Just found out you're pregnant? What to do next in Ireland

Two lines. Maybe you stared at the test for a full minute, maybe you took a second one to be sure. Either way, your head is probably full of questions. Here is what to do next in Ireland, step by step, with everything checked against HSE and Citizens Information guidance as of September 2026.

What should I do first when I find out I'm pregnant?

You do not need to sort everything this week. The first few jobs are simple:

• Start folic acid if you are not already taking it
• Stop drinking alcohol and smoking
• Book an appointment with your GP
• Check any medicines you take with your GP or pharmacist
• Work out a rough due date

Pregnancy is counted from the first day of your last period, not the day you conceived. Our due date calculator does the sums.

Should I take folic acid?

Yes. The HSE advises taking a 400 microgram (mcg) folic acid supplement every day, ideally from before you get pregnant and at least until you are 12 weeks pregnant. It helps protect against neural tube defects such as spina bifida.

If you were not taking it before, do not panic. Start now and mention it to your GP. Some people need a higher dose on prescription, for example if you have diabetes or a family history of neural tube defects.

When should I see my GP?

As soon as you have a positive test. Your GP will confirm the pregnancy and start your pregnancy care.

They will also register you for the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme, which needs your PPS number, and refer you to your maternity unit or hospital. No GP? Contact your local maternity unit directly.

Is pregnancy care free in Ireland?

Yes, public maternity care is free through the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme if you live in Ireland or intend to live here for at least a year. You do not need a medical card or a GP visit card.

According to the HSE, the scheme covers:

• Your pregnancy appointments with your GP. You will see your GP at least 5 times
• Appointments with midwives and obstetricians at the hospital
• Scans and blood tests
• Care during labour and birth, with a bed in a public ward
• Your baby's GP checks at 2 weeks and 6 weeks, and your own check-up 6 weeks after the birth

Extra appointments for pregnancy-related conditions are covered too. Our guide to how pregnancy care works in Ireland goes into more detail.

Should I go public, semi-private or private?

You will be asked this early. The three options are:

Option	Who leads your care	Cost
Public	Usually midwives, with an obstetrician if your pregnancy is higher risk	Free under the scheme
Semi-private	A consultant obstetrician. Only available in Dublin maternity hospitals	A fee, which many people cover with health insurance
Private	Your chosen consultant obstetrician. Available at all maternity hospitals	A consultant fee and a hospital fee

If you are thinking of going private, the HSE advises ringing your insurer first. Insurance may cover most of the hospital fee but not always the consultant's fee. Whatever you choose, register for the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme too.

When is the booking visit and the first scan?

Your first appointment at the maternity unit or hospital is called the booking visit. The HSE says it usually takes place between 8 and 12 weeks of pregnancy.

At the booking visit you can expect to:

• Talk through your medical history and family history
• Have blood taken, including checks for anaemia, your blood group and your rhesus factor
• Be offered a dating scan, which checks how many weeks pregnant you are
• Get information on antenatal classes and feeding your baby

The next scan is usually the fetal anatomy scan at around 20 to 22 weeks. Our guide to the three trimesters of pregnancy shows how it all fits together, and you can follow along from 5 weeks pregnant to 12 weeks pregnant.

What should I stop or avoid now?

According to the HSE, the big ones are:

• Alcohol. No amount at any stage of pregnancy is safe for your baby, not even an occasional drink. If you drank before you knew, stopping now gives your baby a better chance of healthy brain growth. Support is on 1800 459 459.
• Smoking. Do not smoke or spend time around people who are smoking. Your GP or midwife can help if you want support to quit.
• Too much caffeine. Keep it under 200mg a day, which the HSE says is about 2 mugs of instant coffee.
• Certain foods. Unpasteurised dairy, mould-ripened and blue cheeses, raw or undercooked eggs and meat, cold cured meats, liver, raw or smoked fish and uncooked shellfish.
• Cat litter and animal waste. Leave it to someone else, to avoid an infection called toxoplasmosis.
• Saunas, jacuzzis and hot tubs.

