Before pregnancy

The MMR vaccine

The MMR vaccine is a combined vaccine that is a safe and effective way to protect you against measles (M), mumps (M) and rubella (R) in one single injection. Measles, mumps and rubella are highly infectious diseases that can cause serious, and potentially fatal complications such as meningitis, encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and deafness. During pregnancy, rubella can lead to serious complications affecting the unborn baby including deafness, blindness, brain damage or heart disease. It some cases, it can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth.

The MMR vaccine is given in two doses. The first dose is given as part of the childhood immunisation schedule at 12 months, and the second dose is given at four/five years of age as part of the school immunisation programme.

Please link childhood immunisation schedule to said section in children’s health

Please link school immunisation schedule to said section in children’s health

If you are unsure you have received both doses of the vaccine, we can check your immunity and advise if an MMR vaccination is necessary.

The MMR vaccine is not suitable for women who are pregnant. The MMR is a live vaccine – avoid pregnancy for one month following vaccination.

Please contact reception on 091 740340 for more information or to book you appointment.

Useful link:

HSE – More information about MMR vaccine

During pregnancy

Vaccines given during pregnancy are a safe and effective way to protect you and your child from certain diseases. They help to protect your baby during the first few weeks of life as the immunity you develop against the disease passes onto your baby in your womb.

Vaccines recommended in pregnancy

Flu Vaccine

The flu is a highly infectious and acute respiratory (breathing) illness that is caused by the influenza virus. It affects people of all ages and commonly occurs during the winter months. The flu (influenza) vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect you from the influenza virus.

Getting the flu while pregnant increases your chance of developing complications, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy. A common complication of the flu during pregnancy is bronchitis, a chest infection that could lead to pneumonia. Less common complications include:

• otitis media (middle ear infection),
• septic shock (blood infection that causes a severe drop in blood pressure),
• meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord), and
• encephalitis (inflammation of the brain).

It can also lead to premature birth and smaller babies, and may even lead to stillbirth or death during the first week of life.

The flu vaccine changes every year to protect against the strain of flu virus going around that year. It can be given to you safely at any time during pregnancy and poses no risk to women who are breastfeeding, or to their babies. Flu vaccination during pregnancy also provides immunity against the flu virus to babies in the first six months of life.

Please contact reception on 091 740340 for more information or to book you appointment.

Useful Links:

HSE – More information about flu vaccine during pregnancy

Whooping Cough Vaccine

The whooping cough (pertussis) vaccination is a safe and effective way to protect your child from getting whooping cough during the first few weeks of life. Whooping cough is a highly contagious illness that can be life-threatening. Young babies (under six months old) with whooping cough are often hospitalised with severe complications such as pneumonia or brain damage. You can help your baby by getting vaccinated from weeks 27 to 36 of your pregnancy. This vaccination will maximise your baby’s protection against whooping cough from birth.

We protect against the whooping cough with the Tdap vaccine – tetanus (T), diphtheria (d) and acellular pertussis (ap) booster vaccine which protects against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. It is given in one single injection. The immunity you get from the vaccination will be passed onto your baby in the womb and will provide passive protection until they are old enough to be vaccinated against the whooping cough at two months old, as part of the childhood immunisation schedule. Please link childhood immunisation schedule to that section

If you miss having the vaccination for any reason, you can still have it up until you go into labour, although your baby is less likely to get protection from you. Having the vaccination at this stage protects you from getting whooping cough and passing it onto your baby.

Women should vaccinate against whooping cough during each pregnancy as immunity to whooping cough can decrease over time.

Please contact reception on 091 740340 for more information or to book you appointment.

Useful links:

HSE – More information about Tdap vaccine during pregnancy

After pregnancy

Whooping Cough Vaccine

Vaccination against whooping cough can also be of value after delivery as it can protect you from catching whooping cough and passing it onto your baby. However, the greatest benefit to your baby remains in getting vaccinated during your pregnancy. If you vaccinate against whooping cough after your baby is born, you cannot pass antibodies to them for protection in their first few months.

Please contact reception on 091 740340 for more information or to book you appointment.

Useful Link:

HSE – More information about whooping cough vaccine after pregnancy

MMR Vaccine

During pregnancy, your immunity to rubella is regularly checked by your Doctor. If we find you are not immune to Rubella, the MMR vaccine is recommended. Although MMR vaccine is safe to give while you are breastfeeding, it is a live vaccine and pregnancy must be avoided for one month following vaccination.

Please contact reception on 091 740340 for more information or to book you appointment.

Please link contact reception to phone number

Useful Links:

HSE – More information about MMR vaccine

Contraception is the process of taking steps to ensure you do not become pregnant when you have sex. There are several different types of contraception to choose from, and we can help you find the type of contraception that is best for you. Each different type of contraception has its advantage and disadvantage with variations in efficacy, cost, ease of use, and whether they offer protection against sexually transmitted infections (STI). Using two types of contraceptive methods, such as the pill and condoms, increases protection against both pregnancy and STIs. Different methods will be right for different couples, or right for you at different times in your life.

We are happy to discuss all contraception options available to you so you can make an informed decision as to which type of contraception will work best for you.

The Well-Woman Centre is a valuable resource for you to learn more about the different types of contraception available to women. Just click on the links below to find out more.

Contraception options available to women at Galway East Medical Practice include:

• Progestogen Only (Mini) Pill
  • The Desogestrel pill
  • The Norethisterone pill

• Combined contraception
  • Combined contraceptive pill (the pill)
  • Contraception vaginal ring
  • Contraceptive patch

• Emergency Contraception
  • Morning after pill

• Implants (Implanon) and injectable contraception (Depo-Provera)
• Intrauterine Contraceptive Systems
  • Mirena coil
  • Kyleena coil

We can also arrange referral for you for fitting of a diaphragm or the copper coil for emergency or ongoing contraception

Please contact reception on 091 740340 for more information or to book you appointment.

Vasectomy Counseling

A vasectomy involves a minor procedure in which the tubes that carry sperm from a man’s testicles to his penis are cut, blocked or sealed. Vasectomy works by stopping sperm from getting into a man’s semen. This means that when a man ejaculates, the semen has no sperm and a woman’s egg cannot be fertilised. The procedure is very short, does not require general anaesthetic and is carried out by many GPs. Vasectomy is considered a permanent procedure so it is important for you and your partner (if you are in a relationship) to consider your options fully.

Please contact reception on 091 740340 for more information or to book you appointment.

Useful Link:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/vasectomy-male-sterilisation/

Content developed from HSE www.hse.ie, NHS Choices www.nhs.uk and is adapted for Galway East Medical Practice by Galway east medical Practice

Each type of contraception varies in how effective they are at preventing pregnancy, how much they cost, how easy they are to use, and whether they also protect against sexually transmitted infections (STI).

Using two types of contraceptive methods, such as the birth control pill and condoms, increases protection against both pregnancy and STIs.

We are happy to discuss all contraception options available to you so you can make an informed decision as to which type of contraception will work best for you.

The Well Woman Centre provides an evidence-based resource for you to learn more about the different types of contraception available to women. Just click on the links below to learn more.

Contraception options available to women at Galway East Medical  Practice include:

• Progestogen Only Pills
  • The Desogestrel pill
  • The Norethisterone pill

• Combined contraception
  • Combined contraception pill
  • Contraception vaginal ring
  • Contraceptive patch

• Emergency Contraception
  • 3 day or 5 day emergency contraception pill as appropriate
  • Emergency coil

• Implants (Implanon) and injectable contraception (Depo-Provera)
• Intrauterine Contraceptive Systems and Devices

Please contact reception on 091 740340 for more information or to book you appointment.