Frequently Asked Questions - pregnancy

How do I access maternity services?

When you find out you are pregnant, go to your family doctor (GP). They will help get you an appointment at a maternity hospital. This is the place you go to during pregnancy to get care from midwives and doctors. It is the place where you will give birth.

This is free and will not cost you anything if you are living here in Ireland.

What if I don’t have a GP?

If you do not have a GP ring the maternity hospital or ask someone to ring them for you. They can help make an appointment for you.

Maternity hospital contact details

What is a PPS number?

A personal public service (pps) number helps you access social welfare benefits, public services and information in Ireland.

What if I don’t have a PPS number?

You need a PPS number for:

  • free care during pregnancy
  • birth registration - papers for your baby
  • child benefit - a monthly payment to you for your child
  • medical card applications

It is very important to get a PPS number.

If you need help applying contact one of the local supports for Roma

What if I don’t have a medical card?

Every women who is pregnant is entitled to free care when pregnant. You do not need a medical card for free maternity care but having a medical card helps you access other free medical services and prescription medicines.

I don’t speak English. How can I get help?

All maternity hospitals can get interpreters to help you at your visit. An interpreter is someone who speaks your language and English. Ask someone you trust to help you to say you need an interpreter.

I don’t have any transport, how can I get to appointments?

Call one of the support contacts or call the maternity hospital or ask someone to ring them for you. Some maternity hospitals may be able to help.

Maternity hospital contact details

I did not plan to get pregnant. What will I do?

Unplanned pregnancies can be stressful, but there is support available. Contact the My Options free telephone number 1800 828 010. They can discuss the different options available like continuing with the pregnancy, adoption or abortion. You can speak to a My Options counsellor using an interpreter:

You or someone on your behalf will need to:

  • tell them what language you speak
  • give them your phone number

An interpreter will then phone you back for a 3-way call between:

  • you
  • a MyOptions counselor
  • the interpreter

You can also ask to speak to someone in your hospital like your doctor, midwife or social worker for help.

Find out more about unplanned pregnancy

I feel I am not being treated right by the health service because I am Roma (discrimination). What should I do?

There are many ways you can tell the health service (HSE) about your experience:

How can I get maternity benefit?

If you have been working you may be eligible to apply for maternity benefit. Maternity benefit is a payment made to women who are on maternity leave from work after having a baby. It is covered by social insurance (PRSI). You should apply for the payment at least 6 weeks before you intend to go on maternity leave (12 weeks if you are self-employed). If you are already on certain social welfare payments then you may get half-rate maternity benefit. You should contact the Maternity Benefit Section at the Department of Social and Family Affairs or see visit welfare.ie.

I don’t have money to buy nappies, clothes and other supplies for my new baby?

You can apply for an exceptional needs payment (ENP). This is a payment for essential once off costs. It is available through your local community welfare officer. It is for people who are unemployed or on a social welfare payment. You need a PPS number to apply.

How can I get exceptional needs payments?

You can get a letter from your doctor, midwife or a social worker at the maternity hospital. The letter needs to say that you are pregnant or have given birth. You can bring this letter to your local community welfare officer at your local Intreo office or to your closest Citizen Information Centre. They will give you an application form to fill out. The name of the form is SWA1. You can apply for this payment during your pregnancy, and after your pregnancy to assist with purchasing necessary items for your baby.

How can I get child benefit payments?

Child benefit is a payment made to all parents or guardians of children under the age of 16. If you are receiving child benefit for another child, your new baby will be automatically added to your claim. This happens when their birth is registered. If this is your first baby, a child benefit form will be sent to you after you register your baby’s birth. The form asks if you want:

  • to collect the payment at your post office, or
  • the money to go into your bank account.   

You can contact the Child Benefit Section, Department of Social Protection, Social Welfare Services Office, St Oliver Plunkett Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, F92 T449. Phone: 074 916 4496. 

I am living in unsuitable accommodation or homeless. What should I do?

If you need support with housing issues, you should contact your local authority, city council or county council as soon as possible. You may be asked to fill out an application form. This can take some time as it is in English and quite long. You may be able to get help filling out the form from:

  • a social worker in your maternity hospital
  • your closest Citizens Information Centre, or
  • a local support