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

What is the chickenpox?

Chickenpox is a very common childhood infection where symptoms are mild and complications rare. Almost all children develop immunity to chickenpox after infection, so they only catch it once. Chickenpox is less common but more severe in adults.

The Chickenpox Vaccine

The chickenpox vaccine contains a weakened chickenpox virus that encourages your body to produce antibodies against the varicella zoster virus. Antibodies are proteins produced by your body to destroy disease and infection. The vaccine protects you from becoming ill if you are infected with chickenpox.

The chickenpox vaccine requires two doses, which are given four to eight weeks apart, and usually involves an injection into the thigh or upper arm. It is suitable for adults and children aged over 12 months old and should either be given at the same time as other live vaccines (i.e. MMR or Yellow Fever) or be separated from them by more than one month.

The chickenpox vaccine is not part of the childhood immunisation schedule. You can vaccinate your child against chickenpox, but it will incur a fee.

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

Who should get the vaccine?

Anyone can choose not to vaccinate their child against chickenpox, but it may be of particular value in certain circumstances. For example, the vaccine is recommended for anyone who is likely to encounter people living with a weakened immune system due to illness or treatment such as:

• People living with HIV/AIDS.
• people undergoing treatment for cancer or organ transplant.

The chickenpox vaccine is also recommended for:

• Healthcare works who have no previous history of chickenpox.
• Children who may meet people with a weakened immune system.
• Children living with severe disabilities who have never had chickenpox and are living in residential care.
• Women of child-bearing age who have never had chickenpox.

Side-effects of the Chickenpox Vaccine

Like most vaccines, you may experience some mild side-effects including:

• a mild fever
• redness, itching, pain, hardness and swelling around the site of injection
• muscle ache, headache, and
• feeling tired.

Aside from an extremely small risk of serious allergic reaction, there are no serious side-effects associated with the chickenpox vaccination. The side-effects usually pass within a few hours.

How much does it cost?

The chickenpox vaccine requires two doses, which are given four to eight weeks apart. The vaccine costs €95 per dose for Medical Card, GP Visit Card and private patients alike. This cost includes administration of the vaccine by the Nurse and brings the total cost to €190 for both doses. ( Please note fee is subject to change)

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

Useful Links

Patient – More information on chickenpox-in-under-12s

Patient – More information on chickenpox in adults and teenagers

Patient – More information on chickenpox during pregnancy

HSE– More information on the chickenpox vaccine

What is shingles?

Shingles is an infection of a nerve and the area of skin around it. It is a painful skin rash caused by the reactivation of the chickenpox virus. If you have had chicken pox in the past, you may develop shingles as the virus remains inactive in your nervous system after the illness. Your immune system keeps the virus in check until such a time, usually in later life, it reactivates and causes shingles.

The Shingles Vaccine

The shingles vaccine contains a weakened chickenpox virus that encourages your body to produce antibodies against the herpes zoster virus. Your antibodies are proteins produced by your body to destroy disease or infection. The vaccine protects you from becoming ill if the virus is reactivated. If you are unfortunate enough to catch the virus, the vaccine may also reduce the severity of the symptoms and length of the illness.

Who should get the vaccine?

Shingles can affect anyone. It can occur at any age, but it is most common in people over 50 years.

Although, it is not known exactly why the virus reactivates in later life, it is thought that it may be the result of a lowered immunity (a reduced ability to protect against infection). Lowered immunity may be due to

• Being older– immunity decreases with age. Shingles most commonly occurs in people over 50 years old.
• Physical and emotional stress– releases a chemical into your system that can weaken your immunity.
• HIV and AIDS– significantly weakens your immunity system. People living with HIV/AIDS may be up to 25 times more likely to get shingles.
• A recent bone marrow transplant– weakens your immune system because of the conditioning you receive before your transplant.
• A recent organ transplant – medication may be required to suppress your immune system so your body can accept the donated organ. After a transplant, 25-45% of people may develop shingles.
• Chemotherapy– typically used in the treatment of some cancers, it can significantly weaken your immune system

Side-effects of the Shingles Vaccine

Like most vaccines, you may experience some mild side-effects including:

• a mild fever
• redness, itching, pain, hardness and swelling around the site of injection
• muscle ache, headache, and
• feeling tired.

