# Pregnancy

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.

37.0k

185

Updated

Apr 21st 2023, 10:00 PM

# severe vomiting

Obstetrician: 'Some women with Hyperemesis are choosing not to continue with their pregnancy'

Consultant obstetrician at the National Maternity Hospital Professor Mary Higgins says GPs should be able to prescribe Cariban.

17.7k

Feb 16th 2023, 8:00 PM

# pregnancy sickness

Health minister asks department and HSE to review current approach to Cariban reimbursement

Women, doctors, and pharmacists have criticised the roll out of a new scheme.

5.3k

Feb 2nd 2023, 3:34 PM

# Labour

Irish study reveals clinicians' views on C-sections for new mothers

A maternity care expert said the study shows the pregnant person is “not at the centre of their care”.

30.8k

Jan 11th 2023, 7:11 PM

# more red tape

Overcomplicated: Reimbursement scheme for pregnancy drug criticised by pharmacists

Irish Pharmacy Union says the new scheme is not straightforward and creates further delays.

HSE informs pharmacists about reimbursement scheme and how it will operate three days after the scheme came into operation.

IPU says requiring patients to get a consultant prescription creates needless access inequalities where women do not have access to consultants.

The drug Cariban can cost women up to €3,000 over the course of a pregnancy.

13.8k

Jan 6th 2023, 12:05 AM

Last year

2022

# Healthcare

Department of Health to be asked to consider certificates commemorating early pregnancy losses

Currently, there is no provision to recognise the loss of an unborn child before 24 weeks of pregnancy.

9.0k

Oct 19th 2022, 3:48 PM

# budget 2023

Cariban: Drug to help women who suffer severe pregnancy sickness to be given free of charge

Previously, pregnant women had been charged an average of €1.80 a pill.

30.1k

Sep 27th 2022, 3:00 PM

Voices

Author: 'Nobody told me about the loneliness that comes with having a new baby'

Read a motherhood diary from the author of crime thriller Hide and Seek, Andrea Mara.

25.4k

Aug 3rd 2022, 8:00 PM

# hyperemisis gravidarum

Over 3,000 hospitalisations a year among women suffering severe pregnancy sickness

A drug that treats hyperemesis is unavailable on the drugs payment scheme or medical card.

9.8k

Jun 29th 2022, 6:05 AM

# Milestone

Councillors can avail of paid maternity leave beginning next year

Councillors can also be given funding to hire someone to assist with secretarial work.

9.8k

Jun 28th 2022, 5:24 PM

# Research

Taking painkillers in pregnancy 'more likely to lead to complications'

University of Aberdeen researchers looked at more than 151,000 pregnancies over a 30-year period.

11.7k

May 13th 2022, 10:53 AM

# home births

HSE: No timeline for lifting of ban on home water births

The ‘temporary pause’ has been in place since November 2020 pending investigations into two incidents.

19.5k

May 12th 2022, 6:00 AM

# Women's Health

Stephen Donnelly confirms opening of two additional specialist menopause clinics

A total of six menopause clinics will be rolled out nationwide this year.

16.8k

Apr 29th 2022, 6:30 AM

# valproate

Timeframe still not decided for inquiry into epilepsy drug that can cause birth defects

The medicine was prescribed without warnings to patients for years after regulators knew about its risks.

11.7k

Apr 23rd 2022, 10:00 AM

# 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.

16.1k

Apr 10th 2022, 7:00 AM

# new report

Almost half of pregnancies worldwide ‘unintended’, report finds

The report by the United Nations Population Fund was hosted by the Irish Family Planning Association.

15.0k

Mar 30th 2022, 7:15 AM

# 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.

9.0k

Feb 27th 2022, 7:00 AM

# hyperemesis gravidarum

Govt one step closer to giving severe illness during pregnancy drug free of charge

U-turn on calling Cariban a food supplement as HPRA says such classification is not appropriate.

9.5k

Feb 23rd 2022, 7:13 PM

Minister 'hopeful' positive outcome can be reached to help women with severe pregnancy sickness

No decision has been reached at Government level as to how the State might subsidise the cost of the drug, Cariban.

10.9k

Feb 17th 2022, 6:49 PM

# Pregnancy

Large study backs up findings from Irish experts about Covid placentitis

Covid-19 placentitis is an infection of the placenta which occurs in some pregnant women with Covid-19.

22.7k

Feb 15th 2022, 11:27 AM

Voices

Cliodhna Russell: 'I didn’t know what was ahead. I didn’t know how aggressive the cancer was'

One year ago today, the newsreader and reporter was starting into cancer treatment just two weeks after becoming a mother for the first time.

