Dr. Mona Al-A’wwad, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist at King Saud Medical City (KSMC), has provided pregnant women seeking to perform Hajj with some health tips, mainly underscoring the importance of visiting the treating physician before travelling to take the necessary health tips and guidance. Not only that, she has also advised the pregnant woman to take her medicine during Hajj, and to take meningitis vaccination 10 days prior to setting out for Hajj, as it doesn't cause any harm to her health as well as the health of her fetus, in addition to wearing loose clothes, drinking liquids frequently and avoiding congestion.
Dr. Al-A’wwad pointed out that when the pregnant woman shows such symptoms as: severe headache, frequent vomiting, blurred eye, or vaginal bleeding, she has to visit the nearest health center.
Within the same vein, Dr. Al-A’wwad made clear that “the pregnant woman must carry with her an original copy of the Pregnancy Follow-up Card, so that any physician examining her can identify her health status and the medicine she takes.”
In a similar fashion, Dr. Al-A’wwad has delivered a message to the pregnant woman: “In case you feel unable to perform Hajj, just remember these words of Almighty Allah: (Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity). It is highly recommended to wait for the right time.”
Dr. Mona explained to the female callers of the MOH National Center for Media and Health Awareness who are willing to perform Hajj that the ideal way for the woman to avoid menstrual bleeding during Hajj is to take pills that prevent menstruation enough time before going to Hajj and as per the doctor's advice.
Dr. Al-A’wwad has, besides, discouraged pregnant women with sickle cell anemia against performing Hajj, because congestion and drought, which might result from walking for a long time under the sunlight and exerting great physical effort, might pose the threat of deterioration of their health status.
This came while hosting Dr. Mona Al-A’wwad at the MOH National Center for Media Information and Health Awareness, to answer the questions of the audience of the service called “Pilgrims' Health is Our Concern” which has been launched by the National Center for the eleventh consecutive year.
The Consultant Gynecologist received various questions concerning women's health problems at Ministry's Twitter account: @saudimoh. She answered the questions directly.
Within the same context, the Center will host Dr. Khalid Al-Nemr, a Consultant in Cardiology, Arterial Catheterization, Tomography and Nuclear Imaging, on Monday Dulgaeda 20th, 1435 H (corresponding to September15th, 2014) from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., to provide health guidance for cardiac patients and receive their queries, particularly those willing to perform Hajj for the first time, despite the health problems they are suffering.