The scoop
If you live in Ireland, the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme gives you free maternity care, even without a medical card or GP visit card. Your GP and your maternity unit or hospital share your antenatal visits, and public hospital care for the birth is free.
After the birth you get 2 free GP visits: a check of your baby at 2 weeks, and a check of you and your baby at 6 weeks.
How to claim it
- 1
Contact your GP as soon as you know you're pregnant, ideally before week 12.
- 2
Your GP registers you for the scheme.
- 3
Book the free postnatal checks at 2 weeks and 6 weeks.
Who qualifies
- Living in Ireland, or planning to live here for at least a year
- No medical card needed