When Is My First Antenatal Visit At The Hospital?

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 (between 10-12 weeks). When you come for your first appointment in CUMH (between 11-13 weeks) 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).

The day of the week you are seen for your first visit won't necessarily be the same day you return for your second and subsequent visits.

Blood Tests

We recommend that all our patients take the routine antenatal screening blood tests with their GP prior to the first Outpatients appointment

Where Do I Go For My First Visit?

On your first visit to the hospital, you will attend the pre-booking clinic. Please bring photographic ID, GP letter, and results of any blood tests saved by your GP. Please register at the Outpatients reception desk on the 1st floor. You should attend 15 minutes before your appointment time. Reception staff will take your details and you will be shown to a waiting area.

Please note that the Outpatients Department in CUMH is very busy with large numbers attending daily. We would encourage you not to bring more than one person with you for your visits. Please do not bring children with you as they are not permitted in the waiting area as per hospital policy. If you or your children have recently contracted an infectious illness such as Chickenpox, vomiting, or diarrhoea we request that you call ahead of your outpatient appointment (021 4920562/4920563) and speak to the midwife manager in charge of the Outpatients Department. This is to prevent the spread of infection to other expectant mothers.

What Happens At My First Visit?

During or before this visit you will have an ultrasound scan to confirm your expected date of birth and to check that all is well with your pregnancy. You will need to have a full bladder for this scan. A midwife will then review you and take your history- all women are seen alone at some point during this booking visit. If your GP has done blood tests please bring the results with you so they may be filed in your chart. If your blood type is Rhesus Negative we will give you a patient information leaflet - it is important to read this leaflet and keep it with your medical record chart. After this visit, you will be given your medical record chart to take home. Please remember to bring this with you anytime you attend the hospital or GP during your pregnancy.

Subsequent Clinic Visits

When you attend your first visit you will be issued with your follow-up appointments date/times. Please adhere to appointment times given to reduce delays for you and others. Please remember to bring your chart with you anytime you attend the hospital during your pregnancy. If you cannot attend for any reason, please call the antenatal clinic (021) 4920558.

When you arrive for your appointment, please report to the clinic receptionist. These visits should not last longer than 60 minutes, but it should be stressed that unforeseen circumstances can arise, which can lengthen the waiting time.

Research

Here at Cork University Maternity Hospital we are committed to supporting ongoing research for the possible benefit of Mother and baby. You may be approached during one of your hospital visits about partaking in a research study. The INFANT Research Centre is based at the hospital and has ongoing studies to make pregnancy safer and improve outcomes for newborn babies. It is not compulsory for you to participate in any study but we would greatly appreciate your participation. For further information please visit www.infantcentre.ie or contact tel: (021) 4205023.