64.2k

Feb 13th 2022, 8:30 AM

# Pregnancy

Group to investigate options for funding severe pregnancy sickness drug to make it more available

The drug, known as Cariban, is currently unavailable on the drugs payment scheme or by medical card.

9.8k

Feb 11th 2022, 5:16 PM

# severe morning sickness

Health Minister insists State won't reimburse cost of drug to treat severe pregnancy sickness

When Stephen Donnelly was in Opposition he told Simon Harris that the drug called Cariban should be available on the drugs payment scheme.

18.0k

Feb 4th 2022, 6:00 AM

# Crisis Pregnancy

'Frightening' language and no abortion information: Warning issued over rogue pregnancy services

Women who have inadvertently engaged with these groups have found the experience “extremely distressing”.

A number of unregulated crisis pregnancy services present themselves as unbiased but have an anti-abortion stance

The HSE said such services may try to frighten women and refuse to give them information about abortion services

Women who have inadvertently engaged with these groups have found the experience "extremely distressing", Órla Ryan reports

55.9k

Jan 17th 2022, 12:05 AM

# Climate Change

Climate change’s adverse effects on health starts in the womb, studies find

Climate hazards, including rising temperature, pollution and wildfires, are increasing the risk of pre-term birth.

16.3k

Jan 15th 2022, 11:10 AM

# Pregnancy

Covid placentitis: Four more stillbirths and two babies' deaths reported in Ireland

The deaths occurred from October to December 2021.

44.6k

Jan 13th 2022, 2:16 PM

All time

# Women's Health

Free contraception to be made available for young women

Two GP appointments per year relating to contraception will also be free.

39.3k

Oct 12th 2021, 2:06 PM

# women's health taskforce

Women feel doctors 'normalise' loss of pregnancy, and first-time mothers 'not listened to', report finds

Over 270 women aged 18 to 80 participated in discussions for a report commissioned by a Department of Health taskforce.

17.6k

Sep 14th 2021, 3:35 PM

# the rotunda

RTÉ defends The Rotunda series after criticism over filming at maternity hospital during Covid

Critics of the series have questioned why a TV crew was given access when severe restrictions were in place for partners.

26.1k

Sep 9th 2021, 1:50 PM

# new advice

Covid-19 mRNA vaccines to be offered to women at all stages of pregnancy

This comes after the NIAC made a number of recommendations to the Chief Medical Officer.

12.4k

Sep 1st 2021, 6:07 PM

# Pregnancy

Maternity partner restrictions raised again in Dáil as Taoiseach told all units compliant

Micheál Martin said the HSE issued “very, very clear guidance” to maternity units on the restrictions.

14.4k

Jun 30th 2021, 6:16 PM

# Maternity Care

Hospitals told to allow wider access to maternity partners during pregnancy care

The HSE is altering the visiting policy for partners during maternity care.

12.1k

Jun 24th 2021, 5:18 PM

# maternity measures

HSE updating guidance to make clear partners can be present 'right throughout labour and birth'

Restrictions remain in place in certain hospitals, however.

11.1k

May 13th 2021, 5:05 PM

# 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.

26.0k

Updated

May 6th 2021, 5:58 PM

# Coronavirus

Three pregnant women with Covid-19 treated in intensive care last weekend

The figure was reported at last night’s NPHET briefing.

39.5k

Apr 20th 2021, 9:04 AM

Voices

Opinion: Our baby would not live, so we had to travel to London. Our hearts are broken

One father details the life-changing news he and his wife received in their 20-week scan, resulting in a trip to London and saying goodbye to Riley, their son.

122k

Mar 21st 2021, 7:00 AM

# Pregnancy

'Two-tier system' means couples still forced to travel for termination after severe foetal diagnoses

The legislation is due to be reviewed this year.

43.0k

Mar 21st 2021, 12:05 AM

Voices

'Between vaccines and restrictions, we need to look at how pregnant people are being treated'

This country has a long history of treating pregnant women and girls appallingly; the pandemic should not be an excuse to continue to do the same, writes Seána Glennon.

29.5k

Mar 5th 2021, 6:00 PM

# baby on board

'I ran a world record 12 weeks after she was born' - returning to elite sport after childbirth

The42 looks at how some of Ireland’s top athletes resumed their sporting career after having a baby.

53.7k

Jan 10th 2021, 10:00 AM

# 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.

21.1k

Jan 8th 2021, 6:01 PM