Maternity and Infant Care Scheme

Sligo Clinic is proud to be part of the HSE Maternity & Infant Care Scheme providing an agreed programme of care arising out of a confirmed pregnancy to the Expectant Mother and to her baby for 6 weeks after birth.

To avail of this scheme, the Expectant Mother must have a valid PPSN or Medical Card and must be living in Ireland for a minimum of 1 year or intends to live here for a minimum of 1 year.

It is a system of combined care where the Expectant Mother is under the care of both her GP and the maternity unit/hospital obstetrician of her choice.

Antenatal Visits – check-ups during your pregnancy

Having antenatal check-ups is an important part of staying healthy and can help the GP monitor your pregnancy for potential problems.

If you are expecting your 1st child, you are covered for up to 6 antenatal examination appointments to the GP during your pregnancy. 

All 2nd and subsequent pregnancies are covered for up to 7 antenatal examination appointments to the GP during your pregnancy.

Please refer to the Schedule of Visits table.

If you suffer from a significant illness e.g. diabetes or hypertension, you may require more frequent visits and special care. Up to 5 additional visits may be provided.

 

 

Schedule of Visits	Recommended
Number of Weeks of your pregnancy	Visits to your GP	Visits to your chosen maternity unit/hospital
Before 12 Weeks	* 1st visit to your GP
12 Week Scan		Dating scan
Before 20 Weeks		* 1st visit to hospital
20 Week Scan		Fetal anatomy scan
24 Weeks	*
28 Weeks	* for 2nd & Subsequent Pregnancies	* for 1st Pregnancy
30 Weeks	*
32 Weeks		*
34 Weeks	*
36 Weeks		*
37 Weeks	*
38 Weeks		*
39 Weeks	*
40 Weeks		*

Birth of the Baby
	Visits to your GP	Visits to your chosen maternity unit/hospital
2 weeks after birth (for your baby)	*
6 weeks after birth (for mother & baby)	*

Visits to the surgery not covered under the scheme

Care in respect of illnesses which are co-incidental with but not related to pregnancy do not form part of the scheme e.g. a chest infection is not covered by the scheme

Appointment Type	Non-medical card holders	Medical card holders
General Consultations (not antenatal visits)	€50.00	No charge
Flu (Influenza) Vaccine	No charge during Covid-19 Pandemic	No charge, sign a vaccination consent form
MMR (measles mumps rubella) Vaccine	€30.00	€30.00
Medical Work Certificates	€15.00	€10.00
Fertility Clinic requests for specific blood tests	€30.00	€15.00

From 5th November 2018, Whooping cough (Pertussis) Vaccine is free for pregnant women as part of a national outbreak protection and prevention measure against pertussis.  Pertussis vaccine is currently recommended by HSE National Immunisation Office for all pregnant women as early as possible after 16 weeks and up to 36 weeks gestation in each pregnancy to protect themselves and their infant.

Postnatal Visits – check-ups after your pregnancy

The scheme provides for 2 post-natal examination appointments to the GP after the birth of your baby to provide an opportunity to meet you and your baby:

1^st Visit – within 2 weeks of birth

• Developmental check for baby within 2 weeks of birth (15 min appointment)

2^nd Visit – at 6 weeks of age

• Developmental check for baby at 6 weeks old (15 min appointment)
• Check for mother 6 weeks postnatal (15 min appointment)