Finland Birthing Experience

Okay, so it's been over a month and the nightmares of my labour have finally started to subside. Just kidding, it wasn't that bad. I've been meaning to document the differences between having a baby in Canada and having a baby in Finland since it's fresh on my mind.

- everybody who works in the labour ward is female
- they have like 20 birthing rooms so you are never stuck delivering your baby in the hallway.
- each labouring mother is paired with a midwife. This is the woman who is with you the entire labour, including delivery. There is no parade of ten people coming in to look at you at your "weakest moment" to catch the baby in the final minutes and then leave. Much more comfortable atmosphere
- there is an anaesthesiologist who is dedicated solely to the labour ward. This means that the longest you have to wait to get your epidural is ten minutes.
- the first hour after the baby is born is restricted for bonding time with the new parents. Meaning that once baby and momma have been cleared, everybody leaves the room and they give you an hour to try breastfeeding and to bond with your new baby. We didn't even know how much he weighed or how long he was, but we didn't care!
- they don't have to "catch" the baby - you deliver right on the bed so there's no chance of slippage.
- if you are lucky enough to get a family room, it is a private room with two single beds pushed together. Hubby can stay over and have his own bed. Siblings are also allowed to stay if you want them there. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all buffet-style in the kitchen down the hall, where you help yourself to your meals. They also have fruit available all day and the fridge is stocked with milks and juices. Husbands and children can eat for free also.
- all clothing, diapers, etc are provided by the hospital until the moment you leave the hospital. There are large rooms with shelves full of robes, pants, shirts, socks, slippers, and gowns for moms, and then hats, sleepers, diapers, and blankets for the new baby. They even give you shampoo and soap and pads and anything you would need until you leave the hospital. You just help yourself.

The biggest difference was the interruptions. In Canada, the nurses would barge into your room at any hour of the day or night, no matter whether you're sleeping or not, to check heart rates and blood pressure. In Finland, they would say next time you are up, buzz us and we will come check his blood pressure. The nurses work on your schedule, not theirs.

I am also going to point out an earlier blog entry where I got a humongous maternity box from the Finnish government full of clothes, blankets, snowsuits, hats, toys, bibs, etc. Plus the hospital gave us a goodie bag when we left, and the neuvola (clinic) gave us a Pampers goodie box at his first check-up. Who needs a baby shower??

Contractions aside, it was an enjoyable experience and a relaxing atmosphere.
But no, I am not ready to do it again any time soon.