(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Fazeena Saleem / The Peninsula
The Women's Wellbeing Clinic at Sidra Medical and Research Center (Sidra) offers comprehensive mental health services for women, infants and families, spanning the period from pregnancy planning, pregnancy, birthing and postpartum up to one year post delivery (the 'perinatal period').
The outpatient clinic opened in March this year and offers services including mental health assessment and treatment planning, psychological therapy and medication management. The clinic has the capacity to see at least five patients a day. It is currently the only clinic of its kind in Qatar solely dedicated to perinatal mental healthcare services.
'Pregnancy is a time of joy, excitement, and anticipation, but it can also be a time of concern, apprehension, and even fear for some expectant mothers. Women's mental health during pregnancy has important implications not only for the well-being of the mother, but also for the development, health, and well-being of her unborn child. Just as it is important to address physical health issues during pregnancy, it is also important for women to access appropriate care for their emotional well-being, Dr Felice Watt, Perinatal Psychiatrist and Division Chief for Women's Mental Health at Sidra told The Peninsula.
The Clinic receives new referrals weekly from Sidra's Obstetrics Clinic, Hamad Medical Corporation, Primary Health Care Corporation and private clinics. The women are seen for mental health issues including anxiety, depression and several other problems such as adjusting to pregnancy and transition to motherhood.
'We have a holistic approach towards caring for the women who are referred to the women's wellbeing clinic. We consider their needs and do a thorough assessment. This can be followed by therapy or medication, depending on the condition of the patient, said Dr Watt.
'Most women have some anxiety when they are pregnant, however for some women their anxiety can be severe and distressing and may be focused on a fear of childbirth, or for the health and safety of her baby. People expect pregnancy to be a happy occasion which of course it is, but for some women it is not, and this can lead to them feeling ashamed about their feelings and isolated from their community. If ongoing sadness and anxiety are not addressed, the woman may become depressed and have difficulties relating to her newborn baby.
In addition to Dr Watt, the Sidra team at the Women's Wellbeing Clinic includes Dr Sawssan Ahmed, an Arabic speaking Clinical Psychologist and Safia Ahmed, Clinical Nurse Specialist. They provide counseling to mothers with emotional difficulties including issues related to prior miscarriages, traumatic deliveries and similar experiences.
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