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Sunday 4 June 2023 Dublin: 15°C

# Maternity

Last month
May 2023
# bundle of joy
500 pilot 'baby bundles' to be delivered to new parents this week
The bundles contain essentials for new parents and their baby such as clothes and a changing bag.
This year
2023
THE MORNING LEAD
Varadkar 'reluctant' to make changes after review of state's abortion laws seeks end to three-day wait
A report by
Christina Finn
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly will bring a memo to Cabinet on Tuesday on the report’s recommendations.
Last year
2022
# Mental Health
Ireland's first mother and baby mental health unit due to be developed by late 2024
Ireland currently has no facility like this for women experiencing severe mental health difficulties during pregnancy or after birth.
# Pregnancy
Campaigners to raise gaps in partners' access at maternity hospitals in meeting with HSE
Linda Kelly of Better Maternity Care says limits on partners’ access during maternity care ‘cannot continue’ as Covid restrictions lift.
All time
# restrictions
HSE guidelines allow for huge easing of restrictions on partners accessing maternity wards
The guidelines can be implemented from 1 November.
# Maternity
Restrictions on maternity services exacerbate mental health difficulties, experts warn
The rules have been the subject of criticism by politicians and campaigners in recent weeks.
# Maternity
NMH able to ease maternity restrictions as 'huge amount of development' done in recent years
That’s according to Peter Boylan, former master of the National Maternity Hospital.
# Maternity
HSE chief says roadmap to easing maternity hospital restrictions 'would be valuable'
There has been criticism in recent months of the different approaches taken by maternity hospitals.
# Clinical Trial
Experts have 'concerns' about Rotunda trial involving induction of healthy first-time mothers
The trial is focused on home induction of women with uncomplicated pregnancies.
The trial aims to assess two different methods of induction for healthy first-time mothers at 39 weeks pregnant.
Concerns have been raised about the way in which information on the trial is being presented to pregnant people.
The trial began in November 2020 and 86 women have so far taken part, Orla Dwyer reports.
'I didn't want to do this alone': Your stories about pandemic maternity restrictions
Taoiseach: 'There's no reason why partners cannot attend maternity scans - it should not be happening'
# your stories
'I didn't want to do this alone': Your stories about pandemic maternity restrictions
Here’s what the maternity restrictions meant for readers.
The Journal asked people to share stories about the impact of pandemic maternity restrictions.
These restrictions resulted in pregnant women going through parts of labour and certain scans alone, Orla Dwyer reports.
More than 120 people got in contact and 67 of their stories are included in today's piece.
Maternity partner restrictions raised again in Dáil as Taoiseach told all units compliant
Taoiseach: 'There's no reason why partners cannot attend maternity scans - it should not be happening'
# Get in touch
Have you been impacted by pandemic maternity restrictions? We want to hear your story
We want to get a wider sense of how Covid-19 maternity restrictions have impacted people. Tell us your story.
# Maternity
'Nothing has changed': Continued calls for easing of maternity partner restrictions
Activists want partners to be permitted in maternity units for all stages of labour.
# maternity hospitals
'I'm frustrated with the lack of progress': Donnelly says 19 maternity units are being contacted about restrictions
Restrictions remain in place in certain hospitals, with protesters gathering outside the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin yesterday.
# holles st
Fianna Fáil senator says Donnelly needs to provide clarity on maternity restrictions as protest takes place
Senator Lisa Chambers has called for clarity from the HSE on restrictions still in place in some hospitals.
Voices
I found out I was having a miscarriage this week. My husband wasn't allowed into the hospital.
In spite of all the calls for hospitals to ease their Covid measures it was impossible to get a clear answer on whether my partner would be allowed in, our contributor writes.
# Pregnancy
HSE says 'conditions are right' for restrictions on partners in maternity hospitals to be lifted
HSE CEO Paul Reid said today he is writing to all maternity units about partner restrictions.
# coombe
Coombe Hospital report finds consultant took vaccine home and administered it to two family members
The Coombe Board has examined the independent review into the vaccine programme at the hospital.