Aside from an extremely small risk of serious allergic reaction, there are no serious side-effects associated with the shingles vaccination. The side-effects usually pass within a few hours.

On rare occasions, a person has developed chickenpox following a shingles vaccination, but this occurs in fewer than 1 in 10,000 people.

How much does it cost?

The shingles vaccine costs €450 for Medical Card, GP Visit Card and private patients alike.

Useful Links

Patient – More information on the shingles virus

HSE – Patient information on the shingles virus

What is the pneumococcal virus?

Pneumococcal infections are bacterial infections caused by streptococcus pneumoniae and can lead to severe lung, brain and blood infections such as pneumonia, meningitis and septicemia. It can affect people of all ages, but babies, the over 65s and those living with a chronic health condition are particularly vulnerable.

The Pneumonia Vaccine

There are two types of pneumonia vaccine. Which one you are given depends on your age and health.

1. Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) is used to vaccinate children under two years as part of the national childhood immunisation schedule
2. Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) is given to people aged 65 and over. It is also given to people over the age of two years who are considered high-risk due to chronic health conditions. It’s thought not to work in children under the age of two.

Both vaccines encourage your body to produce antibodies against pneumococcal bacteria. Antibodies are proteins produced by your body to destroy disease and infection. They protect you from becoming ill if you are infected with pneumococcal bacteria.

Who should get the vaccine?

A pneumococcal infection can affect anyone. Babies, the over 65s and people living with a chronic health condition are particularly vulnerable to the infection.

Babies

Babies are routinely vaccinated for pneumococcal disease as part of their childhood immunisation schedule. They have three injections of the PVC vaccine at:

• 2 months
• 6 months
• 12 months

For more information on early childhood vaccinations for your children, please go to the Children’s Health.

Link childhood immunisation schedule to childhood immunisation schedule in children’s health

Link children’s health to children’s health

Over 65s

The HSE recommend adults over 65 avails of the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV). This is a once-off vaccination, which will protect you from the infection for life. If you were vaccinated against pneumococcal disease when under the age of 65 years, it is recommended that you vaccinate again when you are over 65 years old, for full protection against the disease.

People living with chronic health conditions

The HSE suggest that children over two years and adults under 65 years should avail of the pneumonia vaccine if they have any of the following

• Asplenia or splenic dysfunction (including surgical splenectomy, sickle cell disease and coeliac disease)
• Candidates for, or recipients of, a cochlear implant
• Children under five years of age with a history of an invasive pneumococcal disease, irrespective of vaccine history.
• Chronic renal disease or nephrotic syndrome
• Chronic heart, lung, or liver disease
• Complement deficiency (particularly early component deficiencies C1, C2, C3, C4)
• CSF leaks either congenital or complicating skull fracture or neurosurgery
• Diabetes mellitus
• Immunosuppressive conditions (e.g. some B- and T-cell disorders, HIV infection, leukaemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease) and those receiving immunosuppressive therapies.
• Intracranial shunt
• Post haematopoietic stem cell transplant
• Organ transplant

The HSE do not recommend the pneumonia vaccine for

• Young healthy adults, as there is little risk of pneumococcal infection.
• People with a history of anaphylaxis to any of the ingredients in the vaccine.
• People who have a high fever (Please defer until after recovery).
• Pregnant women – although it is thought to be safe to have the pneumonia vaccine during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, many women like to wait until after they have had their baby. The vaccine can be given if there is an urgent need for protection.

Side-effects of the Pneumonia Vaccine

Like most vaccines, you may experience some mild side-effects including:

• a mild fever
• redness, itching, pain, hardness and swelling around the site of injection
• muscle ache, headache, and
• feeling tired.

Aside from an extremely small risk of serious allergic reaction, there are no serious side-effects associated with either type of the pneumonia vaccination. The side-effects usually pass within a few hours.

How much does it cost?

The PCV vaccine and its administration are free for all children under the childhood immunisation schedule.

The PPV vaccine and its administration are free for adults and children in high-risk groups who are covered under the Medical Card or GP Visit Card Schemes.

