Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has announced that over 1,000 couples have been referred for publicly funded Assisted Human Reproduction (AHR) treatment.  These treatments include IVF (in-vitro fertilisation), ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection) treatment and IUI (intrauterine insemination). Each month, around 125 couples are being referred through the HSE’s Regional Fertility Hubs for publicly funded AHR ..read more

A consultant at the Rotunda Hospital has argued that women should have the option of having labour induced at 39 weeks. Professor Fergal Malone, a former master of the Rotunda, stated that the Dublin maternity hospital hopes to give women the choice of having their labour medically induced full term at 39 weeks, before returning ..read more

The HSE has confirmed that three maternal deaths have taken place in Ireland in the last week. The three mothers died in separate hospitals across the country – University Hospital Kerry, Cork University Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda – in the last seven days. The HSE has noted the deaths as tragic circumstances, as Ireland typically has a low number of maternal deaths compared to the average rate across Europe. Last Friday (June 21), Stephy Scaria (née Ouseph) died unexpectedly in Cork University Hospital, after giving birth via C-section. Stephy originally hailed ..read more

At Ask the Midwife, they are excited to highlight the promising benefits of acupuncture in aiding fertility. Acupuncture, a key component of traditional Chinese medicine, which gains recognition for its ability to regulate hormonal fluctuations, manage stress, and improve blood flow to reproductive organs, thereby enhancing fertility. Ask the Midwife Co-Founders, Carla Kelly and Anna Fayne, comment: “We are excited to introduce acupuncture to our growing range of treatments we have available at our Dun Laoghaire location. We are committed to helping individuals facing fertility challenges and ..read more

A new study has discovered that almost one in four pregnant women attending one of Ireland’s main maternity hospitals is obese. The research was carried out at the Coombe ­Hospital in Dublin between the years 2013 and 2022, and led by public health specialist Dr Ellen Cosgrave. Ultimately, the study found that the number of obese mothers – women with a BMI of over 30 – increased from 17% in 2013 to 23.1% in 2022. At the Coombe, where one in eight babies are delivered across Ireland, there was a higher tendency for obesity among patients who were older and patients who had one or more previous ..read more

If you’re preparing to welcome a little one into the world, you may be thinking about creating your own birthing playlist.  Birthing playlists are a great idea to give you extra motivation when you’re in labour, as well as a sense of familiarity and a stress-reducing distraction during what can be an overwhelming time. Plus, they’re super fun and easy to make. One celebrity who has made her own birthing playlist ahead of the arrival of her fourth child is Hilary Duff.  The actress, known for her roles in Lizzie McGuire, Cheaper by the Dozen and A Cinderella Story, has revealed she’s ..read more

Hypnobirthing, gender reveal parties, and 'bump' photoshoots are among the fastest-rising pregnancy trends, according to research commissioned by Vitabiotics, the makers of leading pregnancy supplement brand, Pregnacare. The findings also uncovered that elaborate social media pregnancy reveals, baby showers, and 'babymoons' have also seen a huge rise in popularity since 2020. Other traditions have seen a consistent decline including new fathers wetting the baby’s head, with only one in ten new dads heading to the pub to toast the birth. Social media and celebrity trends are impacting the pr ..read more

Bringing a child into the world is a monumental event, filled with a rollercoaster of emotions. Amidst the whirlwind of preparing to welcome a little one into the world, one element that often gets overlooked by parents-to-be is the power of music during childbirth.  Creating a birthing playlist can transform the atmosphere of the delivery room, offering comfort, motivation, and a touch of familiarity during this extraordinary journey.  If you’re looking to create a birthing playlist but are unsure of what songs to include, check out these 20 songs below that we think should def ..read more

Kourtney Kardashian-Barker recently welcomed a baby boy into the world and has decided to reveal what she packed in her hospital bag with fans.  While baby Rocky is Kourtney’s first child with her husband Travis, she also shares 13-year-old Mason, 11-year-old Penelope and eight-year-old Reign with her ex-partner Scott Disick, so she’s a pro at packing hospital bags at this stage.  If you’re expecting a little one and are unsure of what to pack, Kourtney has shared some advice on what necessities she included in her bag when preparing for Rocky’s arrival, which is super helpful for ne ..read more

A top obstetrician has spoken out about the steady rise in C-section births in Irish hospitals. A recent report discovered that in five out of the 19 maternity units across the country, over 50% of first-time mothers have welcomed their babies through a C-section. Now, a leading expert has noted some possible causes behind Ireland’s statistics being higher than other EU countries.  The HSE’s National Women and Infants Health Programme clinical lead Cliona Murphy detailed that there can be complications surrounding C-sections. While it is usually a safe procedure, it is still a huge u ..read more