Dr. Ann Harper, (President) and Dr. Donough O’Donovan, (Secretary) have put together a great programme. Prof Henrik Hagberg, London UK, will deliver a plenary talk on mechanisms for asphyxia brain injury: strategies for brain protection. He is a world renowned expert in this field and will share with us his insights into this important area that interests both obstetricians and neonatologists. Dr. Donough O’Donovan will follow this up with his experience of head cooling, discussing the current state of play in Ireland.

Dr. Edina Mylotte will talk about GBS perinatal infection, a current hot topic due to the emergence of a bed side test for GBS that can be employed on the labour ward. Prof Christian Speer, Germany, will discuss the influence of maternal chorioamnionitis on neonatal outcome. Both Profs Hagberg and Speer were prevented from coming to The First Irish Congress last year, so we are delighted that they are able to come this time (ash allowing!). Prof John Morrison will talk about vaginal delivery after caesarean section. All the maternity units have seen a significant increase in the number of elective CS following one CS. With increasing cases of placenta accreta, any strategies that reduce repeat CS in this particular group are very welcome indeed.

On Saturday afternoon the debate on homebirth promises to be a highlight. Entitled ‘ Home deliveries – pizza only?’ the title certainly prepares us for a ‘hot and spicy’ debate. Dr. Declan Keane will debate in favour of homebirth with Dr. Ethyl Ryan debating against the motion.

This year had seen a large number of very high quality abstracts submitted in all areas of Obstetrics and Neonatology from all maternity units both North and South of the border. Oral and poster presentations from trainees form a central core to the meeting and result in animated discourse and allow us all to reflect on our clinical practice. On the social side, the society dinner will be held on the Friday night, which is always a lively event. We look forward to seeing you all in Galway.

Fionnuala McAuliffe