Pregnancy is one of the most important journeys in a woman's life. Feeling informed, supported and confident in your care can make a significant difference to your experience, which is why many expectant parents value having choices about how and where they receive maternity care.

A recent campaign and petition, Protect Choice, Continuity and Consultation in Maternity Care, has sparked discussion across Ireland about the future of maternity services and the importance of preserving women's ability to choose the care pathway that best suits their individual needs.

At ScanMe, we believe women should have access to clear information, meaningful choice and compassionate, personalised care throughout pregnancy. We support efforts to ensure that expectant mothers remain at the centre of decisions about maternity services.

‍

What Is the Campaign About?

The Protect Choice, Continuity and Consultation in Maternity Care campaign was launched in response to concerns about proposed changes to maternity services in Ireland.

Supporters of the campaign are calling for:

• The protection of women's right to choose their preferred model of maternity care.
• The preservation of continuity of care throughout pregnancy.
• Meaningful consultation with women, healthcare professionals and stakeholders before significant changes to maternity services are introduced.

The campaign highlights the importance of ensuring that any future developments within maternity care continue to prioritise patient choice, safety and quality of care.

‍

What Is Continuity of Care?

Continuity of care refers to receiving ongoing care from the same healthcare professional or small team of healthcare professionals throughout pregnancy whenever possible.

For many women, this means building a relationship with a consultant obstetrician, midwife or healthcare team who becomes familiar with their pregnancy, medical history and personal circumstances.

Rather than seeing different clinicians at each appointment, continuity of care allows care to be more personalised and consistent from early pregnancy through to birth and postnatal care.

‍

Why Does Continuity of Care Matter?

Every pregnancy is unique, and while many pregnancies progress without complications, having consistent healthcare professionals involved throughout the journey can provide important benefits.

Women often report that continuity of care helps them to:

• Build trust with their healthcare team.
• Feel more comfortable asking questions.
• Receive more personalised advice.
• Avoid repeatedly explaining their medical history.
• Feel reassured throughout pregnancy.
• Develop confidence in the decisions being made about their care.

For women with more complex pregnancies or previous pregnancy complications, continuity of care can be particularly valuable in supporting coordinated, individualised care.

‍

Why Is Patient Choice Important?

No single model of maternity care is right for every woman.

Some women prefer public maternity care, while others choose semi-private or private consultant-led care because it aligns with their personal preferences, medical history or desire for greater continuity throughout pregnancy.

Every family has different priorities, and many women value being able to make informed decisions about the care that feels right for them.

Protecting choice means recognising that pregnancy is a deeply personal experience and that women should be supported in selecting the care pathway that best meets their needs.

‍

Why Is This Conversation Happening Now?

The campaign has gained momentum following concerns about proposed changes that supporters believe could affect access to private consultant-led maternity care and continuity of care for expectant mothers.

Those behind the campaign are calling for greater consultation before any significant changes are implemented. They believe that women, clinicians and healthcare professionals should all have a voice in shaping the future of maternity care in Ireland.

Regardless of where individuals stand on the issue, the discussion has highlighted how important maternity care is to thousands of families across the country.

‍

ScanMe's View

At ScanMe, we understand that pregnancy is about far more than scans and appointments. It is about feeling supported, listened to and confident throughout every stage of your journey.

We believe women should have access to accurate information so they can make informed decisions about their maternity care.

We support:

• Protecting patient choice.
• Preserving continuity of care wherever possible.
• Ensuring women remain at the centre of decisions about maternity services.
• Meaningful consultation before major changes are introduced.

Every woman deserves respectful, compassionate care that reflects her individual needs and circumstances.

‍

How ScanMe Supports Expectant Parents

While private pregnancy scans do not replace your routine hospital maternity care, they can complement your pregnancy journey by providing additional reassurance and opportunities to monitor your baby's development.

At ScanMe, our experienced sonographers provide high-quality private pregnancy ultrasound scans in a welcoming and supportive environment, helping families feel informed and reassured throughout pregnancy.

Whether you are attending public, semi-private or private maternity care, our team is here to support you with professional ultrasound services and clear, compassionate care.

‍

How You Can Support the Campaign

If you would like to learn more about the Protect Choice, Continuity and Consultation in Maternity Care campaign, or if you wish to add your support, you can visit the petition and read more about its aims.

Every expectant mother deserves access to high-quality maternity care, informed choice and the opportunity to make decisions that are right for her and her family.

By supporting respectful dialogue, meaningful consultation and patient-centred care, we can help ensure that maternity services continue to meet the needs of women across Ireland.

‍