Giving Birth in Finland – Our Delivery Experience in Rovaniemi Hospital

Childbirth and Recovery at Rovaniemi Central Hospital

The couple shares their childbirth and recovery experience at the central hospital in Rovaniemi, Finland.

Preparing for Labour

They visited the labour ward on a Saturday before the birth to become familiar with it. During labour, the mother was able to move around and try comfortable positions with guidance from a midwife.

Labour and Delivery

Pain-relief options included a pudendal nerve block, spinal anaesthesia, an epidural and laughing gas. The mother chose the nerve block and briefly used laughing gas. A doctor checked on both her and the baby, including monitoring the baby’s heart rate. She describes the birth as a normal delivery at no cost.

Her husband was allowed to stay beside her throughout the delivery and cut the umbilical cord. The couple describes hearing their baby’s first cry as an especially joyful moment.

Rooms and Hospital Stay

The mother first stayed in an observation room during contractions, then moved to the labour room at about six centimetres’ dilation, and afterwards to a recovery room. Their recovery room was usually shared, but became a family room because the other bed was vacant.

They spent their third night in hospital. The timing of discharge depended on the health of both the mother and baby. Their room did not have its own bathroom, so they used one outside the room. A changing table and sheets for cleaning the baby were available.

The couple says family rooms may be prioritised for families who live farther away. They lived about three kilometres from the hospital and had noted in their birth plan that they hoped for a family room.

Supplies and Support for New Parents

The hospital provided clothing and towels for the mother, along with baby diapers, changing pads and other basic supplies. The baby was kept wrapped for warmth, and the hospital encouraged skin-to-skin contact, including with the father. The couple found they needed much less from their packed maternity bag than expected, though they preferred to bring their own toiletries.

Staff showed them how to change diapers, breastfeed, care for the baby’s bottom and wash the baby. Nurses could be called using the room’s call bell. The couple says feeding intervals depended on the baby’s weight and health.

Meals

Hospital meals were served in the dining hall, with the option to take food back to the room. The mother’s meals were provided; her husband had to arrange his own food.

Meal times were listed as:

• Breakfast: 7:30–9:00
• Lunch: 11:30–12:45
• Coffee: 1:30–2:00
• Dinner: 4:30–5:45
• Before-bed meal: 7:30

Locations and Items Mentioned

The experience took place at Rovaniemi Central Hospital, including its labour ward, observation room and recovery room. Items mentioned include the pudendal nerve block, laughing gas, hospital clothing, diapers, baby oil and toiletries. The mother describes the birth, while the couple shows their hospital room and baby-care supplies.