Birth

We welcome those in labor who come to the hospital from home at the Women's Acute Centre, where we assess whether labor has started. Based on the stage of labor and the overall situation, we assess whether the expectant mother needs to stay in the Women's Acute Centre, if she can return home, or if she can stay in the patient hotel in Kuopio. 

During the work shift, we always appoint a personal midwife for you with whom you can discuss your wishes and expectations as well as update your birth plan. With your own midwife, you can plan a suitable non-medicinal or medicinal pain-relieved delivery suited at all stages to your own needs.  

Women’s Acute Centre staff also look after expectant mothers undergoing caesarean sections, as well as those needing special monitoring. At the Women’s Acute Centre, we also care for families that have lost their child. The treatment provided at the Women’s Acute Centre is individual and participatory in character. Family and other close relatives and friends are welcome to visit. We endeavour to make a support person’s overnight stay on the ward possible, as long as the patient situation allows it. 

In looking after the expectant mother, we implement a family-centred, baby-friendly way of thinking based on her own wishes, using modern monitoring devices at the same time. Support persons are welcome to attend the birth. 

The purpose of infant-friendly activities is to enable a good start to lactation, encourage full breastfeeding, and support early interaction. We already support lactation in accordance with the expectant mother's wishes in advance of the birth by, for example, making a breastfeeding plan with her and providing guidance in manual milking. 

After the birth has taken place, we check the infant’s well-being, after which the mother is given her child to stay warm and close by her side. First lactation takes place in the labour ward. Lactation guidance is given if needed by the widwife to the family. Other early interaction and skin contact are important, and the parents are supported in establishing first contact with the newborn child. The parents will be able to hold the baby in their arms and freely get to know their new family member. 

After birth, the weight, temperature and head circumference are measured. Each newborn receives an injection of vitamin K. 

The mother can take a shower when she feels up to do so, and a small coffee party is arranged for the family. Following the birth, the Women’s Acute Centre looks after the family for two to three hours.  After this, the family is transferred to the maternity ward. Early discharge after delivery (within 6–24 hours after delivery) is also possible if the required criteria are met. In that case it is possible to be discharged directly from the Women’s Acute Centre. 

For whom and on what terms? 

It is possible to come to Kuopio University Hospital (KYS) to give birth from anywhere in Finland, 24 hours a day. 

Payment information

Inpatient care fee 

Contact information

• Women's Acute Center tel.  +358 17172361, Kuopio University Hospital, Puijonlaaksontie 2, 70210 Kuopio, Kaari Hospital, K, second floor
• Women's Polyclinic tel. +358 17172712, Callback service from monday to friday from 8 am to 12 noon, Kuopio University Hospital,  Puijonlaaksontie 2, 70210 Kuopio, Kaari Hospital, K, first floor
• Women's Department, Births tel. +358 17172334,  Gynegology tel. +358 17172369, Kuopio University Hospital, Puijonlaaksontie 2, 70210 Kuopio, C, eighth floor