Scope of Services

Special investigations, assessment, operations or treatment are provided for inpatients with gynaecological problems.
About 300 major gynaecological surgeries, 470 minor surgeries, 650 micro-laparoscopic surgeries, and 1,050 day surgeries are performed each year.

1. General gynaecology, urogynaecology, gynaecological oncology services are provided.
   
   Gynaecology Outpatient Clinic
   
   
   Waiting Area
   
   
2. Early Pregnancy Assessment
   Ultrasound examination and treatment are provided for women with relevant indications in early pregnancy.
   
   Ultrasound Examination Room
   
   
3. Post-hysterectomy patient support group
   Knowledge on gynaecological and physical/psychological care is given to patients with hysterectomies.

As a holder of a valid licence issued by the Council on Human Reproductive Technology, we provide relevant tests and treatment for couples in need of assisted reproductive technology. There is also an endocrinology out-patient clinic dedicated to women with endocrine disorders who are not seeking for assisted reproductive technology services.

Laboratory for Assisted Reproductive Technology


Procedure room for Assisted Reproductive Technology

1. Colposcopy
   With a sophisticated microscope, a magnified view of the cervix is obtained and pathological change is located. Treatment such as loop electrosurgical excision or cryotherapy is provided for patients diagnosed with cervical pathological changes.
   
   Procedure Room for Colposcopy
   
   
2. Hysteroscopy
   Hysteroscopy is applied for women with postmenopausal bleeding, abnormal menstrual cycle or misplaced intrauterine device. A specialised tube is inserted via the vagina and cervix, with a microscope connected to a built-in camera for direct observation of the structure and pathological changes of the uterine cavity, and biopsy is taken for testing.
   
   Procedure Room for Hysteroscopy
   
   
   Equipment for Hysteroscopy
   
   
3. Urogynaecology
   Examination and treatment are provided for women with problems of pelvic organ dysfunction such as urinary incontinence, bowel incontinence or pelvic organ prolapse. Urodynamic investigations and assessment of incontinence are conducted by designated nurses or physiotherapists. Based on the results, the patient may undergo surgical treatment by a gynaecologist or pelvic muscle training under the instruction of a physiotherapist.
   
   Urogynaecology Examination Room
   
   
4. Pre-operative Counselling
   Pre-operative education and counselling is provided by designated nurses. It may reduce patients’ anxiety over the surgery.
   
   Pre-operative Counselling
   
   
5. Grief Counselling Team
   Grief counselling services are provided for women with miscarriage and stillbirth to assist in emotional adaptation and coping.

1. Number of Births
   
   • Around 5,500-6,000 infants are born at the KWH each year.
   • Vaginal spontaneous birth and Caesarean section account for 75% and 20-22% respectively; and 3-4% of the births are of assisted instrumental birth.
2. Obstetrics Ward and Labour Ward
   
   Obstetrics Ward
   
   
   
   Labour Ward
   
   
   Birthing room
   
   
3. Mother Friendly Childbirth Practice
   We are committed to promote mother friendly childbirth practice to normalise the labour process with positive maternal feelings/experience. Also, it may increase the chance of spontaneous birth, and facilitate breastfeeding and recovery after birth.
   
   Mother Friendly Childbirth practices：
   
   • Spouse or significant others are encouraged to accompany the labouring woman during labour and birth
   • Mothers-to-be are encouraged to move about, and use the positions of her choice during labour and birth - unless the restriction is specifically indicated
   • Non-indicated routine medical interventions are not administered, such as intravenous infusion, vaginal examination and episiotomy
   • Light food is provided for low-risk mothers-to-be
   • Non-pharmacological pain relief are encouraged and provided for mothers-to-be, such as breathing exercise, birth ball, massage, music and warm pack
   • Skin-to-skin contact between mother and infant is encouraged as soon as possible after birth to establish breastfeeding
   • Breastfeeding is actively promoted and supported
   • “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding” and “International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes” of the WHO and UNICEF are actively followed
   
   Spouse accompanies labour and birth
   
   
   Massage in labour
   
   
4. Infant Feeding
   Breast milk is the most natural source of nutrients and protection to the infants, and the process of breastfeeding is linked closely to the bonding and physical/psychological health of the mothers and infants.
   
