Antenatal Care

If you live in Ireland or intend to stay in Ireland for at least 1 year, you are entitled to free antenatal care through the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme. You do not need a medical card to avail of this.

You will be seen by both the hospital/midwife clinic and your usual GP.

Care for other illnesses which you may have at this time, but which are not related to your pregnancy, is not covered by the Scheme.

Schedule of Visits

On your first pregnancy the GP provides an initial examination, if possible before 12 weeks, and a further 5 examinations during the pregnancy, which are alternated with visits to the maternity unit/hospital. The schedule of visits may be changed by your GP and/or hospital obstetrician, depending on your individual situation. For subsequent pregnancies you will have an initial examination and a further 6 examinations.

If you have a significant illness diagnosed pregnancy e.g. gestational diabetes or hypertension, you may have up to 5 additional visits to the GP.

The schedule of visits can vary based on hospital but the following is an outline of shared antenatal care with the hospital

• Book initial review with GP anytime after positive pregnancy test
• First review with hospital between 12-16 weeks
• 20 weeks anomaly scan in hospital
  
• 24 weeks GP
• 28 weeks GP (hospital if first pregnancy)
• 30 weeks GP
• 32 weeks Hospital/midwife clinic
• 34 weeks GP
• 36 weeks Hospital/midwife clinic
• 37 weeks GP
• 38 weeks Hospital/midwife clinic
• 39 weeks GP
• 40 weeks Hospital

Postnatal Visits with GP

• 2 week check (baby)
• 6 week check (mother and baby)