Your Maternity Care Options
What is changing in Cork University Maternity Hospital?
Cork University Maternity Hospital is expanding its community-based services for pregnant women in Cork city and county.
Following receipt of the referral letter from your GP, we schedule an appointment for you to discuss your pregnancy and medical history with a midwife over the phone. When you come for your first appointment in CUMH you will be seen by members of our multidisciplinary team including:
- An ultra-sonographer for your dating scan
- A midwife for follow-up discussion including physical checkups
- A phlebotomist for routine blood test (if required)
- Consultant for review of your medical history and care plan
When you meet with a consultant, they will determine the most suitable care pathway for you. The three care pathways are Supported Care (Normal Risk), Assisted Care (Medium Risk) and Specialist Care (High Risk).
You will receive the safest option of care depending on your circumstances.
If you are considered normal risk, you can avail of antenatal care through the supported care pathway, led by our midwifery team who provide continuity of care and choice to low risk women throughout pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period.
Our midwives work between CUMH and primary care centres, around Cork city and county. The midwifery led clinics are set in a relaxing comfortable, environment with free parking close to the clinic – we will endeavor to book you in to the clinic most convenient to you.
Regardless of the clinic location, your care will be provided by CUMH staff, and your baby will be born in Cork University Maternity Hospital.
Community Clinics |
Area | Health Centre | Day | Times |
Carrigtwohill | Carrigtwohill Primary Care Centre T45 DT93 | Monday | 8am - 2pm |
Carrigaline | Carrigaline Primary Care Centre P43 PX99 | Tuesday | All day |
Gurranabraher | St Mary’s Primary Care Centre T23 V09X | Wednesday | 8am – 2pm |
Mitchelstown | Living Health Clinic Primary Care Centre, Fermoy Rd., Mitchelstown, Co. Cork. | Wednesday | 8am – 2pm |
Mallow | Mallow Primary Care Centre, Gouldshill, Mallow, Co. Cork | Thursday | 8am – 2pm |
| Locations and clinic timing are subject to change | | | |
We hope these changes bring positive impacts to your experience. This will not change the combined antenatal care or 'shared care’ provided with GPs through the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme.
Patients deemed to be in the normal risk category may wish hospital based antenatal care. Where possible every effort will be made to accommodate same.
Midwifery Led ServicesWhat is a midwife? The word midwife means 'with woman'. Midwives care for women throughout pregnancy, childbirth and after the baby is born. Midwives in the Cork University Maternity Hospital view pregnancy and childbirth as a normal life event. However, they recognize and foresee problems and refer to a doctor as necessary. What care can she provide? - Assisting women in making choices about pregnancy and childbirth
- Providing woman centered care, by working in partnership with women and their families
- Encouraging and supporting breastfeeding
- Caring for and assisting women through the unique and life changing experience of pregnancy and childbirth.
| View All Midwifery Led Services CUMH Outpatients Department Outreach Clinics - Cois Ti Domino Service Homebirth Service |
Consultant Led ServicesAn initial booking visit is followed by regular appointments which are usually shared between the GP and one of a team of hospital doctors - Consultant Obstetrician, Registrar or Senior House Officer. The Consultant Obstetrician's work in teams and will have overall responsibility for the woman’s care but she will not see that Consultant at every visit. The consultants work in teams. If admitted to hospital during her pregnancy the woman’s care will be managed by the consultant on-call for that day. When she arrives at the hospital for the birth of her baby she will be cared for by the labour ward midwives and an on-call medical team. If any problems arise the consultant on-call will be involved. | View All Consultant Led Speciality Clinics Perinatal Medicine Clinic Antenatal Diabetes Clinic Haematology Clinic Fetal Medicine Clinic Multiples Clinic Early Pregnancy Clinic Fertility Clinic PreConceptual Advise Clinic |