The Foeto-Maternal Medicine Unit (FMU) at the Women’s Wellness and Research Centre (WWRC) under Hamad Medical Corporation receives over 300 referrals each month and is providing specialised care to women with high-risk and complex pregnancies.
Thousands of women have received care at the FMU since it was established in 2002, with around 3,000 undergoing specialised prenatal procedures.
Last year, over 8,000 foetal examinations were conducted at the unit, providing treatment to expectant mothers requiring specialised care for maternal or foetal reasons. The unit offers diagnosis and treatment of complications which may arise in unborn babies.
Dr Najat Ali Mohsen Khenyab, head of the Foeto-Maternal Medicine Unit and senior consultant Obstetrics/Gynaecology at HMC, said “pregnancy is a normal and joyful occurrence and in many cases pregnancy is uncomplicated. However, some women face difficulties while pregnant and experience complications for a number of reasons, including miscarriage, pre-term labour and pre-term birth, preeclampsia, abnormal amniotic volume and diabetes.”
Noor al-Mansoori, who received care at the unit during her recent pregnancy, said: “I was referred to the FMU at 20 weeks gestation due to a suspected foetal abnormality. The doctors and nurses were great. The unit’s doctor thoroughly explained the suspected problem and the treatment plan to both myself and my husband. I have recently given birth to a healthy baby girl at full term.” 
Dr Sawsan Hassan al-Obaidly, consultant maternal-foetal medicine,  explained that one of the biggest advantages of having an FMU is the ability to diagnose congenital problems in unborn babies earlier.
“We have diagnosed a number of congenital abnormalities in unborn babies such as heart defects cranio-facial anomalies, spine defects, and organ anomalies. We also see placental disorders including abnormal placental implantation, placental insufficiency, and fetal growth restriction,” she said.
The FMU holds four daily foetal scanning and procedure clinics in addition to counselling clinics.
Dr Khenyab noted that while a referral from HMC or a primary health care or private clinic is preferred, emergency walk-in patients are accepted. She emphasised that the unit has gained a distinguished reputation across the region due to a number of patients being referred from outside the country for both prenatal diagnosis and counselling.