For private patients who are in high-risk groups, the PPV vaccine itself is free, but the administration of the vaccination is €30.

The PPV vaccine is not recommended routinely for patients, not in high-risk groups.

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

Useful Links:

HSE – Pneumococcal vaccine

NHS Choices – Pneumococcal vaccine

What is the flu virus?

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 vaccine

The flu vaccine encourages your body to produce antibodies against the influenza virus. Antibodies are proteins produced by your body to destroy disease and infection. They protect you from becoming ill if you are infected with the virus.

It is recommended that you vaccinate against the flu virus between September and October each year for maximum protection. It is given in one single injection, usually in the upper arm.

The influenza virus strain can change from year to year, so it is important to vaccinate against the virus every year. The flu virus strains immunized against each year are based on doctors and scientists’ best estimates of the active flu viruses going around that season. Unfortunately, this means that the flu vaccine cannot provide 100% protection against all possible flu illness in any given year. However, vaccination against the flu virus significantly reduces the chance of serious or life-threatening disease even if you pick up a strain not specifically vaccinated against in that year. More information on the flu viruses circulating this season can be found here

Who should get the vaccine?

Although anyone can get the flu, people living with a chronic medical condition are particularly vulnerable to a severe reaction to the virus.

The HSE strongly also recommends the flu vaccine for:

• Persons aged 65 years and over
• Those aged six months and older with a long-term health condition such as
  • Chronic heart disease (this includes anyone who has a history of having a “heart attack” or unstable angina)
  • Chronic liver disease
  • Chronic renal failure
  • Chronic respiratory disease, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, moderate or severe asthma or bronchopulmonary dysplasia
  • Chronic neurological disease including multiple sclerosis, hereditary and degenerative disorders of the central nervous system
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Down syndrome
  • Haemoglobinopathies
  • Morbid obesity, if your body mass index is over 40
  • Immunosuppression due to disease or treatment (these include anyone on treatment for cancer)
• Children aged six months and older
  • with any condition that can affect lung function especially those attending special schools/day centres with cerebral palsy or intellectual disability
  • on long-term aspirin therapy (because of the risk of Reyes syndrome)
• Pregnant women (the flu vaccine can be given at any stage of pregnancy)
• Healthcare workers
• Residents of nursing homes and other long stay institutions
• Carers (the main carers of those in the at-risk groups)
• People with regular contact with pigs, poultry or waterfowl

Flu Symptoms

For some people, it can be difficult to tell the difference between a cold and the flu. The flu comes on quite suddenly with fever, muscle aches and pains.  A cold, however, is a much less severe illness than the flu, symptoms are gradual and include a sore throat and a blocked or a runny nose.  The HSE have provided a chart to help you to distinguish between cold and flu symptoms.

Top Tips for dealing with the Flu

Most people recover from the flu within a week and without seeking medical care.

However, if you experience severe symptoms or belong to any of the high-risk groups listed above, you should contact reception on 091 740340  and make an appointment with your Doctor.

The HSE recommend people with the flu should:

• Stay at home for up to 7 days or until you fully recover – do not go to work or school while ill
• Rest in bed as much as possible
• Take medicines such as paracetamol or ibuprofen to reduce the symptoms
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Discourage any visitors
• Contact your GP surgery by telephone if you don’t improve, or if you start to improve and then get worse

If you have taken the basic care steps outlined above and your start to feel worse, you may need more advice from your Doctor. Please contact reception on 091 740340 for more information or to book you appointment.

Side-effects of the Flu Vaccine

Like most vaccines, you may experience some mild side-effects including:

• redness, itching, pain, hardness and swelling around the site of injection
• muscle ache, headache, and
• feeling tired.

Aside from an extremely small risk of serious allergic reaction, there are no serious side-effects associated with the flu vaccine.

* Given the time of year that the flu shot is recommended (September/October), it is not unusual for patients to experience some “cold” type symptoms in the weeks following the flu vaccination. This experience is unfortunate but coincidental, and not related to receipt of the flu vaccine – the flu vaccine does not contain any active virus and cannot cause the flu.

How much does it cost?

