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Appointments at the maternity clinic

Maternity clinics support expectant parents throughout the pregnancy and as they grow into their new role as parents. The maternity clinic will monitor your pregnancy and provide your family with advice on health and well-being.

A public health nurse will tailor the health advice to your family’s needs. The maternity clinic also cooperates with other service providers (e.g. services for families with an infant, family counselling, social work and specialised health care).

The duration of an appointment is 20–90 minutes, depending on its reason.

Child health clinics do not treat illnesses. However, the public health nurses do provide advice over the phone.

What happens during appointments?

During all appointments, we will monitor your physical and mental well-being and discuss your pregnancy and any concerning symptoms, such as high blood pressure, very itchy skin, early contractions, back pain and moods. We will always discuss any matters brought up by you and your family.

Our nurse will measure your blood pressure and weight during every appointment. You can also do this yourself at the clinic’s self-care point before your appointment. Your haemoglobin level will be checked at the beginning of your pregnancy and at least twice later during pregnancy. During early pregnancy, your urine sample will be examined at a laboratory and later at the clinic. As of the extensive health check (at 14–16 weeks of pregnancy), foetal heart sounds will be monitored during every appointment. The growth of your uterus will be monitored with a symphysis-fundus (SF) height measurement. This means measuring the distance from the pubic bone to the top of your uterus using a tape measure.

Towards the end of your pregnancy, we will discuss preparing for the birth and breastfeeding and going to the hospital. We will also examine the baby’s size and position.

Appointments during pregnancy

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