Antenatal care ideally begins before conception, since a mother's health before and during pregnancy can shape her child's wellbeing across their entire lifetime. The first GP visit after a suspected pregnancy triggers a full health assessment covering personal and family medical history, urine and blood tests, blood pressure measurement, and a discussion of available screening options. In Ireland, free maternity care is available to all expectant mothers, with most attending their GP before week 12 and the hospital antenatal clinic before week 20 under the maternity and infant care scheme. Women with significant conditions such as hypertension or diabetes are entitled to additional visits beyond the standard schedule.
- In Ireland, free maternity care is available to all expectant mothers under the national maternity care system.
- Under Ireland's maternity and infant care scheme, the majority of patients visit their GP before week 12 of pregnancy.
- Throughout pregnancy, a total of six GP examinations are provided, alternating with appointments at a maternity unit.
- Expectant mothers in Ireland should attend the hospital's antenatal clinic before week 20 of pregnancy.
- Women with significant conditions such as hypertension or diabetes are entitled to extra antenatal visits beyond the standard schedule.
- Folic acid supplementation should begin as soon as a woman decides to try to conceive.
- Early pregnancy scans are offered from 6 to 11 weeks, while the Anatomy Survey scan is conducted between 18 and 22 weeks.
Antenatal care during pregnancy - what you need to know
In an ideal world antenatal care should begin before conception
Ideally antenatal care should actually commence even before you conceive. This is because how healthy you are both before and during your pregnancy can impact the health of your baby, right through their lifetime. The aim of antenatal care is to globally improve your overall well-being and health, and – of your baby during your pregnancy.
For example, many of us may have habits that we should ideally change before becoming pregnant, such as smoking, drinking alcohol or using drugs, either recreational or prescription.
There are many aspects of our lives that affect our well being, along with the obvious physical ones, such as our nutrition, weight, fitness and if we have any pre-existing health conditions. Our daily lives often include a significant relationship and perhaps a job as well. So if one or both of these areas are causing stress, or are notably problematic, this has a palpable knock-on effect on health and well-being.
Plenty of women end up questioning if it is a good time to become pregnant, due to considerations such as work, relationship, finances and others. Naturally this is a very personal question and only really one that you can answer for yourself. Along with that hugely important question, there are also a few more to take into account.
Antenatal questions to consider
- How is my physical health?
- How is my mental health?
- Do I have any genetic conditions which need further medical exploration?
- Am I taking any medication which needs to be reviewed by my doctor?
- Do I have any habits that I need to change, such as drinking, smoking or taking recreational drugs that I may need help to stop before becoming pregnant?
- Are there any considerations linked to my previous pregnancy/pregnancies?
- Are my vaccinations up to date?
Once you have answered all of these questions, then it is time to organise your life so that you can achieve a healthy weight, exercise regularly and eat a nutritious diet. Of course, as soon as you have made the decision to try to conceive, you should begin to take folic acid supplements.
When you become pregnant – your first antenatal visit
Once you think you may have conceived, the first step is to visit your GP to confirm this.
At this stage your midwife will carry out a full health assessment, which not only includes your own direct medical history but also that of your family. This will, of course, take into account any pre-existing conditions or genetic issues.
Additionally during this visit any personal circumstances that may be affecting your pregnancy can be discussed. You will also have the chance to ask any questions you may have, as well is been open about any concerns and specific ideas and wishes related to your pregnancy.
The due date of your baby will be estimated and you can talk to your doctor about your ideas for antenatal care.
You will be asked for a urine sample, some blood tests will also be carried out and your blood pressure will be taken.
Your midwife will also discuss with you during your pregnancy the various screening tests are available.
Antenatal care Ireland
In Ireland, free maternity care is available to all expectant mothers. You have different options under this system, such as splitting your antenatal care between a maternity unit and your GP. Or you can decide to attend the antenatal clinic at your local hospital.
If you are working you are entitled to go to your antenatal visits, which your company should give you the time of to do.
If you decide to go for the maternity and infant care scheme, whereby you attend your GP, as well as alternation this with visits to a maternity unit, then the majority of Haitians will go to see their GP before week number 12. Throughout pregnancy a further six examinations are provided by your GP, alternating with appointments in the maternity unit.
You should have been to the hospital’s antenatal clinic before week 20.
However in the situation that you suffer from a significant condition, such as hypertension or diabetes, then extra visits are provided.
Pregnancy Scans, Testimonials and Information
Testimonials
What Our Patients Say
POPULAR SECTIONS
About The Clinic
About The Consultants
About The Team
Book Your Scan
Common Concerns
FAQs - Your Questions
GP Referral Scheme
Health Conditions
Healthy Pregnancy
Medical Studies
Patients' Information
Pregnancy Diary
Pregnancy Magazines
Scans & Services
Susan's Trimesters
Videos By Consultants
Midwife sonographer facilitated
Consultant Led, Centre of Medical Excellence
DISCLAIMER
All articles on the blog and website are intended as information only. Please do not consider any of the information provided here as a substitute for medical advice. At all times seek medical advice directly with your own doctor and medical team.
ANNOUNCEMENT
This website was formerly Merrion Fetal Health. The clinic has undergone a rebrand and is now known as Merrion Ultrasound.
What is antenatal care?
Antenatal care is a programme of support and medical monitoring designed to improve the overall health and well-being of both the mother and baby during pregnancy. Ideally, it begins even before conception, since a woman's health prior to pregnancy can affect her baby's health throughout its lifetime. It includes health assessments, screening tests, blood pressure checks, urine samples, and blood tests.
When should antenatal care begin?
Antenatal care should ideally begin before conception, as a mother's health both before and during pregnancy can have a lasting impact on her baby's health throughout their lifetime. Once a woman decides to try to conceive, she should start taking folic acid supplements immediately.
What happens at your first antenatal visit?
At the first antenatal visit, a midwife carries out a full health assessment covering the mother's personal medical history, family medical history, and any pre-existing conditions or genetic issues. A urine sample is taken, blood tests are carried out, and blood pressure is measured. The baby's due date is also estimated, and available screening tests are discussed.
What questions should you consider before becoming pregnant?
Before becoming pregnant, women are advised to consider their physical and mental health, any genetic conditions requiring medical exploration, medications that may need reviewing, habits such as smoking or drinking that should be stopped, any relevant history from previous pregnancies, and whether their vaccinations are up to date.
Is antenatal care free in Ireland?
Yes, free maternity care is available to all expectant mothers in Ireland. Women can choose to split their antenatal care between a maternity unit and their GP, or attend the antenatal clinic at their local hospital.
How does the maternity and infant care scheme work in Ireland?
Under the maternity and infant care scheme in Ireland, the majority of patients visit their GP before week 12 of pregnancy. Throughout the pregnancy, a further six examinations are provided by the GP, alternating with appointments at a maternity unit, and women should have attended the hospital's antenatal clinic before week 20.
Can you get extra antenatal visits in Ireland if you have a medical condition?
Yes, women in Ireland who have a significant pre-existing condition such as hypertension or diabetes are provided with extra antenatal visits beyond the standard schedule.
Are employees in Ireland entitled to time off work for antenatal appointments?
Yes, women who are working in Ireland are entitled to attend their antenatal visits, and their employer should provide the necessary time off to do so.