Pregnancy

The screening tests carried out during pregnancy include the following examinations:

• A general ultrasound scan in early pregnancy, performed between weeks 10 and 13 of the pregnancy. The scan is used to determine the duration of the pregnancy, the number of foetuses, and your estimated due date. The examination can also include a nuchal translucency scan to measure the thickness of the space behind the foetus's neck.
• Screening for chromosomal abnormalities, i.e. early pregnancy combined screening, which includes taking the pregnant person’s blood sample between weeks 9 and 11 of their pregnancy and measuring the thickness of the space behind the foetus's neck in connection with a general ultrasound scan between weeks 11 and 13 of the pregnancy. The screening for chromosomal abnormalities can also be carried out using a blood sample from the pregnant person between weeks 15 and 16 of the pregnancy. The purpose of the screening is to examine whether there is an elevated risk of foetal chromosome abnormalities. If an elevated risk is determined, the expecting person is offered the opportunity to participate in further examinations. These examinations are used to verify whether the foetus’s chromosomes are normal. The most common chromosome abnormality is Down's syndrome.
• A structural ultrasound scan, carried out between weeks 18 and 21 or after week 24 of the pregnancy. The purpose of the examination is to determine whether the foetus has severe structural abnormalities. The examination focuses on the condition of the foetus’s head, organs, and limbs. If any abnormalities are found, the foetus will undergo a new examination and the necessary further measures will be determined on a case-by-case basis. The examination usually also reveals the sex of the baby.
• Some wellbeing services counties offer NIPT screening (non-invasive prenatal testing), which can be used to screen the most common chromosomal abnormalities in the foetus more accurately than combined screening. NIPT screening is carried out on the pregnant person’s blood sample from the 10 week of pregnancy onwards. The best time for the test is between 11 and 13+6 weeks of pregnancy. The maternity and child health clinic will provide you with information and a referral to the NIPT examination if it is offered in your area.

For additional information on ultrasound scans and foetal screening tests during pregnancy, visit Terveyskylä.fi (in Finnish).Opens in a new window.

The purpose of the screening tests is to discover any congenital abnormalities in the foetus at an early stage, to allow the expecting parents to respond to them in the manner they see fit. If a developmental disorder is observed in the foetus during screening, the baby’s parents will often need psychological support. The website of Inclusion Finland KVTL's Norio Centre of Rare Diseases contains information and support for such situations (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.. It also provides help to those who are not sure whether they wish to participate in any screenings. Not everyone wants to participate in screenings, and participation is not mandatory.

If necessary, the parents are directed to a physician who specialises in medical genetics and who can provide the family with as much clear information as possible on how the foetus is doing and how it is likely to develop.

Your need for several nutrients will increase during pregnancy and lactation. The maternity and child health clinic can provide you with information on nutrition recommendations during pregnancy.

Some foods can be harmful to the foetus. The food safety guidelines maintained by the Finnish Food AuthorityOpens in a new window. list the foods that those who are pregnant should avoid.

Vitamin D supplements are recommended for all pregnant people for the entire pregnancy, and folic acid supplements are recommended before and during the early stages of pregnancy. More detailed recommendations on food supplements during pregnancy are available on the Finnish Food Authority's website.Opens in a new window.

Regular physical activity is good for those who are expecting, as it can improve your physical fitness and general mood. By staying physically active, you will feel better and be able to withstand the physical strain caused by labour. Physical activity will not harm your baby, but you should listen to your body and avoid any risky activities as your pregnancy progresses. You can ask your maternity and child health clinic for advice on how you can stay physically active. You can also find additional information on the UKK Institute’s recommendations for physical activity during pregnancyOpens in a new window.. If your pregnancy has been classified as high risk, consult your physician about which physical activities you should consider or avoid.

Many service providers organise physiotherapy for those who are pregnant or maternity physiotherapy, which is also suitable for those who have already given birth. The purpose of the physiotherapy is to provide you with instructions that will help you prevent stress during pregnancy and after giving birth. The physiotherapy addresses various issues, such as physical activity during pregnancy and the effects that pregnancy and childbirth can have on the body. If you feel like participating in physiotherapy, discuss the issue with your maternity and child health clinic or contact your local service providers directly.

The use of substances during pregnancy is harmful to your unborn child. If you have used alcohol or other substances in the past, you must stop their use by the time you find out that you are pregnant. In some cases, the pregnancy may come as a surprise, and the expecting person did not know to avoid the use of substances during early pregnancy. Some people experience guilt over the substances they have used before they found out they were pregnant. If this applies to you, don't hesitate to share your concerns and discuss the matter at your maternity and child health clinic, for example.

