Growing your family

One in six pregnant women in Ireland are at probable risk of depression during their pregnancy*. Emotions can become overwhelming and hard to shift, negatively impacting on your ability to function in everyday life.

Expectant mothers may feel under pressure to have a ‘perfect’ pregnancy, to have the most photogenic bump, or to always have a positive attitude. It’s only natural to struggle with these pressures, and sometimes they can lead to darker emotions and make you feel depressed. This form of depression can be overlooked initially because it may be difficult to identify . But, talking to a qualified counsellor can help to discover and deal with these issues. If you feel you could benefit from some help, you can access a range of counselling services provided by our partners at nurturehealth.ie

It is common to feel a little low a few days after your baby is born. The ‘baby blues’ describe weepy moments you may have during this time. Feeling overcome, emotional, and crying for no apparent reason is a very normal response to the massive change happening in your life. You can feel overjoyed and frightened all at the one time. The tears may start for no reason. Don’t be frightened by this, just go with it. As long as every day is not a tearful one you will be fine. However, some new mothers may have some more serious worries or thoughts. Postnatal depression is common. It can happen to any mother after having a baby, but it is more common if a woman has a previous history of depression. About one in eight women suff er from postnatal depression and many women have had some depressive symptoms during pregnancy.

If you have concerns or questions, contact the dedicated midwife assigned to you under Vhi Midwife Support service and they’ll guide you on how to access all the additional supports you need.

For most women their pregnancy progresses naturally and normally. Sadly, it’s not always the case; approximately one in every five pregnancies end in a miscarriage. The loss of a baby through miscarriage can be an unhappy, frightening, and lonely experience. It helps to remember that what you’re experiencing happens to many people. We all have different ways of grieving too, so give yourself plenty of time. It’s good to talk about how you feel, whether it’s to your partner, a family member, or a close friend. Or, if you know someone who’s been through a similar loss, it can really help you feel less alone.

At Vhi Healthcare we’re also here for you at this very difficult time. We offer a range of clinical supports that provide access to and cover for counselling sessions to help you and your family cope with the loss of a baby. For more information visit nurturehealth.ie

Your dedicated Vhi midwife can guide you through how to access all the additional supports you need.

Your recovery will depend on how your pregnancy and birth went.

Recovery will be quicker for some women, while others may take a little longer to feel like they are back to themselves. If you feel that you are ready to leave hospital before your normal three days stay, you can use your Vhi maternity benefit towards the cost of a nurse to come to your home and help you settle in with your new baby.

Before babies can understand us, we often communicate and comfort them through touch. If a baby cries, for example, parents will hold, cuddle, or stroke them. Baby massage can increase awareness of your baby’s needs and support your early bond.

Swimming provides quality bonding time between you and your new baby. It also helps with building muscle, cognitive function and improves sleep and appetite.

Immunisation is a safe and very eff ective way to protect your baby against certain diseases. These diseases can cause serious illness or even death. Your GP or public health nurse will give you information on the schedule of vaccinations.

For the vaccinations not covered under the childhood immunisation programme in Ireland, like the Meningitis B and the chickenpox vaccine, you can avail of them through your GP and claim back through Vhi Snap & Send on the Vhi App. 

We know that thinking about what you’re going to have for dinner is the last thing you want to do, when you first have a baby. Not having to think about cooking will allow you to spend more time with your new baby too. That’s why we’ve partnered with Donnybrook Fair to provide you with a box of hand-prepared ready meals delivered to your door.

You have access to a training course designed to provide first aid to children and infants. You can learn to assess your child for injuries, how to perform CPR, take the necessary steps required to manage choking, bleeding, burns and certain medical conditions specific to children.

These benefits can vary depending on the plan you choose, but you can check out the benefi ts covered by your plan through MyVhi. And you can quickly and easily claim money back on your Day-to-Day medical expenses through Vhi Snap & Send on the Vhi App.