The Maternity and Infant Care Scheme: free maternity care in Ireland
In Ireland your pregnancy care is free if you live here, with or without a medical card. Your GP signs you up. Here is what the scheme covers, how the visits run, and how public, semi-private and private care compare.
Updated October 13, 2026 · sources checked October 13, 2026
In short
If you live in Ireland, or plan to for at least a year, the HSE Maternity and Infant Care Scheme makes your maternity care free, without a medical card: GP and hospital antenatal visits, scans and blood tests, the birth in a public hospital, and postnatal GP checks for your baby at 2 weeks and for both of you at 6 weeks. Your GP registers you once pregnancy is confirmed.
Who qualifies and how to join
- Who: anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland, meaning you live here or intend to live here for at least one year. No medical card or GP visit card needed.
- How: once your pregnancy is confirmed, your GP applies for the scheme with you; the form is completed by both of you and sent by the GP to the HSE. Most GPs provide the scheme.
- What you need: your Personal Public Service Number (PPSN).
- No GP? Contact your local maternity unit or hospital for an appointment.
What the scheme covers
According to the HSE, as a public patient you have:
- GP appointments during pregnancy;
- appointments with midwives or an obstetrician;
- care during labour and birth from midwives, and an obstetrician if needed;
- a bed in a public ward, and a private room while giving birth (a single birth suite);
- an ultrasound scan, whose timing depends on the hospital;
- pregnancy blood tests;
- GP checks for your baby at 2 weeks and for you and your baby at 6 weeks.
Citizens Information adds that the scheme covers in-patient, out-patient and emergency care in public hospitals for your pregnancy and the birth, with no hospital charges. It does not cover illnesses unrelated to the pregnancy, such as a urinary tract infection or a chest infection.
How many visits
| First pregnancy | Later pregnancies | |
|---|---|---|
| Citizens Information (scheme page) | First GP exam, ideally before 12 weeks, then 5 more alternating GP and hospital | First exam, then 6 more |
| Citizens Information (antenatal visits page) | Usually 6 GP + 6 hospital appointments | Usually 7 GP + 5 hospital |
| HSE | At least 5 GP visits | At least 5 GP visits |
| Extra visits | With a pregnancy condition such as high blood pressure or gestational diabetes, or twins; up to 5 more GP visits with a significant illness such as diabetes or hypertension | Same |
The usual timeline
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| As soon as pregnancy is confirmed | First GP visit, scheme form, due date estimate, advice on folic acid, diet and vaccines |
| 8 to 12 weeks | Booking visit with a midwife at the hospital (about 2 hours): history, blood pressure, urine, bloods, dating scan offered |
| Before 15 weeks | Dating scan (offered to all pregnant women; bring a full bladder) |
| 16 to 36 weeks | Whooping cough vaccine, free at a GP taking part in the scheme |
| October to April | Flu vaccine, free for pregnant women, at any stage of pregnancy |
| 18 to 22 weeks | Fetal anatomy scan |
| From 28 weeks | Checks of blood pressure, baby's growth, position, heart rate and movements |
| After the birth | Public health nurse home visit within 72 hours of discharge; GP checks at 2 and 6 weeks |
Public, semi-private or private
| Public | Semi-private | Private | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Available | Every maternity unit | Dublin maternity hospitals only | Every maternity hospital |
| Care led by | Midwives (obstetricians for medium or higher risk) | A consultant obstetrician | Your own consultant at each visit |
| After the birth | Public ward | Semi-private ward if available | Private room if available |
| Cost | Free | A fee, often covered by health insurance | Consultant's fee plus hospital fee; insurance usually covers most of the hospital fee but may not cover the consultant |
Whichever you choose, register for the scheme. Fees vary by hospital and consultant and are not published as a single official figure, so ask the hospital and your insurer before booking.
Public care by level of risk
The HSE calls care for normal-risk pregnancies "supported care" (midwife-led, in hospital or at home), "assisted care" for medium risk (for example after a previous caesarean or with diabetes) and "specialised care" for higher risk, led by a specialist obstetrician. Most women choose shared care between their GP and the hospital; all-hospital care is available everywhere too.
Midwife-led options and home birth
- Domino scheme: in some areas, a team of community midwives looks after you in pregnancy, at the birth in hospital and at home afterwards. You may go home 6 to 12 hours after the birth.
- Early transfer home: some hospitals let you leave 12 to 36 hours after the birth, with follow-up.
- Home birth: for low-risk pregnancies, the HSE National Home Birth Service provides free care in pregnancy, labour and up to 14 days after the birth, with Self-Employed Community Midwives. Book in at a maternity hospital early (10 to 12 weeks). A temporary suspension has applied in the Midwest since June 2022, pending a review.
After the birth: the baby's checks
- Newborn examination within 72 hours, with hearing screening.
- Public health nurse home visit, usually within 72 hours of leaving hospital, free: checks for you and your baby, advice on feeding and safe sleep.
- Heel prick test in the first week, usually at 3 to 5 days.
- GP checks at 2 weeks and 6 weeks, included in the scheme.
- Developmental checks by the public health nurse at set ages, free; and all recommended childhood vaccines are free, starting at 2 months.
- GP visit card: free GP visits for children until age 8.
When to call
In an emergency, call 112 or 999. Call your maternity unit straight away if your baby's movements slow down, change or stop, if your waters break before labour, or if you think labour is starting before 37 weeks. Severe headache, blurred vision, pain under the ribs or sudden swelling need an urgent call to your GP or midwife, in pregnancy and in the 6 weeks after the birth.
Your checklist
Our Having a Baby in Ireland guide adds an appointment tracker, questions to ask when choosing your care, and fill-in pages for every number you need.
Questions parents ask
Do I need a medical card for free maternity care in Ireland?
No. The Maternity and Infant Care Scheme is open to anyone who lives in Ireland or intends to live here for at least one year, with or without a medical card or GP visit card.
How do I register for the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme?
Through your GP once your pregnancy is confirmed. You and your GP complete the application form together and the GP sends it to the HSE. You need your PPS number. If you have no GP, contact your local maternity unit.
Is the anatomy scan free in Ireland?
The HSE says pregnant women should be offered an anatomy scan at 18 to 22 weeks as part of standard care. Citizens Information notes that some hospitals offer it to everyone and others only to higher-risk pregnancies, so ask at your booking visit.
Does the scheme cover private care?
Private and semi-private patients should still register for the scheme, but they pay the consultant's and hospital fees that go with private care. Check your health insurance cover before booking.
Sources
- Citizens Information — Maternity and infant care services (page edited 13 April 2026) checked October 13, 2026
- HSE — Going public (what the scheme includes, how to register) checked October 13, 2026
- HSE — Antenatal and maternity care appointments checked October 13, 2026
- HSE — Fetal anatomy scan checked October 13, 2026
- HSE — Vaccines needed during pregnancy checked October 13, 2026
- Citizens Information — Maternity services in Ireland (semi-private, private, Domino, home birth) checked October 13, 2026
Mamavela explains; it does not replace your midwife, doctor or pediatrician, who know your situation. If something worries you, call them. In an emergency, call 911 (US), 999 (UK) or 112.