About Parenting
The IFPA provides a safe and completely confidential space for anyone who needs to explore their feelings around their crisis pregnancy and the options they feel are open to them.
IFPA counsellors will take you through all aspects of your choice and provide you with helpful information. Counsellors remain available to assist you throughout your pregnancy.
Further Questions:
When should I go to the doctor? As soon as possible. Your GP will do some preliminary tests, such as taking blood and will use the date of your last monthly period to estimate your due date. The doctor will discuss plans for prenatal (before the birth) health care and may provide you with a letter of referral to the maternity hospital if that is where you want to give birth.
Is there financial support available during pregnancy? For medical care: Maternity service for all expectant mothers is provided free of charge for the period of pregnancy. In Ireland, this service is provided by a GP in combination with a maternity unit or hospital. You are also entitled to free postnatal care covering hospital accommodation cost for mother and baby in a public ward.
Maternity Benefit is a payment made to women in Ireland on maternity leave from work and who have paid a certain amount of PRSI (Pay Related Social Insurance). You need to apply for the payment 6 weeks before you intend to go on maternity leave (12 weeks if you are self-employed). The amount of money paid to you each week will depend on your earnings. If you are already on certain social welfare payments then you will receive half-rate Maternity Benefit. You can speak to your employer about this or contact the Maternity Benefit Section on 01 704 3000 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 01 704 3000 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Contacts:
- IFPA National Pregnancy Counselling Service 1850 49 50 51
- Irish Childbirth Trust website includes a Consumer Guide to Maternity Services in Ireland: www.cuidiu-ict.ie
- For more information on social welfare and child benefit entitlements: www.citizensinformation.ie
- One Family, support for all members of one parent families: www.onefamily.ie
- Treoir provides information to parents who are not married to each other and to those involved with them: www.treoir.ie