If you have just found out that you are expecting a baby, congratulations! It really is such an exciting time.
There are so many fun things to start planning and dreaming about in the first trimester, but important decisions need to be made too, such as how you envisage your maternity care working out.
Once you have selected your maternity hospital of choice for antenatal visits, you and your partner may need to make a decision on what type of care you will need and can afford.
Your choices are to go through the public system, semi-private or private care.
Here is what opting for Semi-private Maternity Care would mean for you (via AvivaHealth.ie):
1. Semi-private maternity care is only available in some public maternity hospitals.
2. Your visits will be with a consultant’s team at semi-private clinics.
3. A midwife will help you deliver her baby but a member of the consultant’s team will be available if needed.
4. After the birth, you will be transferred to a bed in a semi-private ward, if available (note: if a bed in the semi-private ward is not available, you may be placed in the public ward without notice so get your partner to check where they are taking you after delivery if going to a semi-private ward is important to you) .
Antenatal care
5. Usually you attend a semi-private clinic for your antenatal appointments in a hospital, and will see a consultant or member of his team when you visit.
6. You may choose combined care and see your GP for about half of your antenatal checks (approximately 8-10 in total).
7. The number of visits and scans you will have during your pregnancy depends on the individual hospital’s policy.
Your baby’s birth
8. When you arrive at the hospital to have your baby, you will be looked after by midwives, but a member of the consultant’s team should be available for your baby’s birth in case there are complications.
Postnatal care
9. After your baby is born you will be transferred to a semi-private ward if there is a bed available. These wards usually have between four and six beds.
The costs
10. Costs vary, but currently the semi-private fee totals €4,000 approximately. This fee covers the cost of accommodation in a semi-private room, antenatal clinics, delivery, anaesthesia and a certain number of scans.
The pros of semi-private care
11. Visits may be more convenient and involve less waiting than in the public service, although the wait time can still vary.
12. Your obstetrician or a member of his or her team will be available in case of complications but you may not need to see them and will be attended by midwives.
The cons of semi-private care
13. The cost of this type of care will depend on what kind of health insurance you have as all fees may not be covered.
For information specific to your hospital of choice, you will find a list of services available on each maternity hospital website.
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