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Who to talk to when pregnant
Guide to the people and services you'll come into contact with when expecting a baby.
Being a parent – or about to become one –means that you may need different services or people at different times for help and support.
Figuring out who’s who and what exactly they do can be quite confusing. Here’s a guide to the maze of medical people and other services you might come across.
General Practitioner (GP)/Family Doctor
A GP or doctor is usually your first port of call when you are pregnant. S/he will give you personal and continuing care. If you haven’t got a GP of your own already, when you’re looking for a new one, make sure you get a GP whose surgery is easy to travel to – you’ll have a small baby in tow. Ask someone to recommend a doctor or look in the Golden Pages. You should contact the doctor’s surgery to ask to go on her/his patient list.
Antenatal Clinic
This is the clinic in the maternity hospital where you’ll go for check-ups during your pregnancy. Your doctor will usually make the first appointment for you, or you can do it yourself by phone or by dropping in as soon as you know you’re pregnant.
Antenatal Classes
These are special classes usually run by the maternity hospital to help you prepare for the birth of your baby. They are usually free and can be booked through the hospital or the antenatal clinic. Ask at the hospital if they offer special classes for young parents. You’d usually go near the end of your pregnancy for about four to six classes and you can go to these without losing any pay if you are working.
Obstetrician/Consultant
An obstetrician is the doctor in charge of your care at the maternity hospital during pregnancy and the birth of your baby. Your GP will usually book you into the maternity hospital under the care of a particular obstetrician and her/his team.
Midwife
These are the nurses in the maternity hospital and antenatal clinics. They will care for you during your pregnancy, while your baby is being born and afterwards while you’re still in hospital.
Social Welfare Officers
Social Welfare Officers (SWO) are part of the Department of Social and Family Affairs and are based at the Social Welfare Local Office. You can apply to them for payments such as Jobseekers Assistance/Benefit, Maternity Benefit, One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) and Family Income Supplement. You can also pick up application forms for Maternity Benefit and One-Parent Family Payment at your local post office and send them in directly.
Public Health Nurse
These nurses are based in local health centres and are a fantastic help for new mothers. They can give you lots of advice about feeding and caring for your baby. A public health nurse will visit you when you get home from hospital with your baby. She will do regular check-ups on your baby to make sure s/he is doing okay. You can also bring your baby to the public health nurse in your local health centre if you need some support or information.
Social Worker
Health Service Executive (HSE) social workers are part of the health service and they work with families who are having difficulties. They are there to work with you and provide help and support if you need it.
Medical Social Workers are social workers based in maternity hospitals. It can be really useful to check in with them as they can offer important information and advice on money matters, form filling, birth registration etc.
Community Welfare Officers
Community Welfare Officers (CWO) are part of the local Health Service Executive (HSE) and are based in Local Health Centres. You can apply to your local CWO for Rent Supplement, Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, Supplementary Welfare Allowance and/or Exceptional Needs Payments (for example for a cot or buggy for the baby). You may need to apply for Supplementary Welfare to keep you going after the baby is born while you wait for your One-Parent Family Payment to come through. Contact your Local Health Centre to find out when the CWO is available.
Content developed by Treoir the National Information Centre for Unmarried Parents.
For further supportive information, please contact Treoir on:
LoCall: 1890252084
Tel: 01–6700 120
Email: info@treoir.ie