   We have adopted the WHO’s recommendations to help and support mothers on infant feeding, such as:
   • “Breastfeeding Workshop” at antenatal health talks and teaching in small-group for out/ in-patients are conducted in an interactive way; and relevant resources are made available on the Internet so that mothers can master the proper techniques of breastfeeding more easily.
   • Skin-to-skin contact between mother and infant is promoted as soon as possible after birth at the labour ward
   • Rooming in is practiced in the obstetrics ward, where breastfeeding is supported and assisted by healthcare personnel; breastfeeding on demand is encouraged, and artificial teats are not given for breastfed infants, etc.
   • Infant Feeding Team:
     Qualified International Board Certified Lactation Consultants will provide clinical support for breastfeeding mothers and assistance in special cases
   • “Breastfeeding Clinic” supports breastfeeding mothers who gave birth at the KWH
   • Support is rendered to mothers who opt not to breastfeed
     
     Breastfeeding Clinic
     
     

1. Antenatal Check-up
   New appointments - Tuesday/Thursday mornings
   Follow-up appointments - Monday/Wednesday/Friday mornings
2. Antenatal Health Education
   
   • Antenatal Massage Classes
     On Friday evenings (expect public holidays), the trained midwives teach mothers-to-be and their spouses massage techniques to alleviate back discomfort and pain during labouring, and improve the quality of sleep.
   • Antenatal Talks
     A series of antenatal talks are conducted by experienced midwives, anaesthetists and social workers on Saturday mornings (expect public holidays) to help couples prepare for childbirth.
     Antenatal classes are available by online booking
     
     Antenatal classes
     
     
   • Breastfeeding Workshop
     Breastfeeding is actively encouraged, supported and protected, with workshops conducted by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants.
   • Overture to Life
     By viewing the website parents-to-be can obtain the knowledge of maternal and new born care at anytime and anywhere
     http://www3.ha.org.hk/kwh/Departments/o&g/resource/og_video/video.asp
     
     
     
   • Diet counselling for women with gestational diabetes
     Pregnant women with high blood sugar level are counselled by our dietitians on how to regulate and control their diet for keeping blood sugar levels normal and avoiding impaired foetal growth.
3. Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Screening
   

The continuous midwifery care team is a team of midwives provides ongoing care, education, and support to the normal low risk women during their pregnancy, labour, birth and postnatal period.

Objectives:

• To provide pregnant women with an alternate choice of midwifery care
• To provide individualized maternity care to the normal low risk childbearing women
• To promote non-pharmacological pain relief methods
• To promote normal birth
• To promote breastfeeding
• To promote family centre care
• To provide continuity of midwifery care to childbearing throughout pregnancy, labour and puerperium

Flow:

1. During the first antenatal check-up, pregnant women interested in joining the programme are interviewed by a midwifery team member. Under the consent of the mother-to-be, her subsequent antenatal check-ups, labour and post-natal care will be carried out by that team.
2. Under normal circumstances, at gestational week of 36 and 40, joint consultations by the designated obstetrician and midwifery team member are arranged for the mother-to-be.
3. In case of any deviation from normal is identified during pregnancy/labour or after birth, treatment and care are provided by the doctors and midwifery team member to safeguard maternal and child health.
   
   
   

Prenatal counselling, diagnosis and screening services are provided by a team of maternal and fetal medicine specialists and midwives.

1. Prenatal Diagnosis & Counselling
   Service recipients include pregnant women of advanced maternal age, those with a history of familial hereditary disease, fetal abnormalities in the previous or current pregnancy, as well as those tested positive in Down’s syndrome screening. Those with indications will undergo structural ultrasound examination; amniocentesis; chorionic villus sampling; or receive an array comparative genomic hybridisation (aCGH) test at own cost.
   
   Amniocentesis
   
   
   Down’s syndrome screening
   
   
2. High-risk Pregnancy Out-patient Clinic
   Suitable healthcare services are provided for women in high-risk pregnancy (those with conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, antepartum haemorrhage, intrauterine growth retardation).
3. Multiple Pregnancy Out-patient Clinic
   Women with a multiple pregnancy are closely monitored to reduce the occurrence of maternal and fetal complications.

Maternal physical and psychological wellbeing, both before and after getting pregnant, and a good family environment have a substantial, far-reaching impact on the physical and psychological development of the child. Comprehensive Child Development Service is a territory-wide programme. Through communication and collaboration among the Department of Health, the Hospital Authority (HA), the Education Bureau and the Social Welfare Department, all-round support is rendered to families with teenage pregnancy, substance or drug abuse and mental health issues. Team members include obstetricians, midwives, paediatricians, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses and social workers from hospitals under the HA and Maternal and Child Health Centres.

During the antenatal check-up, pregnant women will be evaluated based on the information they provide to identify their needs. They will be followed up by designated midwives, including appointment for interview and parenting education. Suitable counselling is provided according to individual situation to enhance their capacity for self and infant care. After childbirth, in-patient visits or follow-up telephone calls will be made, while referral to other medical or community institutions will be arranged for pregnant women/mothers as appropriate for subsequent support services. These include maternal physical/psychological assessment, advice on baby care skills; mother-infant relationship; and monitoring of infant physical/psychological development so as to fulfil the objective of “comprehensive child development”.