Specialized Care for Women, 24/7
The Emergency Department at Women’s Wellness and Research Center (WWRC) provides specialized care to thousands of women each year, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether dealing with obstetrical or gynecological emergencies, our expert team is here to assist.
Obstetric Emergencies
If a woman experiences any of the following issues during pregnancy, she should seek immediate care:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Sudden abdominal pain
- Leaking water from the vagina
- Reduced or absent fetal movements at any stage of pregnancy
- Severe vomiting and dehydration
- Trauma during pregnancy
Our team is also equipped to handle gynecological emergencies, including:
- Severe vaginal bleeding
- Pelvic pain
- Vulvar abscesses
- Fibroids
Advanced Diagnostic Tools
The Emergency Department is equipped with advanced imaging and diagnostic tools for quick and accurate diagnoses. A 24-hour in-house pharmacy is available for any medication needed.
If the condition does not fall within the scope of obstetric or gynecological emergencies, patients are encouraged to visit their designated Primary Health Care Centers (PHCC) or Hamad General Hospital (HGH) emergency department, or to wait for their scheduled outpatient appointment.
Arrival at the Emergency Department
If a patient believes they are experiencing a medical emergency and do not have a driver, they should call 999. If someone is available to drive them, they should be dropped off at the Emergency Department entrance before parking.
For safety and smooth traffic flow, it is important that the driver parks in the designated parking areas. Patients and their support person can wait in our spacious waiting area while the patient receives care.
Registration Process
Upon arrival, patients should visit the reception desk to register. Personal details will be recorded, so patients should bring proof of identification (QID, passport) and their health card. If it is the patient’s first visit to WWRC, a marriage certificate and the husband’s identification (QID, passport) will also be required.
Assessment and Care Plan
After registration, patients will be assessed based on the urgency of their condition (triage). More serious cases will be prioritized, and patients may experience wait times during busy periods. A nurse or midwife will greet the patient, ask questions about their symptoms, and take vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, respiration, and urine analysis.
Emergency Care for Maternity Patients
If the patient is pregnant and experiencing potential labor symptoms, a specialized nurse or midwife will use the maternity triage system to assess the situation. If the patient is in active labor, they will be admitted.
If a patient suspects they are in labor, they can ask themselves the following questions:
- Are contractions occurring 2-3 times in a 10-minute span?
- Is there a gush or trickle of fluid from the vagina? This may indicate the waters have broken.
- Is there mucus or blood coming from the vagina?
- Is there pressure on the bladder or frequent urination?
- Is the patient experiencing diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting?
If the answer is “yes” to some or all of these questions, the patient may be in labor. They should ask a support person to drop them off at the Emergency Department entrance, where the care team will conduct a further assessment.
If the labor has not progressed enough for delivery, the patient may be kept for observation or sent home with instructions. If the patient is in labor, they will be transferred to the Labor and Delivery unit or operating theater. Based on the assessment of the patient's and baby's health, the care team will determine whether a vaginal delivery or C-section is needed.
In later stages of labor, if delivery is imminent, three labor and delivery rooms are available in the Emergency Department to ensure a safe birth. After delivery, both mother and baby will be transferred to private rooms for continued care.
Gynecological Emergencies
For gynecological emergencies, patients will be seen by our nursing team and fully assessed by an emergency physician. If the condition can be treated in the Emergency Department, the patient will receive immediate care and discharge instructions. If further treatment is required, the patient may be admitted or referred for surgery.
