Maternity Services
Maternity Services
All pregnant women who are ordinarily resident in Ireland are entitled to free public maternity care.
The entitlements include:
- Antenatal (pregnancy) care
- Routine pregnancy blood tests and ultrasound scan(s) as part of your maternity care.
- Care during labour and the birth of your baby
- Postnatal care for mother and baby
- A stay in a public ward after the birth
- Postnatal checks for both mother and baby under the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme
Make sure you visit your GP if you think you are pregnant. Your GP will confirm your pregnancy even if you have already done a pregnancy test. Once your pregnancy is confirmed, the GP will discuss your antenatal care. Your GP will also ask you which hospital you’d like to go to and write a referral letter for you. You can also contact your local maternity hospital or maternity unit directly.
During your pregnancy, you will have numerous visits with your midwife. You have the choice of sharing your antenatal visits between the hospital and your GP.
At each visit, your blood pressure will be taken, you will be asked to provide a urine sample, and you will be examined. They will also monitor your baby’s growth and wellbeing and arrange blood tests, vaccinations, and ultrasound scans at appropriate stages of pregnancy.
Antenatal classes held at your local public maternity hospital are free of charge.
You are entitled to choose whether you want a hospital birth or a home birth. Hospital births are the more popular option in Ireland. A home birth is also available free through the HSE Home Birth Service in some areas for women with low-risk pregnancies who meet the eligibility criteria.
Mothers and babies are cared for after the birth, too. When you return home, a public health nurse (PHN) will visit you within 72 hours of your leaving the hospital.
You will have two free post-natal visits to your GP at 2 and 6 weeks after giving birth
You will be notified of the vaccinations your baby needs at various points after their birth. All vaccinations are free of charge and provided by your GP.