Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Women’s Wellness and Research Center (WWRC) yesterday welcomed the 100th baby born at its new hospital.
This milestone follows the recent relocation of the Emergency Department and a number of inpatient services, including labour and delivery, from Women’s Hospital to the new facility.
Baby Nabil, born to Qatari parents al-Emadis, was delivered in one of the WWRC’s 26 labour and delivery rooms.The labour and delivery service at WWRC was officially opened last week.
The state-of-the-art operating theatres at WWRC opened late last year welcoming women scheduled to give birth through caesarean delivery.
Speaking about her experience, al-Emadi said, “The Women’s Wellness and Research Center is an incredible new facility.
The labour and delivery suite was less clinical than I imagined. The wonderful team of doctors and nurses caring for me provided encouragement and support throughout every step of my delivery.”
After the birth, al-Emadi and her baby were brought to one of the facility’s spacious private rooms. Each room is equipped with a bathroom, baby cot, and large windows and has been specially designed to create a natural healing environment.
“My room feels very comfortable and homelike,” said al-Emadi. “I am able to relax and bond with my baby while recovering from the birth. Nurses and lactation consultants have been available to answer my questions and provide breastfeeding support.”
Haila Johar, executive director of nursing at WWRC said, “This birth represents another milestone in our journey towards operating at full capacity at this new facility.
It is the culmination of many months of hard work to ensure the transition here from Women’s Hospital has been as safe and comfortable as possible for our patients, and that the labour and delivery experience of our new mothers is as good as it can be for them and their families.”
Johar explained that HMC maternity facilities are designed in accordance with infection control measures that help ensure patient, labour, and delivery rooms are kept free of germs, infection, and hazards.
“Expectant mothers are requested to bring only essential items for the duration of their stay in the hospital and are asked to remind their visitors that only a small bouquet of flowers, or a small box of chocolates, are permitted as gifts,” she added.
The new WWRC is nearly double the size of the Women’s Hospital.
Along with housing expanded outpatient and emergency departments, the new state-of-the-art hospital has 240 single inpatient rooms, seven operating theatres, a critical care unit and the largest NICU in the region, spanning two floors of the building.