In January, 16 leftover Covid-19 vaccine doses were administered to family members of some Coombe staff.
Two of these doses were brought home by a consultant and delivered to family.
A review of the vaccine programme was carried out and the Board of the Coombe said it "accepts that mistakes were made".
# Pregnancy
Further restrictions in maternity hospitals as some decide to reverse decision allowing partners into 20-week scan
Some hospitals adapted their visiting restrictions for difficult situations such as pregnancy loss, stillbirth and unexpected complications.
# Maternity
'Another case of it's only women so who bloody cares': Hundreds complain to minister about maternity restrictions
Correspondence sent to the health minister reveals emotional pleas for the restrictions to be lifted.
Voices
Opinion: If there’s a will, there’s a way: provision of maternity leave for TDs is not insurmountable
Professor Sarah Childs from the University of London and Dr Fiona Buckley of UCC say we should look to the UK changes for MPs and maternity leave and get on with necessary reform here.
# Maternity services
Rally held to call for an end to Covid-19 restriction that stops women's partners attending births
The rally was held at the Coombe Maternity Hospital at 5pm.
Voices
Opinion: 'I felt forgotten by NPHET and Government as I miscarried alone in hospital'
Clare Cullen describes her experience of miscarriage in a hospital without her husband, due to Covid restrictions.
# Coronavirus
'We are firefighting': Consultants warn newborns may be at risk due to Covid pressure on hospitals
Many neonatal units have no isolation facilities to deal with coronavirus patients.
# 21st Century workplace
Twenty women say they were not allowed return to work at end of their maternity leave last year
Complaints are on the rise amid legislative changes and growing global awareness of gender-related issues.
# The joy of six
Two sets of triplets born in 24 hours in Co Down hospital
All six babies are healthy.
Voices
'In one day I might care for a very ill woman and help resuscitate a baby - and there's no respect'
Midwives didn’t pick the job for the money, but they want their skills to get the same recognition as other healthcare professionals, Maeve Gaynor writes.
# boohoo
People are ripping the piss out of these Boohoo 'maternity' models
What is that!?
# last day
Simon Harris pays tribute to Rhona Mahony, who made history as first female Master of Holles Street
The Health Minister called her “a leading voices for women’s rights”.
# It's a girl
New Zealand prime minister gives birth to a baby girl
Jacinda Ardern becomes just the second world leader to give birth while in office.
# mud bath
'There needs to be a minimum standard on pitch facilities for an international game'
We spoke to England international Rachael Burford about some of the key issues in women’s rugby.
# malak thawley
Hospital argues that inquiry into death of pregnant woman could cause 'serious risk to patients'
The National Maternity Hospital says it is open to another review, but not of the type proposed by the minister.
# the irish family
The average age for a mother to give birth in Ireland is 32.5 years old
The number of teenage mothers has fallen by 50% between 2005 and 2015.
# Freedom of Information
Behaviour of staff top reason for complaints about maternity services at Portlaoise
Half of the complaints were about staff behaviour and three were about the care received.
# bumping up figures
HSE to ask women working in the health sector how they balance maternity with work
Just 7% of all surgeons in Ireland are women.
# Infant Deaths
HSE review of maternity complaints finds patients not treated with dignity or respect
Health Minister Simon Harris said it is ‘regretted’ that it took such a long time for families to be heard on their babies’ deaths.
# i need more time
Harris asks for a month to consider all options for ownership of maternity hospital
Minister Simon Harris has said that a public ownership option is possible for the hospital.
# Faith
Religion and health care: What role does the Catholic Church play in Irish hospitals?
Archbishop Diarmuid Martin is seeking his own removal as chair of Holles Street.
# Sisters of Charity
Bishop says new maternity hospital should obey rules of Catholic Church
Health Minister Simon Harris has insisted the hospital will be independently run.
# big picture
Accused of being 'hapless, helpless and hopeless', Harris wants 'cool heads' on maternity hospital
Addressing doctors today, Minister Harris sought to provide assurances on the project.