On medicines, check with your GP, midwife or pharmacist before taking anything, including herbal remedies. But do not stop a prescription medicine suddenly without advice, as the HSE says that could be harmful for you or your baby.

The HSE also recommends the flu vaccine, which is free for pregnant women and safe at any stage, and the whooping cough vaccine between weeks 16 and 36.

When should I tell work, and what are my rights?

There is no rule that you must tell your employer in the early weeks, but some of your rights depend on them knowing. As of September 2026, according to Citizens Information:

• Paid time off for appointments. You can take paid time off for pregnancy-related medical visits, including travel time. You need to give your employer a note from your doctor confirming the pregnancy and at least 2 weeks' written notice of each appointment.
• Antenatal classes. You can take paid time off for one set of antenatal classes, except the last 3 in the set. Fathers can take paid time off for the last 2 classes before the birth.
• Health and safety. Your employer should do a separate risk assessment once you are pregnant. If a risk cannot be removed or you cannot be moved away from it, you should get health and safety leave. You get your normal pay for the first 3 weeks, and after that you may get Health and Safety Benefit depending on your PRSI.
• Maternity leave. You are entitled to 26 weeks' maternity leave plus up to 16 weeks' additional unpaid leave, no matter how long you have worked there. At least 2 weeks must be taken before the end of the week your baby is due.
• Notice. You must give at least 4 weeks' written notice before your maternity leave starts, with a medical certificate confirming the pregnancy.
• Protection from dismissal. Maternity law protects you from unfair dismissal. Disputes go to the Workplace Relations Commission.

Most employers do not have to pay you during maternity leave, but you may get Maternity Benefit if you have enough PRSI contributions. Check your contract too, as some employers top up the payment. Our guide to maternity leave and Maternity Benefit in Ireland has the details.

When should I get help straight away?

Contact your GP, midwife or maternity unit straight away if you have:

• Bleeding from the vagina or severe pain in your tummy
• Pain low down on one side of your tummy, or pain at the tip of your shoulder that does not go away
• Sickness so bad you cannot keep any fluids down for 24 hours, or you have not peed for more than 8 hours
• A severe headache, especially with blurred vision, upper tummy pain or swelling
• Pain when peeing or a high temperature
• Feelings of real distress, or a sense your mental health is in crisis

Call 112 or 999 if you have sudden sharp tummy pain, if you feel faint or dizzy or if you look pale with cold clammy skin. For anything less urgent, HSE Live on 1800 700 700 can help. The HSE's own advice is to always trust your instincts.

If the pregnancy was unplanned or you are not sure what to do, the HSE's My Options service offers free, non-judgmental support on freephone 1800 828 010.

If you'd like to follow along while you wait for appointments, the Lullagram app has a free pregnancy section with weekly updates worked out from your due date.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a medical card for free maternity care in Ireland?

No. Maternity care is free through the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme if you live in Ireland or intend to live here for at least a year. You do not need a medical card or GP visit card, but you do need a PPS number to register through your GP.

How early should I see my GP when I'm pregnant?

Book your GP as soon as you have a positive test. They confirm the pregnancy, register you for the Maternity and Infant Care Scheme and refer you to your maternity unit or hospital.

When is the booking appointment in Ireland?

The HSE says the booking visit at your maternity unit or hospital usually takes place between 8 and 12 weeks of pregnancy. You will have your history taken and blood tests done, and be offered a dating scan.

How long should I take folic acid for?

The HSE advises 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, ideally from before pregnancy and at least until you are 12 weeks pregnant. Ask your GP if you might need a higher dose.

Do I have to tell my employer I'm pregnant?

There is no rule that you must tell them in the early weeks. You must give at least 4 weeks' written notice before maternity leave, with a medical certificate. To get paid time off for antenatal appointments you need to give your employer a doctor's note confirming the pregnancy and 2 weeks' notice of each appointment.