Baptist Health Medical Center-Conway is offering peace of mind for expecting mothers and their babies with the opening of an Obstetric Emergency Department. 

Situated within Labor and Delivery, the OB ED functions independently from the hospital’s main Emergency Department. Patients are advised to go directly to the OB ED for check-in. At BHMC-Conway, this specialized unit is located on the first floor and features two dedicated beds.

If a patient arrives with a life-endangering obstetrical emergency, the OB ED can provide immediate care for expectant mothers 20+ weeks gestation and their babies. 

“Baptist Health believes that every woman deserves to have a safe and healthy pregnancy and childbirth,” said April Bennett, president of BHMC-Conway. “The Obstetric Emergency Department ensures that women have access to the specialized care they need, when they need it. It is an important step in our efforts to improve maternal health outcomes in Arkansas.” 

The OB ED is designed to provide women with 24/7 access to specialized care for pregnancy- and postpartum-related emergencies, such as abdominal pain, pre-term labor, preeclampsia, abnormal vaginal bleeding, ruptured membranes, urinary tract or bladder infections, decreased fetal movement, increased blood pressure, conditions related to high-risk pregnancy, and postpartum complications.

BHMC-Conway’s OBED is staffed by a team of OB/GYNs, nurses and other health care professionals who are trained to handle these emergencies. It is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including advanced imaging and monitoring equipment.

Baptist Health is committed to addressing maternal health disparities in Arkansas. The state has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the nation. Baptist Health is working to reduce this rate by providing access to quality health care for all women, regardless of their race, ethnicity or socioeconomic status. 

In addition to the OB ED, Baptist Health offers a wide range of women’s health services, including prenatal care, labor and delivery and postpartum care. The health system also has a dedicated team of maternal-fetal medicine specialists who provide care for women with high-risk pregnancies. 

For more information about Baptist Health’s Obstetric Emergency Departments in Conway, Little Rock and North Little Rock, visit Baptist-Health.org or call 1-888-BAPTIST.