Maternity Care in Ireland: What to Expect

Becoming a parent is daunting – there’s no doubt about it. From baby names to antenatal care; and from changing nappies to birth options, it can feel like an overwhelming amount to learn and decide in just nine short months.

Choosing a health plan can be particularly overwhelming for first time parents. There are multiple options to consider, including whether you’d prefer Public, Semi-Private or Private care. Regardless of what you choose, you’ll receive exceptional care from Ireland’s medical professionals, and there are further supports available from each of the three health insurance providers – Irish Life Health, Laya Healthcare, and Vhi.

The priority is ensuring you feel comfortable and supported throughout your maternity. To help you get started on your healthcare plan, we’ve outlined some of the key steps and appointments you’ll need to be aware of when you become pregnant – so you can know what to expect, now that you’re expecting.

Pregnancy Tests

When you first suspect you’re pregnant, book an appointment with your GP. They will confirm your pregnancy with a urine or blood test. You may already have had a positive home pregnancy test, but you’ll need your GP to confirm.

Choosing Your Healthcare

You don’t need to finalise your healthcare and birthing plan until you reach week 12 of pregnancy. However, if you intend to use any private services or benefits through your insurance provider, you may need to start thinking about your healthcare much sooner. Insurance policies for maternity care are subject to a 52 week waiting period – so if you were hoping to access private healthcare through an insurance provider, you’ll need to make sure you’re covered a full year before the baby is born.

If you choose to go private, you will usually choose your hospital first and then your obstetrician. Your chosen obstetrician will remain your consultant throughout, and they will attend all of your antenatal appointments. They will also generally be present at the birth, however there are no guarantees they will be available.

We explored the nuances of private and public healthcare, and the maternity benefits on offer through Ireland’s insurance providers, in our recent blog. Find out more about selecting a healthcare plan here.

Your First Scan

Between 12 and 14 weeks pregnant, you’ll have your first scan. However, some people choose 

to have an earlier scan, which many health insurance plans will contribute towards financially.

At your 12 week scan, your consultant will work out your due date, which is 40 weeks after the first day of your last period. The rest of your maternity care will be based around your expected due date.

Your screening will also be done at your 12 week scan. You’ll be weighed and have your blood pressure checked, as well as having a blood test to identify any infections and whether you’re anaemic. With advancements in scanning technology over the years, sometimes fetal abnormalities can be found at this stage.

Additional Screening

Some women will also opt for a screening test for Down syndrome – usually known as the Harmony Test. This blood test assesses the baby’s genetics, and gives an indication of whether the baby has a high or low risk of having Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), Edwards Syndrome (Trisomy 18) and Patau Syndrome (Trisomy 13), by testing the baby’s DNA in the mother’s blood.

In Ireland, the Harmony Test isn’t included as part of the general screening. These conditions are rare, but many women opt for the additional screening for added peace of mind – particularly if your pregnancy is at higher risk due to factors such as your age.

Your Second Scan

Usually, your next appointment will be at 20 weeks for what’s known as an ‘Anomaly Scan’ – there’s typically no need to see your doctor between the 12 week and 20 week scans. The Anomaly Scan is a detailed assessment of your baby’s development from head to toe. If there are any major issues, these should be picked up at the 20 week scan.

Monitoring the Health of You and Your Baby

Any visits after the 20 week scan will be to monitor both you and the size of your baby. If your baby is measuring big, you will be tested for diabetes. If you have hypertension, diabetes or any 

underlying medical conditions, this may have an impact on the outcome of your pregnancy – so your care may be more specialised.

Your blood pressure will also be monitored to ensure you don’t have Preeclampsia, which is high blood pressure in pregnancy. It’s advised expectant mothers get flu and Whooping cough vaccines, which are both free for all pregnant women.