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Finnish homebirth midwives: Descriptions about their work
 
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1
Department of Nursing Science, Kuopio, Finland
 
2
Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Helsinki, Finland
 
 
Publication date: 2025-10-24
 
 
Corresponding author
Eveliina Peltokangas-Pesonen   

University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
 
 
Eur J Midwifery 2025;9(Supplement 1):A83
 
ABSTRACT
The planned home birth rate in Finland has increased during the last ten years. Families cannot choose their birthing place equally because the public healthcare system covers only hospital births. Home birth midwives work outside of the public healthcare system and they are in a vulnerable position. The objective of the study was to describe Finnish home birth midwives' experiences assisting in homebirths and their work. The aim of the study was to produce information about this topic that has not been researched before in Finland. The philosophy behind the study was phenomenological-hermeneutical. 12 home birth midwives participated in the study. Research data was collected remotely through individual thematic interviews and analyzed using inductive content analysis. Finnish home birth midwives delivered continuous care for the families. It was important for them to familiarize themselves with the birthing person during pregnancy. They used their whole professional potential working as responsible and skilled healthcare professionals. They were able to work according to their own ideology of birth and woman-centered care. Midwives had faith in the woman's ability to give birth. They experienced a range of emotions during home births. Mostly the experiences were wonderful, exciting, powerful and touching. They felt that it was a privilege to assist in home births. There were multiple promotive and inhibitory factors working as a home birth midwife in Finland. Often the co- operation with hospitals and public authorities was poor. It was meaningful for the home birth midwives to assist in homebirths. They were able to take care of the families in a way they felt was ethical. They faced many challenges working outside the public healthcare system.
eISSN:2585-2906
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