Cuidiú-ICT's Consumer Guide to Maternity Services in Ireland

Welcome to Cuidiú-Irish Childbirth Trust's (ICT) Consumer Guide to the Maternity Services in Ireland.  Cuidiú-ICT hope this will provide information which will assist you to make informed decisions about your maternity care and childbirth.

This Guide is an update to the Cuidiú-ICT's 1999 Consumer Guide.  We have expanded this edition to provide very comprehensive hospital information and statistics.  We hope to include up to date information about the independent midwives who provide an independent homebirth service in the coming months.

The number of births in Ireland is increasing and some units are experiencing a huge increase in demand for services because of changing demographics nationally.  Between 1995 and 1998 four maternity units closed and a further three units closed between 1998 and 2006.  In 2007, three maternity units in Cork closed and were replaced by one larger unit, the Cork University Maternity Hospital.  Other new units are the two Midwifery-Led Units at Cavan General Hospital and at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda.

If you are expecting a baby when looking through this Consumer Guide, we offer you our congratulations.  We wish you a healthy and happy pregnancy and birth, and a positive and fulfilling experience of parenthood.

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Cuidiú-ICT is a parent-to-parent voluntary support group.  Cuidiú means 'caring support' in Irish.  We are a registered charity providing support for families throughout all stages of parenthood - from pregnancy to adolescence.  Education and Support for Parenthood is our motto.

We provide support services in Antenatal and Birth Preparation, Breastfeeding, Postnatal and Parenthood.  Cuidiú is a nationwide group and we have a diverse programme of events and activities running throughout the country in local branches including antenatal classes, breastfeeding support groups, mother and baby groups and postnatal support groups.  Click here for our home page.

With warmest wishes,

Paula Gahan, President, Cuidiú-ICT

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