The flu vaccine and its administration are free for patients in high-risk groups who are covered under the Medical Card or GP Visit Card Schemes.

For private patients/children older than six years who are in high-risk groups, the flu vaccine itself is free, but vaccination incurs an administration fee of €20.

Other patients who are not in high-risk groups may still elect to have the flu vaccination; this will incur a €20 charge for the vaccine and an additional €20 for administration of the vaccine.

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

Useful Links:

HSE – Patient information leaflet for the flu vaccine

HSE – Patient information leaflet for pregnant women and the flu vaccine

HSE – FAQs on the flu 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

Most women go through the menopause between the ages of 45 and 55 years, but this can vary significantly from woman to woman. The symptoms you may experience are outlined below.

As the menopause is a natural process, there is no medical treatment for menopause but there are treatment options available for the symptoms associated with menopause.

Appointment: Our team of female GP’s will be happy to discuss these treatments options with you and help you to make an informed decision as to the treatment best suited to your specific health needs. Our Initial Menopause consultation is approx. a 30min appointment with our Practice Nurse & our female GP and costs €100, please call Reception on 091 740340 to book. Further investigations such as Blood tests, an ECG, or 24 hr. BP monitoring will incur a separate charge.

Useful Links

Well Woman Centre – Well Woman Centre Guide to the menopause

Well Woman Centre – Well Woman Centre Factsheet on Hot Flushes

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

Galway East Medical Practice offer a range of vaccinations recommended by the Irish health authorities for women during this important time.

If you have any worries or questions about vaccinations you and your baby may require, Please contact reception on 091 740340 for more information or to book you appointment to see your Doctor or Practice Nurse.

Before pregnancy

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, the second dose is given at four/five years of age as part of the school immunisation programme.

If you are unsure if you have received both doses of the vaccine, Galway East Medical Practice will be happy to check your immunity to MMR and advise you if an MMR vaccination is necessary.

The MMR vaccine is not suitable for women who are pregnant.

It is important to note that the MMR 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.

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.

Vaccinations during pregnancy help to protect your baby during the first few weeks of life as the immunity you develop against the disease is passed onto your baby in your womb.

Vaccines recommended in pregnancy

Flu Vaccine
The flu (influenza) vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect you from the influenza virus.

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.

Getting 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, hospitalisation and severe breathing difficulties.

The 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 not risk to women who are breastfeeding, or to their babies.

Flu vaccination during pregnancy provides increased immunity against influenza infection to babies in the first 6 months of life.

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

Useful Link:

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.

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.

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.

But you can help your baby by getting vaccinated from weeks 16 to 36 of your pregnancy. This vaccination will maximize your baby’s protection against whooping cough from birth.

Protection against the whooping cough is administered via the Tdap vaccine, a 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.

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 overtime.

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

Useful links:

More information about Tdap vaccine during pregnancy

We provide antenatal care and post-natal care to women for free under the Maternity & Infant Care Scheme.

The Maternity and Infant Care Scheme provides an agreed programme of care to all expectant mothers who are ordinarily resident in Ireland. You are entitled to this service even if you do not have a medical card. The combined medical services are provided by one of our GPs and also the antenatal outpatient or midwives clinics.

On your first pregnancy the GP provides an initial examination, if possible before 12 weeks, and a further 5 examinations during the pregnancy, which are alternated with visits to the maternity unit/midwife clinic. The schedule of visits may be changed by your GP and/or hospital obstetrician, depending on your individual situation. For subsequent pregnancies you will have an initial examination and a further 6 examinations.

If you have a significant illness, e.g. diabetes or hypertension, you may have up to 5 additional visits to the GP.

Care for other illnesses which you may have during pregnancy, but which are not related to your pregnancy, is not covered by the Scheme.

After the birth, the GP will examine the baby at 2 weeks and both mother and baby at 6 weeks.

If you have an unplanned pregnancy, please come and talk to us. We will listen to you in a non-judgmental way and give you any advice you may need.

Pre-Pregnancy Health & Wellbeing

The decision to start a family is an important, sometimes overwhelming, step. You may begin to think about what you need to do to prepare your physical and emotional health, and reflect on roles and relationships within your family.

