# Pregnancy
Last month
February 2023
# 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.
# 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.
This year
2023
# 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”.
# 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.
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.
# 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.
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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
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.
# 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.
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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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
# 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.
# Pregnancy
Covid placentitis: Four more stillbirths and two babies' deaths reported in Ireland
The deaths occurred from October to December 2021.
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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# 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.
# Coronavirus
Three pregnant women with Covid-19 treated in intensive care last weekend
The figure was reported at last night’s NPHET briefing.
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.
# 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.
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.
# 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.
# 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.
