I want to give birth abroad In Ireland

[poochy33]

Am new here hope its not too long winded.

I want to have my baby in the Republic of Ireland as I need the support of my family around me. All our families live in Ireland. I was born there so hold Irish passport etc. I moved to the UK from Ireland 6 & half years ago. I am pregnant with my second child; the first will be 22 months when I am due. I did have the 1st in the UK, I had emergency CS so was delighted to have my parents over to me for 2 weeks.

This time round due to family commitments/issue they will not be able to come over to help & support us so would love to give birth there. I need their support more than ever to look after no.1 while I settle with no.2. My husband is self employed so can only really afford to take time off while I?m in hospital and a couple of days when I?m home.

As I am not considered an ?ordinarily resident? in Ireland I can not go for the state care there which is free for all pregnant women who are resident. There is no way I could pay a colossal private fee. However I have read on NHS website about the S2 form that can allow people to have treatment abroad. My questions are:

Has anyone gone back to their motherland just to have baby? (I would hope to move back at around 32 weeks so will have NHS care until then, than come back to UK around 10 weeks later with baby.)

Is the S2 form granted for personal reasons like mine or is my application likely to be rejected?

If anyone has any suggestions or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks

Hi Melanie, thanks for the break down in costs, Its so expensive definitely won't be taking the private route anyway.

Peguin, thanks its good to know that GP's in Ireland aren't all about rules. Going to pop into my GP when home next (hopefully soon) to suss out everything if it is something I still going ahead with.

MiauMau the post natal doula sounds good. I just had an offer today from a close aunt who says she can come over in early August so may have the baby by then and could get doula for the days before she arrives. So am now 70/30 about staying in UK. Would definitely be easier.

Will be having a big discussion with my family on phone later. Thanks to everyone for the help & advice

poochy33 you're welcome, being in a similar situation to you I totally understand what you're going through :)
People back home keep on asking me over and over again if I'm having DS there, but just imagining all the stress of the journey and being away from DP for a really long time, made me decide really early on that I wouldn't want to give birth there. Also, I'm actually quite happy with my local hospital.
Where are you in the UK?

Hi Poochy33,

I've been thinking of going through exactly the same hassle as you and have my first bub at home in Ireland with all my family around. Did you find out if you will be covered for any costs? What did you decide in the end?

I dont think you get to "bank" contributions to a country. I contributed tax and social and security to the US for four years. But could I really expect to waltz in several years later and be entitled to benefits? The US being a poor example obviously since not even the people currently contributing are entitled to much. But, anyhoo, I can see bobbles point.

As this is old thread, wonder what happened... If op has baby by now etc

Hi All, Iam in my 3rd month of pregnency, my husband got Ireland, arklow co wicklow offer and will be travelling in may 2nd week. iam also planning to go with him, can you let me know how much cost (in euros) it takes to give birth there...Thanks

Free if you go public, you also have semi-private and fully private options. The hospital websites may have details of costs if you are going for one of the private options.

I'm Irish and just had my son in London. Would rather spork my own eyes out than deal with the maternity system back home and care governed by the 8th amendment tbh.

Hey Poochy33,

Ok so I'm Irish I also live in Ireland.. I gave birth just over 4 months ago and the treatment I received was next to none ended up having a complicated birth ending in a epi and forceps I highly recommend the rotunda.. Because you are Irish citizens there shouldn't be a problem with giving birth over here you just need a doctor to refer you although when I got pregnant the doctor just have me a letter and I had to call the hospital and they sent me out my appointment. Sometimes depending on the hospital you are going to they wont accept you after a certain point in your pregnancy I loved in Dublin until I was 34 weeks pregnant and then moved to Drogheda and because I was so far alone Drogheda hospital wouldn't accept me they said they couldn't get a consultant to see me on time.. How far along are you know?? I would call the doctor and get it sorted asap if its what you want to do go for it you know what's best for you and your family and I'm sure you and your husband has discuss this in much detail. I hope all goes well for you whatever you decide to do.

I've just released this was first posted in 2012

I did something similar to your plan. All I can say is be very careful what you wish for, the added trauma and emotional upheaval will have a significant impact upon you, your husband and DC. I never ever considered this and now I'm expecting again, I've decided it would be the last thing I'd actually do. Hope it all works for you and wish you best of luck whatever you decide