DOHA: Women’s Hospital (WH) is spreading awareness on benefits of antenatal care through a series of educational classes aimed at helping women prepare for pregnancy and a normal child birth.
“Our goal is to better prepare women both physically and mentally for those early days and weeks of parenting,” said Sister Sharifa Al Malki, Director of Patient Education and Nursing, Women’s Hospital.
“Having a baby is a life-changing event that can be very stressful for a new parent; constantly trying to juggle her own concerns as well as those of the unborn child. Fortunately there are a variety of methods that women can adopt to help combat pregnancy stress that are gentle, non-invasive, and offer many positive benefits.”
The Patient Family Education team at Women’s Hospital will offer to-be-mothers eight classes spanning from her first trimester until birth. In the initial two sessions, they will be given tips about diet and exercise and how to cope with discomfort such as nausea, vomiting and constipation.
During the second trimester, women will learn about breastfeeding, fetal growth monitoring, weight gain and weight control. The last set of classes will focus on how good breathing exercises, relaxation techniques and muscle toning movements will ease labour and delivery.
“By partnering with women throughout their pregnancy, we hope to reduce number of deliveries through Caesarean section,” said Sister Haila S S Johar, Executive Director of Nursing at Women’s Hospital.
“A natural delivery will ultimately help reduce woman’s recovery time, while reducing risk of abdominal pain, infection after delivery, and injury to internal organs such as the bladder. It will also make future births less at risk of complications,” she added.
Mothers attending antenatal classes during their third trimester will also learn about newborn care, immunisations and dealing with postpartum stress.
Currently, classes are open to all women and will be held from 9 am to 11 am daily in the designated women’s waiting room at the hospital.
In addition to learning, participants will have an opportunity to discuss and share their ideas or concerns with staff and other mothers-to-be and to participate in a hospital tour every Thursday to become more familiar with the Women’s Hospital facility and staff prior to delivery.
The Peninsula
DOHA: Women’s Hospital (WH) is spreading awareness on benefits of antenatal care through a series of educational classes aimed at helping women prepare for pregnancy and a normal child birth.
“Our goal is to better prepare women both physically and mentally for those early days and weeks of parenting,” said Sister Sharifa Al Malki, Director of Patient Education and Nursing, Women’s Hospital.
“Having a baby is a life-changing event that can be very stressful for a new parent; constantly trying to juggle her own concerns as well as those of the unborn child. Fortunately there are a variety of methods that women can adopt to help combat pregnancy stress that are gentle, non-invasive, and offer many positive benefits.”
The Patient Family Education team at Women’s Hospital will offer to-be-mothers eight classes spanning from her first trimester until birth. In the initial two sessions, they will be given tips about diet and exercise and how to cope with discomfort such as nausea, vomiting and constipation.
During the second trimester, women will learn about breastfeeding, fetal growth monitoring, weight gain and weight control. The last set of classes will focus on how good breathing exercises, relaxation techniques and muscle toning movements will ease labour and delivery.
“By partnering with women throughout their pregnancy, we hope to reduce number of deliveries through Caesarean section,” said Sister Haila S S Johar, Executive Director of Nursing at Women’s Hospital.
“A natural delivery will ultimately help reduce woman’s recovery time, while reducing risk of abdominal pain, infection after delivery, and injury to internal organs such as the bladder. It will also make future births less at risk of complications,” she added.
Mothers attending antenatal classes during their third trimester will also learn about newborn care, immunisations and dealing with postpartum stress.
Currently, classes are open to all women and will be held from 9 am to 11 am daily in the designated women’s waiting room at the hospital.
In addition to learning, participants will have an opportunity to discuss and share their ideas or concerns with staff and other mothers-to-be and to participate in a hospital tour every Thursday to become more familiar with the Women’s Hospital facility and staff prior to delivery.
The Peninsula
