Mother and Baby
The Mother and baby Maternity Hospital is the:
Mid-Western Regional Maternity Hospital, St Munchin’s, Ennis Road, Limerick (061) 327 455
All women are entitled to free medical care during their pregnancy. This care is available from a GP (family doctor) and a hospital obstetrician. The Health Service Executive (HSE) scheme providing this care is called the ‘Maternity and infant care scheme’. Not all GPs take part in this scheme but if your regular GP does not, you can attend another GP of your choice who does.
Do I need to fill in a form?
Yes. You and your GP fill out an application form for “Maternity and infant care” together and return it to the Local Health Office who will process it so you can be included in the scheme. If you have received some of your medical care during pregnancy elsewhere, you should bring your medical notes and results of any medical tests with you when attending the hospital or GP.
How often do I see a doctor?
The GP is the first doctor to see you during your pregnancy – if possible before you are 12 weeks’ pregnant. Usually, you will have six more examinations – every second one will be at the hospital.
Can I attend pregnancy classes?
The public health nurse at your local health centre can tell you about whether or not there are antenatal (pregnancy) classes available in your area. Your GP (family doctor) may also have information about antenatal classes. Make sure you register the birth of your baby (see above).
If you think you have gone into labour, phone St Munchin’s Hospital, tell them your symptoms and follow their advice - St Munchin’s (061) 327 455
You can register your child’s birth in:
What about long-term illnesses?
If you suffer from a significant illness, for example diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure), you may be provided with five more free visits to your GP. However, additional GP visits for illnesses that have nothing to do with your pregnancy are not covered as part of the scheme.
Will I have to pay for hospital?
No. You are entitled to free inpatient (stays overnight) and outpatient public hospital services related to your pregnancy and the birth of your baby.
What happens when I am home?
After the birth, the GP will examine your baby at two weeks and will examine you and your baby at six weeks. These visits are free. Apart from these two visits, babies are only entitled to free GP care if their parents have a medical card. Visits to the GP for any conditions related to the baby’s health during the six weeks after their birth or after that are not covered by the ‘Maternity and infant care scheme’. The public health nurse visits the mother and baby at home during the first six weeks of the baby’s life.
What tests and vaccines can my baby have?
In Ireland, new-born babies are screened for serious metabolic disorders within 72-120 hours after birth. This involves taking a small sample of your baby’s blood from the heel and is known as the “heel prick test”. The formal name for this test is the Guthrie Test. The test may be carried out by your GP or in the outpatients’ department of the hospital. This test can only be carried out if you give your consent.
These tests are important as early diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious illness.
Vaccines (immunisations) for babies
The hospital or local Health Centre will ask you for permission to give your newborn baby the BCG vaccine which will protect your baby against TB.
Immunisation office - www.immunisation.ie
Vaccines
Immunisations for children
There are 12 diseases that can be prevented by routine childhood immunisation:
All of these diseases can cause serious complications and sometimes death. In Ireland, children and young people are entitled to the recommended immunisations free at:
You must give permission for your children to be vaccinated. If you have any questions talk to your GP (family doctor) or practice nurse. More information is available in several languages at the National Immunisation Office website www.immunisation.ie
Family planning
Information on family planning and contraception is available from your midwife, doctor, public health nurse, or practice nurse. The HSE provides family planning services through:
Family planning Local 1850 495 051
Irish Family Planning Association - www.ifpa.ie
The Mother and baby Maternity Hospital is the:
Mid-Western Regional Maternity Hospital, St Munchin’s, Ennis Road, Limerick (061) 327 455
All women are entitled to free medical care during their pregnancy. This care is available from a GP (family doctor) and a hospital obstetrician. The Health Service Executive (HSE) scheme providing this care is called the ‘Maternity and infant care scheme’. Not all GPs take part in this scheme but if your regular GP does not, you can attend another GP of your choice who does.
Do I need to fill in a form?
Yes. You and your GP fill out an application form for “Maternity and infant care” together and return it to the Local Health Office who will process it so you can be included in the scheme. If you have received some of your medical care during pregnancy elsewhere, you should bring your medical notes and results of any medical tests with you when attending the hospital or GP.
How often do I see a doctor?
The GP is the first doctor to see you during your pregnancy – if possible before you are 12 weeks’ pregnant. Usually, you will have six more examinations – every second one will be at the hospital.
Can I attend pregnancy classes?
The public health nurse at your local health centre can tell you about whether or not there are antenatal (pregnancy) classes available in your area. Your GP (family doctor) may also have information about antenatal classes. Make sure you register the birth of your baby (see above).
If you think you have gone into labour, phone St Munchin’s Hospital, tell them your symptoms and follow their advice - St Munchin’s (061) 327 455
You can register your child’s birth in:
- the hospital where they are born; or
- the Civil Registration Office, St. Camillus’ Hospital, Shelbourne Road, Limerick. Phone: (061) 483 763
What about long-term illnesses?
If you suffer from a significant illness, for example diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure), you may be provided with five more free visits to your GP. However, additional GP visits for illnesses that have nothing to do with your pregnancy are not covered as part of the scheme.
Will I have to pay for hospital?
No. You are entitled to free inpatient (stays overnight) and outpatient public hospital services related to your pregnancy and the birth of your baby.
What happens when I am home?
After the birth, the GP will examine your baby at two weeks and will examine you and your baby at six weeks. These visits are free. Apart from these two visits, babies are only entitled to free GP care if their parents have a medical card. Visits to the GP for any conditions related to the baby’s health during the six weeks after their birth or after that are not covered by the ‘Maternity and infant care scheme’. The public health nurse visits the mother and baby at home during the first six weeks of the baby’s life.
- Every woman is entitled to free medical care during her pregnancy.
- Don’t forget to organise childcare for your other children while you are in hospital.
What tests and vaccines can my baby have?
In Ireland, new-born babies are screened for serious metabolic disorders within 72-120 hours after birth. This involves taking a small sample of your baby’s blood from the heel and is known as the “heel prick test”. The formal name for this test is the Guthrie Test. The test may be carried out by your GP or in the outpatients’ department of the hospital. This test can only be carried out if you give your consent.
These tests are important as early diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious illness.
Vaccines (immunisations) for babies
The hospital or local Health Centre will ask you for permission to give your newborn baby the BCG vaccine which will protect your baby against TB.
Immunisation office - www.immunisation.ie
Vaccines
Immunisations for children
There are 12 diseases that can be prevented by routine childhood immunisation:
- tuberculosis (TB);
- diphtheria;
- haemophilus influenza type b (hib);
- hepatitis B;
- polio;
- tetanus;
- whooping cough;
- meningococcal C (men C) disease;
- pneumococcal disease;
- measles;
- mumps; and
- rubella.
All of these diseases can cause serious complications and sometimes death. In Ireland, children and young people are entitled to the recommended immunisations free at:
- GP surgeries;
- hospitals;
- health clinics; or
- schools (depending on age).
You must give permission for your children to be vaccinated. If you have any questions talk to your GP (family doctor) or practice nurse. More information is available in several languages at the National Immunisation Office website www.immunisation.ie
Family planning
Information on family planning and contraception is available from your midwife, doctor, public health nurse, or practice nurse. The HSE provides family planning services through:
- maternity and other hospitals;
- health centres;
- public health nurses;
- GPs; and
- family planning groups.
Family planning Local 1850 495 051
Irish Family Planning Association - www.ifpa.ie