If your substance use has become a problem and quitting feels overwhelming, remember that help is available.

• The Holding Tight treatment system helps substance-abusing pregnant women and families with infants – Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• Pregnancy and intoxicants – Päihdelinkki.fiOpens in a new window.
• Intoxicants during pregnancy - Terveyskylä (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• Suomi.fi’s help page for those with alcohol, drug, or gambling issues

Many pregnant people experience some form of nausea during pregnancy. Approximately 1% of people experience very severe nausea and heavy vomiting during pregnancy. This is referred to as hyperemesis gravidarum.

You should visit a physician if your general health deteriorates, for example if your fatigue increases during vomiting or if your weight has begun to decrease.

Further information on severe nausea during pregnancy can be found at Terveyskylä.fi’s Naistalo (in Finnish).Opens in a new window.

General and peer support for people with severe nausea during pregnancy are available on the website of Hyperemeesi ry (in Finnish).Opens in a new window.

Many people end up expecting a child while they are single, all for various reasons. For example, they may have decided to become a single parent by choice, the pregnancy may have started after a brief relationship, or they may have separated from their partner during the pregnancy.

If you are expecting a child by yourself, you can ask your maternity and child health clinic if your wellbeing services county arranges family guidance for those who are expecting alone. The website of Yhden Vanhemman Perheiden Liitto provides information and support for those expecting a child alone (in Finnish)Opens in a new window..

If you are going through a divorce, help and advice is available at e.g.

• in the Suomi.fi guide on divorcing or separating from your partner
• on the website of the Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters: Divorce in families with infants (in Finnish).Opens in a new window.

If you are experiencing any threats of violence, discuss the issue with your maternity and child health clinic. You can also get help from NollalinjaOpens in a new window., local shelters (in Finnish), and the Online Shelter service provided by the Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.. In an emergency, always call 112.

For more information and support for your partner’s role and relationship, visit the following resources:

• The spouse’s role during pregnancy – Terveyskylä (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• The spouse’s role in childbirth – Terveyskylä (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• I’m going to be a mother, too – becoming a mother without giving birth.Sateenkaariperheet – Rainbow Families Finland’s guide for social mothers (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• Information on preparing for a baby’s arrival for fathers or partners at Omaperhe.fiOpens in a new window.
• Becoming a father – Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• Experiences of co-parenting on the Kumppanuusvanhemmaksi.fi website (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.

It is also important for your partner to take care of their own mental well-being. Your partner is likely to experience many different emotions and fears during your pregnancy. If you feel anxious or depressed, talk about the issue at your maternity and child health clinic. You can also take the “Kun kumppani sairastaa” (When My Partner is Ill) online course that is available in Finnish on the Hyvä kysymys service provided by the Family Federation of Finland. The links below provide help and support for both your and your partner’s well-being.

• Miessakit ry’s MASI activities help fathers and their families cope with the father's experiences of depressionOpens in a new window.
• Parisuhdekeskus Kataja’s services (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.
• The Family Federation of Finland’s Perhepulma service (Relationship-themed chat, chat appointments, couple power counselling)Opens in a new window.
• Äimä ry's peer support helpline and peer support chat (in Finnish)Opens in a new window.

If your work includes factors that may pose a risk to your pregnancy or the development of the foetus, inform your employer of your pregnancy as soon as possible. If you are not sure, you can ask about the matter at your maternity and child health clinic or occupational health care. This will allow them to transfer you to other tasks that are safer for the foetus. If no other, safer work tasks are available, you are entitled to special pregnancy leave.

In certain circumstances, parents may change the date of a previously announced family leave, even at short notice. Such situations may be related to, for example, the child’s birth at an earlier date or the birthing parent’s health. Notify your employer as soon as possible

Discrimination on the basis of pregnancy or family leave is always prohibited. For example, an employer may not disqualify a candidate because of their pregnancy, childbirth or family leave. Pregnancy is not a justified reason for dismissal, and a person’s pregnancy may not prevent, for example, the continuation of a fixed-term employee’s employment contract or making them a permanent employee. Information on pregnancy-based discrimination is available on the website of the Ombudsman for EqualityOpens in a new window..

If you suspect that you have been discriminated against, you can contact

• your shop steward or trade union for legal advice, if you are a member of a trade union
• the Ombudsman for Equality
• paid legal services
• a legal aid office if your income is below the income threshold for legal aid.