Since the start of the practice, providing antenatal care, care of the newborn and postnatal care has been a source of professional and personal satisfaction for all the staff, the Doctors, Nursing staff and the Reception staff. Simply put we enjoy your joy.
The practice can
• Confirm that you are pregnant
• Calculate your estimated date of delivery
• Discuss options for your care during your pregnancy
• Offer Combined Antenatal care
• Discuss Antenatal Screening
• Help with forms for sorting out your entitlements during your maternity leave
Typically antenatal care is shared between the hospital of your choice and the GP. Antenatal care in the practice is done using a state run scheme known as Combined Antenatal Care. Typically there are 6 antenatal care visits to the practice in a first pregnancy 5 in subsequent pregnancies, 2 week check for the baby and a 6 week check for the mother and baby. If there are significant illness such diabetes or hypertension there is lee way for a further 5 visits. Illnesses not related to the pregnancy are not covered by the scheme.
Visits to GP
• 4-8 weeks
• 24 weeks
• 28 weeks (in your first pregnancy, this is a hospital visit)
• 30 weeks
• 34 weeks
• 37 weeks
• 39 weeks
If you are an existing patient of the practice these visits are free of charge. If you are a new patient to the practice, the first visit will include registration and a general health check and will incur a consultation fee. This combined antenatal care scheme is available to all expectant mothers who are ordinarily resident in Ireland over a year and have a PPS number.
The benefit of this scheme is that the monitoring of your pregnancy will be with a doctor with whom you will become familiar with over the course of your pregnancy.
In the last 30-35yrs, there has been the tradition of hospital based care in Ireland, however there is now recognition that some women will opt for home birth. So if you want to avail of this service, you need to alert the community care of your local HSE office and request a list of midwives providing this service in your area. You still need to sign up for the combined antenatal care scheme if attending a HSE or self employed community midwife.
Hospital Websites:
www.breastfeeding.ie
www.cuidiu-ict.ie
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/BirthChildrenAndFamilies/MaternityBenefit/