Expectant mothers who experience a ‘difficult pregnancy’ will no longer have to seek medical facilities across the border into neighboring countries anymore.
A ‘difficult pregnancy’ is a broader term that can lead to a ‘high risk pregnancy’, which in some cases can potentially put the mother, the developing fetus, or both at higher-than-normal risk for complications during or after the pregnancy and birth.
In previous years, Lao hospitals have lacked the proper channels for expectant mothers who have had difficult pregnancies, usually resulting in the mother-to-be being sent to Thailand to consult Thai hospitals, or in more unfortunate cases common to low income families, losing the baby.
However, in an effort to provide women with consultation and services for difficult pregnancies, the Mother and Children Hospital is developing a new Consulting Center for Difficult Pregnancy Status, in hopes that expectant mothers will have a facility they can depend on when facing pregnancy complications.
According to the General Director of the Mother and Children Hospital, Dr Sivongxay Chanthavongsack, the hospital has added a laboratory complex installed with modern equipment and technology and is scheduled to be completed by 2018.
The Mother and Children Hospital was established in 1993, with a mission to provide medical care to pregnant women and children across the country. The hospital originally opened its doors to the public with only 70 beds available, however after the center is completed, an estimated 250-300 beds will be accessible to patients.
