Vauva- ja pikkulapsiperheiden avopalvelu
The birth of a baby is a big change in a family’s life. A new life situation can already make you think during pregnancy, or postpartum depression or depression makes tears flow and days difficult. It is important for the baby, the parents and possible siblings that the family gets support quickly in the situation. Even the life of a family with children in the rush years can be burdensome.
We offer expert support, guidance and counseling for parents’ coping, family interaction and child’s sleep problems for parents of children aged 0-6 in the entire Lapland region.
We operate on the principle of a low threshold: Contact and meetings are free of charge for customers. If you wish, you can contact us anonymously. You can get in touch by phone, online, schedule a personal meeting or participate in an open or closed peer group.
Discussion help for families
We can talk about:
- during pregnancy, about themes related to the pregnancy or the birth of a baby,
- about baby’s sleep problems,
- about the challenges of self-reliance,
- if there is low mood in the family,
- in matters related to the interaction between family members.
You can book your own discussion time through our online appointment booking (select “Vauva- ja pikkulapsiperheiden avopalvelu” from the appointment booking). Online appointment booking allows you to book a phone appointment (“keskusteluaika puhelimitse”) or appointment online (“keskusteluaika Teams-alustalla). If you prefer a face-to-face meeting, mention it in the additional information of the reservation, in which case we will contact you and provide arrival instructions for the face-to-face meeting. If you cannot find a suitable time in the online appointment, you can reach us on 0400 814 946 / 040 124 5772.
You can book your appointment here
You can also discuss issues related to the everyday life of a family with children that you are thinking about in the Vauvaperheiden chat, where baby care professionals are on call from all over Finland. In the chat, you can talk to a professional about concerns and challenges related to the everyday life, such as coping, worries about coping or loneliness. You will also get support with questions related to your baby’s sleeping and sleep rhythm.
Baby families chat is open on weekdays from 12:00 to 18:00.
Volunteer doulas
A volunteer doula is a support person who supports the expectant mother and the family during pregnancy and birth of the child. A doula helps in preparing for the birth, listens to the mother’s wishes and thoughts, and prepares to be involved in the birth. Being present and supporting the mother are the most important tasks of a doula during childbirth. A volunteer doula works on your family’s terms, listening to your wishes and needs.
The volunteer doulas have had training on the task.
What a volunteer doula does?
The volunteer doula meets the family a few times before the birth. In the meetings, we talk about the practical preparations related to the arrival of the baby, how the pregnancy is goingoing, as well as the birth and mothers wishes and possible worries or fears. A volunteer doula works on the family’s terms and in accordance with their wishes and needs.
During childbirth, a volunteer doula supports and encourages the birthing individual individually and holistically, by listening to the mother’s wishes. One of the most important tasks of a volunteer doula is to be present in the delivery room. After the birth, the family and the volunteer meet at least once.
According to the mothers, the doula’s presence and support are perceived as the most important benefits. According to birth attendants, the presence of a support person during childbirth increases the feeling of security and has a relieving effect on childbirth pain. When fear and anxiety decrease, the need for pain medication also decreases and the course of labor speeds up.
When can you get volunteer doula support?
A volunteer doula is a trained childbirth support person who offers support to families in need of special support. The need for special support is a broad concept that refers to economic, health and social situations in which it is important for the future baby that his parents receive support during the waiting period and childbirth.
You can get a volunteer doula, for example, when the family is in a difficult financial situation, the birth mother is under 18, an asylum seeker, or the family has a serious substance abuse or mental health problem, or some other special need for support from the perspective of the baby or birth mother.
When contacting the doula coordinator, you can still discuss your situation in more detail.
You can ask a volunteer doula from the coordinators:
Kristiina Luusua, tel. 0400 814 946
Henna Rautio, tel. 040 124 5772
avopalvelu@lapinentu.fi
Brochures
You can find brochures in Finnish, English, French, Russian, Somali, Persian, Burmese and Arabic here
