Once Upon A Time...Having a Baby in Finland

Once upon a time - I had kids in Finland.
I came here pregnant with my first kid and moved here while under 30 weeks pregnant and then had given birth to him here.

Here's my experiences - all three kids were born in the same hospital in central Finland.

Kid 1: V-Man born in 2009 (Residence permits were B-Level at the time he was born).
Being the first kid - we were spoiled with a baby shower before we moved to Finland and having no family or friends here when we moved - I was kind of relieved more than terrified.  I'm fiercely independent and wanted to experience the "joy" of having a child abroad with his father.

We luckily had one set of friends to guide us through the pregnancy and delivery - and for that we are grateful.

Here's the basics (that applied to all the kiddos):

1.  Get pregnant.
2. Book a Neuvola appointment: Neuvola is the health center in Finland specifically for expecting mothers and children.
3. Bring your little booklet with you to every Neuvola appointments.  Neuvola appointments were free for both me as a mother and for the child.  (You're probably going to forget it during one of those - trust me - you're not the first or the last person!)
4. You see a nurse for your appointments - not a doctor like in North America.  
5. You'll see a doctor (depending on how healthy your pregnancy is) approximately 2-4 times.
6. The ultrasound was done between weeks 20-22 in a separate clinic called "Gravida".
7. Rest/eat/be active.
8. Finland follows the WHO (World Health Organization) guidelines for pregnancies and overall health quite closely.
9. I didn't need to get the diabetes test done because I had it done in Canada prior to moving and brought my medical records with me.
10. Have a kid.
1. There is no need to call a specific doctor or midwife or nurse to join you for delivery.  You get who you get when you get there.
2. Midwives do the deliveries and doctors assist when and if needed.
11. No water birth deliveries in the hospital (for hygienic purposes I've been told).
12. Pain relief options are: epidurals and perineal cervical block (PCB) - a needle inserted inside vaginally that creates nearly instant relief for up to two hours.  I used this with the V-Man and not with the other two...I've also had a 6-months post heal time (in which I could fully use the bathroom without pain and have sex as well).  Other women who have had it that I know - expressed similar issues.
13. You can give birth standing up, lying down, squatting - whatever is comfortable for you and safe for the baby.

Here's what you should pack in your birthing bag/hospital stay bag.
Average stay for a typical delivery of a healthy baby is 2-days.  C-Sections may require that you stay longer but I didn't have that experience.

1. Neuvola booklet.
2. Birth plan.
3. The other parent and/or birthing coach can be present.  You cannot have a crowd in there cheering you on.
1. Parking can typically be paid for with bank card, credit card and cash.
4. Camera, phone and battery charger.
5.  Basic toiletries - of course if you forget these - they can help you or Dad can bring it for you.
6. Water bottle (they will provide a cup and pitcher at your bedside - but I prefer a water bottle).
7. Medicine of your own if you require it.  (Pain relievers are given if necessary for example but if you're asthmatic - you should bring your own as well.)
8. Outfit for you and baby to go home in.
9. A book or hobby for when the baby is asleep - if you're not sleeping too!

Something to consider:  if your baby(ies) are in breech position (meaning feet down south and not their head) - they will encourage birthing vaginally anyway.  A couple of my friends had this - and while it was extremely painful - they're still alive.  They're not the first or the last to birth a breeched positioned baby - and when I shared this with my Canadian counterparts - they were appalled that a C-Section wasn't planned immediately.

Some things to know when staying in a hospital post-delivery:

1. You'll be given a simple meal of fruit, yoghurt and fixings for a sandwich post delivery to eat after your shower.
2. Baby sleeps beside you in their own plastic bucket bed.  You can of course bring the baby into your bed and co-sleep - not a problem.
3. If you need a few hours of sleep because the baby was fussy or isn't latching - they'll take the baby for you happily.  (This occurred for me when Kid 2 aka A-Man hiccuped ALL NIGHT and I didn't get any sleep...) 
4. You'll be sharing a room with another new mom and their baby - and that means sharing a bathroom (with a shower) and diaper changing area (usually located along the wall and between the beds).
1. There are curtains to separate you.
5. There's no space for your husband/partner to sleep there with you and the baby.  This is prime time for them to catch up on sleep or help with the other kids at home if any.
6.  You get your own meal three times a day.  You can leave the baby in their bucket box in the bedroom or bring them with.  It's to encourage using your muscles and body post-delivery and only if you have some quite serious delivery problems or a c-section - will the nurse bring your meal to you.  (You also return your dirty dishes and tray). 
1. Breakfast is usually porridge and sandwich fixings.  Lunch is typically a larger meal and supper/dinner is typically something lighter like stew or soup. 
7. You'll be provided jumbo underpants (and massive pads), a nightgown, a robe, sandals and socks.  
1. Baby clothes are also provided - along with diapers.
8. They do have breast pumping machines available to rent if you don't have your own and also to use if your baby needs to stay at the hospital a few extra days (V-Man stayed 5-days post delivery due to a minor blood infection).
9. You'll be billed approximately 32€/day - and this is with Kela coverage. I've been advised to have a child without Kela coverage (the Finnish social security benefits) is well over a few thousand euros...This quite cheap in my opinion because it covers 3-healthy meals a day and 2 coffee/tea times, all the sanitary products and services and the doctor appointments as well.
10. If you have problems with baby latching on - don't be shy.  Ask for help.
11. Nursing a baby is NOT taboo in Finland.  It's perfectly common to nurse a baby wherever and whenever.  Breasts aren't overly sexualized here like they seem to be in other countries in regards to breastfeeding.

Now silly me, I thought like a North American and got his father to bring the baby car seat - despite living across the street from the hospital.
Because in North America - you're expected to have a brand-spanking new car seat for the baby to travel in when leaving the hospital and it has to be inspected and approved before you can leave with kiddo.

Here's the thing with Kid 2 and 3:

I did bring the car seat for kid 2 - but my friend who picked me up - installed it in the car before coming up to get my bag and I carried the A-Man out the door no problem.
And with M-Girl - I carried her in a baby carrier and took the bus home.

In Finland, a baby car seat is only necessary post-delivery if you plan to travel by car or taxi to leave the hospital (and of course every trip afterward).

*Mind BLOWN.*



Within about a week - you should make your baby's first Neuvola appointment.  The nurses can come to your home if you like - you simply need to request it.

So there you have it - I hope I covered everything in regards to having a baby in Finland!
A Domestic Goddess that no longer will be having to go through this...:)