Antenatal Appointments

• One named nominated companion may join for booking visit, 20-22 week anomaly scan, early pregnancy assessment scans, labour & birth, on inpatient wards and the emergency room.
• For other routine Outpatient Appointments, one Nominated Support Person (NSP) may accompany to appointments.
• We encourage patients not to bring children where possible (but understand that patients may not have an option due to lack of available childcare).
• Paediatric Outpatients Appointments, is open for both Mum or Dad and support partner/significant other. We would ask that baby/infant siblings do not attend. If your or your baby are unwell please contact the POPD department to discuss with the nurse in charge.

Inpatient Ward Visiting Hours (GPN, Lillie, PSNT A&B & Gynae)

 Monday – Sunday

• Nominated Support Person from 8am – 8pm.
• Patients will be issued with a second visitor card which may be used to allow a second visitor (Grandparents) to attend between 4pm – 8pm.
• Siblings of the newborn may visit between 2pm – 8pm but must be supervised by an adult, other than the mother, at all times.
• No more than 2 people will be permitted to be at the bedside at the same time. We encourage short visits by siblings where possible.

NICU Visiting Hours

 Monday – Sunday

• Parents can visit from 9am – 7.30pm daily.
• Inpatients, may visit at any time. You can discuss this with the nurse looking after your baby as this may need to be tailored to your baby’s individual needs.
• Extended family, other children/siblings cannot visit the NICU.
• Parents may be asked to leave during ward rounds, nurse’s handover, or if there is an emergency on the NICU. We endeavour to keep these times to a minimum.
• Parents visiting the NICU will be required to perform hand hygiene as they enter into the unit and often during their visit. You will be advised about this by the NICU staff that are looking after your baby.
• If you are unwell or have respiratory symptoms we would advise you to contact the NICU to seek advice on visiting your baby.

More Information for Nominated Support Person (NSP)

Emergency Room: NSP may attend for consultation- children not permitted to attend.

Day Assessment Unit: NSP may accompany for consultation. Children (other than newborns) not permitted to accompany.

Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit & Fetal Assessment Unit: NSP may accompany for scan appointments. Children not permitted to attend.

Support During Admission for Labour and Birth

The Rotunda Hospital has some of the oldest healthcare buildings in the world, and is uniquely challenged in providing 21st century healthcare in buildings that were constructed in the mid 1700’s. The Rotunda Hospital is also Ireland’s busiest maternity hospital with large numbers of women coming to us for care.

While our Delivery Suites were individually renovated in 2021 to the highest medical standards, they remain suboptimal in terms of size. The Rotunda Hospital is happy to continue to support and permit one named Nominated Support Person (NSP) to stay with any woman admitted to our Delivery Suites. One named Nominated Support Person (NSP) may accompany as appropriate for caesarean section.

Occasionally, we receive requests from patients who are seeking to have two support people with them for their labour and birth. This issue has been discussed at our Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) meetings as well as at our Executive Management Team (EMT) meetings.

The outcome of these discussions is that the Rotunda Hospital is unable to support requests for second support persons to attend our Delivery Suites. Our Delivery Suite staff look forward to meeting, supporting and caring for you when you are admitted for your baby’s birth.

I am currently pregnant and have tested positive for Covid – 19 what should I do?

• Isolate as per public Health advise.
• If you are greater than 24 weeks gestation please inform you healthcare provider. At Rotunda via email [email protected]
• If you have an appointment in the hospital during your isolation period please do not attend, email us the details and we will reschedule this appointment.
• Treat symptoms with paracetamol as per guidelines.
• If experiencing severe shortness of breath or chest-pain please contact your local GP or general hospital
• If you are concerned about your pregnancy .i.e.
• • Your waters have broken
  • You are experiencing PV bleeding
  • You are concerned about your babies movements
  • Please attend the hospital Emergency & Assessment unit, if possible please ring ahead to enable us to have an isolation room is available on your arrival.