Internet Bypasses Traditional Birth Preparation Services

Many first time mothers only get a peek at the delivery room when the labour of childbirth has set in. That’s because beleaguered hospitals have eliminated childbirth rehearsal programmes and even familiarisation rounds on the delivery wards.

Mothers-to-be now have to go online for information on the stages of childbirth, including options for pain relief medication. Personal birth coaching has been discontinued in Turku, Tampere, Oulu and Kuopio, while Hyvinkää transferred these services online back in May.

“Everyone uses the Internet nowdays. It’s easy, you don’t need to travel and information can be sourced at home. The most important reason for the change is a lack of resources in the municipalities,” said midwife Rozalia Paakkunainen of the Hyvinkää district hospital.

First Time Mothers in Need of Advice

In Hyvinkää, after accessing introductory resources online, expectant mothers can have a voluntary visit to the delivery ward. Askola residents Riina and Ossi Suominen say it’s important to visit the hospital before the birth. They also believe that individual birth coaching would have been a good idea.

“When you’re expecting your first baby, there are many things you don’t know how to ask. My mother and mother in law have also wondered why we aren’t taught any breathing techniques or anything like that,” said the young mother-to-be.

Sanna Tomma and Oskari Huovinen are expecting their second child, and for them online information coupled with an introductory tour to the hospital are sufficient preparation for the birth.

“It’s all familiar the second time around, so this is fine for us,” said the couple.

Midwives’ Association Concerned

The Finnish Midwives’ Association is concerned about the withdrawal of birth preparation services. Association President Terhi Virtanen feels that Internet-based preparedness programmes aren’t a good idea.

“Of course online birthing services are a good addition to regular birth and family preparedness programmes. But there is a concern whether first timers will become more afraid of the birth,” she added.

Hospitals are certain that expectant mothers with a severe fear of the birth process will have access to other resources apart from the Internet – they will get to meet their midwives personally.

Erja Hlmesmäki, Medical Chief of Staff at the Helsinki Gynecological Clinic feels the Internet provides an efficient and modern approach to preparing for childbirth. Halmesmäki the Internet ensures that information provided is consistent, allowing itinerant midwives to focus on their core service, which is to assist with the birth.

Because of the contraction of childbirth preparation classes at hospitals, more maternity clinics are finding themselves having to provide the service. However, this is also proving to be a challenge for the preventive healthcare providers, as they are also suffering from a shortage of midwives in the sector.