In autumn 2025, the City of Helsinki and HUS surveyed the experiences of people giving birth about pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal care at the maternity and child health clinics of the City of Helsinki and HUS Women's Hospital. The study is a follow-up to a survey conducted in 2022 and assesses the impact of the improvements made in 2023 and 2024 on the experiences of people giving birth.
A total of 337 people giving birth in Helsinki, of whom 161 had given birth in 2022 and 176 in 2025, responded to the survey.
Maternity and child health clinics praised for family-friendly approach – continuity of care matters
In 2025, people giving birth were on average satisfied with the care they received at maternity and child health clinics, and family-friendliness was perceived to be high. The results were at the same level as in 2022.
However, the feedback highlighted the importance of continuity of care: frequent changes of staff among public health nurses reduced satisfaction. People giving birth also wanted more individual interaction, proactive attention and clearer guidance.
"These needs are being met by measures already in place in the clinics, such as the public health nurse pair model and improved appointment scheduling. The effects of the measures will be systematically monitored in the future," says Manager of the Maternity and Child Health Clinic Monica Lindberg.
Giving birth deemed successful – quality of care paramount
The satisfaction with childbirth of people giving birth remained at a good level and did not differ between 2022 and 2025. In both years, the quality of antenatal care was clearly the most important factor influencing satisfaction with childbirth.
Pain relief during childbirth was also rated as good on average.
A clear improvement in postnatal care
The most significant positive change can be seen in postnatal care at the Women's Hospital. In 2025, people giving birth perceived care to be more family-friendly and were significantly more satisfied with both the care they received and the breastfeeding counselling they received compared to 2022.
"Feedback continued to highlight the need for an unhurried and humane approach and clear, proactive guidance. Strengthening these is a key priority for the further development of postnatal care. For example, we have already increased the number of care meetings and improved family counselling on the maternity wards," says Nurse Director Teija Kättö of the Women's Hospital.