Finland provides high-quality healthcare services for pregnant women and newborns. Maternity clinics offer support to both mother and baby throughout pregnancy and after childbirth. You will receive recommendations on how to ensure a safe pregnancy, as well as assistance with the necessary paperwork.
🩺 Registering at a Maternity Clinic
As soon as you find out about your pregnancy, your first step should be registering with a maternity clinic (äitiysneuvola) or a family center (perhekeskus) in your area. If you are a registered resident in Finland, maternity clinic services are free of charge.
To receive assistance, you will need to obtain a pregnancy certificate, which can be issued after 154 days (approximately 5 months) of pregnancy. This certificate is required for applying for Kela benefits and parental leave.
📝 Steps to Take If You Suspect You Are Pregnant:
- Book an appointment at a maternity clinic.
- Obtain a pregnancy certificate.
- Submit an application to Kela for maternity benefits at least 2 months before your due date.
- If you are employed, notify your employer 2 months before the start of your maternity leave.
💊 Vitamin D During Pregnancy
Due to Finland’s limited sunlight, especially in winter, Vitamin D deficiency is common. Pregnant women are recommended to take Vitamin D supplements to support the healthy development of the baby.
✂️ Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Medical Care
Women who have undergone FGM may require a medical procedure to open the stitched area during pregnancy or childbirth. This ensures safe medical examinations and delivery. Finnish healthcare providers are trained to handle such cases with sensitivity.
👶 Before Childbirth: What You Need to Know
When you go into labor, call the maternity hospital hotline at +358 9 471 71500. A midwife will assess your condition and direct you to the appropriate hospital.
Maternity Hospitals in the Uusimaa Region:
📍 Women’s Hospital (Naistenklinikka): Handles high-risk pregnancies and very premature births for the entire Uusimaa region.
📍 Espoo Hospital: Accepts deliveries from 32+0 weeks of pregnancy.
📍 Hyvinkää Hospital: Accepts deliveries from 35+0 weeks of pregnancy.
📍 Lohja Hospital: Accepts deliveries from 35+0 weeks of pregnancy.
🏥 Giving Birth in Finland
Most women in Finland give birth in hospitals, and childbirth is free of charge for registered residents. A partner or support person can be present during delivery. If you have fear of childbirth, you can seek help at specialized clinics.
Key Features of Childbirth in Finland:
- Natural Birth Preference: Medical interventions are minimized unless necessary.
- Cesarean Section: Only performed in medical emergencies (e.g., breech position or prolonged labor).
- Midwife-Led Births: Doctors assist only if complications arise.
- Monitoring: Continuous tracking of the baby’s heart rate and contractions ensures a safe delivery.
- Pain Relief Options: Available on request, including laughing gas, local injections, and epidural anesthesia.
- Partner’s Role: The father or partner can cut the umbilical cord and help with the baby’s first care.
After birth, mothers can stay in a private or shared room, depending on availability. Babies stay with their mothers, but nurses provide assistance if needed.
🔎 More information on childbirth services: Helsinki Maternity Services
📅 After Birth: Registration and Follow-Up Care
Once the baby is born, parents must register the child in Finland’s population system. Further information on registering the baby’s name and social security can be found on InfoFinland.
Postnatal care includes:
- A midwife visit the day after discharge.
- A nurse visit within a few days.
- Regular check-ups at a maternity and child health clinic (Neuvola).
There are 20 Neuvola clinics across Finland, offering support for mothers and babies until school age.
🚑 Emergency Services for Pregnancy & Childbirth
🔎 HUS Emergency Services: Emergency Services During Pregnancy & Labor
In case of urgent medical needs, always call the hospital before arriving.
Early Pregnancy (Before 22 Weeks Gestation):
Women’s Hospital (24/7)
📞 +358 9 4717 2913
Hyvinkää Hospital:
📞 +358 19 4587 2341 (Gynecology Outpatient Clinic, Mon–Fri 7:00–21:00)
📞 +358 19 4587 2900 (24/7 Maternity Emergency)
Lohja Hospital:
📞 Medical Emergency Line: 116 117
Porvoo Hospital:
📞 +358 19 548 3105 (Mon–Fri 8:00–15:30)
Late Pregnancy (After 22 Weeks Gestation):
Seek emergency care if you experience:
- Heavy bleeding
- Sudden fetal distress (no baby movement)
- Severe hypertension symptoms (high blood pressure, headaches, swelling)
- Severe abdominal pain
- Signs of preterm labor (water breaking, regular contractions)
📍 Emergency Contacts:
Women’s Hospital (24/7)
📞 +358 9 4717 2913
Espoo Hospital (24/7)
📞 +358 9 4718 2111
Hyvinkää Hospital (24/7)
📞 +358 19 4587 2900
Lohja Hospital (Mon–Fri 13:00–14:30)
📞 +358 19 380 1417
Porvoo Hospital:
📞 +358 19 548 3105 (Mon–Fri 8:00–15:30)
🏥 Maternity Hospitals & Clinics in Finland
🔴 In case of emergency, call 112.
Finland is known for its high-quality maternity and gynecology services. Below is a list of maternity hospitals by region.
📍 Find more hospitals here: Helsinki Health Services
Major Maternity Hospitals in Finland:
📍 Women’s Hospital, Helsinki
📞 +358 9 471 73488
📍 Espoo Hospital
📞 +358 9 471 82111
📍 Oulu University Hospital
📞 +358 8 315 3198
📍 Tampere University Hospital
📞 +358 3 311 65942
📍 Turku University Hospital
📞 +358 2 313 1000
📍 Jyväskylä Hospital Nova
📞 +358 14 269 1204
Finland’s maternity care system ensures safe and high-quality services for both mother and baby. Free maternity consultations, modern childbirth facilities, and professional follow-up care make Finland an excellent place to give birth.