As an expectant parent in Finland, you may have stumbled upon the concept of a doula. Perhaps you’ve found yourself here, and maybe you even have an inkling of what we do and our role—I’ve shared my personal take on it here, and you can also delve into my unique doula philosophy and approach to the job. But now you might be wondering: how exactly do doulas operate in Finland? What are our boundaries? And what’s the scoop from Finnish hospitals about doulas?
These burning questions, among others, often find their way into the top seven queries expecting families throw at me during our discovery calls (and yes, you can book your free one here!). Let’s tackle them head-on today—let’s dive into how doulas get things done in Finland!
1. Can doulas attend hospital births in Helsinki? And in Finland?
Absolutely!
The Finnish hospital system respects your right to have a companion during birth, and that includes having a professional doula by your side. Plus, I can assure you that midwives and doctors are onboard with doulas, and most of them are genuinely happy to see us around.
You don’t need to inform the hospital from before that you will have a doula with you. We usually arrive together to the hospital, or, if you are already there, we just need to identify and we will get access to the labor ward to meet you.
2. Are doulas covered by public Finnish healthcare system?
Unfortunately, no, we’re not covered by Kela. But hey, we’re hopeful for the day when every birthing person can have access to a doula fully covered by Kela. In the meantime, there’s a little trick you can use: you can file your postpartum doula expenses as “house help” or support on your tax declaration with Vero to get a slightly better deal on our services.
3. Do doulas attend home births in Helsinki?
Absolutely, we do!
However, it’s important to clarify: while we’re not healthcare professionals, we often team up with home birth midwives in Finland when attending home births. And for ethical reasons, most of us won’t attend a free birth or a planned home birth without midwives’ assistance.
That is, for example, my case. I’ve worked with amazing home birth teams and I can tell you: they also love to have a doula around. While the midwife will care about the medical side and attention of birth, we can take care of all the rest things going on in the house for a home birth. From bringing you your comforting measures to be with the rest of siblings and explain them what is going on.
4. How can I afford a doula in Finland?
As an immigrant myself, I understand that financing a doula isn’t always easy. I’ve been there, spending around 4,000€ on my own home birth. It’s tough to give financial advice without knowing your situation, but here’s what I propose based on my experience working with immigrant families here:
- Firstly, you can find money for a doula in Finland by reassessing your priorities. Trust me, that fancy stroller over 1,500€ isn’t more crucial than having a doula if you feel you need our support. Invest and focus on each step of the process. Do what you need to get a comforting pregnancy and birth, and later, you will be able to buy what your baby needs based on your baby’s character and preferences.
- Secondly, leverage your network. When family and friends ask what they can gift you for the baby, consider setting up crowdfunding pages for extra funds for birth and postpartum support.
Lastly, my personal proposal: we can work out payment terms that suit your needs. I also offer a birth pack for low-income families (household income less than 60% of the average in Finland). Reach out to me to learn how to apply and what’s included.
5. Who is the best doula in Helsinki, Espoo, Lohja, or even in Finland?
Ah, the million-dollar question! But alas, the answer isn’t me! The best doula for you is the one you click with. It’s someone who shares your values and whose approach to birth resonates with you.
If you’re wondering how to evaluate a doula to work with you in Finland, here’s what I suggest: many doulas, including myself, offer free discovery calls. You can also download my list of questions to ask your potential doula for free. Take your time and evaluate at least two candidates.
Plus, I’m part of an amazing doula collective called The Nest, offering full-spectrum services from conception to postpartum. Check out the incredible doulas I have the pleasure to work with!