Fertility Services 

• Are you concerned about your ability to get pregnant, now or in the future?  
• Do you want to find out why you are having difficulty conceiving?  
• Are you are suffering recurrent miscarriages?  

Our suite of fertility services has a package to suit your needs whether you are just thinking about starting a family or need help with any aspect of your fertility. 

Our highly trained GPs are perfectly placed to help you answer all your questions and with a variety of diagnostic tests at our disposal we can provide accurate information to assist you at any stage of your journey.  

How to Book... 

• Send us an enquiry by completing this Online Form
• Phone 091 530054

As these screening appointments are quite time-consuming, it isn't usually possible to fit them in to our busy clinic at short notice. Booking a month in advance is ideal. 

Please specify which fertility package suits you best when making the appointment, to ensure we allocate enough time with the doctor. You can read more about the packages we offer below. 

If we are not your regular GP but you wish to come to us for fertility screening, we can forward your results to your own GP for follow-up or onward referral if you prefer.  

Please note that screening services such as these are not covered under the medical card scheme.

For any patient whose medical card is registered with our practice, we offer discounted prices for these packages.  

  

Thinking About It  

Maybe you've just got engaged, just got married or maybe you're just thinking about babies.  

If you want to know what you should be doing at that 'Just thinking about it...' stage then this is the package for you.  

This is a 30-minute appointment with one of our female GPs, ideally on day 2-7 of your cycle.  

 includes:  

• Fertility questionnaire  
• Relevant examination  
• 1 set of relevant blood tests  
• Personalised advice to enhance fertility based on findings  
• Optional extras on same day: AMH  
• Optional extras within 1 month: Review Consultation. STI screening  
• One further review for the other hormonal bloods within 1 month  

  

Nothing Happening Yet 

If you've been trying to get pregnant for a while and feel it is time to consult the experts, then this is the option for you and your partner.  

As a guide we would suggest that if you are under 35 and trying for the past 6 months or over 35 and trying for 3 months then it is probably time to seek advice  

Remember that 85% of couples conceive naturally within a year of trying, so keep trying!  

This can be an incredibly stressful time. You will be fed up of people asking, 'Is there nothing happening yet??' as if the idea never entered your head.  

This is a 1 hour long 'His and Hers' appointment ideally on day 2-7 of the cycle.  

Alternatively, you can also book separately for 30 minutes each.  

FEMALE PARTNER:  

• Fertility questionnaire  
• Relevant examination  
• 1 set of relevant blood tests and swabs (general and hormonal) on day 2-7 of your period.  
• Anti-Mullerian Hormone 'Egg Timer' Test  
• Return for gynaecological examination, including infection swabs, and your first Peak +7 progesterone test later in the same cycle.  
• Return for Peak+7 progesterone tests in your following cycles, to help assess if ovulating monthly  

MALE PARTNER:  

• Fertility questionnaire  
• Relevant examination  
• Relevant bloods and swabs (general, hormonal and infection screen)  
• Referral for semen analysis  

FOR BOTH PARTNERS:  

• Personalised advice to enhance fertility based on findings  
• Review appointment within 1 month  
• Referral to specialist services such as Gynaecology, Endocrinology, Clinical Dietitian, Physiotherapy or Psychology if indicated by your test results. Some of these services are available in-house at GBMC. 

 

Recurrent Miscarriage 

Miscarriage is a very upsetting event and recurrent ones even more so.  

This service aims to provide you and your partner with the best information and advice possible.  

It may not seem like much consolation to be told that miscarriage can be good news, because it confirms that you are able to achieve pregnancy, but it is good.  

Remember that one in every 4 or 5 pregnancies end in miscarriage. Usually no cause is found, yet it makes sense to consider any obvious ones.  

You should bear in mind that the most likely outcome for the next pregnancy after a miscarriage is a normal pregnancy and healthy baby. If you have had 2 consecutive miscarriages, you should consider some basic tests.  

Hospital policy is not to investigate unless you have had 3, because a normal pregnancy is still more likely than a third miscarriage.  

However, it is devastating to be advised to have another miscarriage before you can have any tests, so we can help you earlier if you like.  

This is a 1-hour 'His and Hers' appointment costing ideally on day 2-7 of the cycle.  

You can also book separately for 30 minutes each. 

FEMALE PARTNER:  

• Fertility questionnaire  
• Relevant examination  
• 1 set of relevant blood tests and swabs (general and hormonal) on day 2-7 of your period  
• Anti-Mullerian Hormone 'Egg Timer' Test  
• Return for gynaecological examination, including infection swabs, and your first peak +7 progesterone test later in the same cycle.  
• Return for Peak+7 progesterone tests in your following cycles, to help assess if ovulating monthly  

MALE PARTNER:  

• Fertility questionnaire  
• Relevant examination  
• Relevant bloods and swabs (general, hormonal and infection screen)  
• Referral for semen analysis.  

FOR BOTH PARTNERS:  

• Personalised advice to enhance fertility based on findings  
• Review appointment within 1 month 
• Referral to specialist services such as Gynaecology, Clinical Dietitian, Physiotherapy or Psychology if indicated by your test results. Some of these services are available in-house at GBMC  

 

Not Thinking About It At All 

• Do you just want to know if you have many fertile years left?  
• Maybe you're just wondering how long you can put off pregnancy.  

