Contact us to arrange your early pregnancy scans from 7-11weeks & 12 – 24 weeks which can be booked on a self-referral basis (ie no GP letter required). This service is can be availed of without private health insurance. Book now
Our Private Antenatal Care
Pregnancy and childbirth is an exciting and life-changing experience for couples. At The Scotia Clinic, our experienced team of consultants and midwives deliver the very highest level of care, and always endeavour to facilitate your wishes wherever possible.
Our antenatal care is consultant-delivered, while a midwife is in attendance at all clinics. There may however be occasions when you will need an emergency assessment. These assessments are carried out at the Foetal Assessment Unit at Kerry General Hospital, or the Ardfert Ward at Kerry General Hospital.
Your first visit
Your first antenatal visit – which we call the booking visit – normally takes place at around 12 weeks. At the booking visit, we perform an ultrasound scan to check the baby’s heartbeat, to confirm when your baby is due and to identify whether there is more than one baby present.
After your ultrasound, you will have a detailed consultation with our midwife. During this consultation, she will carry out a thorough risk assessment and put a care plan in place which will cover the rest of your pregnancy. You will be given an antenatal maternity chart, which you’ll need for all subsequent visits, together with a customized growth chart to identify the growth rate of the baby. The midwife will also provide you with an information pack, detailed books and website information. Swabs are also taken for MRSA at your first visit.
Tailored to you
From here on, the visit schedule is tailored to your pregnancy. You will be seen for an anatomy scan at 20 weeks, while other visits typically take place at 28, 32, 36, 38, 39 and 40 weeks. Sometimes, such as with a high risk pregnancy or a twin pregnancy, more visits may be required. Our patients also attend their GP throughout their pregnancy for combined antenatal care.
If you have had routine antenatal bloods done with your GP prior to attending for your booking visit, please bring a copy of these along with you. Mid Stream Urine samples are also required at each visit.
Ultrasound Scans/Pregnancy scans
While the booking scan takes place at approximately 12 weeks, some women may request an early pregnancy scan between 7 to 11 weeks. Women may wish to have this scan performed if they have a history of miscarriage or have had an ectopic pregnancy in the past.
In general, an early pregnancy scan will be a trans vaginal, or internal scan. This gives a clearer picture of your baby. At Scotia Clinic early pregnancy scans are available from 7 – 11 weeks which can be booked on a self-referral basis (ie no GP letter required). This service is can be availed of without private health insurance.
The dating scan at your first antenatal visit between 12 and 14 weeks is generally a trans abdominal (tummy) scan. For this, you will need to have a full bladder.
At 20 weeks, it is possible to see most of the anatomy of the baby quite clearly. For this scan, again, you will need a full bladder. At this point too, it is usually possible to see the gender of the baby. However, we do not routinely tell couples the gender of the baby unless they ask. We try to give couples photographs of the baby at their first visit and at the 20 week scan. If the baby is in the right position, it is possible to get a good picture.
At Scotia Clinic pregnancy scans are available from 12 – 24 weeks which can be booked on a self-referral basis (ie no GP letter required). This service is can be availed of without private health insurance.
Pre natal testing- Panorama/Harmony test
At The Scotia Clinic, we offer non invasive pre natal testing (NIPT), also known as the Harmony or Panorama Test. This is a highly accurate blood test that can be taken from the mother on or after 8/10 weeks gestation. The test screens for Trisomy 21 (Downs Syndrome), Trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome) and Trisomy 13 (Patau Syndrome).
Subsequent Visits
In total, you will typically attend The Scotia Clinic between 5 and 6 times during your pregnancy. At each visit, your baby’s wellbeing will be assessed, and you will have a blood pressure and urine check. Blood tests are repeated between 30 and 34 weeks gestation.
You will also get advice on things like breast feeding, analgesia (pain relief in labour) and hospital admission policies. Women who are Rh Negative are given a preventative dose of Anti D at 28 weeks. Anti D prevents the mother from developing antibodies to the baby’s red cells. This treatment also protects the baby in this and any future pregnancies.
Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)
A simple blood test is carried out at approximately 28 weeks to screen for gestational diabetes.
This GTT is performed where there is:
1) a previously large baby – greater than 4.5 kgs
2) a BMI greater than 30
3) a previous history of gestational diabetes
4) a family history of diabetes
5) a previous abnormal baby
6) multiple pregnancies
7) patients over the age of 40
8) extra fluid around the baby (poly hydramnious)
Antenatal Education
Kerry General Hospital provides free antenatal classes which are designed to prepare couples for birth and parenting. They are lead by midwives and physiotherapists, and birth partners are always encouraged to attend. Women who have previously had a baby have the option of attending a refresher antenatal class during their pregnancy if they wish.
Private antenatal classes are also available throughout the county. The midwife at The Scotia Clinic will have a list of people that we can recommend.
Breast Feeding
Kerry General Hospital is a breast feeding initiative hospital and all antenatal classes delivered there cover breast feeding in some detail. Classes can be booked pre and post delivery to support breast feeding. The Scotia Clinic also provides small-group breast feeding classes with a lactation consultant, who will continue to support nursing mothers when they return home after delivery. Part of the cost of these classes is covered by health insurance.
Our relationship with you is at the heart of all we do and defines our approach to patient care. We are compassionate and take time to listen to you, your concerns and dreams, ensuring you are respected and empowered at all times. You are more than a number to us – your consultant will be at your side throughout your journey – that’s the difference at Scotia Clinic!
There are two ways in which you can present to our clinic – contact us directly or as a referral from your GP.
Our antenatal care is consultant-delivered, while a midwife is in attendance at all clinics. There may however be occasions when you will need an emergency assessment. These assessments are carried out at the Foetal Assessment Unit at Kerry General Hospital, or the Ardfert Ward at Kerry General Hospital.
12 weeks
Your first antenatal visit – which we call the booking visit. At the booking visit, we perform an ultrasound scan to check the baby’s heartbeat, to confirm when your baby is due and to identify whether there is more than one baby present.
Detailed consultations
After your ultrasound, you will have a detailed consultation with our midwife. During this consultation, she will carry out a thorough risk assessment and put a care plan in place which will cover the rest of your pregnancy. You will be given an antenatal maternity chart, which you’ll need for all subsequent visits, together with a customized growth chart to identify the growth rate of the baby. The midwife will also provide you with an information pack, detailed books and website information. Swabs are also taken for MRSA at your first visit. .
From here on, the visit schedule is tailored to your pregnancy.
20 weeks
You will be seen for an anatomy scan.
Other visits typically take place at 28, 32, 36, 38, 39 and 40 weeks.
Sometimes, such as with a high risk pregnancy or a twin pregnancy, more visits may be required. Our patients also attend their GP throughout their pregnancy for combined antenatal care.
If you have had routine antenatal bloods done with your GP prior to attending for your booking visit, please bring a copy of these along with you. Mid Stream Urine samples are also required at each visit.
Our clinic also offers the services of a Foetal Medicine Consultants Dr Halim and Dr Sean Daly.
