The National Maternity Experience Survey offers eligible women who have recently given birth the opportunity to share their experiences of Ireland’s maternity services — from antenatal to postnatal care — in order to improve the safety and quality of care provided to women and their babies.
The second National Maternity Experience Survey is taking place this summer. Women who gave birth in February or March 2025 will receive an invitation to take part in the survey three months after the birth of their baby, between May and June.
The survey plays a vital role in identifying what works well and what can be improved in maternity care. The first National Maternity Experience Survey was conducted in October and November 2019. The findings, along with a response from the HSE outlining planned improvements based on women’s feedback, are available here.
The results from the 2020 survey informed the development of several key improvements in maternity care. You can learn more about these developments here.
Five maternity hospitals, 14 maternity units and the National Home Births Service participate in the National Maternity Experience Survey.
Click below to find out more.
View participating hospitals and units
The National Maternity Experience Survey contains 64 questions, which were determined following a rigorous selection process. Click below to learn more about what was involved in developing the survey.
Read our frequently asked questions or contact the survey team.
The timeline below describes the five most important phases in the National Maternity Experience Survey cycle.
Women aged 16 or older who give birth in February or March 2025 are eligible to participate.
All eligible women receive a text message 3 months after the birth of their baby in May and June 2025. The text message will have information on the survey and a link to the online survey.
The survey closes in July 2025. The results are then analysed and the reports prepared for publication by the end of 2025.
The HSE and individual maternity service providers respond to the survey results by developing quality improvement initiatives.
Women aged 16 or older who give birth in February or March 2025 are eligible to participate.
All eligible women receive a text message 3 months after the birth of their baby in May and June 2025. The text message will have information on the survey and a link to the online survey.
The survey closes in July 2025. The results are then analysed and the reports prepared for publication by the end of 2025.
The HSE and individual maternity service providers respond to the survey results by developing quality improvement initiatives.
Resources for parents who have been bereaved by pregnancy and infant loss are
available at Pregnancy and Infant Loss Ireland.
