Visiting Hours

In the interest of patient and public safety, we regret that strict visitor restrictions are in place in Cork University Maternity Hospital. We understand how difficult this may be and we will be there to support you. We thank you for your understanding. 

COVID-19 and Visitor Restrictions

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Discharge From Hospital

 

Discharge

The midwives will discuss discharge times with your during your visits to the antenatal clinics. You should be ready and organised to leave by 11am on the morning of discharge.

 

Prior To Discharge

A midwife or doctor will examine you before you leave. Tell the midwife if you are going to an address other than one recorded on your hospital case notes so that the public health nurse will know where to visit. We will send a discharge letter will be sent to your GP with details of your pregnancy and birth in preparation for your six-week check-up. Before leaving, please ensure that you have not left any belongings behind and you have returned any borrowed hospital property.

 

Public Health Nurse

Role of the Public Health Nurse (PHN)

You can make contact with the PHN service prior to your birth by contacting your local health centre for the name of your PHN. Some health centres offer ante-natal care. The role of the PHN is health promotion, education and early detection. The PHN will advise you on all aspects of child health e.g. feeding and developmental milestones. Your PHN also advises and support mothers on postnatal care such as diet and rest. She/he will continue to check if your child is progressing satisfactorily.

 

Support On Discharge

For most mothers and babies, the postnatal period is uneventful. However, you may have concerns or questions about your recovery that you would like to discuss with a health care professional.

  • We will give you a card with the telephone number of the ward you were discharged from and this is a 24-hour service. An experienced midwife from the postnatal ward, where you were cared for will be happy to assist you with any queries or questions you may have and will give you support, information and advice about possible post natal problems and complications.
  • If you have any of the following symptoms it is important to go to your GP for a check-up: fever, excessive foul smelling vaginal discharge, abdominal pain, leg swelling or pain in the calves of your legs, breathlessness or headache.
  • Your GP will also help if you have been bothered by feeling down, depressed or if you have little interest or pleasure in doing things.
  • Booking routine check-ups with your GP is advised. The baby should be checked at two weeks old and the mother at six weeks after the birth. 

 

Assessment Or ReAdmission Of Your Baby After Discharge

If your baby becomes unwell after discharge please contact your GP.

For after hours, family doctor service please contact Southdoc on telephone 1850 335 999.

If for some reason you cannot attend your GP or Southdoc, or your infant requires urgent care you go directly to the Emergency Department at CUH (Cork University Hospital).

The Emergency Room (ER) at CUMH is for adult obstetrical and gynaecological patients only.

 

Car Safety For Newborns

When you are making arrangements to take your baby home, please ensure that you have a proper baby car seat. This car seat should be carefully checked on purchase and also checked before baby is discharged. A baby should never be carried in the front passenger seat as most cars now have air bags. Discharge times will have been discussed with you by the midwife in the antenatal period. It is important to be organised and ready to leave by 11am.

 

Useful Numbers

  • Cork University Maternity Hospital (021) 4920500
  • Cork University Hospital, (021) 4920600
  • Breastfeeding Support Group, CUMH Lactation Consultants Susan O’Driscoll/Mary O’Donnell, (087) 6623874
  • Breastfeeding Support Group La Leche League (021) 4552357
  • Social and Breastfeeding Support Group Cuidiú, The Irish Childbirth Trust. www.cuidiucork.net or (085)1406321
  • Child Benefit Department of Social and Family Affairs, 1890 400 400
  • Maternity Benefit Department of Social and Family Affairs (01) 7043475 or (043) 40000
  • Immunisation Community Services, St Finbarr’s Hospital (021) 4965511
  • Post Natal Distress Support Group. www.pnd.ie or (021) 4922083
  • Registration Office (Births) Adelaide Street Cork (021) 4275126
  • Smoking Resource Officers Cork City (022) 58634

North Cork (022) 30233

West Cork (028) 40418

Kerry (066) 7195617

  • Traveller Visibility Group (021) 4503786 or (087)1301756