At Mullingar Medical Centre we pride ourselves in the high standard of care provided to our pregnant women. We have approx. 110 births per year at our surgery.
Every women who is pregnant in Ireland is entitled to maternity care under the Maternity and Infant Scheme. This Scheme provides an agreed programme of care to all expectant mothers. This service is provided by your family doctor (GP) and a hospital obstetrician. You are entitled to this service even if you do not have a medical card.
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.
Your combined Maternity Care Scheduled visits should run as follows:
12 week check – GP
20 week check – Hospital
24 week check – GP
28 week check – GP (Hospital if it’s your first pregnancy)
30 week check – GP
32 week check – Hospital
34 week check – GP
36 week check – Hospital
37 week check – GP
38 week check – Hospital
39 week check – GP
40 week check – Hospital
If you have a significant illness, e.g. diabetes or hypertension, you may have up to 5 additional visits to the GP.
Care for other illnesses which you may have at this time, but which are not related to your pregnancy are not covered by the Scheme.
After the birth, the GP will examine the baby at 2 weeks and both mother and baby at 6 weeks.