any questions women may have.
“My main concern was related to what I should do to be more prepared for my upcoming delivery,” Joanne Delos Reyes, a first time mother said, adding, “Having the opportunity to walk through the different labour and delivery areas at Al Wakra Hospital and see how it was laid out made me feel less anxious and that helped give my husband more confidence as well.”
In a feedback survey administered to around 300 participants at the hospital, 95% rated the tour as excellent, with most indicating they would recommend it to others. They also revealed their desire to have their husbands accompany them on the tour, which organisers will incorporate by early next year.
For women who are not able to attend, an educational video has been developed and will be shown in the outpatient waiting areas. In addition, educational brochures are provided in both English and Arabic.
“We are thrilled with the positive response we have received from both our patients and staff,” said Fatma Naji, head nurse of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Outpatient Department at Al Wakra Hospital and lead organiser of the initiative. “By offering these tours daily, we really hope to improve our patient’s experience,” she added.