  

This is a 30-minute appointment with our GP.  

• AMH (sometimes called the 'Egg Timer' test) is a blood test which can be done at any time in your cycle to check your levels of AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone).  
• The test gives information about the volume of eggs remaining in your ovaries and can be helpful when predicting future fertility.  
• This appointment does not include other fertility advice or services. If you require a more detailed package, please see above.  

If you attend on day 2-7 of your period, you can also have a FSH test giving some extra information regarding fertility status.  

  

AMH Ovarian Reserve ('Egg Timer') Test:  

  

The average age of women giving birth in Ireland (in 2010) has increased to 31.5 years old according to a study by the ESRI. This is up from an average age of 30.3 in 2001.   

As fertility drops with age it can be useful to get an insight into your remaining number of fertile years. This is also referred to as your Ovarian Reserve and is typically investigated by means of the AMH or 'Egg timer' test.  

This is a simple blood test which can be done at any time in your cycle to check your levels of AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone).  

The test gives information about the volume of eggs remaining in your ovaries and can be helpful when predicting future fertility. This information can also be useful pre-IVF.  

The results of the test should not be taken in isolation as the only indicator of fertility as there are many factors involved. As part of the testing process the patient will have a detailed consultation with our GP to ensure the test and implications of the results are understood.  

• * if you attend on day 3 of your period you can also have a FSH test giving some extra information re fertility status 
• * if you have Polycystic ovaries, the test results may be falsely elevated 

 

 

Ante-Natal Care 

Care during pregnancy is provided free-of-charge to any persons ordinarily resident in Ireland under the Maternity & Infant Care Scheme.  

Ordinarily Resident means anyone who is living in Ireland or who intends to remain in Ireland for at least one year. You do not need to have a PPS Number or be paying PRSI to be eligible nor do you need to be a Medical Card or Doctor Visit card holder.  

The Maternity & Infant Care Scheme is programme of care provided by a GP of your choice and an obstetrician in your local hospital.  

The scheme provides for a set number of scheduled visits to your GP and your Maternity Hospital. The initial visit should be with your GP before 12 weeks. This is usually the visit when your GP confirms your pregnancy, soon after you have missed a period or done a positive test yourself. The GP then sends a referral letter to the hospital for shared care and will advise you when the other visits are.  

It is important to note that these visits do not allow for care for other illnesses which you may have which are not related directly to your pregnancy.  

Our normal consultation charges will apply in such cases.  

Schedule of visits 

• 4 to 8 weeks- Initial visit with G.P.  
• Week 16 to 20 Hospital Visit for booking visit scans and bloods  

• Week 24 G.P.  
• Week 28 G.P. (Hospital if first pregnancy)  
• Week 30 G.P.  
• Week 32 Hospital  
• Week 34 G.P.  

• Week 36 Hospital  
• Week 37 G.P.  
• Week 38 Hospital  
• Week 39 G.P.  
• Week 40 Hospital  

   

You are also entitled to free public in-patient and out-patient hospital services for any conditions related to your pregnancy and the birth and are not liable for the standard hospital in-patient fees.  

Do not worry about getting the application forms for the Maternity & Infant Care Scheme. We have all the paperwork in the surgery and will go through it all with you on the initial visit. There is no charge for this first visit.  

Infant Care  

Under the Maternity & Infant Care Scheme your new baby will also have 2 free developmental check-ups from one of our GPs. These checks are at 2 weeks and 6 weeks.  

The 2-week check is just for your baby and the 6-week check is for you both. The 6-week check-up requires a double appointment so please advise us of this when you are booking.  

The Public Health Nurse will also visit the baby at home during the first 6 weeks. This service is free-of-charge and will usually be organised before you and your baby go home from hospital after the birth.  

After the 6-week visit, your baby is not entitled to any more visits free-of-charge, even if you are a Medical Card patient. You will need to apply for a Medical Card for your baby as soon as you have their PPS number.  

We can help you with this application. Just ask at the front desk.  

Ante-Natal Classes in Galway  

You can attend a free course of antenatal classes during your pregnancy, usually once a week for four consecutive weeks around the 7th or 8th month of pregnancy. These classes help prepare you for the huge change to your life that lies ahead but they book up quickly so you should book your place early (even before your first hospital visit). You will receive information about them with details of your hospital appointment. There is also a class in early pregnancy.  

If you cannot make the free hospital antenatal classes, there are some private ante-natal classes available in Galway but you will need to Google for up-to-date details as these classes are not run by GBMC.  

Crisis pregnancy: 

Many people who find themselves facing an unintended pregnancy go through a variety of emotions such as shock, denial, fear, guilt, isolation, and anxiety. 

We are very experienced at dealing with people in crisis for a variety of reasons, including crisis pregnancy, and can provide information and advice on all your options whether you decide to continue the pregnancy or not. 

MyOptions.ie is a HSE service which operates on a 24/7 basis. It provides free and confidential information, counselling, and treatment options to those experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. 

You can reach them on Freephone 1800 828 010, or you can call us to book an appointment for crisis pregnancy, just mention MyOptions.ie 

This service is funded fully by the State for those who are resident in Ireland and have a valid PPS number.