Private Maternity Care
Private maternity care provides personalised, consultant-led care in hospital throughout pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period.
Private Maternity Care at a Glance
Request Private Maternity Care
To start private maternity care, you’ll first choose a consultant. Once you’ve made your choice, contact their secretary to arrange your first appointment and begin your care.
Choosing Private Maternity Care
Private maternity care allows you to choose a Consultant who will oversee your care throughout pregnancy, labour, birth and postnatal recovery.
Many women value seeing the same Consultant consistently and having them present at the birth of their baby.
You can choose private care whether your pregnancy is normal, medium or high-risk:
- Normal or medium-risk pregnancies follow the Assisted Care Pathway
- High-risk pregnancies follow the Specialised Care Pathway
Your Antenatal Appointments
- You will attend antenatal appointments with your chosen Consultant in their private rooms at No. 60 Mount Street
- Your Consultant will also see you for your six-week postnatal check
- At your booking visit, your Consultant will advise you on the expected schedule of visits
- The schedule may change as your pregnancy progresses or if additional care is needed
Your Ultrasounds
- Dating scan (12–14 weeks) and fetal anomaly scan (20–22 weeks) usually take place at the private Merrion Ultrasound Clinic, No. 60 Mount Street
- In some cases, your Consultant may perform the dating scan in their private rooms, with the anomaly scan taking place at the Merrion Ultrasound Clinic
- You will have a fetal wellbeing (bedside) ultrasound at each Consultant visit
The Merrion Ultrasound Clinic is a medically led, sonographer-facilitated service offering a high level of comfort and privacy.
Your Inpatient Care
During pregnancy
- If you require admission or attend the Emergency Room during pregnancy:
- Care is provided by the midwives and obstetric team on duty
- Your chosen Consultant is consulted and guides your care
If unavailable, another Consultant colleague will advise on your care.
Labour and Birth
- Labour and birth take place at The National Maternity Hospital
- Care is provided by Labour and Birthing Unit midwives and the obstetric team
- Your Consultant is informed of your admission and updated regularly
- Your Consultant advises on decisions during labour and birth
If required:
- Epidurals are normally administered by a Consultant Anaesthetist
- Assisted births or caesarean sections are performed by your Consultant
- If your Consultant is unavailable, a Consultant colleague will attend and assume responsibility for your care
Your Postnatal Care
- After birth, you will be admitted to a private ensuite room on the Merrion Wing or Fitzwilliam Wing, subject to availability
- If a private room is not immediately available, you may stay in a semi-private ward until one becomes available
- Your Consultant is responsible for your postnatal care until discharge
- Your baby will have a day-two physical examination carried out by a Consultant Paediatrician.
- You will attend a postnatal appointment with your Consultant approximately six weeks after birth to confirm your recovery.
- Your baby’s six-week check is normally carried out by your GP unless otherwise advised.
- If you need emergency care or hospital admission during the postnatal period, care is provided by the on-duty team with guidance from your Consultant or their Consultant colleague.
Contacting Private Maternity Care
There is no central booking office for private maternity care. To get started, please choose a Consultant offering private care and contact their Private Secretary directly to arrange your booking appointment.