Pregnant just 2 months after moving to Finland

I know that many mothers have questions about what pregnancy and childbirth are like in Finland. When you are new to the country, you may wonder where to go, who to contact, what kind of support you will receive, and what to expect when the time comes to give birth.

I would like to share my personal experience of pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood in Finland after giving birth to three of my children at Jorvi Hospital in Espoo.

I want to emphasize that this article is based entirely on my personal experience. Every pregnancy, birth, mother, baby, and situation is different, so my experience may not be the same as someone else’s.

  Finding out I was pregnant in Finland   

When I found out that I was pregnant with my second child, I had been living in Finland for only two months.

I had arrived in Finland with my two-year-old child, and then I discovered that I was pregnant again. As you can imagine, I experienced a whole mixture of emotions. I was happy, but at the same time I had so many questions. I did not know where to start or what I was supposed to do.

After only two months in Finland, I had no real network of friends, acquaintances, or people who could guide me through the Finnish healthcare system or share their personal experiences with me.

That is one of the reasons why I decided to write this article. I hope my story can be useful to mothers who are currently in a similar situation.

My first question was very simple:

Where do I go when I find out that I am pregnant? Do I need to register at a clinic or a hospital?

I searched online and discovered that the first place I needed to contact was Neuvola.

  Neuvola — your support throughout pregnancy  

Neuvola plays an important role during pregnancy in Finland. Midwives and nurses follow your pregnancy, guide you through the routine appointments and tests, answer your questions, and help you when you have concerns.

During all three of my pregnancies, I had the same midwife.

I specifically asked for this. When I registered at Neuvola, I clearly expressed that I wanted my midwife to be [X].

I highly recommend asking for the same midwife whenever possible.

For me, this was a great advantage because she knew my medical history, my previous pregnancies, and my situation. I did not have to explain everything from the beginning at every appointment, and there was less risk of misunderstandings or missing important information.

The relationship also continued after giving birth. I returned to Neuvola with my babies for their routine check-ups, and having the same midwife made everything feel much more personal and comfortable.

  Do not be afraid to ask for help  

All three of my pregnancies went very well, with only a few minor concerns along the way.

Whenever I had a question or needed something, I contacted my midwife and asked for help.

For example, I asked for referrals for laboratory tests or ultrasounds, information about anemia, advice regarding nutrition, and clarification whenever I was worried about something.

My advice is simple: do not be afraid to ask.

If you have a concern, speak to your midwife. If you need information or additional support, ask for it.

Having one midwife throughout your pregnancy and, when possible, during the postpartum period can be very helpful because she becomes familiar with your health, your pregnancy, and your baby’s development. It also makes it easier for you to feel comfortable discussing your concerns and asking for the services or advice you need.

  Giving birth at Jorvi Hospital  

I gave birth at Jorvi Hospital in Espoo in 2018, 2020, and 2022.

One thing I found particularly important was knowing when to go to the hospital.

When labour started, I did not immediately rush to the hospital. For me, the hospital was an unfamiliar environment, and I felt much more comfortable staying at home for as long as it was safe to do so.

I preferred to remain in my own environment — my own bed, my own chair, my own kitchen — where I felt comfortable and relaxed.

I lived approximately 20 minutes from the hospital by car, so I stayed home until my contractions became regular, approximately every four minutes, before going to the hospital.

Of course, every pregnancy and labour is different, and you should always follow the advice given to you by your own healthcare professionals regarding when you should go to the hospital.

  Arriving at the hospital  

When I arrived at Jorvi, I would first present my documents and register. Usually, within approximately 15–20 minutes, a midwife would come to see me and take me to the delivery area.

The midwife who was on duty would then be responsible for my care.

One thing that may be different from what some women expect is that the midwives do not necessarily stay in the delivery room continuously.

They come in at intervals to check on you, monitor the situation, and see how labour is progressing. They always told me that I could call them whenever I needed them.

For me, having my husband there was extremely important. He stayed beside me, supported me, encouraged me, and helped me throughout the labour.

  My experience with water births  

All three of my babies were born in warm water.

When I arrived at the hospital, I would ask the midwife whether I could use the birthing tub.

The water was warm, approximately 35–37°C, and I personally found it incredibly helpful.

Warm water helped me relax, made the contractions feel more manageable, and helped me remain calm during labour.

I had also experienced giving birth on a traditional delivery bed with my first child, so I could personally compare the two experiences.

For me, giving birth in water was much more comfortable.

During one of my births, I used a proper birthing tub. During my last birth, however, I gave birth in a plastic pool, and I personally found it more difficult because there were no handles or bars for me to hold onto during contractions.

Based on my personal experience, I would definitely consider a water birth again.

  The role of your partner  

Your partner can be very important during labour.

Because the midwife does not stay in the delivery room continuously, having someone you trust beside you can make a big difference.

In my experience, my husband was always there to support me.

There was also a comfortable chair in the delivery room for the father/partner. After the baby was born, the baby could also be placed directly on the father’s chest for skin-to-skin contact.

I found these moments very special.

  After the birth  

After giving birth, I had the opportunity to take a bath with my husband’s help. I was given hospital clothing and then moved to the postpartum ward.

The postpartum ward is where mothers and babies stay for recovery and observation after birth.

Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to request a private room for yourself and your partner. At the time of my experience, a private room cost approximately €143 for 24 hours.

There were also shared rooms for several mothers. Even in shared rooms, curtains between the beds provided each mother with a certain level of privacy.

Usually, mothers and babies stayed in the hospital for approximately two or three days when everything was going well with both the mother and the baby.

My experience after my last birth was different. I stayed in the hospital for only about four hours before being sent home because there were renovations and a shortage of available rooms.

The medical team knew that I had already experienced three births and had confidence that everything would continue to go well.

  Breastfeeding and support after birth  

One thing I would like to mention is that I personally never had a midwife come to my home after giving birth to check on me or help me with breastfeeding.

However, this does not mean that such support is unavailable.

In my case, I simply did not ask for it because I felt confident and knew what I was doing.

My professional background as a pharmacist also helped me a great deal. I had enough knowledge and confidence to manage many things independently.

But if you are a new mother and you feel that you need help, please ask for it.

In Finland, you can contact Neuvola for guidance with breastfeeding, establishing a routine with your baby, and many other questions and challenges that can arise after birth.

My advice is:

If you have a problem, call Neuvola. Explain what you need and ask for help. Do not hesitate to speak up.

  Looking back at my three births in Finland  

Looking back, I can honestly say that I had a beautiful experience as a mother in Finland.

I gave birth to three children at Jorvi Hospital — in 2018, 2020, and 2022 — and each experience was special in its own way.

Today, my children are growing so quickly, and sometimes I wonder where all these years have gone.

The years pass much faster than we imagine.

That is why, if there is one thing I would like every mother to remember, it is this:

Enjoy these moments.

The sleepless nights, the little hands, the first smiles, the cuddles, the tired mornings, the worries, and all those tiny everyday moments — they do not come back in exactly the same way.

Motherhood can be overwhelming, especially when you are far from home and trying to understand a new healthcare system and a new country.

But you are not alone.

You are doing something extraordinary.

You are carrying and bringing new life into this world, and that makes you incredibly special.

To all the mothers reading this: I embrace you with all my heart.

You are wonderful. You are strong. You are carrying life into this world. Never forget how amazing that is. ❤️