Women and men should prepare for pregnancy before becoming sexually active — or at least three months before getting pregnant. Some actions, such as quitting smoking, reaching a healthy weight, or adjusting current medication should start even earlier. The five most important things you can do for preconception health are:

1. Take folic acidevery day. This lowers the risk of some birth defects of the brain and spine, including spina bifida. All women need folic acid every day. Talk to your Doctor about your folic acid needs. Your Doctor will also discuss any additional supplements that may be required e.g. vitamin D.
2. If you are vegetarian or vegan or are following a restricted diet due to coeliac disease or food intolerance please discuss this with us as additional supplements or dietary advice may be appropriate
3. Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
4. If you have a medical condition, be sure it is under control. Some conditions that can affect pregnancy or be affected by it include asthma, diabetes, obesity, or epilepsy.
5. Talk to your doctor about any over-the-counter and prescription medicines you are using. These include dietary or herbal supplements. Be sure your vaccinations are up to date.
6. Avoid contact with toxic substances or materials that could cause infection at work and at home. Stay away from chemicals and cat or rodent faeces.

Pregnancy Health & Wellbeing
Congratulations, you’re pregnant!

You are about to embark upon one of the most exciting and daunting periods in your life. Optimising your health and wellbeing during your pregnancy is essential for you and your baby’s future health and wellbeing.

Medical checkups and screening tests help keep you and your baby healthy during pregnancy. This is called antenatal care. It also involves education and counselling about how to handle different aspects of your pregnancy. During your visits, your doctor may discuss many issues, such as healthy eating and physical activity, screening tests you might need, and what to expect during labour and delivery.

Maternity and Infant Care Scheme

As an expectant mother, you are entitled to free in-patient public health services during your pregnancy. We can provide you with an application form for the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme, which you and your GP will both need to complete. We will then return the completed form to the local health office for you.

The Maternity and Infant Care Scheme provides an agreed programme of care to all expectant mothers who are ordinarily resident in Ireland. You are entitled to this service even if you do not have a medical card. The combined medical services are provided by one of our GPs and also the antenatal outpatient or midwives clinics.

On your first pregnancy the GP provides an initial examination, if possible before 12 weeks, and a further 5 examinations during the pregnancy, which are alternated with visits to the maternity unit/midwife clinic. The schedule of visits may be changed by your GP and/or hospital obstetrician, depending on your individual situation. For subsequent pregnancies you will have an initial examination and a further 6 examinations.

If you have a significant illness, e.g. diabetes or hypertension, you may have up to 5 additional visits to the GP.

Care for other illnesses which you may have during pregnancy, but which are not related to your pregnancy, is not covered by the Scheme.

After the birth, the GP will examine the baby at 2 weeks and both mother and baby at 6 weeks.

Post-Pregnancy Health

The arrival of your new baby into your family is a time of joy, celebration and wonder. Investing in your health and wellbeing after the birth of your new baby, is essential for you; your family’s and your baby’s future health and wellbeing.

The Mother and Infant Scheme provides for two post-natal visits to your GP – the first of which is at two weeks and the second at six weeks. This is a good opportunity for you to raise any questions you may have about you and your baby’s health and wellbeing. Whether you have questions concerning medical issues, stress or just adjusting to your new life, we are here to listen and help.

Maternal Mental Health

Welcoming a new baby home can be a challenging time for parents, couples and families. Research shows that psychological illness after birth is common – one in five women in Ireland will suffer from a depressive disorder during the antenatal (in pregnancy) or postnatal period, and almost one in 10 new mothers will suffer from postnatal depression.

Whether you have had difficulties in the past such as postnatal depression, are worried that you are at risk or simply want to be in your best of health during early parenting years, you will find the help that you need at Galway East Medical Practice.

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

Useful Links:

• ie – a new website with wonderful information for expecting mothers and parents of children up to 5 years old. https://www2.hse.ie/my-child/
• Nice Living Well – More information on Pregnancy Care and Birth
• The Coombe – Women & Baby Patient Factsheets
• Breastfeeding – More Information and Support for Women wishing to or who already Breastfeed
• Nutrition in pregnancy – Link to first1000days.ie
  • https://www2.hse.ie/my-child/